Advertise/Affiliate Other Forum Main Page The World Before You Play

Just Another Night on The Prowl [RHI!] [M]

Started by DaGlobster, May 02, 2014, 02:24:35 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

DaGlobster

[TW: Sexual assault]


Guards ran by a pastry stand, yelling "Stop, thief!", much to the surprise of the various people sitting at it eating various different kinds of sweets. One of the people looked behind him, and cracked a grin. "Idiots. Thanks for keeping quiet, dear." Herrick said as he turned his head to the stand keeper, a surly looking woman who seemed more shaved bear than human. She narrowed her eyes, and Herrick raised his hands defensively. He produced a few coins, and set them down on the counter. "Three for being so kind, two for being so beautiful, and one for a sweetroll." He said, and her expression remained stony and annoyed.

She reached over, and planted a sweetroll on the counter in front of Herrick and he took it up in his hand to take a bite out of it. "Get out of here, thief. If I ever see you again, I won't be so kind." She growled, and Herrick took the hint. He set off, walking down the avenue for a short bit before turning and heading into a smaller side street, which connected to another avenue.

He walked down this avenue, until he saw some guards coming his way, and he entered the nearest building he saw, which just happened to be the Arca library. He shrugged, and started walking down the aisles, idly looking at all the different books.

Rhindeer

Einin wasn't alone that day.

A guard accompanied her as escort, and she knew that the Wolves were near, as well, for Rufus was ever vigilant after what had happened--for which she was thankful for, for once. Escort or not, though, she was left mostly to her own business. The man lingered nearby, keeping an eye on things and keeping her within eyesight, while Einin was free to wander the vast library.

There were more kinds of armor than just the physical, and she had had enough of being afraid. In an effort to better equip herself, she had insisted on going to the library to browse for more silly, fanciful stories alleviate her boredom back home. At least, that was the official reason. The real reason was the stack of books currently in her arms--books about goblins and other warped fae creatures, but also several books about combat, weaponry, and tactics. Not really suitable reading for a proper lady, but as her escort wasn't monitoring her reading material, it wasn't an issue.

What was an issue was getting down a book she currently wanted.

With a frown up at the promising tome, which was stacked high and just out of her reach, she set her books down on the floor, rolled up her long sleeves (for she was wearing a lavender dress complete with bodice and dainty slippers rather than boots), and rolled her shoulders back. She would certainly not be defeated by a book!

Grabbing onto the shelves, she climbed up two shelves, just enough to be able to reach it with her fingertips. Tongue sticking out the side of her mouth, she stretched for it, just barely managed to get her fingers on it, and tugged.

It came out, all right.

And so did half the books on the shelf, for they'd been rather tightly packed together. They all followed the book and came tumbling down in a shower of hard-backed volumes and fluttering pages--some of them landing on the poor man that she hadn't noticed come walking down that aisle.
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

DaGlobster

Herrick turned into an aisle, puzzled by what he saw. There was a woman standing up on the shelves, trying to get a book down. "Hey, do you need some he-OH GODS"

Books.

Books everywhere.

When they came tumbling down the shelves towards him, he could do nothing but put his arms in front of his face defensively and block them. A few books bounced off of his forearms, but then Classic Adelan Poetry (a book about as wide as his shoulder) hit him in the gut, breaking his guard just long enough for his face to become acquainted with The Complete Code of Laws of Adela, Volume II of III. He yelped as he fell backwards, clutching his face and falling down against the shelf behind him, sliding down to the floor. "Fuck!" He suddenly blurted out, laying a hand on his forehead as a steady stream of blood trickled down his nose.

Rhindeer

Fortunately for Einin, she was able to press herself close to the bookcase and avoid the majority of the disaster.

Unfortunately, that meant the poor man got to deal with the brunt of it.

She heard the thumps of books striking something, and heard him yelp and curse. Finally, when the books were done falling, she opened her eyes and gazed, wincingly, in his direction.

Or rather, where he was currently slumped on the floor and bleeding from his nose.

Erk.

"Sweet Kia's tit!" she blurted, and quickly hopped down from the shelf and crouched down near him. "I'm not going to ask if you're okay, because, um, obvious reasons! But I am so sorry! I didn't see you there! And I didn't know the books would explode and--can I help or, er...here!"

Fishing into her little clutch purse, she drew a handkerchief out and offered it to him.
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

DaGlobster

Herrick barely registered Einin's words, more focused on deciding whether his forehead or his nose hurt more. He waved his arm at her, swiping the handkerchief out of her hand and blinking his eyes a few times. He looked up at her, and then straight up, trying to suck some blood back into his nose before he stuffed the handkerchief up the bleeding nostril. He found some sweet irony that even when it wasn't wielding a sword, the law would always find some way to attack him.

Herrick's hand looked for something he could support himself with, and it settled on the bookshelf he was resting on. He pulled himself up, shaking off the last few bits of dizziness.

"Don't worry about it...shit happens." He said, and leaned against the bookcase. "...I hate libraries..." he muttered. He was definitely going to have some bruises later, as he wasn't even in his armor, just some comfortable clothing.

Rhindeer

"Oh, but...you're in a library...?"

Einin gave him a curious look, as though to say, 'why are you here if you hate them?' Then again, could just be he was being cranky. She'd be cross, too, after getting pegged in the face with a huge book.

She had been about to say more, but at that moment her escort poked his head around the corner. "Everything alright, Lady Beirne?" he asked, eyebrows raised as he took in the carnage and the bleeding man. But she noticed that his hand was near his sword, too. Misfortune seemed to follow the young Lady Beirne as of late, and it was clear he thought that man might be a predator.

With a laugh and a shake of her head, Einin waved the man away. "It's fine, Oliver. It was my fault," she said with a guilty wince. "If you could, grab an attendant, please? To, ah, help with the books."

With another confused look at the mess, Oliver turned to go fetch someone, and Einin turned back to the man. "How you holding up? It's not broken, is it?"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

DaGlobster

Herrick shot Einin a cross glare when she questioned why he was in a library if he hated them. Naturally, he had to retain the truth, but she seemed to drop the matter quickly enough for it to not be a problem. He curiously noted that she appeared to have a guard with her, and he smiled internally. Nothing like a good bit of nobility every now and then to keep his pockets full.

"Broken? Naw, just a popped vein. I'll live." He said, idly rubbing the back of his head. He finally noticed that his longish hair was slightly tangled in front of his face, and he promptly brushed it aside, making his face even clearer to Einin. "Herrick Tavish, pleasure to make your acquaintance. May I have the honor of knowing the name of my assailant, my lady?" He said, extending one of his hands.

Rhindeer

Einin took his hand and opened her mouth, about to respond--and froze.

For it was at that moment, when he'd pushed his hair aside, that she got a good look at his face. There was something familiar about it, something that tickled at the back of her mind, but she couldn't quite place it. Gods, where had she seen him before? A play bill, maybe? A shop?

Ugh, how frustrating. She was sure it would come to her, though.

And as for her name? The question brought with it a slight, knee-jerk repulsion, but she realized a second later that she was being ridiculous. Her guard had already named her--with her family name, which was even more revealing than her first name. And she wasn't back there in that place. It wasn't like she wasn't well-known, either, or like she didn't have a guard near her--or Wolves out beyond, somewhere. Rufus had been very thorough after that debacle.

"Einin," she finally said with a smile. "Einin Beirne. It's nice to meet you, Herrick, even if I wish the circumstances were a little less...painful, heh."

Looking around at the mess of books, she realized that the book she'd originally gone for had been lost. Shuffling through then, she frowned, not seeing it--until she noticed it had landed behind Herrick. A rather impressive tome, and simply titled, The Book of Ogres and Trolls. She motioned to it. "Do you mind handing that to me?"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

DaGlobster

Herrick seemed distracted by something for a few moments, before blinking it away. "What...oh, here." He muttered, reaching behind him to stoop down and pick up the book, examining the cover before handing it over to her in one hand. "Ogres and Trolls, Eh? Normally, I'd ;et my curiosity get the better of me, but it's not my place to ask why such a pretty lady would need a dusty old book about the various kinds of lesser giants." He said, and handed the tome over with one arm. It was then Herrick got a good look at her, as she did to him. He could tell through the faint outlines of the upper part of her dress that she wasn't no flimsy wallflower. It took a certain amount of audacity to climb a bookshelf in a dress, after all.

Rhindeer

"Simple curiosity!" Einin answered with a smile. "I read the most amazing story about a girl that was captured by goblins so I wanted to know more about them. I simply love mythical beasts, you see. Granted, I prefer things like fae and unicorns--they're so much nicer--but if I'm ever to tell my own stories, well, they've got to have villains! You can't have a story without conflict."

She tapped the book with her finger. "Maybe I'll find a good villain here."

Taking the book, she dropped it onto her stack and a plume of dust rose where it fell. She wiped her hands together to clear them of dirt, and then sneaked another curious look. That was going to bug her. Why did he look so familiar? Ugh...

"So, what brings a library-hater to a library, if you don't mind my asking?"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

DaGlobster

Herrick smirked. Hell of a lie, if he ever heard one. "I'm looking for a particular book, a book whose only copy belongs to this library." He said, putting on a hopeful tone. "You see, I enjoy books, but not so much the places they're held. My father had a grand old store of books. Are you familiar with Sarnath The Conqueror of Adela?" Herrick asked, leaning forwards.

Rhindeer

"Hmm..." Einin tapped her lips thoughtfully. "Not very familiar. I've heard the name. I know he was an impressive leader, and lead many a war party to victory, and I know he had dragons." Honestly, the dragons were the part she found most fascinating. Adelan politics had never been something she'd delved too deeply into; her tutors had focused primarily on the politics and history of Serendipity, and touched on other nations where their histories and policies crossed.

"Are you looking for a book about him?"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

DaGlobster

Herrick's smile grew even more, and he laughed. She didn't know that much, which was beautiful. What he was about to tell her was the truth. Sarnath was (in a loose sense of the word) his father, even if he was adoptive. That was before the giant battles that made him a hero, however. Sarnath started small, quelling tribal uprisings in the Thunderblack Foothills, fighting unruly tribes of dragon-hunters.

Herrick decided to drop the bomb.

"A book about Sarnath? I'd hate that immensely. I mean, would you want to read all about your own father?" Herrick casually asked, bringing up the issue as if it was today's weather.

Rhindeer

Einin wrinkled her nose at that question. "No, not particularly. I'd be afraid of reading something I might have preferred be left un--" She paused before she could finish and looked up from the stack of books she'd been arranging, then peered at Herrick with narrowed eyes as though seeing him for the first time.

"Saranth's your father?" Well, duh. That's what he'd just said. She just felt it bore repeating. "So that makes you nobility, then, and the son of a warlord. Interesting! What kind of book could be important enough to bring you here personally?" Certainly a powerful, important person like that could have hired people to fetch it.

Then again, she could have done the same, too. But she actually liked libraries and itched for the chance to get out--and, you know, this library actually existed in the same city she lived in.
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

DaGlobster

"Well, I said I was his son, but not really part of the family, follow?" Herrick said, and glanced around, getting a bit closer and readjusting his casual lean. "The noble life grated on me. All the high living and "intrigue" and arranged marriages. I left it all behind before Sarnath could lock me into it with some pretty little girl I hardly knew." He explained and rubbed his hands together, releasing a small chuckle. "I'm a free man, but I digress. I'm looking for the book called Of Black Stars and The Blacker Arts." Herrick explained, pausing for a fee moments. "The Old Gods have always been an interest of mine." He added, smiling at her.

In truth, he was acquiring it for a client, an odd man who he'd rather not get to know better.

Rhindeer

Einin's eyebrows raised at that description. Well. She could certainly identify with that! Though to actually just...leave? That took some guts. But she kept her mouth shut and her opinions to herself, because right now she was Einin Beirne--and few people knew her true thoughts on the matter.

That, and some wary part of her questioned his story. She had no way of truly knowing if what he said was true. For all she knew, he could be a common folk trying to impress the noble lady--though Sarnath, she would admit, was a relatively obscure figure to Serenians. She played along anyway. There was no real harm in it, and Oliver was close by.

With a smile and a shake, she said, "A noble's life isn't for the faint of heart, it's true. Though I can't imagine just leaving! Wouldn't your parents try to find you? Oh, but I suppose it's not really my business, and I don't mean to pry! But ah, speaking of things not for the faint of heart..."

Picking up her book stack with a grunt, she stood. "That book you mentioned? It doesn't sound like something you should trifle with."
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

DaGlobster

"Well, my dad did try to get me back, but I guess he eventually realized he was better off not wasting the resources and had another son or something..." Herrick muttered, and finally took Einin's handkerchief out of his nose, sniffling a slight bit to make sure there wasn't anymore bleeding before handing it back to her. "As for the book, I don't intend to trifle with it,  be sure of that. Just to read it." Herrick added and scratched at his neck.

A creak was heard down the aisle, no doubt coming from a more heavy-set patron of the arts, and Herrick casually turned his torso around to look at the source of the noise. That's where Einin would see it, in all it's shining glory. Herrick's dragon hunting pistol, strapped into a rear-waist holster designed to conceal it's actual size and length. It's masterful craftsmanship and intricate design, however, were still plainly obvious.

Herrick turned back to her, his confident smile finally returning to his face. "You look like the feisty sort, Lady Beirne. Surely, running away's not a totally foreign concept to you?"

Rhindeer

As Herrick handed her the handkerchief, Einin leaned away from it and kept her hands on the books she held. Oh gods. Nose blood. Beautiful! She laughed and shook her head. "Er...that's alright. You can keep it. It's yours!"

Really, it was the least she could do.

When Herrick turned toward the sound, Einin twisted to get a look, curious of his reaction. She saw nothing of interest, though--except for a flash of the weapon holstered at his waist. A pistol? Interesting! She had never actually seen one except in books, and that didn't look like any of the Connlaothian ones she'd seen. But its design, even to an untrained eye like hers, spoke of great craftsmanship--it couldn't have been cheap, and it looked well cared for.

But her glimpse was brief, and before she could bring the subject back to that book, he had changed it to something else.

"Hmm? Oh. Well, of course it's not an unfamiliar concept!" Einin said, deciding to play dumb. She turned to exit the aisle and head toward a table, for the books were growing heavy.

"I know people do that. Run away to get away from bad situations, or to avoid their problems. I feel bad for them, for what kinds of things must drive them to that level of desperation. What could be so terrible that you have to leave everything behind--your family, your friends, your home--and just...run off to an uncertain future?"

She frowned, setting the books down onto the table. "Not to mention the people you leave behind! How worried they must be..."
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

DaGlobster

Herrick shrugged, stuffing the Handkerchief into his pocket. He followed her over to the table, listening intently.

"Running away is never uncertain, Lady Beirne. When I ran away, I was certain that my life would be infinitely more interesting, and I've been right so far. No amount of undeserved wealth or shallow friends or lovers served up on platters can amount to the feeling you get making yourself into someone independent, free to fight their own battle. Thankfully, my father was more understanding than most, but even then, the nobility won't care much if even someone like you disappears. Sure, your parents might miss you, but you'll eventually be replaced by some other sibling."

Herrick paused, sitting down at the table and leaning back against the chair. "I saw the way you were climbing up the bookshelf. Surely, there's more to you than you're letting on, Lady Beirne." Herrick said, and leaned forwards, propping his elbows up onto the table, a curious expression on his face.

Rhindeer

Even to Einin, that was a rather bleak view of the world. It was true that she was an only child so she couldn't wrap her mind around what he was talking about--parents replacing children and all!--but...yikes. It also wasn't like she was under the illusion that everyone had good families and caring parents like she did.

Taking a seat at the table and adjusting her skirts, Einin fixed her face into her best honestly perplexed expression, head cocked just a little to the side and brow scrunched. He sure was digging!

"What do you mean?" she asked. "I saw a book I wanted, so I tried to get it." And then she let her eyes drop sheepishly. "And we both saw how well that turned out! I should have just fetched someone to help. But sometimes I just, well...I get a little ahead of myself, and think I can do more than I can."

She gave a deliberate pause. "Is that odd?"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Tags: