Spirits of the Earth

Thanatos => Kunata => Topic started by: Celegwen on July 24, 2017, 02:53:13 PM

Title: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 24, 2017, 02:53:13 PM
"Exon!" Bartholomew called from backstage. "Extrotun!" He used his full name, which everyone knew was serious. "Where the bloody hell is my fire dancer?"

A half painted, black and tan dog came running around the bend with his tongue hanging out of his mouth and wet paint splattering everywhere. "Feldler!" Extrotun shouted, chasing after him. "Feldler, come! Now!"

The dog skidded to a stop and looked up at Bartholomew with a wagging tail. Bartholomew glared at Extrotun, as the young man walked over. "You're on stage in fifteen minutes. Be ready."

Extrotun mocked Bartholomew behind his back, earning a few silent snickers from other performers. "Come on, boy," he said. They ran back to where Yeolin was waiting with the paint. "Sorry, Yeo. He never sits still for getting painted."

"I'm aware," she said, repainting the flames on the dog's fur. "How you managed to fireproof a dog, I will never understand."

Extrotun smirked charmingly, his crystalline eyes practically glowing. He looked in the mirror and fixed his hair to appear like red flames, then painted an orange, red, and yellow mask across his eyes. He cast a resistance spell on himself and Feldler, then tossed sparkles on both of them. The dog barked excitedly in response and tried to bite the falling sparkles.

He went out on the stage by himself, and the crowd that was gathered on the grass exploded with applause. The Fire Dancer and Flaming Dog show had gotten quite popular, and Extrotun absolutely loved the attention. He bowed to the audience and extended his right arm to the stage entrance. Someone tossed him a large hoop, slick with oil. He caught it without looking and spun it in the air a few times.

"Welcome, everyone!" He shouted into the crowd. "I am the Fire Dancer, and I would like to personally welcome you to my show. This is an exciting performance filled with a hint of magic and daring feats by man and beast. Now, I need an assistant." Hands all over the audience raised and people cheered. Extrotun looked thoughtfully among the people, then whistled. Feldler came running out, and everyone laughed. "My assistant, everyone." He bowed once again. "Enjoy the show."

He snapped his fingers against the hoop, which was immediately engulfed by fire. For about twenty minutes, Felder and Extrotun dazzled the crowds with illusions and feats that no one had seen attempted before.

At the end of his show, Extrotun bowed and Feldler barked three times. He extinguished the flames and looked out into the crowd. His eyes then met those of someone who seemed to stop his heart.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 25, 2017, 09:11:41 AM
He met the eyes of a Serenian in the audience.  Now, foreign people came to Thanatos, interested in trade or culture whatnot, so that much isn't abnormal, but they carried themselves thus.  The ones who are in here for entertainment, they are 'oooh' and 'aaah'.  The ones who might be thinking of business, they are appraising the show and going 'I wonder if I can get these people down to the mainland'.  And then, there were these eyes: Positive interest, the eyes of one who likes it and is trying to figure it out.

Such eyes were brown and belonging to a woman with matching hair.  She seemed human, at first, with Caucasian-tanned skin, at first, but some of the inflections of her face and the point of ears that managed to poke through her hair suggested that she was also of elven ancestry.  A half-elven woman from Serendipity.  She was...nice-looking, and that wasn't simply a comment on how attractive she seemed.  She had a kind face.  Her body was athletic in a human way with that bit of elven alright thrown in there too.

The woman stood out because of her gaze, her look, and because she was not wearing a dress, which alot of women did.  She was in an outfit that was shirt and pants, darker pants than the lighter shirt, which was under an all-weather travel cloak that was currently open and with the hood back.  She was a traveler with some sort of professional attitude and sense, because she'd prepared for the rain, and she was in pants.  Curiouser and curiouser.  Well, at least she seemed to be enjoying the show.  There was a smile on her face, after all.  Though, she did appeared to be, at times, scanning the audience...
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 25, 2017, 09:42:35 AM
Extrotun managed to tear himself away from the gaze of the mysterious woman. He and Feldler ran off the stage, meeting Yeo in the back. "Take Feldler," he said quickly. She held onto the dog's collar, as Extrotun raced down the stairs behind the stage.

The audience was attentively waiting for the next show to begin, as Extrotun's show was just attention-grabbing opener. He stood next to the stage, leaning against one of the temporary posts that held the curtain up. His eyes scanned the crowd for any sign of the girl.

Then he saw the tips of her ears poking through her dark hair. He whistled loudly in the direction of backstage, and Feldler came racing out with his tail wagging.

"See that girl, buddy?" Extrotun asked, making sure the dog had the girl in sight. "Go!"

Feldler raced through the crowd, scaring some people at first before they realized it was the Flaming Dog from the show. He raced up to the girl and barked, tossing his head back toward his master, while Extrotun eagerly awaited her reaction.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 25, 2017, 10:40:31 AM
She was enjoying her first visit to Thanatos.  Though they were renowned for not wanting too many foreigners in their country, the Thanati were polite and courteous to those who ever come.  Of course, it was well-noticed when an unsophisticated schlub was hit with a back-handed comment that went above his head.  It takes a keen ear and an education to hear that burn.  Not that anybody had done so to her.  There were others, merchants or roaming toughs, who were more than likely to receive that treatment.  Not to someone like her, who was open to the ways of the people here, having respect for the law, and so on.

Her eyes were on the show, taking it in, but there was something on her mind, which had remained firmly lodged in there ever since that letter came...

Dear Mr. Zan,

You once told me that if it should die, or if anything should happen to it, before you or your brother came to Thanatos, that I should contact you.  I do not know why your brother - Was it Arden? - has not come, but whatever the reason, we need your or him or both.  The Eye of Hunger has been taken.  You must come to Thanatos.

Arlius The Scribe


This letter eventually reached her home because 'Mr. Zan' was her uncle, Zan Goldswith, who had died in a town that was destroyed soon after.  Arden Goldswith was her father, and both he and her mother had died as well, defeating an army of racial purists who had aimed to kill them all because her mother was an elf enamored by a human, and had dared defy them.  She was proud of who she was because it pissed off such terrible people.  Still, the letter had reached her house, since it had nowhere else to go, and she had sent a reply.

Dear Arlius,

My name is Rena Goldswith.  Arden Goldswith was my father and Zan was my uncle.  I assume responsibility for all affairs of family.  I will leave for Thanatos immediately.

Sincerely,
Rena Goldswith


The only trouble was that after reaching the island and finding a room, she had no idea how to find this man.  He could be anywhere a scribe is used.  So, to help her think and perhaps even find him at random, looking for new arrivals who might be a Serenian called Goldswith, she took in a show, which immediately interested her, as this man had been working with fire and what had to be a well-trained dog.  It definitely got her mind off of things and drew her into a better mood, and then...

"Well, hello."

After the first act, the dog from said act had leapt into the crowd - rather nimbly - and came up right to her with a friendly bark and a pointing of his head towards the backstage.  A well-trained dog, indeed.  Rena liked animals.  It seemed to come naturally, with her uncle owning a pet shop.  The dog's presence was instantly heartwarming to her, but...he wanted her to head back there?  Her eyes widened for a second, and then looked up where the showrunner, Fire Dancer, appeared to be waiting.  Was this what she'd been looking for, or a remarkable coincidence?  Only one way to find out.  She followed the dog as it lead her to the man, giving him a friendly smile.

"Well, you're not exactly who I was expecting, but you are very good.  Tell me, were you looking for me or was I just found?"

She had been scanning the crowd, and that did mean she'd been on the lookout for someone, or waiting for something to happen. It made sense for her to ask this.  That being said, her voice and her mode of speech would definitely place her on the good side of Thanati in general.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 25, 2017, 11:37:24 AM
"Can't it be both?" He asked with an elegant flare to his voice. Feldler whined, sitting at his master's side.

Several people in the crowd glanced the way of the trio, but the attention didn't bother Extrotun in the slightest. He was accustomed to being recognized, escpecislly in costume, and enjoyed being amongst the people after one of his shows.

The right corner of his lips curled upward, displaying his devious charm. He ran his hand along his dark scruff and briefly looked the girl up and down, examining everything about her from the elven ears to the unusually masculine attire.

He stood straight and folded his arms across his greatly exposed, tattooed chest. Feldler immediately stood, believing they were going somewhere and eager to follow.

Extending his arms out to the sides and crossing his right leg behind his left, he bowed dramatically and stood once again. "I am called Extrotun, the Fire Dancer," he said with a smile. "You may call me Exon, for short. This is my best friend and costar, Feldler."

He looked her over once more, his remarkable deduction skills seeming to fail him. "My elven beauty, what might your name be? And what has brought you to a Maoin performance in Thanatos?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 25, 2017, 12:10:42 PM
She wasn't anymore worried about standing out than he was, because Rena knew something of the law around here.  Truly standing out was a matter of either pulling crimes or committing taboos, thus dishonoring oneself.  One such taboo was something that she was capable of: Magic.  Not all magic, mind you, but some of what she was capable of was frowned upon here.  It was actually worse than being around Mordecai, since that was mere anti-magic power, whereas this was a case of literally embarrassing yourself.  Still, onto the tattooed and rugged performer.

"It could be both, but it all depends."

She didn't explain what it was that it depended on yet, but it would come up, certainly.  The show would continue, and the two of them would talk while an adorable canine stood between them.  The Fire Dancer introduced himself with a bow.  It was common to bow in Thanati, but Rena had the feeling that theatrics naturally made him put a spin on it.  She returned his bow, though not quite as extravagant as his own.  And then, he asked...

"Rena Goldswith, and it was I who brought me in here, though it was a letter that brought me to the country."

As she moved her cloak to reach into a belt pouch for the letter, Extrotun could see two daggers that were not of iron make, also on her belt.  Being armed was not a crime, but they would stand out just a little because they were actually Mythril.  Most Serenians did not have iron weapons and some not even steel.  They were allergic to iron.  Even still, steel could be tolerated and other materials like silver more common.  This was a light-weight and sturdy material, and more expensive.  Anyway, to the letter.

"A scribe known as Arlius was trying to make contact over a matter of some importance.  I sent back that I was coming, though I have no idea who he is or where to find him, nor does he know me at all.  I'm guessing that you're not a contact of his, but since I don't really have a friend to help me while I'm here, mybe you could help me out after the show?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 25, 2017, 05:55:12 PM
He smiled in a friendly manner, an all too uncommon gesture for Extrotun. His instinct was to avoid being genuine at all costs. This was something he was taught at a very young age. Being accepted into the Maoin at 5 years old, Extrotun quickly learned that life was a performance. You're born, you sing, you dance, you die. And so the cycle goes until the world stops.

The feeling of a genuine smile scared him slightly, but it felt good. It felt freeing to smile with another person without being lectured on how "smiles are saved for the stage" and whatnot.

His lungs expanded with a warm breath. In his eyes, Rena seemed to actually enjoy his extravagance and maybe even share it to some degree. Her response in regards to the letter she received certainly peaked his interest. Extrotun had been relatively stuck as a prop in a show, not that he didn't enjoy it, but the life of a performer can get repetitive. Her arrival in Thanatos and her foreign allure caught his attention and made his heart race much more than a flaming hoop could.

Extrotun immediately noticed the daggers on her belt. He did not recognize the material of which the daggers were made, which caught his interest even more. He knew she was not native to Thanatos, but just what was this girl's story?

As Rena explained about the letter and the mystery scribe, Extrotun felt his heart begin to fill with excitement. An adventure? He thought to himself, eyes practically glowing with anticipation.

"Rena Goldswith," he started, "it would be my utmost pleasure to assist you. And why wait until the show ends? I opened the performance, so let another man close it!" He glanced backstage and saw Yeolin smile at him, while Bartholomew glared at them both.

Extrotun tipped his nonexistent hat, classily cursing Bartholomew. "Tell me, if this scribe does not know you, and you have no knowledge of him, how do you ever expect to locate him?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 25, 2017, 06:44:08 PM
Business smiles and genuine smiles notwithstanding, they seemed to be getting on well.  Alot of people on this island seemed to do that.  Maybe being a performer - a Maoin, as he said - helped, or maybe this was just him.  We'll see.  In any case, Exon seemed keen to help, especially since he was apparently not needed here right now.  This showed just how little Rena knew of performance.  She had never performed anywhere, so the only acting she was really knowledgeable in was that of bluffing, telling jokes and anecdotes, and - perhaps - sarcasm.  Still, the way he'd agreed to help warmed the spirits.

"How can I say no to an answer like that, and with a dog like this?"

Feldler was aborable, and the Thanati man wasn't bad himself either.  Now, he did raise an unfortunately good point: How, indeed, was anybody suppose to know her, even if they knew to expect her soon?  She was not known - presumably - to anyone on Thanatos, and she herself had no contacts in this area, unless of course Akbar the Essyrni shopkeeper somehow had one of his shops out here...which wasn't likely.  She raised an index finger to indicate that he had put his finger on the nub of the problem.

"Exactly the reason I came in here: I did not know what my next move was yet.  The only real hope I would have of being recognized is if this man happened to notice that I look a bit my Uncle Zan, whom he'd been writing to."

By sheer coincidence, they were both brown-haired, though a different shade.  Her mother was the reason for her own hair color, while Arden Goldswith's was black.  Nevertheless, there were certain small resemblances down the lines that stood out, especially if you otherwise saw more Thanati than Serenians.

"My real plan was that I had to seek him out, as people would at least know who he IS and make it a little easier on ME."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 25, 2017, 07:19:14 PM
Exon chuckled breathily, scratching the back of his neck. Feldler looked between the two of them, his tall ears attentive and ready for when he would be given an instruction.

"Although you do stand out as a foreigner, that is not much to go on." Exon pressed his fingers against his lips, thoughtfully staring past her.

In normal circumstances, he would not have spent more than five minutes speaking, forget listening, to a girl as attractive as Rena was. She had an elusive beauty that Extrotun only saw once before. Regardless, he typically would bed with no intention to wed.

This girl was different.

Not to say that he was looking for a romantic attachment, but rather someone who could fill the needs that come with a yearning and trapped soul. That was exactly what Rena offered.

Her particular situation was not one he had experienced before, nor one that he could just announce to the entirety of Thanatos! Or would that be helpful? Now he knew he needed to find out more.

"I don't wish to intrude, nor do I want you to regret bringing this to me," he said. "Would it at all be possible for you to truthfully tell me the contents of the letter you received? You have my word that the only ears hearing it will be yours, mine, and Feldler's." He raised his right fist and placed it over his heart.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 25, 2017, 07:54:08 PM
No, merely being foreign and somewhat-resembling someone you once knew was not exactly enough of a basis to identify one by.  Putting aside the chances of mistaken identity, it was just a shot in the dark.  This was why Rena had more-or-less figured that finding Arlius by asking people where to find him on an island nation had better chances.

Even still, being effectively lost in this country was going to make things hard, AND she had to be a bit more on guard than usual.  If anything dangerous were to happen...well...her sword - which was locked up at the inn right now - would only be a sword to her.  Spark was an actual magic sword...whose power was completely taboo here.  She couldn't use it.

As for the true contents and such, she opened the letter and handed it to him without a fuss.

"It's not deeply personal.  What it is...is cryptic, possibly in case someone were to intercept it and read it for some reason.  Despite all that, it sounded dangerously important.  My uncle was an elemental caster, a clever wizard.  I think if anyone held him in esteem here, he must've used almost no power at all, doing whatever he did that involves...whatever the Eye of Hunger is."

This was a true fact.  A wizard of great skill, never casting so much as a fireball within Thanatos would be very well-received for his restraint and...well...wisdom.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 25, 2017, 09:40:22 PM
Exon read the letter, then read it again, and once more for good measure. The Eye of Hunger. Those words stuck in the back of his head like a thorn in a lion's paw.

His mind raced with what it could mean.

"Why does that sound so familiar?" He asked himself aloud. Exon always had a habit of thinking aloud, be it when he's alone or surrounded by people. "The Eye of Hunger," he whispered.

"For a powerful wizard, using little to no magic is a great feat," he said. "Believe me. I'm no wizard, but my performance requires the use of magic, though it is an extremely minimal amount. Be that as it may, I cannot imagine going a week without using magic of some kind. For a wizard such as your uncle, I assume refraining from magic use required great strength. For that, I sincerely admire him."

Exon pursed his lips with the slightest frown. He glanced at the stage to see four women walk out in flowing skirts and glittering tips that covered almost no skin. Sensual music started from backstage, and the women moved their hips and breasts and arms as though they were separate entities. This was always Extrotun's favorite act, yet at that moment, he paid little attention. One of the women dancing noticed and grew annoyed at his dismissal of their act.

With his mind focused on the meaning of that damned cryptic letter, Exon had little regard for anything else. What was the Eye of Hunger? If the Eye of Hunger was an 'it,' how could it die? Was, or is, the Eye of Hunger somehow a living thing, kept living through magic or spiritual energies? These were the questions that danced around Extrotun's mind, while the women danced upon the stage.

He sighed, unsure of how he could really help her. "What can you tell me of your uncle's relationship with this Arlius the Scribe?" He finally asked. "And please forgive me if this is a tender subject, but am I correct to assume your uncle and father are no longer with us? What happened to them?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 25, 2017, 10:23:13 PM
Nothing wrong with musing alloud.  It gets the brain juices flowing.  Sadly, the two nearest to him now did not have any more of an idea on this Eye of Hunger than he did.  Rena nodded at the mention of her uncle and his inherent resourcefulness.  She became a bit more solomn, though, and for good reason.

"He was very wise.  He didn't need magic to solve a problem, even though it made it easier.  Whatever he did here, it was important enough for this man to want him back."

In the meantime, she did not mention that she could see the flow of magic when in use, that she was watching Exon protect himself and his dog.  Rena had guessed that he had some kind of defensive magic.  It wouldn't be taboo to protect yourself from the elements, only alter them by way of projection and manipulation.  At least, she was pretty sure. 

Rena had wondered upon some of the same questions that Exon had, making her own assessments on the Eye of Hunger.  She probably would have brought that up right now, but she was suddenly hit with the question of her father and uncle.  She'd known for years the fate of her father.  It was only until recently that she understood how Zan died.  She seemed to consider, for a moment, but then nodded.

"To your first question, I don't know, because I never saw my uncle beyond the age of six, and he'd been living in another town since before I was born, so I didn't even know when he had gone.  My father and uncle could've been talking about it while I played with his cat, for all I know.  So there...I can't help you.  The letter surprised the hell out of me, when I got it."

She did, then, have her eyes slowly drifting to the ground.

"The reason I haven't seen him in so long, to say nothing of my father and mother, is because they've all died, yes.  My parents died killing a small army of people who do not believe races, like elves and humans, should ever mate and have families.  My uncle was...unexpectedly blasted in his shop, when a wizard duel broke out near it.  He never knew what hit him."

It still rattled her.  She'd managed to keep her voice from breaking, but she obviously loved them very much.  Since that time, Rena had come across someone who allowed her to speak to the souls of her parents, which - while bittersweet - helped immensely.  More to the point, she'd briefly reunited with her uncle's cat - His talking familiar - better known today as Garlock The Destroyer.  That was how she learned the details of Zan's death.  Rena worked to compose herself, and then looked around a bit.

"I think we'd best move along.  This isn't the place you want to see a sad Serenian, right?  Actually...  Can I pet your dog?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 26, 2017, 09:56:34 AM
He nodded. "Please do! The more attention Feldler gets the happier he is." Feldler enjoyed attention almost as much as his master did.

Exon mulled over her words, then suddenly had an idea spring to mind. "Rena, how did you learn the nature of your uncle's death? Forgive me for staying at such a painful topic. You said you hadn't seen him since you were six years old. Who told you of his death? How he died?"

His mind raced as fast as his heart, for if they could find the one who gave her that information, they could be able to get some kind of connection to what and where the Eye of Hunger is.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 26, 2017, 11:16:57 AM
Excellent!  Because German Shepards - or whatever they're called in a world without Germany - are one of the all-time rock-and-roll breeds in the annuls of lovable hounds.  Rena went to one knee to give him a good pet.  The head, the back, along the rough, and - of course - behind the ears.  And during this doggy heaven - because Rena had good nails - her mood would lighten.  She still missed her parents deeply, her uncle too, but the gash wasn't as deep as it had been.  The loss of good family would always weigh heavily, though.  Always.  She looked up when Exon asked her about Zan's death.

"Well, initially, it was a messenger the from king's soldiers reporting to the next of kin.  A whole town had been destroyed.  My grandfather handled most of that.  I was still just a girl.  I didn't really get details until..."

She stopped, staring straught ahead for a moment.  Rena stood up, gears in her head turning as she suddenly realized something.  There was someone who would know.  The very one she learned the true nature of Zan's death from.  She looked at Exon now.

"It was his cat.  My uncle ran a pet shop, sold animals and familiars, who had the power of speech.  I found him more recently, and he told me about what happened."

Exon wouldn't know of Garlock, surely.  All the way out in Thanatos?  If he came here, he'd be a terror here.  Rena was trying to think of a way to get in touch with him without getting him to come to the island...

"He would know, but getting in contact with him will be hard.  He doesn't live with us, and sending a messenger bird after a cat?  Not a good plan.  Do you have any scrying people, anyone capable of tracing someone with magic and talking to them directly?"

That kind of magic was not forbidden, so...maybe?
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 26, 2017, 02:16:52 PM
The change Rena suddenly displayed was enough to give Exon enough optimism for the both of them. He smiled, biting his lower lips and thinking.

Who do I know with that kind of magic powerful enough to reach across nations? He thought to himself.

A name spring to mind, and Exon tried to hold himself together. "Rena, I know just the man," he said, desperately trying to hide his pleasure. "Now, he is a very flamboyant individual. I respect him greatly. He tends to get insulted easily, but trust me when I tell you that you will love him."

He started to walk backstage with Feldler at his heels. "Oh," he said, stopping short, "by the way, this is going to involve a little flirtation. Will that make you uncomfortable?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 26, 2017, 02:45:13 PM
He knew someone, but there would be some 'flamboyancy', as he put it.  Now, Rena was pretty sure she knew what he meant, but she'd reserve judgement on that later.  The only way that she was going to hate him was if he were an entirely hateable little creep or something.  Not very likely around here.  They just don't DO that here.

"You know, people have been rather nice to me on this island, if only colored by that 'We don't really take to foreigners' feeling.  I'm sure he'll be fine."

A fair and reasonable attitude, to say the least.  She arched an eyebrow at the next question, though.

"With whom?"

What exactly was the proposition here?  Should she be worried?
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 26, 2017, 03:04:01 PM
"Me," Exon said, flashing a toothy smile with a wink.

He walked backstage, dodging the occasional flying cloth and cracking whip. Feldler trotted next to his master's large strides, not bothered in the least by the chaos of the behind-the-scenes of show business.

They made their way to the very back, where Exon opened a cloth.

"Extrotun!" A twig of a man said with closed eyes and a wave of his hand. He had pure white hair and thick makeup. Exon smirked, glancing at Rena. The man flopped on his chair with his legs crossed under his long robe and his arm draped over his forehead. "My flaming love." His voice was more sexual that time.

"Greetings, Frutollo," Exon said, smiling. "You are looking particularly lovely this day." Feldler barked excitedly, racing over and laying next to Frutollo's seat. "My dearest, I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine. This is Rena. She is new to Thanatos, and we have a favor to ask of you."

Frutollo looked Rena up and down, sitting up. "Tell me, my child," he sang, "what troubles you today?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 26, 2017, 03:26:43 PM
Ah, then this man they were seeing was definitely the definiton of flamboyant that she knew.  Very well, then.  If he could take it, then she would be alright with it.  She wasn't a fan, but...to each their own, right?  Of course, when they headed backstage and came upon this man, his look didn't really give anything away.  He was a performer, much like everyone else here.  This was their cry and creed in life, and they were dedicated to it.  Maybe it was just his way of life that was flam-  Oh my (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nSKkwzwdW4), he wasn't kidding.  Not so much a culture shock, but it was worth a blink in surprise.

Still, it was down to her now, once they'd settled in.

"I'm here at the behest of a man called Arlius The Scribe, whom my uncle had met either before I was born or when I was a child.  Finding him is my main concern, but there's something else.  My uncle came to this island and did something important for this man, and he wanted him to return, but my uncle is dead.  The only way we could learn what it was about, apart from finding this one man we know nothing of, is to speak to my uncle's cat, a familiar with human speech.  Messaging him by bird won't work, and returning to the mainland to track him down could take forever.  We need to reach him another way.  Can you help?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 26, 2017, 06:19:03 PM
"Oh, Rena,," Frutollo tutted. "Darling, that is some strong magic you're asking of me. Especially when the purpose is to talk to a cat! Now, snakes..." he glanced at Exon's pants, "...I like."

Exon laughed, glancing at Rena with a "warned you" kind of expression on his face. "I'll tell you what, Frutollo," Exon said. "You help us out with this one, and I promise a world class massage is in store for you when we finish our mission. What do you say?"

Frutollo shifted, biting the tip of his index finger with a flirtatious grin. "Exon, you always manage to wear me down."

"Not that difficult," Exon whispered to Rena.

Frutollo lit a candle and they all joined hands around it. He took deep breaths with his eyes closed, chanting something inaudible below his breath. He stopped chanting and his eyes snapped open, their deep brown now the haunting white of the blind. The smoke coming off of the candle formed into a misty circle, displaying the image of a cat.

Feldler barked a few times at the sight of a cat, but Exon's sharp glare quickly quieted him.

Exon squeezed Rena's hand. "Frutollo's not going to be able to speak or move without breaking the connection," he told her. "You have time for three to five questions, so use them wisely."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 26, 2017, 07:34:53 PM
Holy mother of euphemisms, Batman!  However, Rena was a little more focused on Frutolla's problem with talking to a cat.  Okay, granted, it WAS kind of silly, but on the other hand...he really didn't know Garlock.  Still, yes, Exon had warned her, mostly because he knew that Frutolla would need to be convinced.  Rena smirked at the quiet comment made.  This was clearly a routine that had been danced down before.

They soon sat down in a circle and joined hands.  Rena knew nothing of rites like this, even though she had studied some Thanati practices, so she would just do as instructed.  Frutolla started to chant in a manner that - naturally - she had never seen before.  She watched, and then...the eyes opened to white, all white!  Smoke from the candles began to take shape between them all, taking the form of a cat.  Good.  It was working.

"Garlock, I need to ask you-"

The words stopped dead in her mouth as she noticed it, as Exon would as well.  The candles were all churning out black smoke now.  The cat was changing form.  If Frutolla were consciously aware of any of this, he would know that this wasn't just a cat.  It was either a demon or a spirit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBD7QAr6FQE), or both.  The cat form changed and Feldler was likely to growl as it reshaped into a large black cat-like head of smoke, shifting and turning to regard Rena directly before eyes of red glowed.

"Yeees?"

This was something that Rena had been dreading.  He and her were almost family, but he'd become this thing, after what happened to her uncle.  Still, Rena pressed on.  Garlock would tell her what she wanted to know, IF he knew anything about it.

"Go easy on the man letting us talk.  He wasn't expecting this."

She took a breath, and then asked him.

"What do you know about Uncle Zan's trip to Thanatos?"

"I didn't go with him.  He needed someone to keep an eye on the other animals.  He told me about it, though.  Mostly, he told me about the country and the customs.  What do you want to know?"

"Did he say anything about the Eye of Hunger or Arlius the Scribe?"

"Yes, he did.  He told me...  It was a short time before his death."

"And dad's..."

Zan had been talking to him about it.  They came down to talk, and then on the way back up...the Silver Horde attacked.  Neither of them could go out to handle the situation, whatever it was.

"He wanted to get your father down to talk about it, because it was forbidden to use the kind of destructive magic you might need to destroy it, and even then...it might not work.  He figured he'd see if a master swordsman like your father could handle it.  When neither of them could return, though, the Scribe had to keep an eye on it."

The tone of Garlock's voice was starting to sound a little more warning now.

"It's an artifact, Rena.  Some kind of living thing you wear for power, but it's dangerous.  Zan said it devoured mana, life, and soul.  He left it in the keeping of this man calling himself a Scribe, but he's a Monk."

A monk!  Of course!  The man in charge of recording everything of note!  Who would Zan seek in a place where he can't use magic to combat a magical threat?  The smartest man around!  He who does nothing but read and write history and legends and all things religious!  Now, this would remind Extrotun of something.  He would've been just a boy back then, but there had been whispers and rumors about a brutal manslayer, an unknown figure of great physical and probably supernatural power.  Some said it a man, others said it was a beast or a demon.  Because of the state of the bodies, they called him - or it - the Devourer...

At any rate, contact with Garlock would break early now.  He had been verbose, and there would've been a strain.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 26, 2017, 10:58:26 PM
The candle went out and the smoke vanished. Frutollo fell backwards onto the ground. Extrotun ran around, lifted his unconscious friend with ease, and laid him on his cot. Feldler shifted uncomfortably, whining with his paw over his nose on the ground. Exon scratched behind the dog's ears, making sure he was okay.

"Rena, temporarily skipping over the talking demonic cat creature that your uncle was friends with, this situation is more serious than I thought," Exon said, uncharacteristically quiet. All of the loud, vivacious energy that made up Exon's whole being seemed to disappear in the matter of seconds. He walked over to the chairs and sat next to Rena.

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees and fingers intertwined. He stared more at the floor than anything else, while seemingly deep in thought. Exon ran his fingers back through his spiked hair, pushing it down so it was slicked back against his head. He went to Frutollo's mirror and removed the paint from his face, then sat down once again.

Frutollo would remember nothing from what happened in the session, nor would Exon tell him just what happened. He was a happy man, full of life and joy. There was no way Exon would destroy that for him.

"Monks are members of the Temple," Exon said, frowning nervously. He despised showing weakness to anyone, which made the matter of involving the Temple that much harder. "If Arlius was actually a Monk, a member of the Temple, this is a much bigger issue than we originally thought. There's something you must know before we go any further. It is regarding the Temple, but it is a dark story.

"This occurred when I was just a boy, barely seven years old." Exon's eyes developed a faraway look with painful memories. "There was a killer. Never caught, nor identified. The Temple authorities tried to keep it hidden from the public eye. They did a good job, but I was always told my curiosity would get the best of me. The bottom line is that I found out about the killings. I found out about the Devourer.

"Surely you know by now that Thanatos is an extremely cultured and sophisticated place. We pride ourselves on being civilized and polite. The Devourer defied all standards put forth by Thanati society. It was savage and monstrous, faster than any man and able to kill with brute strength alone. It would not only kill, but consume the force inside people that gave them life."

Exon squeezed his eyes closed and scratched his left forearm, a nervous habit he had from a young age. "You have to understand that, while my main attraction as a Maoin is fire performance, I am an expert fortuneteller. I am always perfectly accurate, which scares people. It makes me more sensitive than most to magic forces over life. Though I never saw the Devourer, I knew it would literally suck the life force out of its victims simply because of the magical remnants left on the bodies.

"One day, the killings just stopped, seemingly out of nowhere. The Temple announced that the Devourer was found and executed, though no name was ever released. People went about their lives as though nothing had ever happened. We do not speak of the events caused by the Devourer because of how taboo and revolting the crimes were."

He took a deep breath, looking her directly in the eyes. His crystalline eyes were piercing with intensity. "Rena, if the Eye of Hunger has something to do with the Devourer and the Monks and the Temple, we are in very far over our heads."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 27, 2017, 12:54:17 AM
Yes...that darn cat would take alot of explaining.  He was, after all, a terrifying creature now.  The contact had seemed to render Exon a bit more subdued.  It was concerning, and for a moment Rena thought it was entirely Garlock that had caused this, but it was not.  After dealing with his friend, Exon took a seat and spoke.

There was something that he had heard about, something involving the monks, among which Arlius could count in their number.  A killer, someone or something called the Devourer, had roamed this place when Exon was younger.  It was fast, brutal, and powerful.  Nothing could stop it.  Worse yet, it could drain life from people, and Rena knew what that meant to the Thanati.  They had unusual practices, something she had read about during the dark patch of her life when she would do anything to get her parents back.  They did not have the power of true life.  Nobody did.  They respected the soul too much and felt the spirits were never gone.

Life and death were not the same to them, but to steal of it...consume it like a leach...  Truly unforgiveable.  It was depraved.  Small wonder her uncle helped, and did so without his elemental magic.  And then, Exon said that one day, it just suddenly stopped, and that it was said to have been found and killed.  He seemed skeptical, and from his perspective, it did seem too neat and clean, even for brutal murders.  It was then that he spoke the fullness of his concerns, that they were up against the temple.  But...that wasn't right.

"Exon...a man of the Temple has asked of my help, even though he hoped for my father or uncle.  How could they be someone we're up against and not on our side, when they called out to a foreigner known for doing the right thing?  He was a good man.  He respected the people and the laws here.  He must've put a stop to it, and the same is needed again.  So, what's the problem?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 27, 2017, 09:56:12 AM
He shook his head. "It's not necessarily the case of them versus us. The Temple is the highest power in Thanatos. It would be foolhardy not to be wary of anything involving them, especially when it has to do with something as brutal as the Devourer."

Exon's eyes widened suddenly. "The Eye of Hunger," he said, thinking aloud once again. "Oh, Inima! Rena, the Eye of Hunger! The Devourer! We have to speak to Arlius as soon as possible. What if the Eye of Hunger was some kind of trap for the Devourer? What if that's what happened all those years ago that made the killings stop?"

His body started practically shaking with a mixture of fear and excitement. As a child, a little part of him admired the Devourer for its power and pure disregard for society's constraints. Never would he have defied Thanati culture in such a brutal and unforgiving manner, but Exon always found the killing committed by the Devourer to be almost sickeningly poetic.

He stood up with a single clap of his hands, and Feldler barked, sensing that they were going on an adventure. "Rena, we're going to the Temple. We're going to speak to the Monks, scholars, priests or priestesses... I don't care if we have to go to the Maharani herself! We are locating Arlius, and we are finding out exactly what the problem is."

Exon was bursting with anticipatory energy. "Are you ready?
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 27, 2017, 10:21:44 AM
Exon did not necessarily mean that the Temple was against them, but rather that the scale of the situation was tough bit.  Rena had to agree that there could be a high level of difficulty.  A deadly killer who flouted all tradition was single-handedly the most dangerous thing this island had ever seen.  This made the natue of Arlius' letter all the more understandable.  He was a monk in the middle of the Temple, but the threat was so great that he reached out across the sea for help.  Rena was about to try and convince Exon that they needed to know more before making some kind of decision on this, when he seemed to change his own mind.

"Well, it might be.  It could be all that's left of the Devourer too, or..."

She didn't want to say it, but the thought had crossed her mind that it might also be the cause of all the trouble.  The cryptic nature of Arlius' message was becoming more and more understandable.  If he'd been afraid of what to communicate, for fear of interception, then it might have been phrased that way. Still, the possibilities seemed to bring back some of the life into Exon's heart as he stood up.  She did, as well, glad to see his confident tone had not been felled so easily.

"I am ready, though umm...  Show me the way?  Still new here, after all."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 27, 2017, 11:18:09 AM
"Very well!" He said with a smile. "I feel I must warn you, once again, about traveling in Thanatos. These people value pride and politeness. Do not insult them, but do not take insults, unless spoken by someone above you. Also, as a Maoin entertainer and a highlight of this traveling band, I am relatively well-known throughout the nation. I'm not trying to come off as boastful, but warn you that we may run into a few of my clients along the way. If so, I will make small conversation and a polite excuse to be on our way."

Exon quickly washed the paint off of Feldler, then spoke to Yeolin. He told her that he would be gone for a period of time and asked that she would cover for him with Bartholomew.

He whistled to Feldler and smiled at Rena, signaling that they were off on their way. With Feldler running ahead to burn his excess energy, they started walking along the long path toward the Temple.

"When we reach the Temple, follow my lead," he said. "We bow first and longer than they do because they are of a higher rank. Most of those in the Temple are holy people, as I am sure you already know. Allow them to speak first, and reply with direct and formal answers. Can you do that?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 27, 2017, 12:09:26 PM
Curiously enough, Rena had yet to speak to and lord and ladies in her life.  A few messages to the Magistrate of the Terrin Mountain Mines, regarding decisions and things, but if there was anyone to talk to a Magistrate directly, it would be to the Town Magistrate, not the one that managed the livelyhood of diggers and appraisers and such.  Those of noble birth rarely cared about the mystery of that mountain and the ancient kingdom that must have thrived once.  Now, why was that important?  Just this: Rena Goldswith was the Magistrate of the Terrin Mountain Mines.  She was not very important, but also uncommon.  The Goldswith line favored honor, respect, and loyalty.  Those that deserved it would get it.  Those that did not...would not.  So, warnings aside, let's move on!

It was understandable that diplomacy was a sharpened sword in Thanatos, that it was even more important than the real thing, sometimes.  So far, Rena had gotten by on being kind.  She did that alot, and that's why she was in good standing as of now.  Once Exon had made ready his departure, she followed, watching as Feldler let himself loose to run on ahead, back again, and so forth.  She did love dogs and their energy.  So, as they moved along - some a little curious, of course, of the entertainer and the foreign girl - he told her of Temple greetings and ask her if she could afford them their due decency.  Rena nodded.

"I understand, Exon.  They are your church and authority.  I'll accord them the respect they deserve."

This would be a fairly-important thing of note.  He'd mentioned Irima, who was the goddess worshipped on Thanatos.  Rena had said 'your church'.  She did not worhip Irima, being Serenian and not Thanati, naturally.  There was no disrespect there, but in Serendipity, there were gods, so it would be a little different for her, once they were there.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 27, 2017, 01:49:25 PM
Exon truly admired Rena's ability to accept other cultures. Being a newcomer in Thanatos, Rena seemed to be adapting well to his culture. He assumed that she must have had some kind of experience in the past of dealing with other cultures because of how well she appeared to take to his. Either that, or she was simply a chameleon.

From their position on the island, it would take maybe a day and a half to reach the Temple with only stopping at night. On the journey, many curious looks were cast their way, but no one actually came up to the trio. Feldler walked alongside them without a tether. He was trained well and had no desire to stray far from Exon's side, so a leash was unnecessary.

They stopped only for a few hours at a nearby inn for nightfall, arriving after dark and leaving before sunrise. The inn belonged to an old friend of Exon's that he had since childhood. They left before the sun came up, which Feldler was severely unhappy about.

Exon knew that Rena's comment had specific wording. He knew that she did not worship the same gods. And he knew that she would not feel completely comfortable in a place of worship while surrounded completely by people who do not share her own faith. He respected her for the dedication and persistence she was displaying in regards to her family's duty and honor, for his only emotional dedication was to the Maoin.

As the sun began to set on the second day, they arrived at the Temple doorstep.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 27, 2017, 03:30:57 PM
During the time of their traveling, apart from whatever conversation had past, Rena had been fairly quiet.  She was a girl that thought alot, and at the time...she had been wondering if it was wise to explain the thing that Exon had seen, that of Garlock The Destroyer.  The whole situation upset her.  In a way, she'd been glad to see that - at the very least - her uncle's cat was alive.  They were practically family, what with the human intellect and speech.  Familiars are able to take in the world the way a human does, but they still thought the way animals do.  Garlock changed after Zan's death.  It still confused her, even now, why it had been.  It was like finding out that your best friend was a cannibal or something.

The time passed, and soon they were within sight of the Temple.  It was huge...  It was one of the greatest structures that Rena had ever seen, only a handful of places comparing to it.  She had seen castles in Serendipity and Connlaoth, the Shah's Palace in Essyrn, and so on.  This was something else...  There was a reason you called it Temple with a Capital T.  It was THE Temple, perhaps the greatest monument to religion ever made, barring only perhaps the ancient culture from which those of the two great kingdoms stemmed from so long ago.

They arrived at the step of it, the very threshold at the steps.  Rena expected to see a veritable army of men in robes.  Make no mistake, there were some robed individuals roaming around, but she noticed warriors with weapons, keeping watch.  She saw people in tunics, women in dresses, and so on.  She imagined this a little differently, but it seemed as though all walks of life came here.  Although the temple was very much a profound place of worship, it was also the center of all in Thanatos.  And because of that, the first thought that came to mind was...

"This is like a castle.  It's guarded, manned for labor tasks, advised and counselled, and houses the highest authority of the land.  So, the question is..."

She glanced at Exon now.

"Who will receive us and listen to our tale, in the hopes of reaching Arlius inside?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 27, 2017, 04:22:44 PM
Exon swallowed, slightly nervous at entering the Temple. He hadn't told Rena his history with the Temple, and he hoped on everything inside of him that it wouldn't need to be addressed once they were inside. He was accepted into the Maoin when he was five years old. The events with the Devourer took place when he was six years old. During that time, the Temple was decently vulnerable. Exon knew and took advantage of it.

Even at a young age, he was smart and fast. He infiltrated the Temple and stole priceless religious artifacts. This theft was not out of selfish desire, but rather out of love for Yeolin, his teacher who was like his mother. She had fallen ill, and the healers had no idea as to what ailed her. She and Exon were both religious people, worshipping Inima with their last breaths. Exon stole several artifacts from the Temple in hopes that just being near them would help Yeolin get better. Be it the acts of the divine or just the illness leaving her body, Yeolin miraculously recovered.

When the Temple authorities found out, Exon was captured and punished. He would have been branded as an Untouchable, but the members of the Maoin, even the clients that hired them, all spoken out in defense of young Exon's actions. The Temple released him without punishment, but the fear was enough to make sure he stayed away the Temple.

This journey frightened him. Exon knew it was for a good cause and an exciting tale, but his fear stayed in the back of his mind the entire time. Rena's question snapped him back to reality.

He scratched Feldler's ear and took a breath. "Let's find out, shall we?"

Entering the Temple, Exon leaned in closer to Rena's ear. "I must tell you now," he whispered, "that warriors are the only ones here who are permitted to carry weapons. Those daggers you have will not be well-received. If anyone asks you to surrender them, please do not put up a fight. We will be cast out or worse. I have bad history with these people, and we don't need anything else motivating them to act against us."

That was all he was planning on telling Rena about the incident when he was young. There would be no other reason to bring it up, unless she questioned or Temple authorities intervened.

"Also, best not to mention anything about Garlock," he added as a last second note. "Unless directly asked. Lying in the Temple will have a worse punishment than what will happen if they find out what happened with Frutollo."

The interior of the Temple was just as beautiful as the exterior. Still, Exon could not admire and value the beauty of the building when all he could think of was what could go wrong. Normally, he was more optimistic than his entire community put together. This was a new and uncomfortable feeling for him.

The feeling only increased when someone walked over to them. Exon immediately bowed.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 27, 2017, 07:20:03 PM
So, they were to enter, heading up the stairs and crossing the archway to the inside, where Exon spoke quietly...about her weapons?  That...drove in a concern.  She had traveled lightly in Thanatos, alongside him and Feldler.  She'd left her sword and her armor in lock-up so as not to stand out until necessary.  Even still, her daggers were made up of the same material as the armor.  Indeed, they were a pair made for her because she didn't like the helmet.  They were as much heirlooms as the armor itself, which is recast for each generation of the family head of Goldswith.  She would have to find out if foreign warriors were permitted their weapons.

She did understand about not mentioning Garlock.  That cat could do terrible things to a place like this.  Still, there was probably alot that Rena needed to explain, so that it could trouble Exon less, at least.  Just not here, not now, and not while a man was approaching.  Other people had passed by, giving them looks, while a young monk in an actual robe approached.  She had a board with a paper on it, and something to write with in his other hand.  Clearly, this was someone who recorded each arrival by someone not of the Temple.  When Exon bowed, Rena also bowed, keeping an eye on when it seemed that the other - who had just bowed himself - would straighten.  After a moment, he did so, and the two of them could, as well.  He looked over at Exon, and spoke in an interested-yet-official tone.

"A Maoin and a mainlander.  I've never seen the combination.  At least, not as visitors.  I must record your names, and the reason for your presence here.  Your names first, if you please."

It does please.  After Exon spoke his, it was Rena's turn.

"My name is Rena Goldswith, from the House of Alamar in Serendipity."

"I'm just going to write the name, you understand.  It's a little long on the page, otherwise."

"That's fine."

"What kind of place is the...House of Alamar?  Is that...foreign entertainment?"

She shook her head, knowing what he was implying.  They didn't offer that kind of service - especially not to foreigners - around here.  That was taboo and wasteful.

"No.  I'm a magistrate, actually, and a warrior."

"Oh, a warrior.  Good.  I think I read the word, Magistrate, somewhere.  One who watches over land for another?"

"Yes."

"You'll still have to surrender those daggers on your belt.  It's for the safety of the Temple."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 27, 2017, 07:53:43 PM
At the mention of her daggers, Exon looked at Rena. He could tell that she was uncomfortable with the idea of surrendering her blades, but he stayed quiet, hoping that she would refrain from causing any trouble in the holy place.

Rena's bow when meeting the young monk was perfectly timed and and performed, and she spoke to him with the respect that was expected when addressing a member of the Temple, but Exon saw her hesitation when it came to handing over her blades.

He was shocked when she told the monk she was a magistrate. It made sense because of her talent when integrating herself into his culture, one he assumed she had no prior experience with. The fact that she was a warrior was pretty obvious! She was built like a warrior and had the humility and pride to go with it.

Exon squeezed his eyes closed and turned his head forward. Give him the blades, he thought to himself, praying that Rena could somehow understand him. Please, just give him the blades.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 27, 2017, 08:54:47 PM
Yes, she did not like it, but it also made sense.  He wanted to protect the people inside of this place.  She had only one question on the matter, as she pulled them out and handed them over with the handles facing him.  He motioned to a nearby warrior to take them for him, as his hands were full.

"Will I get them back?  They're actually heirlooms."

"I can see that.  Do not worry for your weapons.  You will find me or another in my place.  I have written down 'Two daggers taken'."

"My thanks."

He had a sort of offhand approving nod.  Most foreigners were not so kind, and had to be disarmed forcefully if they actually came here.

"What is the purpose of your visit?"

"I received a letter from Arlius The Scribe, a summons for my uncle or my father.  They have died, so the task falls to me."

This clearly surprised him, as he looked at Rena for a moment like she had said that water was made of black cheese.  Apparently, the man in question was known to him on some level, which may not be very surprising.  Then, he asked her a question she hoped he would not.

"What matter did the Master Scribe wish of them, and then you?"

"I'm afraid it's private."

"I must insist..."

"I cannot without breaching his trust.  To be completely honest, I know little of the reason myself.  I ask that you see if he will speak with me regarding 'a private matter'.  If he says no, that will be his decision and I will leave."

He pondered this.

"That is...acceptable."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 27, 2017, 09:49:43 PM
Exon extended his arm in front of Rena briefly. He was extremely uncomfortable with the tension growing between the monk and girl. The monks do things a certain way, at a certain time, and with certain people. The presence of a foreigner in the Temple was enough to put them on guard. The foreigner carrying weapons, even if she willingly surrenders them, is unsettling for most of them. When someone, a foreigner or a native Thanati, refuses to tell their business to the welcoming service, that is a violation to their way of operating.

Thankfully, Rena handed over her blades without a fight. It was more than fair for her to make sure she would be getting them back at the end of their visit. Thankfully, the monk was just as kind and understanding about it.

Unfortunately, he was much less understanding about the nature of their visit. Exon knew that the monk would be slightly put off by Rena's refusal to disclose the details of the letter, but he definitely didn't expect him to completely refuse them.

"Sir," Exon started, bowing his head briefly. "Sir, I beg of you." He stepped to the side, pretending not to let Rena hear what he was going to say. "Rena is a good woman who has travelled far to see the Master Scribe. She came to me asking for assistance because she wanted to make sure she respected all of the rites and customs of the Temple." Exon glanced back. Feldler was sitting next to Rena with his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth.

"I will not lie to you, sir. I am not one for family and loyalty and duty. I live my life on the stage and lie for a living. It is the way of the Maoin, and I would not change my life for anything." He gestured to Rena with a wave of his hand. "Standing in front of you is a hardworking, genuine woman who is simply trying to fulfill her duty to her beloved deceased father and uncle. Is there truly no possible way for us to get an audience with Arlius the Scribe? Even just briefly?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 27, 2017, 10:56:07 PM
The man politely waited as Exon made his case, regarding Rena.  Unfortunately, neither of them seemed to be aware that they were not far enough away and she could hear everything.  Anyway, once he was done talking, the man had his words.

"I understand your feelings on the matter.  She has the air of a woman in good standing and a polite tongue.  I'm just concerned on this mystery.  Master Arlius is my master, and that of many in our sect of the Temple.  He is a man of ages, and a cunning warrior could do him harm, even unarmed.  To conceal her intentions is suspicious, and she could even lie.  I do not say she has done these things, you understand.  I speak only of the possibility which I must face in my day-to-day tasks."

It was perfectly understandable for him to think in such a way, since the xenophobia had made many rather paranoid of mainlanders, mistrusting even.  The thing that divided this scribe's thoughts on the matter was that she was well-spoken and observant of the customs.

"I intend to go to Master Arlius and request as she has stated, as it seems a very good way to determine both honesty and perhaps an answer to her intentions.  To wit, if she speaks the truth, then he will invite her in and very possibly instruct me to speak nothing of this to anyone.  If she is not expected, as she said, she will not see Arlius and has agreed not to raise the matter further.  Saying it outloud just now, I think I even prefer the idea, and it was hers.  If you trust her as you say, you will stay with the guards and allow my inquiry of Master Arlius."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 28, 2017, 01:39:25 PM
Exon's heart immediately relaxed when the monk told him he would speak to Arlius. He understood that the monk was taught to be guarded when it came to people who wouldn't speak their purpose. The fact that Arlius was also this particular monk's master was another obstacle that would make him more cautious with matters regarding the Master Scribe. He did not assume that Rena's motive was foul, but he did not want to risk being wrong without first consulting his teacher.

When the monk walked away, Exon noticed that several eyes were drawn their way at the slight commotion. He made his way back over to Rena, his hands casually drawn behind his back.

He did a small hop to close the distance, and Feldler barked. Exon quickly quieted him. The Temple was a place of study and of worship. Animals were not commonly admitted, but Exon never went anywhere without his dog. Everyone who knew of them also knew that they were inseparable, so often times the rules were bent to allow Feldler to come along.

He leaned in closely to Rena, lowering his voice as he spoke. "I assume you were listening," he said quietly. "The monks are, as you see, not overly trusting of people. I trusted you when you came to me, and I will continue to do so..." Exon took a long breath, running his fingers back through his hair. "Rena, please tell me now if there is anything I should know about."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 28, 2017, 03:10:01 PM
"I can't help it anymore than seeing the flow of magic.  It just happens."

Being part elf had its advantages, largely in a subtle way.  She wasn't going to apologize for it, because that would mean feeling ashamed of her mother.  And given why and how that occurred, that was never going to happen.  So now, Exon wanted to know what else she hadn't said that might be important.  Yeah, she thought this might come into play.

"My family excells in the elemental magic that Thanatos finds unnatural and taboo.  Every Goldswith has an element they liken to in some way, and that leads to one of seven ancient blades awakening to them for their use.  I left my sword and armor at the inn I checked into when I arrived, in their lock-up.  I won't be using the magic here, but I'm sure you've heard of the civil war in Connlaoth over the use of magic at all.  I am feeling a little uncomfortable about the things that are open and free back at home.  That said, I..."

She lowered her head in apology to him.

"I'm sorry I didn't explain about Garlock.  For the longest time, I thought that a magus calling himself Garlock The Destroyer had killed my uncle and destroyed his town before engaging in death and destruction over the years at random.  But then, I tracked him down and found out it was just Garlock himself, and he'd changed somehow because of Uncle Zan's death.  He got mad at humans for killing his master.  I don't know what to do about him.  I may be the only person he actually cares about, but I feel like I have to stop him...and I can't.  Even with a Mordecai around, and even if I had the will to strike him, he's my cat now."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 29, 2017, 10:40:15 AM
Exon nodded thoughtfully, pursing his lips and briefly shaking his head. "This is a really, really bad place to discuss the use of elemental magic," he said. "My show obviously uses fire, but never would I dream of manipulating the element itself. When I snapped my fingers against the hoop and it was engulfed by flames, I had something between my dinners that created a spark when I snapped. The only magic I would use in that way is resistance against the heat for myself and Feldler. Even then, if I were to be caught, it wouldn't be good."

It was true. Though Exon's show was widely known, many people have tried and failed to do what he has. Elemental magic in Thanatos was viewed as messing up the natural order, which is a very big deal. He would not be severely punished, but he would no longer be permitted to perform.

The seven blades peaked his interest. He had never heard of an instance where someone was somehow bonded to a weapon, but it did seem rather poetic. That's something I must remember to address, he thought to himself. The Temple was the last place he would want to openly discuss a weapon such as that.

As for Garlock, Exon really had no words. He was never a fan of cats, thinking they had almost demonic personalities. This one actually did, though. Even so, Rena loved him, and Exon knew what the love of a pet was like. He looked down at Feldler's wide smile and trusting eyes. He knew that he would never be able to stop him, even if he was committing atrocities.

"I don't know what I can say regarding Garlock," Exon confessed. "I know there should be some kind of right answer, but I've found it is often one we don't want to hear. All I can say is that he must be stopped somehow. If you aren't able to complete the task, I can promise I'll assist you in any way I can."

He took a breath and straightened his shoulders. "Until that time comes, we'll take it day by day. So, let's just wait for Arlius."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 29, 2017, 12:02:54 PM
"I know that.  I was watching."

Truly, she had been able to see where the magic was or wasn't. Her eyes were adjusted to the flow of mana, essentially.  He was right about the situation in which they were not in the best place to discuss magic, but he'd also asked for information.  It was important that she bring home the fact that she was different from her, that her life was different.  There was no shame in elemental magic in Serendipity, so this kind of restraint did bother her.  I mean, we can't underscore enough how much this must've bothered Zan.  You could say that they were definitely out of their element. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oShTJ90fC34)

As for Garlock, that was a matter that perhaps she could only solve with words, more than force.  Rena wasn't going to tell him this, but the two of them had had a long talk about this, and Garlock claimed that his life was somehow necessary.  It was...hard to follow, but apart from the 'granting vengeance to the suffering' part, he was convinced that human beings needed to be whipped into shape so that the tragedy of Zan could not happen again so easily.  In short, this was on purpose, which was weird.  It was nothing she was really able to appreciate, though.  All she could see was the death and destruction.  It had to stop.

"One day, I will think of something.  Of that, I'm certain."

Still, yes...they had no choice than to wait.  It didn't actually take that long a time.  It was more than likely that - judging by the man's return - that he'd spent more time walking than talking.  He was back and looking concerned, but it was clearly no longer about them, but of the conversation itself.  That could be interpretted as good OR bad.

"Master Arlius will see you now."

"Thank you.  And believe me, I understand fully."

They were led down the halls and up some steps, then through a passage to the Temple Hall of Records, the place of knowledge and history.  The room was large, with many shelves, ladders, and in fact a pulley system for additional storage to be hung from the ceiling.  Yes, that IS strange, but as is known in Thanatos...one works to improve what one has.  Since what they had was a large room with lots of space over the receiving and study area, someone saw fit to connect some chains up to some shelving on one end and a lockable crank to the other.  Generally, the works kept up there weren't used often, so it was alright to do so.

The scribe who brought them in stopped at a desk with a scarred man behind it.  He was aged, mostly bald, and the scar in question ran over one eye, which was without sight.  The other eye was working, though.  You could see him scanning pages at speed, taking its contents instantly and committing them to memory.  He too was in an actual robe, either due to it being normal for scribes to be thus or because they were just so damn comfortable.  Because most Thanati would rather slap themselves in the face than rudely interrupt, they waited for him to finish, and then he closed the tome and looked up.  And then, his good eye focused more carefully for a moment.  This was basically done while they'd begun bowing, which he stood up and returned, of course.

"My my...  Yes, you must be related.  It's been so long, and yet...I expected him to walk through that door, regardless."

"You are Alrius The Scribe?"

"I am.  I'm so sorry for your loss, and to have pulled you here from your life.  Ah, you may go, Jevan."

"Yes, I...have other tasks."


He was uncertain, but the fact that the Master Scribe seemed a bit more relaxed now helped.  Jevan the scribe left, and the door closed.  So now, it was just the three of them.

"Would you like something to drink?  Food, perhaps, while we talk?  I anticipate many questions and umm..."

He focused on Exon for the first time now.

"Maoin, you are here for...?"

"He's been a great help to me."

"I see.  Good.  Unexpected associations breed fine solutions."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 30, 2017, 11:49:34 AM
Looking at the Master Scribe, he was not at all what Exon had been expecting. This man had the appearance of a seasoned warrior. His outward appearance was harsh and warning, yet his personality was all but that. He was welcoming and warm, still with an element of caution in his voice.

Exon watched the way Arlius looked at Rena, as though he'd known her for her entire life.

"Forgive me for being forward, Master Scribe," Exon said. "Rena has travelled a far distance. I assisted in all ways I could, but this is absolutely her journey. I am honored to stand alongside such a great woman, for over the short time we have known each other, my respect for her has grown substantially. She is kind and determined and loyal, and you could not have chosen a better person to aid you."

Exon blushed slightly at his genuine outburst. He knew that it was not customary to speak to a monk, let alone a master, without first being spoken to, but he felt that his feelings needed to be heard by Rena and Arlius.

Feldler whined, laying next to Exon's legs.

"Since I first spoke to her," he continued, "I knew that she was prepared for whatever task you have ahead. Even if she does not have the confidence in herself that I do in her."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 30, 2017, 01:47:03 PM
"Well, thank you for the vote of confidence."

Just sort of an offhand remark, but she was smiling, so she must've meant it.  Rena was ever the observant one, and right now she could see that this really came from the heart.  Arlius nodded at all of this, as though he were confirming something in his head, or possibly trying to calm himself down.

"Yes, yes...I see.  I must apologize to you both for my appearance, my demeanor.  The years have not been kind, after the wounding, and events of late have left me...what is the word...strained."

"Is it to do with this Eye of Hunger?"

"Oh yes...  It has ever-so-much to do with that.  What have you been told, Miss Goldswith?"

"Practically nothing.  We've been guessing at this whole thing having to do with the Devourer, but that's largely all we know.  And please, call me Rena."

She wasn't mentioning the stuff that Garlock had said because it would require them to name their source.

"Well, you are right in suspecting the Devourer.  That beast is responsible for my wounding, among the other injuries and deaths incurred.  The madness of that Eye...  Its discovery has led to so much horror..."

"Then, the Eye of Hunger didn't stop the Devourer, but started it?"

He nodded, somewhat nervously.

"Yes, I'm afraid so.  It's an artifact - a living artifact - of strange power.  It...  Shall I start from the beginning?  I've given Jevan instructions that we are not to be disturbed.  My record of the events are sealed until my death.  You two will be the only ones to know anything since that time."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 30, 2017, 03:25:51 PM
"I remember the Devourer, Master Scribe," Exon said, frowning. "I've told her the story as the public knows it, but I must say I am more than curious to know the truth."

This was true. Exon told Rena his truth of the Devourer, but never has he known the full truth. The crimes committed by the Devourer were those of nightmares and deeply covered up by the authorities, as to not cause panic throughout the land. Even so, Exon was a man of passion. The case of the Devourer was one that he was deeply passionate about, so the opportunity to hear the truth behind the stories was too good to pass up.

When Arlius admitted that the Eye of Hunger was what began the Devourer's reign of horror and chaos, Exon realized just how important this journey was. He had been wrong about the Eye of Hunger being used to stop the monstrous ordeal, but for it to actually be what caused the Devourer to be brought into the world was something he had not even remotely considered.

It was then that Exon realized just how small he really was.

"If I may," he said, lightly scratching his forearm, "I must ask you to stay alive as long as it takes for us to complete the task put forth. Granted, you've yet to speak it, but I know for a fact that you are a valuable asset and possibly the only man to fully understand the power of the Eye and of the Devourer. Please, tell us the truth of these events."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 30, 2017, 04:47:18 PM
"Oh, I have no intention of dying so easily, or even soon, though I am an old man.  No, I have work to do yet and I will fulfill that duty for as long as humanly possible."

"So, how did it all happen?"

Yes, how did this all transpire?  He had been working out in his head just how to speak it.  And now, it was that time.  Arlius relaxed himself into that state of being he went into when giving a lecture...

"Years ago - when I was not Master Scribe, but still a senior one - a rare tree, one known for producing the most bitter fruit, bark, and roots for various tinctures and potions...died.  At the time, it was the most potent of any tree like it on the island, but it had died and it needed to be cultivated for its useful parts while the rest was purged.  It'd been long-suspected that something had been wrong there, such as demons or poisons in the land or something of that nature.  Well, they DID find something.  It felt like - to the first man who touched it - like a black, petrified cluster of root, a weirdly organic stone with a knot, except the knot was - in reality - an eye."

"This was the Eye of Hunger, then."

"Indeed.  The eye of it had been shut, dormant, quiet...  It did not remain so.  The man who carried it back swore that sometimes, the eye would open...like a mouth...and he felt watched by it, or looked through by it.  This was how it came to be known thus.  It was coined 'Eye of Hunger' by one of our own learned men, a teacher who examined it...and became enthralled by it."

"It took possession of him?"

"He was testing potions and tinctures on it, to no avai.  He tried to examine it in any way possible, finding nothing, and he even attempted to poke out the eye...which it simply resisted all attempts to do so, even with a knife.  Yet...every time he actually touched it - held it - he felt faintly invigorated.  He felt it must have been a talisman of power that had been buried long ago to keep it safe from anyone who would steal it from the previous owner, and began to test it by using it, first in his hand, and then worn around his neck.  It worked VERY well around his neck, and then...well, that's when the killings started."

"So, it had power...but with a price."

"That is what it would seem."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on August 02, 2017, 10:12:30 PM
All those years ago, when the killings started to become relatively well-known throughout the land, Exon could feel that the Temple was hiding something. This would certainly not be anything uncommon. The Temple, being the highest power in the country, had a right to keep secrets from the rest of the people. Exon just always had a line drawn that he felt the Temple should not cross when it came to secrets.

If the Temple was responsible for what was hurting people, that should not be a secret.

Exon listened to Arlius with a sour taste on his tongue. Feldler laid at his master's feet, only glancing up if Exon spoke. Exon clenched and unclenched his jaw repeatedly. His brows knitted together. He gripped his fist and released.

Despite his feelings of disdain against them all, Exon would never dream of speaking out directly against the -

"You mean to tell us that the Eye of Hunger took a man over completely?" His voice came out much more forcefully than he had originally planned. Still, Exon had been trained by the Maoin to use his feelings to fuel his performance. That's exactly what he decided to do. He meant no disrespect by what he was saying, nor did he even remotely care if he was wrong. Exon remembered the murders of years passed, the brutally vivid displays of savagery beyond what young Exon's mind could even comprehend. The images of people being consumed before his eyes, the Devourer cutting through many by stealing their souls, the only part of a person that mattered in Thanati culture...

Everything... he thought, suddenly fighting the rush of tears that threatened to spill from his crystalline blue eyes.

"With all due respect, Master Scribe, I am having a great deal of trouble accepting that the Temple would release, intentionally or not, a monster. That is the only word I can use to describe the Devourer because that's exactly what it was; a monster." He took several sharp and rapid breaths. "How could the Temple release that horror on Thanatos, and then not even remotely take responsibility? And now, it could actually begin all over again?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on August 03, 2017, 10:14:15 AM
Exon spoke suddenly, surprising both Rena and the Master Scribe, though moreso the latter.  He had expected Rena to have the more shocked and appalled demeanor.  And while this was all certainly worrying her - you could see it on her face - the Maoin being the one to voice himself as such through Arlius for a loop...momentarily.  He quickly recovered and answered the man.

"Because the man was not taken over completely.  It gave him a tast of power in his hand, and when he wore it around his neck, it made him powerful, but there was no sign that the man was possessed...except of one thing: Hunger.  He found, while testing it, that it increasd his power, but it called upon the reserves of his body to do so.  Understand, he was still a reasoning man at the time.  It was just a strange talisman to us, at the time.  He'd gotten as far as to reason out the safest method of continuous use, that a full meal should be eaten ever 15 minutes, otherwise you would be left in a weakened and malnourished state.  Up until we saw the change, we had no idea what was going on.  He'd been so composed..."

"That would mean...the monster is human."

He nodded, solemnly.

"Those of us who still remember believe that the Eye only possessed him of a hunger, and let him do the rest.  With his brilliant mind, he learned the strengths and weaknesses of its power...and concealed - for a time - his solution."

So, an educated man had sought to learn the power of the Eye of Hunger, and he had succeeded...and then he had sought to learn the limits of the thing, and had discovered that it had given him the power to devour life itself, only he concealed that fact.  The thing must've been addictive, intoxicating...  Possibly, he hadn't even cared that he killed.

"And was it my uncle who discovered him?"

"Yes, Rena.  He did.  He theorized this, and then went to prove it without force or magic."

"How?"

"He annoyed him."

Cue the blink of confusion, followed by the raising of the eyebrow.

"He did what?"

"He conversed with him on a myriad of subjects when he seemed impatient, thus keeping him from going out and making use of the Eye in secret.  It had made him somewhat irritable to be away from it for a long period of time, so naturally after a while, he lost temper with Zan and tried to kill him."

"That sounds about right."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on August 03, 2017, 07:30:59 PM
The level of relaxation between Arlius and Rena flabbergasted Exon. The truth of the matter obviously shocked the Elf girl, but she was holding her composure much better than he had. Arlius was trained well by the Temple to keep his calm, so his strength was not the least bit shocking. Still, Exon didn't remotely care what they thought of his outburst.

The memory of the Devourer was horrible. In a child's eyes, the Devourer was a monster. The way he killed, the rate at which he killed. In a child's eyes, it could only have been a monster because the truth was too painful.

"Most monsters are human," Exon whispered, thinking aloud. Again, he didn't care what they thought.

Clearly the addiction to the Eye of Hunger was more than an ordinary man could handle. When Arlius told them that Rena's uncle figured out how to annoy the Devourer into trying to kill him, Exon was blown away. Just the fact Zan was able to identify it, let alone actually do something peacefully about the problem, was more than admirable.

"What happened?" Exon asked, biting his tongue on any further outbursts.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on August 03, 2017, 10:28:28 PM
Well, even though Arlius was keeping his voice under control, her was shaken in his own way.  Like...if you hit him with any surprises, he was going to dive under the nearest table or something.  And it wasn't exactly that Zan was peaceful about it.  More like he was trying to provoke a reaction by being too polite for a good Thanati host from turning away, despite the fact he was talking that person's ear off.  The man who was the Devourer simply lost his patience.  Still, what happened?

"He went through a wall."

"Uncle Zan?!"

Now, you see the distress in Rena's voice.  She was professional, for the most part, taking in the information.  When it came to her family, though, it was different.  He was dead, of course, and she knew how, but it was still unsettling a notion to hear that he might've suffered.  Arlius waved this off.

"The Devourer did, when he lunged at him.  He missed, and then when he was witnessed by others, he went on a rampage."

In the last few days, before the announcement of the Devourer's death, Exon would remember that the death toll had risen, suddenly, before it halted entirely.

"How did the Devourer die?"

"He was eventually chased out into the wilderness, where he had less to eat, unless he wanted to attack experienced warriors who were told to aim for his head or at least snag the line keeping the Eye of Hunger around his neck.  Eventually, one of them got him, and then..."

He paused at this part, clearly an unpleasant part of it.

"It consumed him once he was dead!  The foul thing was the one feeding, not him!  It had power in excess, but it was the hungry one...  Zan and I sealed the thing in a chest.  He said that since weapons seemed ineffective to destroy it - We tried, numerous times - and that either magically blasting it would be either far too taboo or even devoured itself, it would be best to keep it safely locked away until it might die of starvation."

He managed to calm himself as he looked at Rena.

"In the meantime, he had promised to speak to his brother - your father - on the matter.  He reasoned that a magic sword would be enough while still being a loophole."

Then, he glanced over at Exon.

"I know you're upset that we chose to keep quiet on the whole matter, but apart from respect for who the man was in better times, the Temple decided that announcing the end of the crisis was enough, and that giving the details would only turn panic into the anger you feel now...only moreso.  To allow people to breathe, to mourn and continue with their lives, would give them the chance to calm down.  Years down the path, any outrage would be more manageable.  The truth will out, eventually.  They left it to me to decide.  All that was needed was for me to be tired of living in this world and it would be done.  However, a certain sense of responsibility told me that I must go on, see to it that the Eye starved.  I don't know who could have found it.  I've not spoken of it, and I immediately searched those around me for it, finding nothing."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on August 05, 2017, 01:55:37 PM
"Don't think me a fool, Master Scribe," Exon said, managing to put a cap on his slightly out of control temper. "I of course understand the need for order, as well as the weight put on you to decide whether or not to tell the public. Regardless, people were afraid. No one knew how to keep their children, their wives safe. Announcing to everyone that the Devourer was dead was an easy way to conclude the story, without giving the rest of the plot.

"You are correct that people would be outraged, but the Thanati are a civilized people. You of all should know this. Hearing the truth makes me understand  the Temple's part in said situation much more clearly, though."

Despite his hatred for the Devourer and his mistrust of the Temple, Exon knew that the actions Arlius decided to take led everyone down the right course of action. It's true that Exon still harbored a fury that refused to die, but his Thanati upbringing and own control over his emotions gave him the tools necessary to accept the decision for its intentions.

"If you made it clear to the people that the man was a victim and the Eye of Hunger was the villain, I'm sure there would have been no lasting hostility toward the Temple. Still, the question stands...where is the Eye? How can you be absolutely sure you searched thoroughly? How can you be absolutely sure you spoke to no one? It's been many years; was there no passing comment? No one eavesdropping on your private conversations?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on August 07, 2017, 03:52:14 PM
"Thanati are Thanati, bright people all, but we are still human.  At the time, the thought was that people would be furious under the skin more by learning the information, even if we explained clearly, because of the death toll.  To announce an end, simply, and then let people be relieved would still ease their hearts.  They can always object later, but emotions would not run as high, even under the surface."

He then stood up.

"As to the other part, let me show you something."

The Scribe led them to a room in the back.  It was, in fact, his study as Master Scribe.  Pulling a ring of three keys out from his robe that appears to be worn around his neck, he pointed to the door as he placed the key in, saying "Locked.".  Stepping inside, he let a lantern on a small pedestal by the door and lit it, ushering them in to the back of the room, where his desk sat.  He pointed to a spot on the floor where there was a metal ring set into the stone.  Sitting down, Arlius grunted as he pulled on it, lifting it up while saying "Heavy.".  Placing it aside, he then pointed down to a metal door down there and said "Locked.", before taking Key #2 and unlocking it while in a kneeling position.  After a moment, he pulled out a small metal case with a lock on it, and then shown the lantern quite close to it, to show that it had been...

"Picked."

"Picked?  What about the other two?"

"I checked and there are scratches that are a bit more subtle, but they are older, simpler.  This lock was built a mere 20 years ago, and I selected it along with the box, which you will agree is very solid."

The box was not an insurmountable obstacle for those who wanted in badly enough, but it was unmarked, which means that the thief did not try to break it.  Whoever it was definitely did things a bit more on the sly.

"So, when you say you were sure of its safety..."

"I mean that I lived in fear of the thing, did not mention it to other people, did not let anybody in here, and cleaned the room to some degree on my own.  I only noticed that something might be wrong when I saw a scratch on the floor that had not been there before, from the stone tile.  I had that there specifically so that it would do that on this floor."

"In short, once you noticed that something was wrong, you searched anybody close to you for the thing, and when you didn't find it, you panicked and sent for my uncle."

"Largely an internal thing, that dread, but yes.  I am at a loss.  It's been days, of course, and no deaths.  I have no idea who could have done this thing.  I even checked on the family of the teacher in question, whom I'd told that he was the last victim of the Devourer.  Nothing out of the ordinary."

"Master Arlius, I'm glad that you can be sure of your own steps towards secrecy on the matter, but you have overlooked something."

"Oh?"

"Other members of the Temple know some of the truth, do they not?  The people who discovered the Eye, the teacher's peers, the Master Scribe who preceded you...  That kind of stuff can still trickle down, in bits and pieces."

Arlius looked quite shocked at the thought.  He hadn't considered that.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on August 08, 2017, 06:28:05 AM
"I'm aware that members of the Temple can sometimes be thick, but did you actually not consider those who discovered the Eye in the first place?" Exon asked almost condescendingly.

He bit his tongue for speaking slightly out of place, but he stood by what he said. Rena's point hadn't occurred to Exon either, but he wasn't the one who was guarding the Eye of Hunger with his life. Arlius devoted his life to keeping the artifact a secret.

"To be forward," he started again, "I think we'd better start being suspicious of everyone."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on August 10, 2017, 10:09:03 AM
Arlius glared at him.

"If they were known to be so loose-tongued, no doubt disaster would be upon us the day after it was contained."

That was, of course, Thanati Beratement for 'Shut it, boy' or even 'You know nothing, Jon Snow'.  Clearly, he had expected his brothers to be sworn to secrecy, as he had, and that that oath had been kept to prevent anyone from rediscovering the Eye of Hunger...for at least this long.  Now, considering that Exon had called Arlius thick, and that Arlius had called Exon a loud-mouthed boy, Rena decided to intervene before this got any worse.

"It is good of you to have faith in your brethren, and even better that you checked everyone you knew for the Eye, just the same.  But since we can eliminate them from suspicion of having it, I think it's time that we questioned those who knew about it to see who it was they knew."

"Indeed.  Men make mistakes.  Honest mistakes."

Hoo boy... He and Exon were not getting along.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on August 10, 2017, 03:16:37 PM
Exon definitely appreciated Rena's intervention. His piercing eyes were locked on Arlius in distrust. It had been many years since he even dared go near the Temple. No matter how much he had mentally prepared himself for this meeting, he couldn't stop himself from saying things that he knew were disrespectful, especially for Thanati culture.

And I told Rena to control herself, he thought. He felt slightly guilty for berating Arlius, when he had a strong feeling the older man was being as genuine as could be in the chaotic situation. Even so, he simply couldn't stop himself from speaking out of turn.

Rena's fast intervention and Arlius' need for her help were probably the only things that saved them from being completely thrown out of the Temple for being disrespectful.

Honest mistakes. The words repeated in Exon's mind.

Making up his mind to keep himself under control, the Maoin performer took a deep breath and humbled himself. "Master Scribe, you have my apologies," he said. The words sounded genuine enough, and Exon knew he truly meant them deep down...even if it was really, really deep down. "I didn't mean to step out of place. We have no reason to doubt you."

He bowed formally, as if trying to seal his apology as official.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on August 12, 2017, 09:25:13 AM
"The things we wish we never said are often spoken at the worst of times.  I will overlook it because we are tense and very worried."

Consider, for a moment, his position here.  He sat in fear of not only what could happen, but that some hideous revenge awaited him for his involvement in the last affair.  What man wouldn't feel this way?  Even Rena herself should feel like something may want to tear down the name of Goldswith, though it had not yet occurred to her.  At any rate, Arlius headed for the door to call someone to gather the people who were associated with the Devourer situation, only he didn't say it like that.  He rattled off a number of names that belonged to people who've been around here at least twenty years.  While he did that, Rena sidled close to Exon and spoke in a low voice.

"How good are you at seeing through lies?  These are pious, respected members of the Temple.  I've never interrogated pious men of any culture, Thanatos aside.  I'm going to need your help."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on August 12, 2017, 06:38:17 PM
Exon smiled, though it was a bit forced that time. Arlius knew these people and the situation best. Rena was a powerful person, with or without high status. Exon felt extremely left behind with their experience and qualifications. Still, Rena's persisting confidence in him helped to push him forward.

Of course it wouldn't be the easiest task to identify liars among those in the Temple, but it was necessary to move forward and prevent horrors.

"I was raised with and by performers," he whispered to her. "I was taught to lie from five years old and I was taught exactly how to identify lies by finding the little tells people have. I only hope this talent won't fail me now."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on August 13, 2017, 04:54:45 PM
"Thanks."

She was keeping the conversation simple and straightforward so as not to bother the Master Scribe, but the look in her eye definitely spelled relief.  Since they had a bit of a wait, Rena got up and paced around for a bit.  She glanced at the books and scriptures, but she had no hope in reading them, as they were all in Thanati.  Somehow, they had to be as clever as her uncle had been, those years ago, in figuring out who among these people had spoken out of turn, and how.

One-by-one, they began to arrive: An elder woman whose hair might've been blonde before age set in, a weathered and scarred guardsman who clearly knew how to use the weapons on his belt, a young groundskeeper...strangely, and a robust scholar around Arlius' age who has managed to retain a full head of hair and beard...which was a graying brown.  For those of you not quite savvy to the theme of Thanati, dark hair was uncommon and red hair was both lucky and not.  The former meant that you other had a strange quirk of genetics or someone in your family was a foreigner.  The latter meant that life was giving you a bit of extra luck for hard times ahead.  No word yet on whether Exon needed it or not.

Now, to our arrivals...  As soon as the apprentice who had helped find them had left, Arlius introduced them.  The elder woman, Cavra, was a teacher.  She had green eyes, about as light a skintone as Thanati were often to have, and the look of someone who was a calm-but-firm repository of knowledge.  She was dressed in a simple tunic and she looked like she might've been tending plants recently, judging by the marks on her knees and the work gloves she'd been using.  Arlius made mention that she had a young daughter, Caire, was soon to begin her apprenticeship and was very promising.

The guardsman's name was Arrok Tal'run, and he looked as though he'd seen better days in his youth...shortly before someone ruined his right eye and scarred his dark-skinned face.  He was silver-haired with a dark-blue eye, often seen scowling or indifferent in expression.  He did, however, look good in a way that seasoned warriors could, which is what he was.  Many a retired warrior will join the Temple once his serious fighting days are done.  He was one-such man, making damn sure that anyone who tried something unwarranted was going to face a face that picked a fight with a stone wall and won.  He was armored at the torso, armed with two swords, and had both bracers and shinguards.  Currently, he was also wearing a hooded cloak not unlike Rena's, likely for outdoor duty during rainy times.

The young groundskeeper, Errison, was the son of the man who found the Eye of Hunger in the first place.  Given where his future lay, as that man had passed on, the Temple had decided to make certain the family understood what had happened so as to guarantee their silence in a proper fashion.  Given that it was a small family of father, mother, and son...this wasn't hard.  The young man had sandy-brown hair with green eyes and work clothes on.  He also had a few tools on him and a trowel, since he had been otherwise occupied prior to being called in.  He had actually been assisting Cavra, since she was studying a few plants and planting methods.

The scholar was a large and robust man who had also been a warrior, once upon a time, but had joined the Temple to expand his horizons and speak age-old wisdoms.  This would make him many things, but the title of scholar went, since he did not have a specific calling.  Sometimes, he preached, while other times he philosophized.  He had deep violet eyes and indeed his hair color was an anomaly, but nobody could find any real trace of a foreigner in their family, so he was just different, insofar as anybody could tell.  This quite loud man was a decent man, known to be jocular, but generally without an indoor voice.  He addressed Arlius informally, as well, as they were friends of old.

Maeger: "Well, we're all here now, Arlius, so out with it!  ...who slipped?"

Cavra: "Slipped?  We've been of one mind to keep all of this quiet for years.  How could any of us have even considered letting it out to the public?"

Arrok: "We would know if the public knew, but the streets are silent.  What's going on?"

Errison was pointedly silent and looking concerned at the situation, like something he might've dreaded happening his entire life was coming to pass.  Of course, that IS what was happening, so perhaps this expression was justified.  Arlius held up his hand to hush the other three.

Arlius: "The situation is dire.  The Eye of Hunger is gone and I have found it on no person that I can think of to have access to it.  We represent those who were there at the time who are still alive."

He now gestured to Rena, who was standing opposite them and on the other side of a table from them.  She didn't expect any to cause her trouble physically, but it's always best to make certain, especially while she was unarmed.

Arlius: "This is Rena Goldswith, current head of her family in Serendipity and Zan's niece.  She came in his stead because Wizard Zan is dead, has been for almost as many years as the incident is behind us."

This was a shock to three of them, driving them silent for a moment.  Errison didn't really know Zan that well, so he wasn't as shocked, but the news did not please him.

Maeger: "What's the Maoin for?"

"My interpretter for all things Thanati."

That cool, crisp, and quick answer seemed to meet the man's approval.  She looked and sounded like she was ready, willing, and able to get down to business.  Now, where do we start?
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on August 30, 2017, 10:09:22 AM
Exon frowned at the small gathering of people. He was most comfortable finding deception in a crowd, for there were so many different personalities that blended into one. In such a small group, it was harder because every person had his or her individual quirks and mannerisms that could be accidentally mistaken for falsehood or suspicion.

The group was varied. The few times he had been at or near the Temple, he never truly paid any attention to the people, except those who would pay attention to him.

The large man with brown hair immediately caught his eye for the simple reason his hair was brown. Naturally brown, too. That wasn't normal, but he seemed almost too at home with Arlius. Still, that could be swept aside with the assumption they knew each other.

The guardsman definitely had experience wielding the swords he was carrying. Exon knew that the Temple was often a retirement place for seasoned warriors, which was what that man was without a doubt. Exon wanted to steer clear of his bad side.

The elder woman had a kind energy around her, but it was clear she could handle herself. Not someone Exon would be excited to get into an argument with.

The young man was oddly quiet. He wasn't too skilled at shielding his emotions either. The young man wore a face of dread, almost shame in some way. That being said, Exon didn't know the man, so there was no way he would automatically assume his guilt.

Rena's quick defense of Exon's presence was enough to assure his confidence, but he wasn't sure the others would so quickly accept an entertainer being part of the intense and confidential discussion. They could very well assume he was behind it all for the purpose of entertainment without knowing the consequences. Exon had an issue with assuming the worst, so he pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind. Still, they lingered.

The Maoin leaned against the wall with his arms folded across his exposed chest, not exactly appropriate for the Temple, but oh well. He wore a stern expression, a foreign face to him, and Feldler sat in front of Cavra, looking back at Arlius with his tongue hanging out of his mouth and his tail sweeping the floor.

"Looks like Feldler chose for you, Master Scribe," Exon said with a smirk.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on August 30, 2017, 04:05:35 PM
No sooner had the dog sat down with all its adorable nature than Cavra bent over to pet it.  She did wince at the action, but had done so often enough to bear it, and the pay-off of scratching the dog behind the ears was worth having.  That said, she spoke up before anyone could start.

Cavra: "I would like to say something, rather important, in fact  I had to speak to my daughter of the incident, give her the facts and the understanding of the terrible consequences of breathing a word to anyone else."

Maeger: "And after all that talk of not slipping!"

She straightened up and gave him a look very much of a teacher's scorn towards a brash student.

Cavra: "Caire is my daughter.  She will succeed me, in time, and I am old.  If I left her before the facts were known in full, she would be as helpless as a babe before it!"

Arlius: "Alright, Cavra.  You told your daughter and swore her to secrecy, much the way Erisson is, correct?"

Cavra: "Yes."

"How good is Caire at keeping secrets?"

The sudden question drew all of their attention.  For the record, Exon would observe no particular oddities.  Cavra's statement made her suspect, but she was being honest.  She had spoken thus, probably, because the truth will out and she would not wish to be implicated falsely.  The look she gave Rena now was that of shock and anger...and that would be because Rena had accidentally insulted her daughter in a Thanati fashion.  By implicating that she might be the leak, Rena had impugned the girl's intelligence, which Cavra had - of course - good reason to rely upon.  Uhh...whoops.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on August 30, 2017, 06:44:25 PM
The Maoin quickly leaned forward with his hand slightly out. He saw the expressions everyone wore, and he wanted to intervene before anyone said anything else.

"Forgive Rena," he said speedily. "She meant no disrespect to your daughter or to you. I give you my word that the question was genuine, not directed as an insult to her intelligence or trustworthiness."

Exon stepped closer to Rena, his voice lowered to avoid too much attention. "You have to be careful what you ask here. These people are touchy. You are not in Serendipity anymore. In Thanatos, anything can be taken as an insult."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on August 31, 2017, 02:17:52 AM
Once Exon explained just what the hell happened there, Rena buried her hand in her face with a small groan.  This was going to be hard.  The ways of Thanatos were really complex, and they may not have time to be the epitome of kindness.  She was sure her uncle had felt the same way, once he had felt the urgency of the situation.  Rena looked at them all now.

"Did my uncle have trouble like this?"

Maeger: "Mostly when he was impatient."

Arrok: "He insulted my blades, saying they weren't as good as his own when I let him borrow one, but I knew he just missed his own weapon."

"We are kind of attached to our swords.  Anyway, I apologize, but I needed to know if there is anybody whom she would share a secret with and swear them into secrecy."

Cavra: "Never.  It is a caste-related matter.  One no more discusses the matters of mother and daughter, or teacher and apprentice, with a different caste than you would with the trees or the waves of the sea."

"You did say she was most promising."

Erisson: "Ma'am, even I don't discuss it with Caire, and we both know about it and are for the Temple."

"Wait, how do you know she knows if she never talks about it?"

That got a few stares, but Cavra smirked.

Cavra: "Friends in their youth.  Nothing to be concerned about.  She had quite the reaction when I told her the groundskeeper's family we'd known well for decades was in on this.  She gave him quite a stare."

"Alright, does anyone else want to say something?  Maeger, do you ever...preach about the evils of the Devourer?"

Maeger: "Not as such, no.  I want to.  It's an easy target that everyone can relate upon."

Hmmm.  That left...

"Arrok, what's your role in this?  I guess you were the swordsman they called when the Devourer was loose?"

Arrok: "I was one.  There were others.  Dead now, taking a well-deserved rest."

"If you're the only swordman who knows..."

Arlius: "He struck the deathblow upon Artrod Helever, the Devourer."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on August 31, 2017, 03:10:20 PM
The final blow to the Devourer.

Exon's eyes widened, gazing at Arrok. The swordsman had probably the largest part to play in the events that took place so long ago. If Arrok was the one to take the Eye's source of energy, it is very possible the Eye would target him or someone he cares about.

Either way, there was no hard evidence that would point anything suspicious to Arrok.

"How did you do it?" Exon asked, straightening his posture. "Did you know Artrod personally?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on August 31, 2017, 09:02:30 PM
The scarred man shook his head and said "Professionally.", in regards to his relation to the man.

Arrok: "I'm part of the City Watch, or I was, then.  These days, I'm a Temple Guard.  I knew Helever because of the rotation of guards, from base to Temple to post to patrol.  We know everyone, in small details quickly committed to memory."

Thanatos is a society in whch people are guarded in speech and in tone, so guards and soldiers have to be observant of all the little things that might indicate rash action.  Foreigners are such a breath of fresh air.  They're mysterious, but very often not as subtle as Thanati.

Arrok: "I was the guard closest to the event in which Zan Goldswith seemed to be irritating Artrod to no end.  I was asked not to interfere because Zan suspected something I did not.  Rather, I knew he was tired and irritable from long nights of work.  I did not know his condition."

"I've been told he wasn't beaten in the Temple.  What happened?"

Arrok: "I moved to protect Zan when he lashed out, but as we were both merely knocked aside, I understood he was making an escape, not planning to fight the entire Temple Guard.  He was, after all, an intelligent man."

"So, you hunted him?"

Arrok: "Alot of us hunted him.  Some were taken by surprise.  Others weren't, but were killed in viceral fashions, by hand."

Others winced, including Rena, but Arrok just continued.

Arrok: "I'm not the man who decisively killed the Devourer.  I'm just the man who, after a number of deaths, caught up in time to see four men rush him and to follow shortly after he crushed them.  It was a fool's rush, and he ruined my eye in the process, but the timing had allowed me to scissor his organs from just under the ribs."

For those of you who don't play with swords, that's where you stab into the body like you're forming a pair of scissors or hedge clippers and umm...move the blades around in a snipping motion.  Suffice to say, that very quickly ruins the body's ability to uhh...anything.  It ruins the body.  The Eye hadn't had the chance to devour the four men, and they had wounded the man.  Arrok finished a job for which he was still too alive for the Devourer to consume for strength.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on September 02, 2017, 11:05:59 AM
Exon was too aware of the scissor method of killing. He had watched it happen to a man in his youth, an accident in practicing for a show, but still horrifying to see.

The Maoin hated this. He hated having to relive the traumatic time; he hated having to help decide which person was responsible for the release of the monster; he hated having to use his performance skills, meant only for happiness and entertainment, to decide who was a liar. He knew it was necessary, but that didn't make it any less painful.

He took a step back, again leaning against the wall. In this, he was an observer only to intervene if something was misinterpreted or he caught something that Rena didn't. This was her time to take center stage.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on September 03, 2017, 08:03:03 AM
After having heard Arrok's report, Rena turned to Maeger.

Maeger: "No."

"No, what?"

Maeger: "No, I have not been preaching or integrating into my classes anything in regards to the Devourer.  I want to, but I cannot until such time as Arlius passes away.  And then...what a cautionary tale I shall have!"

"Some would say that the success of such a tale would be a good motivation to take rash action."

Maeger: "Bordering on the ironic, though.  Taking such an action for the teaching of quite the opposite has to be the worst idea I've ever heard in my life!  Besides, I don't do this for acknowledgement.  I've done my duty, already."

That...confused her for a second.

"As a soldier?"

He nodded in a solemn fashion.

Maeger: "I'm a veteran of the sword and shield, or the mighty bludgeon, or the axe.  Some of us choose to protect the Temple in our old age, like Arrok.  Others take up more spiritual pursuits."

Rena frowned.  This wasn't working.  She was finding more indications that they were guilt-edged into NOT revealing anything, especially since it would only be harmful TO them to do so.

"Erisson-"

Erisson: "I think Maxton did it."

He blurted that out suddenly, and then the room exploded with surprise and shock from the other four who worked for the Temple.  Rena found herself unable to get a word in, edge-wise, until she put a couple fingers in her mouth and let out a loud whistle, possibly enough to excite Feldler.  She did so, and then asked...

"Let me guess: Son of the man?"

Arlius: "That is correct."

"And nobody else suspected him?"

Cavra: "We've never breathed a word of any of this beyond the establishment that his father was the Devourer's last victim, which is technically true."

Maeger: "There's been no way for him to learn anything about his father's failing.  Erisson, why - in all our goddess' lovely bits - would you suspect him?"

Erisson: "Because he's never really been satisfied of the account of the Devourer.  It's a morbid curiosity - and one that I did not indulge - but he is one of those people who wishes more were known.  I agreed, so that he would remain candid with me, but I claimed ignorance, as a simple groundskeeper, too young at the time of the Devourer to possibly know, though I do."

This gave Rena a disturbing thought.  She turned to Exon now.

"Exon, doesn't this sound a bit familiar?"

Yeah, it...sounded like exactly his feelings on the matter of the Devourer...
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on September 03, 2017, 11:03:39 AM
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me," Exon said in a forced whisper to Rena.

The description that Erisson gave of Maxton was one that perfectly fit Exon's feelings on the whole matter. He felt it was wrong to keep everyone on the dark, as well as having a slight feud with the Temple.

Still, that she would actually consider Exon suspect was insulting, not just to his Thanati ego. "Rena, I have no idea who any of these people are. I haven't even spoken to anyone from the Temple in years because-" He caught himself before he blurted out his past crimes. "Look, I don't know my parents. I was part of the Maoin since I was five years old. Why would I even care if the Devourer's last victim was my father? I never knew the man, nor would I care to."

Feldler felt the tension rising and laid down near Rena's feet with his paw over his nose.

Exon frowned, pursing his lips. "Of course I have a morbid curiosity about the Devourer and this whole situation because I actually saw the Devourer in action. It was traumatizing. Of course I want people to know the truth."

He decided to say screw it. "I want people to know the whole truth. Everything about the Temple's involvement. Am I the biggest fan of these people? No. Arlius, I'm sorry. I have a shaky history with the Temple, but it isn't even possible for me to know of the Eye of Hunger."

He scoffed. "Besides, I have never seen Erisson in my entire life before today."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on September 03, 2017, 05:29:18 PM
Well, if it can happen to Exon, it can happen to anybody.  However, few of them also had some sort of personal stake in the matter.  That said, when Exon started speaking as he did, Rena's eyes went to surprise, and then confusion, and then Oh Shit when she realized he himself had assumed that she was...

"Exon, wait a minute!  I wasn't accusing you!"

Rena was shocked - shocked, I say (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMIyDf3gBoY) - that he would think that, after taking him into her confidence, he would think that she was considering him to be somehow directly involved.  Frankly, the outburst had surprised the others too.  It's that goddamn Thanati culture thing!  Rena sighed, trying to calm the situation.

"I'm sorry.  I did it again.  I meant that if Maxton has anything to do with this, it'd be because he suspected something was off and wanted to investigate the death of his father.  Erisson may be right.  Keeping him in the dark may have made him want to seek answers.  There is no leak, if he's the one.  He just wants to know."

Arlius: "That may be, but while he might follow in his father's place in the Temple - he has not been ready just yet - a lack of knowledge would make it impossible to just happen upon the Eye of Hunger, hidden in my office and locked away.  He has no such lockpicking skill."

"Are there people on Thanatos who can?"

Maeger: "None that can sneak so easily into the Temple with all its eyes and guard, penetrate the study, get out again.  We know our Untouchables, even if we shun them."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on September 04, 2017, 06:08:35 PM
Exon felt slightly guilty for jumping to conclusions, especially after realizing that Rena was merely commenting on the shared opinions between himself and Maxton on the way the Devourer case was handled. Rena was a good, honest lady, and Exon felt like a tool for assuming she would accuse him.

His Thanati pride had gotten him into trouble more often than he cared to admit, but that was neither here nor there at the moment. Exon knew that he had to really try to swallow his pride if he was going to be of any help to Rena and Arlius.

Hearing them mention the Untouchables struck a chord with Exon. As he just admitted to everyone in the room, he had a shaky history with the Temple. Maybe... Maybe it was time for him to admit everything...

"That's not necessarily true," Exon said quietly. Feldler lifted his head, and everyone in the room looked at the Maoin for an explanation.

Exon immediately regretted his decision, but there was really no turning back after he contradicted Maegar. He stepped forward, sitting on the edge of the desk with his arms folded across his chest.

"I was almost branded an Untouchable when I was very young," he admitted, earning mixed reactions. "The events of the Devourer happened when I was six years old. At that time, I had been involved with the Maoin for about a year. Keep in mind that I'm not proud of this, but as a child, I was desperate."

Exon proceeded to tell them all the story of him stealing priceless religious artifacts. He told them about Yeolin's illness, how the healers couldn't tell what ailed her, how he and she were both highly devoted to Inima, and how he couldn't think of getting on without her. He told them how, in his belief, the artifacts gave her a miraculous and unexplained recovery, how he was arrested when the Temple found out, how he very well could have been branded an Untouchable at six years old. He spoke of how many people spoke for him, how he was released without punishment, and how fear alone made him avoid the Temple.

"Untouchables are not the only ones who have the potential for theft," he said. "Rena, I am truly sorry I did not speak of this until now, but you must understand the fear I held in my heart. If Maxton knew someone with the skills I had as a child, it could be quite possible that he is behind that. He simply would have needed assistance."

He slouched slightly, feeling slightly defeated and unsure of how Rena and the others would react to the information he had just given.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on September 05, 2017, 11:05:27 AM
This confession of his worried her.  While Rena herself was in no mood to judge him, no matter how badly Exon himself felt about this, he knew that the other people in the room were having some thoughts and concerns about his presence in the room, or even without some mark on his face.  In her eyes, she could understand why he might do that.  It made sense.  He'd been young, and desperate, and angry with the Temple itself.  She couldn't fault this.  In fact, before anyone could really respond, Rena held up her hand now, looking away from them.

"I have a confession to make."

Arlius: "Rena, this is hardly the time for-"

"Except that Exon has already, and I can't let that stand alone, waiting for disapproval.  If you're going to judge him, you're going to judge me, as well.  I've lost family, myself.  My mother, my father, and my uncle...  When I was young and in training, I spent my extra time looking into ways to bring them back from the dead.  And I mean really bring them back.  True resurrection of all life faculties."

Aaand that would immediately divert all the stares to her.  That was...even if she didn't men necromancy, that was completely and utterly forbidden!  It was a complete taboo, without question!

"I didn't actually do anything, because I was a kid and I was in a bad way, and also because it's completely impossible."

Maeger: "I'll say!  The goddess wouldn't allow such an affront."

"The point is that I wanted to, badly, and you can all understand why.  No matter what we think of death, we still don't want our loved one ripped from us without warning.  Don't judge too harshly."

That seemed to have an effect.  They didn't want to really give Rena, who was there to help them, trouble right now about something that happened in her youth.  Perhaps it was also not wise to worry about Exon's own youthful indescretions.  They had bigger problems, right now.

Kavra: "...maybe we all have a bit much on our minds, at the moment.  Can we stick to the matter at hand and focus on that?"

"I'd like to.  So, the point of all this was that a thief could get in, maybe a good thief.  Hell, maybe even a great thief."

Kavra: "That part actually bothers me, a little.  If it were Maxton, he still knows nothing about it, but I'm sure he's smart enough to know that you can't just tell a thief to 'look for something'.  You need something to go on, first.  A clue."

"Maybe.  I kinda' had a thought.  He's waited a long time, hasn't he?  If he's smart, he's been waiting for the right sort of person to come along, either someone he could find on Thanatos, or..."

Arlius: "A foreign agent, in my office?  Even a desperate youth wouldn't hire a...oh dear."

Here he was, saying Maxton wouldn't hire out to a foreigner if he couldn't find someone whom he could guarantee success...and they were hoping that Rena could help them.  They'd jumped that particular shark years ago, with Zan.

"It's possible that he just asked someone of Thanatos, but if he wanted results AND to be able to turn on a foreign thief because he's foreign and untrustworthy, that would work even better."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on September 08, 2017, 01:05:18 PM
Exon was truly grateful to Rena for not completely casting him away. In fact, she did the exact opposite. Whether his complete honesty was necessary or not, he felt much better having given Rena the truth of his past with the Temple.

The thought of the foreign agent in the Temple was a good idea. A paid thief with loyalties to the coin was a great thief. Plus, it eliminated the Untouchables from identification.

"If it was a foreign thief," Exon started, "they are most likely long gone. Why don't we speak to Maxton before this grows even more out of hand?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on September 09, 2017, 09:01:58 AM
There seemed to be a consensus on that from the others, however, Rena had to hold up a hand in the middle of this and say "Wait a minute.", because they weren't ready for this.

"First of all, if every Temple person associated with his father's death suddenly showed up to pluck the instrument of power from his hands, he might be tempted to kill you all."

Arrok: "Perhaps just me, then."

"That might be for the best.  Second, though, I'm unarmed.  I need my weapons back."

Arlius: "Well, of course, you'll get back what you came in with."

Rena shook her head.

"Those are back-ups.  I need to get my sword out of lock-up at the inn.  And the third thing is that he might not be at home, but a thief DID come through here...and we have a dog."

Oh yeah!  There can be little doubt that Feldler would be up to the task.  In Rena's experience, dog noses (and wolves', for that matter) were practically undefeatable.  If they really want you, they're going to find you!  Rena picked up the strongbox now, looking at Exon.

"What do you think?  If we split up with some watchmen, we can track the trail, stake out the house, and get my sword all at once."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on September 09, 2017, 12:08:23 PM
With a charming smile, Exon looked at Feldler. The dog jumped up and walked over to his master with a wagging tail. He jumped onto Exon, standing on his hind legs and placing his paws on Exon's shoulders. Feldler was big. He didn't seem so big when he was sitting with his tongue hanging from the side of his mouth, but he was a pretty big dog.

"What do you say, buddy?" Exon asked. "Up to the task?"

Feldler barked twice, sneezing right after. He went back on all fours, and Exon wiped his face of dog snot. "He's up for it," he said, grimacing. "Born tracker." They looked at the playful pup sitting obediently next to Exon.

The Maoin wasn't too sure about sending one man after Maxton. Strategically, it was the best plan. There was no doubt.

Still, there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that reminded Exon it was the Eye of Hunger they were dealing with, and that went hand in hand with the Devourer.

Rena was smart, though. And Arrok was tough. He could handle himself.

"Let's do it," Exon said.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on September 10, 2017, 05:47:55 PM
Well, it wasn't exactly like that.  Arrok headed off right now, saying that Rena's knives would be waiting for her at the entrance.  Then, as he stepped out into the hallway, he did a quick whistle and the nearest temple guards now flanked him.  He was tough, but realistic.  He knew there was every chance that Maxton was using the Eye and that anyone approaching him in a hostile manner could die.  So, he had backup.

Rena had, meanwhile, placed down the chest for Feldler to sniff the hell out of, in the way that dogs generally do.  This box was old, and hardly anybody had ever touched it, apart from Arlius The Scribe, Zan Goldswith, and...well now...  That was a potent smell.  Feldler probably couldn't remember ever finding a scent quite like that.  If he had words beyond 'Bark' and 'Woof' to describe it, he'd say it was the most-foreign thing he'd ever smelled in his life!

"Once we're off, we can swing by the inn and I can get my sword.  Wouldn't wanna walk into this unprepared. I'd've come with the armor too, but I stick out too much on Thanatos, as is."

Yeah, full mythril plate armor, minus helmet.  That's a doozy.  Now...how fast is Feldler gonna bolt out of there with that smell on the tip of his nose?
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on September 15, 2017, 02:35:40 PM
Exon was much more at ease when he saw Arrok with a group of guardsmen. All they had to do was get Rena's weapons and they'd be ready.

The dog barked loudly, his ears pricking up. He spun around twice, then darted out of the room, nearly knocking officials and guests over. It wasn't exactly customary to bring a dog into the Temple, but Exon never went anywhere without his best friend.

Still, for Feldler to run amok in the Temple wasn't quite a good introduction for animals to be allowed there. That dog just had no off switch. Once he caught a scent, he was determined to figure out just what it was.

"Hey!" Exon shouted. Feldler continued, and Exon bolted after him. He stopped on the outer steps to the Temple and let out a loud whistle. Feldler stopped and jogged back to Exon. "I never said you could go anywhere!" He said to the smiling pup.

When Rena got her knives, Exon smirked and swept his arm in front of him with a slight bow. "Lead the way," he said.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on September 15, 2017, 05:27:36 PM
Rena was surprised, and then chuckled, at Feldler's eagerness.  As was mentioned before, she never really had pet, but she did like them.  Garlock was more of...a friend.  It made her worry alot.  Pets just have instincts.  That cat could put his mind to alot of things.  Still, her mind wasn't on him right now.  It was on the matter at hand, which soon found her back at the entrance and retrieving her daggers.  Once done, Exon prompted her to lead.

He could have probably guessed the inn, though.  It was the one that was the closest to the docks, yet also friendlest to foreign visitors, and by that we don't mean in that fake Thanati manner where they're just being outwardly polite and inwardly hateful.  It wasn't raining...terribly...on the way back.  Might increase, might decrease.  Weather on Thanatos was a bit of a potluck, in that manner.  They stepped into the inn and she requested her sword.

"It will take just a moment, miss."

"Alright, thanks."

Now, she turned to Exon, having just thought about business on the island...

"So, on the mainland, there is this guy that shows up all over the place, running a little shop.  Do you have an Akbar on this island?  I swear, he's everywhere."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on September 20, 2017, 07:35:55 PM
The mention of the name brought something to his mind, but he really could not put his finger on it precisely. Akbar, he thought to himself, biting the inside of his lip.

"I'm not so sure I know him, but I definitely know of him," Exon said truthfully. He had no reason to lie to Rena and wanted to help her as much as he could, but nothing in particular sprung to mind. "Runs a little shop?" He repeated. "I don't know-"

He clapped once and stomped his right foot on the ground with wide eyes.

"I might not know him, but I think I know his shop. I bought some stuff for my show from a little pop-up shop. Did you need Akbar for something specific?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on September 20, 2017, 08:23:24 PM
It took a moment to jog Exon's memory, but he seemed to recall having met this guy before.  Rena smiled when she heard he'd been even here, of all places.  However, when he asked if there was something she wanted, that caught her off-guard.  She'd just been making conversation.

"Well, no.  I just wondered, but...hmmm."

There'd been something overlooked in her observance of Thanatos' laws, something she'd realized when she thought of how much this seemed like Connlaoth, though without the strict control and use of Mordecai.  That might actually come in handy, and it probably wasn't even slightly available in Zan's own time here.  This thought had merit.

"Now that you mention it, though, I could get something that'll really help, and I'm pretty sure he'll have a supply for...whatever reason."

"Here's your sword, ma'am.  Whatever you do, be careful with that thing."

The big thing she was handed would be unlike any blade that Exon had ever seen.  Thanatos had some excellent custom work to improve every tool and weapon on the island to be the most proficient at what it was designed for, and still...they had nothing like this big-ass, double-pointed, smooth-serrated weapon that she was now putting on her back.

"Think we could find Akbar before we find Maxton?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on September 28, 2017, 07:39:05 AM
Rena's sudden thought made Exon smirk. He craved adventures, which definitely was not a customary aspect of his Maoin lifestyle. So, anything to let him just explore was definitely a bonus. But then...

That sword!

Exon loved weapons. He was never trained well with any blades, but he absolutely loved to admire the craftsmanship, which made Thanatos a candy store for him. But this...there were no words. He had never been in the presence of a blade such as that one. The customization and the detail on every part of it was simply incredible.

When Rena asked to go to Akbar first, it snapped Exon out of his trace-like admiration of the sword. "Oh, uh, y-yeah. No problem. If I'm remembering correctly, his shop isn't far. Smart placement, putting a shop near the docks. We can see if he's in today."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on September 28, 2017, 12:24:20 PM
If he's in today?  The Akbar that Rena knew never seemed to leave, except to go and see if anything was in the back.  She was, of course, not aware of why or how things worked the way they did.  Still, Exon said that he could find his shop, which was good, because what she wanted to get was...special.  Having gotten her sword, Rena would follow him now and, sure enough, there was a place set up with a sign reading 'Akbar's Emporium' written in common.

Of course, just below that, it was written in every other known language.

Akbar himself was present, polishing a brass...something.  She might've seen one at a hotel in Connlaoth once, but she wasn't sure...as visiting that country wasn't high on her list of priorities, most of the time.  There was, understandably, a divide between that country and Serendipity.  The division of magic, one could say.  Nevermind.  As soon as they were nearby, the funny little man in the furry hat and water-proof clothing put down the whatever-it-was and paid them ALL the attention with a friendly smile.

"Welcome to Akbar's Emporium, where customer is king!  Akbar is presiding.  What do you wish of him?"

We should point out that Akbar has a funny way of speaking, even around other Essyrni like him.  We should also point out that neither Rena nor anybody can be certain as to whether or not this was the same Akbar that was in other shops or if there was a whole slew of people like him everywhere.  In this case, however, we will tell you that it's all the same guy.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on September 28, 2017, 03:06:29 PM
The Maoin was able to immediately locate the little shop. Nothing really ever changed in Thanatos. It was nice, but also annoying for someone who wanted something new around every turn. When they entered Akbar's Emporium, Exon smiled. His electric eyes scanned over everything in the shop until resting on the man who could only have been Akbar.

Exon bowed briefly to the shopkeeper, as was customary on Thanatos, but he didn't press Rena to. Akbar seemed to be relatively laid back, so it wasn't too important to observe Thanati normalcies.

Akbar gave his little speech that was probably practiced too often. Exon chuckled and folded his arms over his chest. "This wishing thing," he said with a smirk. "Is this a three wishes kind of thing?"

He liked Akbar. There was just something about the funny, little man that made Exon desperately want to banter with him. Either way, they were there for a reason. He swept his arm, a little too dramatically, for Rena to speak.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on September 29, 2017, 12:17:54 AM
Akbar didn't practice.  He was born into this, and greeted people in an open and friendly way all the time.  The only practice he did was to make sure his voice - Kind of a necessary instrument in the biz - was working fine.  Still, he gave the two a pair of quick and polite bows, whether it was to observe courtesies of the realm or just because he was polite in general.  The three wishes thing confused him.

"Perhaps you are confusing this one for another Akbar?  The only wishes to be granted in this shop is items for fair prices, after all."

The swordswoman let out a small chuckle.

"I think we have the right Akbar, provided you have a supply of Connlaothian black powder for sale."

This made Akbar's eyes do a double backflip in his head or something with confusion.

"You are knowing what black powder is used for, yes?"

"Yes."

"You are knowing that Thanatos has no cannons, yes?"

"Mmm-hmmm."

This was strange to him, and he was blinking to resolve this in his head because there were only so many reasons that someone would want black powder, and chiefly he sold it to Connlaothians because they had the weapons that used it.  So, after a moment of this...

"Is in back.  Must be kept from getting wet."

He was about to go back there when Rena said she'd also need fuses.  That stopped him in his tracks, and he looked back at her with a bit of concern.

"Umm...could Akbar be told...who is to receive bomb?"

"Just a local monstrosity."

"Ah.  Is okay, then."

He went back to go get the stuff.  Uhhh...bomb?  Oh shit.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on September 30, 2017, 02:41:30 PM
A bomb? Exon thought to himself, slightly unnerved by the mention of something so powerful.

He was used to fire, as he performed with it on a regular basis. Hells, even Feldler was fine with fire. Still, it wasn't like they were blowing things up. He took a step back towards his black and tan dog, crouching to scratch behind the animal's large ears.

When Akbar was just as surprised as Exon, it made him feel a bit better about being uncomfortable himself. That then faded when the shopkeeper was completely fine with the reasoning behind the bomb's crafting.

Akbar really was a funny little man. He just seemed very expressive, and that was something coming from a Maoin performer! Seeing him interact with Rena was rather entertaining because they were quite different. But...another Akbar? How many were there?

As soon as Akbar disappeared, Exon looked up at Rena from his crouched position. "Are you sure a bomb is the best way to go? I know what we're after is powerful, but doesn't a bomb seem a bit excessive?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 01, 2017, 03:59:10 PM
Listen, Akbar is after the sale.  If his shop isn't being used for the general doomifying of potential customers, then it's fine with him.  He has his own priorities.  Such is the life of a dedicated Essyrni man.  Still, there was the question from Exon...about the bomb.  Rena knew this was going to be a harder sell than anything Akbar has had to go through.  This was a moral difficulty, and Rena definitely had had to wrestle with it herself, because she was a moral person.  That said...

"Look, Exon...  I already don't like that we may have to kill a young man who's angry about his father over this.  I don't want to have to walk over everybody's corpse to make the killing blow, as well.  He has some kind of demonic artifact or something on his side,   If he uses it, it'll be because he wants us to die, and horribly.  I'm a very good fighter, but 'superhuman' means he punches me through a wall, so I need something to throw him through one, something that isn't illegal."

She hadn't been facing him as she spoke, but now she did.

"For once, black powder will save lives, not destroy them.  It's a 'power' that anybody can use, not just those gifted in special arts, and it's usually for war.  If we're lucky, no one will have to die at all, but at a choice...I'd rather it be just the one, and not the whole damn island."

Because, at its worst, this was the return of the Devourer, and that would mean many deaths.

"Besides, I wanna see if it'll destroy the Eye of Hunger."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 02, 2017, 02:49:11 PM
Rena was right. Logically, Exon knew that she was thinking about the big picture, but the use of a bomb was just...messy.

Everything surrounding the Eye of Hunger was just twisted. They should never have had to be in this kind of situation in the first place. The Eye of Hunger should've been dropped to the lowest point in the Tuor Ocean never to be seen again.

Either way, it was happening, and it was happening now. Since Thanatos wasn't the most welcoming of most magic, Exon consciously knew avoiding devastating weaponry was nearly impossible. He just kept flashing back to the Devourer when he was a child. All that destruction. It wasn't that he was against stopping the Devourer, but moreso against stopping the lives of anyone in the vicinity, even if it was just the one man.

He took a deep breath and stood, his bright blue eyes now more of a grey, reflecting the heavy heart he was carrying into the situation. He wouldn't do anything to stop it, though. He knew she was doing the right thing.

"Just the one," he repeated, as though he were trying to reassure himself of the casualty count.

He looked at Rena. She was stronger than he had first thought when seeing her at her performance. She was smarter, too. There was more to the girl than meets the eye. Exon realized that they might not that much more time. If the Devourer really was back, it was very possible these were their last days.

"If this does succeed, and the Eye of Hunger is gone for good, what then? Do you ride off into the sunset in search of some other disaster to avert?" He smirked at her. Over the time they had spent together, really the only topic of conversation was centered around the Eye of Hunger and the Devourer. It occurred to him that he really didn't know the woman he was going into battle with.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 03, 2017, 01:06:45 AM
She could see that Exon was really wrestling with this, himself.  It wasn't the kind of thing a Maoin had to consider that often, or any sane person.  But as she said, this was definitely a necessity.  They had no useable magic, apart from fire protection, which might be important in the case of resisting their own explosives.  The morality of it all, though, was hit hard and under the belt by how daunting the task could be.  If Maxton were anything less than forgiving right now, he could devastate this island.

But enough about that.  Exon had a surprising new question...

"Me?  Anytime I don't have a job, I go home to Zefras, in Serendipity.  I'm suppose to be in charge of the mines there, but I keep delegating to the overseer when I go out and stuff."

She let off a soft sigh.

"Thanatos is a decent place, Exon, but I wouldn't overstay my welcome here.  I know I don't belong, that at best I've been tolerated because I haven't crossed the line.  The best I can hope for is that the time in which I'm here is a pleasant one, once this is over, and that I'll live up to deeds of my uncle here."

It was a moment after this that Akbar returned with...a cart full of plump waterskins?

"Ummm..."

"Be hearing Akbar out.  Waterskins...are waterproof.  Ergo, to fill them with black powder is to make series of small bombs that are immune to rainfall.  Fuses are inserted already, as you can see."

"Akbar, that's genius...  I'm...paying for the waterskins too, aren't I?"

"It would ever please me so."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 03, 2017, 12:51:09 PM
He couldn't tell necessarily, but Rena almost seemed like she was a little homesick. It would make sense, seeing as she left her home to potentially die. That would make anyone wish they were back in their own bed. Either way, she wouldn't stay, nor would he expect her to. Thanatos was wonderful, but not always to foreigners. Growing up there, Exon had gotten a hang of the interactions between the islanders and the rest of Le'raana. It was interesting, but usually not the best mix.

"Let's hope you don't follow completely in his path," Exon said, the slightest frown tugging on his feigned smirk.

When Akbar came out with the waterskins, Exon was indeed impressed by his creativity. Of course part of the preparation probably came with his desire to get a few more coins out of his customers. Exon was no stranger to that kind of sale. His life as a performer was dedicated to getting a little more buck for the bang, sometimes quite literally.

He pulled out his coin purse. "It's on me."

As soon as Exon pulled out his money, Feldler jumped up with a sharp bark. His ears perked, tail wagging, and tongue hanging slightly crookedly from his mouth. He learned the sight of Exon's coin purse meant they were almost ready to go somewhere new. With the scent of the chest still pretty fresh in his mind, the shepherd dog was eager to go find what could have been the source of that mysterious and exciting smell!
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 04, 2017, 11:24:11 AM
It could be something like homesickness, or it could be that she just didn't like the laws here because of how they reminded her of Connlaoth.  Either way, her presence in a longterm fashion wasn't likely.  Thanatos wasn't all that great to foreigners, in most cases.  She was technically an honored guest, and yet still there was this pressure on her.  A performer like Exon would be use to dealing with foreigners.  His life was that of entertaining others, and you can't do that insincerely.

Still, she had to agree.  She wouldn't want to follow the path of her uncle to a T.  Rena was about to pull out her money when he decided to pay for it himself.  Before she could stop him, Akbar had calculated the price and written it down, showing the man.  What surprised her was that it wasn't extremely expensive.  It was the normal price on the mainland.  It still wasn't cheap, but Exon could afford it.  Why?  Did Akbar not have to pay to transport the goods and jack up the price on foreign soil?  Rena stared at this, wondering how Akbar afforded to do this.

"Many thanks for your patronage.  Please come again."

So, that was it.  They could take their stuff now.  It wasn't exactly light, but then it wasn't entirely heavy, either.  There were eight of these things.  All you had to do was light the fuse and throw, and then BOOM.  Rena looked at Exon once they were out of the shop, as Feldler was on the trail again.

"You didn't have to do that."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 04, 2017, 02:40:22 PM
"I know," Exon said, smirking slightly at the girl walking next to him. "I see no reason why I wouldn't, though."

True, Rena was a stranger on Thanati soils, while the Maoin was born and raised there. He may be well versed in the backhanded politeness common among Thanati people, but he was raised to treat two groups of people above others; elders and women. His contribution thus far in the trip was mostly as a guide to Thanatos. Rena was the only reason he was able to escape from his daily routine, so he felt it was only right to cover her expenses. After all, it wasn't like he was struggling financially.

When they walked out of the shop, Feldler had taken off faster than an arrow being shot. Exon smiled, whistling loudly. The dog skidded to a stop, barking and tossing his head. The pup wanted to run, but his master knew they would never be able to follow him!

Exon grinned, stopping and glancing back at Rena. "You want to go on horseback? I guarantee it'll be faster than on foot, and maybe we can hope to keep up with Feldler. I have a favor I can call in with a client I used to..." He pressed his lips together in a tight smile. "Let's just say she paid for some special services. She has three horses, lives just around the corner. I call in a favor, and we got some horses. You're the boss."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 04, 2017, 09:27:30 PM
Okay, that was smirk-worthy, right there.  She had to give him that.  Rena had one on her face when he said that.  Nothing with a cheeky fellow and his own brand of kindness.  Now umm...as they came back into the open, Feldler bolted and needed to be called back.  That made her smile.  That dog of his was such a show-off, wanting to go after everything   They caught up to where he stopped and Exon had a plan.  Wait...really?

"You have horses in this country?"

What?  She didn't know.  Thanatos is tiny in comparison to the mainland.  Still, Exon had a friend that he'd done a...favor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nSKkwzwdW4) for.  Still, he was getting the horses, if she wanted them.  She was just about to speak when...a messanger came in, having stopped from a dead run.

"Message from Arrok!  You're the right ones, aren't you?"

"Umm...yes.  You're looking for Rena and Exon, right?"

"Right!  Okay...ummm...  The message!  'No activity at family home.  Maxton not seen in hours, according to those who know him.'  He wants to know where you want to meet up."

"Do any of you have horses?"

"Umm...we can get horses."

"Tell 'im to meet us where he's getting horses, so we can keep up with the dog."

The messenger now turned to Exon for instructions.  Looks like they were putting together a posse...
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 05, 2017, 10:00:36 AM
Exon looked at Rena with a breathy chuckle. "Not many, but we have some on the island. Only owned by the richest people."

Once the messenger arrived, Exon's attention immediately snapped back to the problem at hand. The young man was out of breath with a slightly too energetic look in his eyes. When Rena said to meet at Exon's contact's home, he was a little shocked. To be completely honest, he didn't want to bring such drama to the older woman's doorstep, but desperate times...

"Oh, uh, tell Arrok to meet us a quarter of a mile east of the docks. It's a small home with ribbon wrapped around the doorposts owned by a widow under the name Sylphera." He nodded once, symbolically ending the message. He whistled for Feldler one more time, and the dog came running. Jerking his head towards the east, Exon looked at Rena. "We should get a move on."

They started off towards the woman's house. It was a respectable size, but humble for a woman of her wealthy. She had been married to a very successful trader, who passed away years ago. The multicolored ribbons were what made the house stick out, as well as the three beautiful horses already saddled in the fenced field.

One was on the smaller side with large hindquarters. He was pure black in color. His only marks were one white sock on his right hind leg and an asymmetrical white circle on his chest. His name was Torch. The second was a tall and thin horse. Her back must've almost reached Exon's eyes. She was a grey dapple horse with long legs and large lungs. Her name was Ashen. The third was monstrous in size, once a warhorse. He was much larger than both of the others, in height and in muscle. He was chestnut in color with black socks and a white blaze down his face. His name was Halyn.

Exon knocked on the door, winking at Rena. The door opened to a short woman with greying-brown hair in two braids. She had naturally rosy cheeks and a sparkle in her eye. "Exon!" She cried, reaching up and cupping his face in her hands. "It's been too long! How are you, puddin?"

"Syl, you know I love you, but I don't have time for that right now."

"You're calling in that favor now, aren't you?" She smiled with a nod. "Take whichever you'd like. Torch can cover any terrain. He's my champion. Ashen is fast, if that's what you look for in a girl. And Halyn is pure muscle. If you think you're going to be running anything down, take the warhorse."

He walked around back and stroked Ashen's snout, swinging onto her back. "She's always been my girl," he said to Rena. "Take your pick. Torch or Halyn?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 05, 2017, 11:39:36 AM
Rena wasn't aware that this was drama.  As far as she could tell, it was a case of Exon asking to borrow her horses, meeting up with Arrok, and going.  She need not be involved in the affair beyond that, which should've been fine.  Once he had given the messangr directions, the guy nodded and started bolting out of there in a hurry.

"That guy's gonna be too out of breath to give the message."

Maybe, maybe not.  They'd get it, eventually.  As the Maoin said, though, they should get going.  They came to a house - with ribbons, as indicated prior - that was maybe a little smaller than the Goldswith/Alamar family house, but otherwise a decent estate, and there were horses in the yard.  Rena's house didn't have a fenced-off area.  People just knew better, since her grandparents could certainly protect the place.

Something that Rena hadn't quite figured out was whether a wink from Exon was a good thing or a bad thing.  He was a man of many talents and potential mischiefs, so one could never really tell, when all was said and done.  That said, the widow Sylphera was very happy to see him, though he took her straight to the point: The horses.  Rena listened intently, and Exon seemed very keen on the fast mare, which left the king of terrain and the warhorse.

The decision kind of put her on the spot, with a definite look of uncertainty on her face.  She'd never ridden a warhorse before, rather the other varieties, because her mythril armor - when she had it on - didn't weigh the horse down.  What if she lost control of this big guy?  An all-terrain horse was good, but speed and strength could not be denied.  Hmmm...  Rena looked over at the two.

"I don't know anything about the terrain of Thanatos.  We wanna run the guy down, but if this land sees alot of hills and jumps, it may be Torch over Halyn."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 05, 2017, 07:49:17 PM
"Take Torch," Exon said in a whisper not really meant to be one. Sylphera smirked, folding her arms. She was a friendly woman, but you could tell just by looking at her that she still has some spunk in those old bones.

"He's right, hun," she said. "Ashen is slender, and Torch is agile. This island is mostly damp, heavy forest. Halyn is strong, but if you're chasing a man, you best be able to fit through the woods!"

Exon chuckled, looking at the black horse who already knew he was going for a run. Feldler barked outside the fence. Fences were only seen for those few who owned horses, so it wasn't a common sight. It wasn't like the fences were really meant for keeping people out, more like showing boundaries for horses who want to roam.

The Maoin smirked at Sylphera, who walked into the field and opened the gate. "After this is all over," she said, "be sure to come back an visit, you hear?"

"Of course," he said. "You know you're my favorite lady!"

She grinned, looking Rena up and down. "And hey, don't be afraid to bring your friend along!"

Exon laughed, glancing at Rena. "Syl, you bad girl!"

So that's why Exon winked!
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 06, 2017, 11:26:49 AM
Well, the growing consensus appeared to be Torch, the runner.  And a good point was had on that one.  A warhorse, a battle-charger, making its way through the woods at speed?  No no no no no...  This woman knew her stuff.  Warhorses were meant for the open battlefield, so they were right.  It was a great day for Torch.  So, Sylphera was opening the gate for them to take their horses and Exon was making one of his pleasant exchanges and...oh my.  What she said was...okay, Rena had to get over to her horse now, because what she thought te lady meant was turning her deep red right now!

Oh, she did not just invite me to join in on a private affair, did she?  Tell me that's not what just happened!  Exon, how many people are you like this with?  Are they ALL that open?

This was a bit new to her.  She hadn't exactly been in the sack, but even still...no one had ever proposed an action that rhymes with 'Gleesome' before! Rena was going to focus on getting up on Torch now.  Hello, Torch!  You're a good boy, aren't you?  Okay, gonna get up on the saddle now, and in a hurry.  After all, time waits for no one, and neither does the Devourer, right?  Right!  Exon would note that she had no trouble at all, getting on that horse.  Half-elven agility and all.

"Right, umm...let's get going, okay?"

Trying very hard not to look embarrassed now...
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 06, 2017, 12:59:02 PM
Exon smiled, trotting through the gate with Feldler running ahead. The dog was definitely far ahead of the duo, but the trotting horses helped to keep the distance within reason. He glanced at Rena, whose embarrassment was written all over her face. It was true that Sylphera was quite open in her sexuality, as she once was married with a Maoin lover even her late husband was fine with. Interesting lady, to say the least!

Torch seemed to take to Rena quite well. He really wasn't the most cooperative horse, which was why Exon preferred not to ride him, but Rena and Torch appeared to have a similar connection Exon had with Ashen. She mounted naturally, and Torch even stayed still for once.

Rena didn't know the Maoin man, so she wouldn't be familiar with his intimate history with many of the wealthy Thanati women. Few were as open as Sylphera was, but she was the only one who owed him a favor. She was partially joking when extending an invitation to Rena, but any sincerity in the offer certainly wouldn't be surprising to Exon.

"Sorry about that," Exon said to Rena. "She's a wonderful woman, but sometimes a little too welcoming. If it makes you feel at all more comfortable, she was not proposing anything seriously."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 06, 2017, 11:19:58 PM
Torch was well-behaved.  Of course, she hadn't given him much of a chance to get out of line, but he didn't really try to.  Halyn probably would've tried to buck powerfully, being a warhorse, but Torch was a runner.  All she had to do was control the running.  Not that she needed to, in this case.  Quicker than you can say 'And they're off!', Feldler bolted yet again.  The dog had a boundless energy supply, which was...admittedly typical of the species.  Exon soon caught up with the both of them, and Rena was thankfully recovering from...you know.  She nodded at his apology.

"It's just...one of those things you don't expect to hear, you know?  And then, you start thinking about things."

Since they were currently following a dog and Arrok's group was not currently in sight, they had a bit of time.

"My father always wanted me to do this, be the head of the family.  Grandfather didn't believe a girl should, but he insisted.  It was his death that made Grandfather relent on the matter.  I haven't given much thought to the next in line.  I mean, I'm still young and I'm going to live long, but...a fair bit of my family was cut down in their prime.  It makes me wonder if the stuff I'm doing now, more than just being the Mining Magistrate of Zefras is alright.  Because I do put myself in danger, and it's made me really experienced, but even strong people die.  My uncle didn't die here.  It was an accident.  It's hard not to think about things like that."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 09, 2017, 02:28:27 PM
With Feldler running a bit too far ahead, Exon released a sharp whistle. They were supposed to be meeting Arrok's group nearby, so they shouldn't go too far from Syl's property. The dog circled back, his nose in the air the entire time.

Exon listened to Rena with a sympathetic ear, though he really couldn't relate to what she was saying. He had no memories of his parents, especially none of his grandparents, therefore lineage was never something that even crossed his mind. Someone like Rena, someone with a family and a title, it made sense these things would have some kind of weight on her thoughts.

Never would he imagine a flirtatious invitation could cause so much to surface for her.

"Your father was a wise man," Exon said, slowing Ashen to a walk. "You're a more than capable leader. And I want you to believe me when I say you have nothing to worry about."

If she looked at Exon, she would see his crystalline blue eyes had developed a grey film over them. "You'll have many years to worry about the future of your family. Many opportunities to further the line, should you choose." His foresight was a gift and a curse. Though his main attraction as a Maoin was his fire performance, Exon was a fortune-teller who was wrong in his sight less than one percent of the time. "You have a long time before you meet your end, so put this out of your mind. The more anxious you are, the less powerful you will be."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 10, 2017, 08:07:05 AM
Rena Goldswith wasn't exactly the sort of person to bottle up her feelings and concerns.  And in this case, someone that's let their work overshadow their personal life does get moments like this, worrying that they're missing the life's simple pleasures.  People that feel unfulfilled, yet hold responsibility in their hearts, find it hard to resolve the two issues.  With them slowing down to give Arrok a chance to find them, she listened as Exon spoke.

There was something...unexpectedly calm in the way he was speaking now.  Rena thought she could see some glimmer of magic in him when he did too.  The eyes...  That was new.  He hadn't done that before, and she was starting to suspect that maybe even he didn't expect it.  The things he said seemed like both a reassurement and a warning in one.  Was it prophecy?  She'd heard of those who could see the future, but never before had...

Alright, that was enough self-doubt.  Like the man said, it only made things worse for her.  Besides, she could hear more horses, and rounding the bend was Arrok and three other men, including the runner who was...quite relieved to be off of his feet for now.  Well, he had Rena's sympathies there.  Runners in the mines could get quite exhausted, sometimes, so she knew all about that.  Rena nodded at Exon now.

"Thank you for that.  And now, I think we'd better release the hound.  He's been anxious as hell to get going."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 10, 2017, 11:32:37 AM
The brightness that was a deep part of Exon's vibrant eyes returned, and he smirked. At the least, Rena seemed intrigued by what he had said. Whether or not she heeded his words was yet to be seen.

Most of the time, when his sight is activated, Exon doesn't even realize it. It's an automatic reaction that usually happens when someone needs to hear it. He never understood why it happened necessarily, but he had gotten used to it like anyone else gets over their own quirks.

Once Arrok and his three men came trotting around the bend, Exon smiled. He looked around, noticing that there were many people stepping out of their homes or stopping in their paths to look at the mounted group of six. It made sense; horses in general were rare, but to see a group of people atop mounts was definitely unusual.

Turning his head around, Exon saw his happy shepherd lying on the ground with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. The Maoin snapped his fingers and swept his hand forward. Feldler barked once, sprinting to his feet and taking off. He had been waiting for this! Exon chuckled and nodded his head, urging Ashen after the dog.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 12, 2017, 02:32:24 AM
With the dog moving at great speed, it was time to get these horses moving! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwQZ9UrnyJw)  Yes, they were pretty much using a good number of available horses on Thanatos, but it was SO worth it!  It should be noted that Rena was rather good on a horse, herself.  Plenty of time on the mainland to become acquainted, no doubt.  Arrok and the other men were decent enough, themselves.  He himself was a veteran of many combat-related actions, while they were at least trained.  If they were left behind at all, it wouldn't be by far.

Now, Feldler was actually leaving the city, and indeed he was heading for the foliage.  He was following the scent of the foreigner who had broken in and taken the Eye.  It was only assumed that Maxton was to be the recipient and not the one who knabbed it.  Question was...what in the world was the dog chasing?  We'll level with you here: It was like nothing he had ever smelled before.  The being that he had caught the scent of, the creature he was following, was very likely never a visitor to this place, 'till now.  And we will say that it was merely on a whim that he did so.  For you see...while the dog was on his trail, that trail led further in, to where he'd been.

Right now, he was in a tree, and downwind.

He watched them ride, and he was certainly amused.  Keen minds, taking a dog with them to sniff him out.  And yet, he was not worried...  No no, his concern might be for the other thing.  As they went further into the forest, he was going back to the city, knowing full-well that they were going to be busy for a while.  It would take them a long time to catch up to a Magnificent Bastard like him!

The trail led to a simple, ordinary storage area for things out in this area.  Tools, plants, and other things went here, presumably because what little the plants had to offer should be looked after.  The large shack also offered shelter from the rain, should it be needed.  It was, further, a good place to hold illicit meetings, wasn't it?  Well...this was where the trail led, and Rena dismounted.

"I'll go first, mostly because my presence will probably confuse him, if he's there."

That made sense.  He wouldn't know what to say - at this juncture - to a random foreigner.  So, Rena opened the door...and then she looked...aaand then she closed the door again.  She looked a bit shocked by what she saw in there.

Arrok: "Dead?"

"Uhhh...no?  I'm not sure what to make of it.  It's probably bad."

Arrok: "How so?"

"There's...nothing on his face but a mouth."

Oh...that can't be good.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 13, 2017, 03:45:16 PM
Totally normal, Exon thought to himself when Rena told them what she had seen.

Panting heavily, Feldler laid down next to Ashen. He had technically done his job. He followed the unknown smell, just so happened it wasn't to the person they were hunting for. Not the dog's fault.

The shed that Feldler led them to was strangely out of place. The group left the city, entering the dense Thanati forests, not known to be frequented be sensible people. Then again, apparently there were less sensible people than Exon had thought. When Rena offered to go in, part of Exon was relieved and the other part was worried for her. He knew she was smart and could handle herself, but the Devourer was not something of which to make light.

Her reaction was confusing, though.

When she said that his face only had a mouth, Exon immediately felt chills run down his spine. 'Not good' was an understatement. Eye of Hunger, the Devourer, all of these had to do with consumption. A face only containing a mouth couldn't be a good omen.

"What do you mean?" The man asked. "The other part of his face just...doesn't exist?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 14, 2017, 01:59:49 AM
"That is kind of what I mean.  There's a body in there that looks human-ish sitting in a chair.  You can see it breathing, even in the twilight.  And it's face has nothing on it but a mouth, taking up all the room on his face."

She'd seen it in there, alone, sitting in a chair with its hands clutching the armrests in a deathgrip.  Pretty sure she'd even seen it cracked from that...  Judging by the tone of the skin, she was fairly-certain that the creature was - as in 'use to be' - Thanati.  So...if Maxton didn't turn up soon, they could be fairly certain that this thing was him.  Also, there was another detail of importance, apart from all this, that she had failed to mention.

"By the way, I didn't see the Eye of Hunger in there, on him or lying around."

Arrok: "You've never actually seen it, yourself."

"Maybe not, but I'd be able to pick it out, right?  I mean, unless you want to look for yourse-  Oh shit! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gYkoSTpS2w)"

Rena had opened the door again to allow him to peek in, himself, and found herself staring at it in the doorway.  She hadn't heard it move!  She had not heard it!  Think about that for a second!  She slammed the door shut on the atrocity.  That thing was no longer human...  In fact, a hand too taut in the muscles and dense in the bone structure thrust right through the door as Rena jumped aside, the whole thing collapsing in half!

Arrok: "That's not how it is normally!"

It stood there with its face-mouth gritted with gray fangs.  Air pushed and pulled loudly between its teeth.  No face, no hair, no ears, no clothes, and - mercifully - no gender.  Something had occurred with the Eye of Hunger, because - to Arrok - this thing looked like it was the Eye of Hunger.  It was still gradually changing, even as they watched.  Rena could watch no more and slashed at its hip.  The sword was stopped short at its hand.  And even though she'd cut into it and heard hand-bones cracking, the only thing it did was bleed black ooze from the cut slowly, then look at them all and go...

VOOOOOH!!!

This produced a directed shockwave that would force them all back.  Now, at the sight of the thing, the horses were quite shocked.  At this point, they were probably bolting!
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 14, 2017, 11:35:09 AM
Just the sight of the...creature...was enough to disturb any breathing man. It didn't matter if you were a battle veteran who slaughtered hundreds: this would send chills running rampant through the body.

The shockwave was powerful enough to knock the entire travel party off the horses, even making the horses stumble back. The horses started racing away, back to their homes. Exon whistled loudly after them. Ashen slowed, looking back, but her dedication to Exon was not nearly enough to convince her to stay in the presence of that - thing.

Even Feldler started to run, but Exon immediately called him back. The dog cowered, but stayed loyal to his master.

"What the hell is that thing?" Exon asked quickly, jumping to his feet. He abandoned any Thanati niceties that had been stuffed in his mind, as the battlefield was not a place for common manners. "Please, don't tell me that's what happens to people."

Though he remembered what the Devourer had done, Exon never actually saw the thing for himself. If this was what it did, it was truly worse than he imagined.

He grabbed a thick branch off the ground and made sure it was sturdy. If Rena's sword slicing into the creature's hand barely pained it, there was no chance Exon would be able to hurt it with a stick. Still, last thing he wanted was to be completely defenseless in the situation.

He shook his head, his heart racing. "Inima, save us."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 16, 2017, 02:39:54 AM
The thing was horrifying...and as expected, it had incredible strength.  The Devourer had come.  Regardless of the reason WHY it stood in this form, this was the very thing that had haunted Exon's childhood and many childhoods.  It was, in a way, a very personal demon for him, as well as all of Thanatos.  Not so much that it was literally personal to them all, but rather that - in a collective manner - it was a traumatic issue.  This explained why the Maoin had forgotten the plan, while the others were getting up and preparing to fight.  Only Rena was aware of it besides him.

The Devourer was confronted, carefully, by Arrok and his men.  He himself was trying to imagine how effectively it could cut them down, versus their ability to wound the beast enough for Rena to take the final blow.  No question of this man's commitment!  He had already considered himself as a potential sacrifice to the cause!  It didn't look good to him, though.  Judging by the oozing cut and the snap of the hand - followed by the RE-snap of the hand going back into place and the wound starting to close - this dark creature felt no pain in the human sense.  It merely reacted to it.

The four men, plus Rena, were currently taking mere testing-the-waters swings at it.  It wasn't a human intelligence.  It didn't react like a pissed-off human.  It was a monster, a demon.  They baited it, and it seemed to whip a clawed hand at it, experimentally, followed by a backhand that destroyed part of the shack's doorway.  Rena heard him muttering and looked around quickly.  It wasn't paying him heed yet, since he wasn't attacking.

"Exon!  The bombs!  Light one and toss it!  It's why we got them, right?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 16, 2017, 02:31:14 PM
Seeing the Devourer, the Maoin found himself nearly frozen. He had been put on the spot more times than he could count, as well as performed in front of thousands of people, but he had never frozen before that moment.

His mind flew back years, and suddenly, he was six years old again. This was supposed to be a scary story to tell little kids of a bad time long ago. None of this was supposed to repeat!

Rena's voice snapped him out of his trance-like state. The bombs, Exon thought, dropping the branch. Now, this was something he was good at. He reached into the neckline of his shirt, slipping his thumb into a coarse ring and coating his middle finger in a red powder. Taking out one of the bombs...

Snap!

Exon snapped his fingers together against the fuse with enough strength to light it. He hurled it towards the Devourer with perfect aim. "Get down!" He shouted to the others.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 18, 2017, 01:35:42 AM
The call went out to get down and they all dove for cover, even though Arrok didn't know why he was doing so.  Thing is, the Devourer also ducked into a crouch, 'looking' wary, which prompted Rena to shout "Not you!" before the explosion.  The bomb still hit it right in the face, since Exon had been basically aiming for center-of-mass.

POW!!

The blast flung it right back into the shack...and through it!  There was a nice gaping hole in the back, where the thing - looking burnt and pissed off - got up on its feet.  Rena, having seein the shack had been popping out boards from impacts, right and left, struck her sword in a gap and used it to vault to the roof, before a slice caused her to ride it down on top of the thing!  She had it pinned and stabbed down into the boards to get at its chest.  The Devourer roared and leapt straight up, some cuts visible on its torso as it came to grasp some branches and stay high in the trees.  Rena, herself, had been flung back by the sudden departure and tucked into a roll before unfurling near Exon, looking up at him.

"Well, it's going a little better than expected."

Really?  In comparison to what?
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 18, 2017, 09:34:16 AM
Yeah, Exon thought. At least we're not dead yet.

He helped her get back to her feet, looking at the Devourer as it tried to vanish in the treetops. Feldler raced after it, barking up every tree it moved to. Damn dog wouldn't give up!

Exon looked at what remained of the shack, thinking of how close they were able to get to the Devourer and how strongly the blast had effected it. He felt his heart start to race, and his eyes looked at his barking dog who was smart enough to keep a distance from the creature.

"Steel is barely doing anything," Exon thought aloud. "Rena, I can't believe I would even suggest this, but that thing has to be stopped before it reaches the city." He pulled out another bomb. "This thing blew it backwards with enough force to destroy the shack, but it did almost nothing physically. What if it explodes..." His voice cracked; the Maoin was far from comfortable in this kind of situation. "What if it explodes...internally?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 19, 2017, 02:16:21 PM
The thing of the Devourer was that it was both very strong and very weak at the same time.  The power of the demon relic was to grant immense physical prowess, but at the cost of a voracious appetite and therefore the consumption of stamina at a higher rate.  In short, it was hungry, possibly always hungry.  It was like a Timelord burning its life away to perform great feats and endure violence.

Still, Rena was being optimistic here on the grounds - while ON the ground - that it was just a monster, and not something that thought like a human.  For instance, Maxton might've gone straight for the town or their horses by now, but this thing wanted to fight.  It was very confrontational.  Lethal, but more predictable, in a way.  As he helped her up, though, Exon said something that... that...  She couldn't help herself, and laughed!

"Hah hah hah hah hah!  I like it!"

She seemed genuinely pleased by the idea.  However, a second later, her merriment was cut short before one of the guardsmen shouted "Dog, move!" at Feldler before the Devourer leapt down and snap!  The guard's head disappeared and the demon was now on its feet, facing the others, the headless body falling to the ground.  The head was bitten clean off!  Just like that!

"Arrok, with me!  Exon, get ready!"

Both Rena and Arrok charged from different sides, leaving Exon a clear view.  It blocked Rena's sword with its arm and the arm seemed to cut and even break, but it had also turned to stomp-kick at Arrok.  The temple guard had blocked with his swords criss-crossing to force the leg down, but even after that, it was forced up and he was kicked in the face hard enough to throw him on his back!

"Throw!"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 23, 2017, 02:21:18 PM
Exon enjoyed the reaction he got from Rena, but they were forced back into battle when one of the guards yelled at the barking dog. Feldler yelped and jumped away when the Devourer leapt down.

The man looked away from the image of the headless guardsman. He fought back the urge to puke. Special effects for shows were one thing, but seeing that kind of thing in person was just unimaginably awful.

At Rena's command, Exon put the red powder on his finger again and held another bomb. Please work, he thought, his heart racing. The Devourer just didn't seem to tire. Rena and Arrok went at it with everything, breaking its bones and cutting into its limbs deeper than it was feeling.

He lit the fuse and focused his vision. They had one shot, so he was going to make it count. Feldler raced away from the demon, and Exon hurled the bomb towards the open mouth. He'd learned from last time with his aim to not call a warning before the very last second. With the bomb barely an inch from its mouth, Exon looked at the girl.

"Rena!" He shouted, sweeping his arm to the side as a warning to get clear of the blast.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 24, 2017, 02:59:03 AM
She heard the call and jumped away as far as she could, not knowing exactly how this would play out.  The Devourer caught the bomb in its mouth without even thinking about it, since its attention had been largely focused on its attackers.  However, in the next min-

BOOM!!

Ewww...  Bits of head were raining down now, as there was barely a jaw attached to the neck-stump, which was burnt black.  Rather disconcertingly, though, the body of the thing just stood there.  Rena got up and saw this, and...she could see the flow of magic.  Just a little, though.  The Eye was in its stomach, and it seemed to be pulsing its energies out.  At least, that's how it was for her.

"Maxton definitely ate it, thinking he could forever merge the Eye of Hunger's power with him.  I guess he was right, but...it made this demon out of 'im."

Arrok: "I'm not sure he's dead."

"I'm sure he's dead, but not it.  Not yet."

Why?  Well, for one, the Eye appeared to BE the current Devourer's center of being, the source of all.  And for another, uhh...a headless body was just standing there!  You just don't DO that.  And sure enough, the thing still had a trick or two up its sleeve, or rather in its body.  Something black and tumorous grew out of the neck-stump.  It was essentially a new head with new teeth and still no eyes.

This was bad, but aha!  Look at it!  In order to create that head, it needed to draw on its body, which now looked thinner and more spindly in nature.  Also, there was an orifice opening in the chest - kind of like the mouth of a toothed worm - and sucking in loose matter, such as leaves and...bits of itself.  Rena stepped over to Exon.

"Let's give it one in the chest hole and one in the mouth again.  We still have six of the bombs.  I think we can-"

Her ear twitched and she looked back at the demon again.  Agh!  It was moving like a spider, right at them!
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on October 26, 2017, 02:13:03 PM
He got a bad feeling when the Devourer's headless body just stood there. The feeling got worse when it sprouted a new head. Exon had thought they finally had a leg up until that little surprise happened! Not only that, but apparently a second mouth had appeared in its chest. Super! Exon thought.

Something was different...

It seemed like that new mouth was keeping the demon alive by drawing the energy from...well, everything. Rena immediately came up with a plan; one bomb in the chest, one bomb in the head. She stopped in the middle of saying something, and Exon followed her eyes to - holy mother of Inima, what is that?!

The demon crawled horribly towards them. "You wanna finish that sentence?" Exon shouted rhetorically, jumping away from the thing.

Feldler ran over, a dog's protective instincts overpowering his own fear. Now that the Devourer was crawling, the dog saw it as an equal fight. Barking and snarling with his hackles raised, he ran over and bit down on the thing's arm. The pure pressure from the dog's bite at least fractured the demon's arm and giving Exon and Rena the opportunity needed. 

"One at the face," Exon said, giving Rena a bomb and taking one for himself. "And one at the chest. You call it."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on October 27, 2017, 03:36:44 AM
Rena gave a "Not really!" response to him as she backed away, even though it was rhetorical.  Feldler immediately acted in their defense, and it was a good and solid bite, but the thing was powered by an unearthly force.  It wasn't so much as pain as...merely damage...that was inflicted upon it.  It was angered, judging by the deep thunderous snarl it made, and either the dog was being dragged towards its mouth - kind of like a black tongue with a mouth full of fangs, that head - or it was moving towards the dog.  Either way, Rena was jumping in to put all her weight down on a stab into the 'neck' so it couldn't take a bite.  The thing forced her back with a slash at the legs, tearing the leather armor and scratching her legs.

"Agh!"

Fortunately, the three remaining guards - starting with Arrok - tackled it down so their collective weight was able to keep it from moving!  NOW, they had an opportunity, as Exon handed her a bomb.  Which mouth, though?  The Devourer was struggling to get up on all-fours again, its main mouth putting out a continuous rumble of a growl and...oh gods!  Its breath was rancid!  However, as it tried to raise up, the chest-mouth was on full suction.

"I'll shove it under there, and then everybody run!  Exon, you get Feldler loose when I do!"

Because the dog was going to have to immediately get out of the way, and it wasn't easy for one to fight instinct in a situation like this.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on November 03, 2017, 03:49:06 PM
It was true that the dog's instincts were incredibly strong. That was the only reason Feldler had jumped at the opportunity to protect his master. Still, if nothing else could be said for Exon's relationship with Feldler, Exon had that dog trained perfectly.

The Maoin felt the pain Rena must have experienced when the Devourer clawed through her armor. It wasn't like she had especially thick armor, but the power the demon had to tear through it with its bare hands was...

He forced himself to stop thinking about powerful it was, focusing on how much energy it took to make itself so powerful. That survival mechanism was going to be its undoing.

Exon snapped his fingers on the fuses of both bombs, which began their time. He smirked at Rena without even realizing it and started running towards the creature. A sharp whistle from his master attracted Feldler's attention. The dog released the Devourer, taking off in a sprint in Exon's direction.

Glancing at Rena, he knew they had one shot at this. One at the face, one under the chest. Exon released the bomb he was holding. It was up to Rena now. Please, Inima, Exon thought, make this work.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on November 04, 2017, 09:43:55 PM
The pain was pretty bad in her legs, but she was currently hopped up on adrenaline, so she'd be alright for the moment.  However, there must've been some miscommunication, because Rena had been pulling out her own flint for fire-making when the Maoin simply whistled for the dog to get moving so he could light two bombs and use both hands to stuff 'em in both orifices.

This had an interesting effect.

You see, when Rena saw it sucking in at the chest and blasting out noxious breath from its mouth, she thought perhap the mouth and the chest were directly connected, like it didn't have any kind of traditional anatomy and could just suck an and blast out at will.  That was why she elected to stuff hers into the chest.  It would be sucked in and explode before it could come out.  Whether Exon had any similar thoughts on the matter, she didn't know, because he went for both at once, and then immediately the guards were getting the heck out of there, and so was she.  What followed immediately after was a 'Ptoo!' sound, and then...

BAM!  BAM!

The first blast was against a nearby tree, which immediately sent burnt foliage all over the area.  However, the second one was inside the chest of the thing.  The stronger form of the Devourer might've split open and repaired itself using its stamina.  The thinnger and more spindly version was a bit more frail...and blew apart.  Bits of demon flew this way and that, the two claws hands of the creature sticking into the trunks of two trees and the feet on the ground, smoking somewhat.  The forest floor was littered with its hardened flesh and branch and leaves.

"Okay, that was...a mess.  Is that tree on fire?"

"No, just smoking."

It had spit out the first bomb, of course, and the guard was just checking on it...when he noticed some movement in the branches.  He shouted "The rest of it's up here!", as he pointed his sword at...what looked like an octopus with a big toothy mouth  The Devourer was not dead!  However, they'd severely cut it down to size...  Truth be told, it was maybe about the size and threat level of a Vorpal...Rabbit...  Oh shit.

"Get back!"

"No, I got it!"

Well, he did and he didn't.  He was on target when he stabbed it, but that was because it had moved its mouth to point at him.  It was planning to drop down in an ambush, he'd caught it first, but there was a problem.  Namely, the sudden and rather shocking Nomnomnomnomom! sound in which it ate the sword with rapid chewing...right up to the man's arm!

Cue the screaming!

This was followed by the sudden chopping of the arm at the elbow, the arm plus Devourer going flying across the ground, and Rena cauterizing the wound with the flat of her sword, Spark having charged with lightning briefly.  Yes, she knew someone was going to look a bit unfavorably on that.  She didn't care at the moment, since the man might've bled out without immediate action.  The creature would've otherwise gotten him up to the shoulder and done who-knows-what after that, if she didn't!

"Are you okay?"

"That was my favorite hand!  He ate my favorite hand!!"

"I mean, if you're dying or not!"

"What?  No no...I'll be fine.  I'm just gonna have to do something embarrassing...and pass out."

Plop.  Yeah, he was in shock.  Arrok was looking for the octopoid thing now.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on November 08, 2017, 09:13:26 PM
"Whoa!" Exon shouted. The bomb he had thrown was shot right back out. That was unexpected!

What followed was Rena's bomb blowing the demon to smithereens. The Maoin looked around at the pieces of the Devourer littered the surrounding area. It was disgusting. This whole ordeal was messier than Exon ever expected when he signed on.

The sudden screaming from one of the guards was horrifying. How is this thing still alive? Exon thought. He whipped around to see Rena cauterizing the wound. Her lightning charged sword was absolutely against Thanati rules, but Exon's lady played with elements. He decided not to mention it, unless Rena would bring it up.

Rena was definitely good in a fight, but Exon noticed Arrok suddenly leading the charge to find what remained of the creature. He jogged over to Rena, his hand ruffling his hair. "What the hell do we do?" He asked. "It was hit right in the center of its life force. How the fuck is it still going?"

He wasn't actually mad at Rena, though it might've come across like he was. Exon was afraid that his childhood horror story was coming back, and he just had no idea how to stop it.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on November 10, 2017, 02:39:10 AM
How was it still alive?  Err, magic, basically.  Magical beasts don't always operate by your esoteric rules of how a body works.  In this case, the demon used stamina and body mass as energy.  As it grows weaker or takes more damage, it reconfigures into smaller and smaller body shapes to remain operational on some level.  This made complete sense to Rena as soon as she saw it eating itself to grow a new head before.  For Exon, who would find all of it taboo and heinous, he wouldn't be able to have the same understanding.  Then again, neither would Yoreiqi, Essyrni, or many Connlaothians.  Why?  Because they just weren't immersed.  Rena was less panicked than she had been by it before, because now it'd been downgraded from a menace to everyone on this island to merely dangerous.

"Calm down, Exon!  Remember that the artifact itself is really durable.  It stayed intact and gathered whatever it could around itself to stay active.  We just need to keep up the pressure, because it has nothing to fall back on.  It must feed now or go back to sitting idle!"

Arrok: "What if it burrows into the ground to eat worms and bugs?"

"Can't be enough to sustain it."

Arrok: "What if it takes root in a tree like before?"

"Still not enough to make it a danger.  No one ever got attacked when you first found it."

Presumably, that meant that plants and little lifeforms were too weak in lifeforce to make much of a difference in its appetite.  Rena stepped closer to the area in which it was hiding.  Then, she pretended to be unaware, closing her eyes and keeping her ears perked.  When she heard the sound - that telltale sound of something small launching itself in a predatory fashion - she struck! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDFFHaz9GsY)  She hit it right in the teeth, and the creature didn't even nick her sword.  She followed quickly, wincing at the pain in her legs, whacking it around before finally stabbing it into a tree trunk!  There, it was pinned and stuck, even if she let the sword go.  The double-point had pressed far into the wood.

"There...  It's not going anywhere.  My sword is a durable artifact too.  It's one of the reasons Uncle Zan thought my father would be suited to this.  With his skill and Flint at his side, he might've taken it on himself."

The one remaining unharmed guard - ironically, the messanger guy - looked at it now.

"Won't it...take root in there?  Stick to the tree?"

"So what?  The flesh'll break down, it'll be a helpless artifact, and then we can deal with it."

Arrok: "I've yet to see a manner in which anybody can 'deal with it'.  I'd almost consider forbidden magic to destroy this forbidden magic."

Rena sat down and had a look at it.  The thing was durable as hell.  Then...she smiled.

"I know how to kill it.  It means taking it off of the island - which I know you'd rather happen, anyway - but we can do it.  We just have to take it to Connlaoth, summon an Adhara, and then anyone can smash it."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on November 16, 2017, 07:22:58 PM
"Arrok, I might agree with you there," Exon said at the magic comment. He wasn't completely against that kind of magic, especially if it benefits them in such a major situation, but maybe Rena's Adhara idea was a safer bet.

At this point, Exon felt that nothing could genuinely surprise him, so Rena's sword being 'a durable artifact' wasn't as shocking as he thought it would be.

"Rena, believe me... I am all for getting that thing as far from Thanatos as possible." He glanced at the demon pinned to the tree by the sword. "Are you positive you would be able to control it until getting to Connlaoth. That's a long journey! It's not like traveling to the next town."

He shook his head, thinking about his - flamboyant - friend they had seen earlier; the one who had summoned the cat creature. He had some pull that Exon didn't know possible. He said he knew an Adhara pirate... Nah! After what they had put him through, that guy would never help them out again.

Exon rubbed the back of his neck. "At least tell me you aren't thinking of doing this alone..."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on November 17, 2017, 03:34:14 AM
Spark truly was artifice.  They happen without there having to be a god or a devil, sometimes.  The seven blades of the House of Alamar had three that were discovered, most-likely artifacts of the ancient age before Serendipity and Connlaoth were around.  The four that emerged from it, like Spark, were conceived of after intense study of the three.  Rena knew just a little of their true origin, as her father did, because of the golems which came out of the minds to claim the three.  That is, however, unimportant to matters at hand.  Right now, the demon is drying up, Rena is sitting on the ground and trying not to let her legs bother her, and they were deciding what to do.

"Arlius kept it quietly under his feet, dreading that something would happen.  The only real danger was the expertise of a cunning thief.  With that in mind, I'm more concerned over the length of the journey and my legs."

She'd been inspecting them while they were talking.  It made her wish she'd brough the mythril, after all.  These weren't deep wounds.  The demon had not been super-powerful at the time.  However, they hurt andt they'd bled.  Some bandages would help.  Getting their horses back for the ride into town would be even better.  She was more worried about immediate concerns than the far-reaching ones.  When Exon asked her if she was planning to take the Eye to Connlaoth alone, though, Rena sighed and looked at him.

"Honestly, I don't know.  How could I ask any Thanati to leave their home and travel among the people they consider invaders and blasphemers?  The quickest way to get to Reajh, straight to the Mordecais' tower, is to pass through the heart of Serendipity to reach the southern borders of Connlaoth.  The people there do not believe in Thanatos' god, they don't believe the magic you've forsworn is embarrassing or wrong, and said magic is all over the place, in great quantity."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on November 28, 2017, 11:06:47 AM
Rena had a point. Despite his own tolerance for the magic that his people scorn, Exon wasn't sure how he would feel being surrounded by those kinds of people. On top of that, he had a life on Thanatos with a dog, a job, a lady, and a reputation. The woman had her plan, and it was a good plan.

"I'll pay for your passage back to the mainland," Exon said. "I won't take no for an answer. And you can barely walk. Just stay here, and I'll-" He stopped, hearing multiple hoofbeats. Grinning, he shrugged. "Never mind. Stay, Feldler."

The dog laid down next to Rena, his head resting on his paws. Exon parted from what remained of the group and jogged over. A young man sat atop one of the horses while leading the others. He dismounted, bowing politely to Exon, who returned the gestured. Nothing would have been heard of their brief conversation, but Exon simply told the young man that there had been an accident during a trail ride and that the horses were spooked. The young man took the unnecessary horses back with him, leaving four horses for them.

The Maoin approached the others with two leads held in each hand. "I may not be able to go with you, Rena," he said, "but I'm not letting you leave yet. You need to have your leg looked at. I'll cover any and all expenses. You saved my home and everyone who lives here from an unspeakable tragedy repeating itself. It's the very least I can do to repay you."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on November 29, 2017, 01:07:41 PM
While they had been talking, all those watching the thing in the tree would find that it had finally lost all of its demonic flesh and now was just a dark artifact with an open 'screaming' eye-mouth that led to blackness.  The Devourer was no more.  Only the Eye of Hunger remained.  It was at this time that Exon insisted on paying for her passage back to the mainland, and that she needed to get her leg - perhaps both legs - looked at.  No argument there.  He left Feldler behind, who lay down beside her.  Rena gave him a good pet while the Maoin was away.

"He's a good man, Feldler, but I would never inflict my world on his."

The guards were - by and large - standing guard, evne as Exon returned.  Looks like he got the horses back and - judging by rhe sound of it - didn't even have to explain what really happened.  Well, as was certainly understood by now, it was better that people didn't really know.  He was very grateful, to which Rena smiled and said...

"That's very kind of you, but we're not actually done yet.  Arrok, would you pry it out of there with my sword?  We can't let the thing out of our sight, not when there's a thief about."

Remember?  Maxton had help.  Arrok moved to pry out the Eye of Hunger from the tree.

"We can put it in the bomb bag.  Seems fair."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on December 19, 2017, 04:10:06 PM
Exon had genuinely forgotten that Maxton wasn't the sole culprit in that adventure. He'd gotten so wrapped up in stopping the Devourer and getting the Eye of Hunger back to where it belonged that what actually caused this to begin with escaped his mind.

Arrok moved toward the Eye of Hunger, and Feldler jumped up from Rena's side to go running at the man with his ears pricked. The dog barked once, which drew Exon's attention, but didn't hold it. Feldler started sniffing up at the object, hoping Arrok would let him explore the different smell.

The Maoin shifted a bit uncomfortably at the thought of the Eye in the bomb bag. "It's a good thought," he started, "but might I improve it?" Exon knelt on the ground, dropping the horses' leads. They weren't going anywhere unless they were spooked again, which Exon didn't think was likely at that time.

He opened the bomb bag and removed the remaining bombs. Taking the scarf off from around his neck, he laid it out and placed the bombs on it, then tied it like a bag. Glancing at Rena with a slight smirk, he shrugged. "Call me paranoid, but I don't like the thought of that thing near four bombs while traveling."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on December 19, 2017, 10:20:32 PM
Arrok didn't interfere with the dog, but just the same he needed a moment to familiarize himself with this unusual sword and how to use it as - essentially - a prising tool.  As he managed to pop the thing free, Exon was improving their bomb and bag situation.  The guard held the artifact in his hand and felt its throbbing forces.  Men of knowledge would find the thing intriguing, intoxicating.  Perhaps ordinary men too.  However, as much as its power would be an interest to anyone, he himself found it unnatural and sick.  He placed it in the bag without a word.

"Well, I was thinking that if anything were to happen - thief or strangeness with the Eye - we set the bag on fire and throw it away, then wait for the explosion.  It doesn't matter, though.  As long as we're more than a match for the thief, in case he gets any ideas, we're fine."

That said, with a little assistance, everyone got onto their horses.  The guy with only one hand was riding with the messanger, as he was {A} still a little shellshocked and {B} one-handed.  Rena could ride, well enough, on her own.

"Hey, umm...messanger guy."

"Yes?"

"Maybe you should ride ahead to get that guy help and tell Arlius what happened."

Arrok: "And get us more men.  I'll take no chances here."

"Yes, sir!  Uhh, ma'am!  Err, both of you!"

He rode off at full gallop.  The rest would be proceeding with greater care, just in case.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on January 08, 2018, 09:26:45 AM
Following slowly after the messenger, Exon set the pace at a slow trot. Of course he wanted to be careful, but as Rena had mentioned, there was still a thief out and about. Better to have a slightly quicker pace than a simple walk. Feldler had returned to Exon's side as soon as the artifact was wrapped in the bag. The dog trotted alongside the horses, tired from the exhilarating ordeal that had just taken place.

As they approached civilization, the Maoin assessed his traveling companions briefly. "Could've been worse," he mumbled to himself. They had suffered casualties, but it could've turned into something far worse than what happened. Exon was just grateful that it was pretty much over.

"Rena, how does that sword work?" He asked finally, genuinely curious about the weapon. "We hit the thing with bombs, yet your sword was what finally got it truly under control. It's a marvelous weapon, and I've never seen one like it."

It wasn't the topic of conversation Exon had expected to turn onto, but they had a little time before reaching town, so he decided to go for it. Besides, what good would it do to dwell on the fact they were traveling with an ancient artifact known for corrupting souls?
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on January 09, 2018, 01:32:47 AM
Exon was right, of course.  It could've been worse.  They could've died fighting and feed the demon, before it surged over the island and ate of every last living thing...and then perhaps took a dip in the ocean.  There's no limit to the food down there.  That's for sure.  Now, without any immediate attacks coming about, they had a moment to converse.  However, Rena shook her head at Exon's words.

"You're wrong, Exon.  The bombs did a great deal.  I didn't use any magic on the thing.  I just figured one artifact could withstand the teeth of a creature born of another.  Maybe you recall that it failed to lop off any part of its body?"

A fair point, and she hadn't used Spark's real power against it because - and this was the most important piece of information - she suspected it to be useless against the beast.  That said, she didn't want to deny him an answer, per se.  Spark was impressive, as far as swords go.

"My sword is like this, however, because it was formed into a new material from a particular metal, called Mythril.  This one, Spark, was created - like Flint, Flood, and Swift - after one of the Alamars, Goldswiths' predecessors, examined three ancient blades of a similar quality.  Those three were from the previous civilization.  Discovering a method of full element infusion is what changed the materials, and what made the blades what they were.  Spark IS lightning, in a way.  It's very strange, and Lord Alamar deliberately chose not to pass on the method of element infusion.  It became just a legend that happened to be true."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on January 31, 2018, 10:28:59 AM
Exon was intrigued by the sword, but she was right. The sword only worked once the demon was weakened. Mythril, however, was foreign to the Maoin. He had heard of it, but never actually seen it in person.

He grinned to himself when Rena told him Spark was lightning. Exon enjoyed playing with fire, but his special lady would definitely want to see that sword. She had an unspoken ability with lightning that went hidden to everyone, except Exon. A sword with power similar to hers was right up her alley.

Either way, that wasn't important at the moment. If Amara got to see the sword at some point, it would be in the future, when the Devourer and the Eye of Hunger were no longer threats to the world.

"So, no one knows how the swords were infused with elemental power?" He asked her. "But that's a waste of knowledge for it to die with him... No matter. If Spark is lightning, do the other three have the other elementals?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on February 04, 2018, 09:59:13 AM
At the comment of it being such a waste, Rena just shrugged.

"I can't exactly know the mind of the old lord.  It was long before my time.  From my point of view, you can't afford to potentially flood the world with such swords.  The effects would be pretty calamitous across the countryside."

Magic was already prolific in the world, and a wizard duel alone could endanger everyone and everything around it.  If these swords were numerous in the world, as common as steel or silver, there would be alot of death on everyone's hands and destruction abound.  Besides, if there were many, the ones that existed would no longer be special.  Maybe the originals would be heralded or cursed in such a world, but they would certainly lose their signficance in the face of so many copies.  The answer to Exon's questions would no longer be interesting.

"Flint, Flood, and Swift represent fire, water, and wind, respectively.  It's worth noting that the swords tend to fit our personalities in some way.  My father was a well-tempered heat in battle, and my uncle was a clever, adaptable man.  So, their swords fit them well enough.  Flash, Dusk, and Quake - the absolute originals - represented heaven, the underworld, and the Earth in between, so they are light, dark, and earth-powered."

Altogether, it was seven.  Now, they were just about coming into town...  Where exactly were they going to have Rena's legs looked at?
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on February 19, 2018, 12:11:13 PM
The Maoin took a breath, not really sure if he should continue. The potential disasters of such powerful blades weren't exactly something he wanted to think about. Despite his own open-mindedness, Exon still wasn't completely comfortable with that level of power, especially having to do with elemental magic.

Granted, the concept was pretty interesting.

Seeing the town approaching, Exon sped his horse on a bit. "So, uh, I know someone who can help your leg." The tone underneath his voice probably wasn't the most comforting, but it was more positive than dark. "He goes by Master Rulius. He's... Well, he doesn't really live by the Thanati way of 'manners above all.' He's a good guy, who actually helped me out the many times I had accidents while training for my fire show."

Exon pointed to a small, green hut ahead of them. "That's his place."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on February 23, 2018, 08:16:49 PM
Both legs were hurt, actually.  She didn't correct him because it wasn't important to.  It was a valid concern, though.  Rena had not been clad in her usual armor over here because it was Mythril, which - while effective - would've drawn too much attention.  yes, more-so than even her sword.  She'd wanted to bring it, but couldn't being herself to bring it, if you get the drift.  It seemed wrong, so she didn't, and now her legs paid the price.  Well...at least it was only some lacerations.  Could've been alot worse...

"Thank you, Exon.  I'm sure Master Rullius can handle this, if he's any good at medicine at all.  They're not as bad as..."

She didn't finished her sentence, but he'd know what she meant.  The men who were dead, the man who'd lost his hand, and of course poor Maxton...who ended up as host to the evil being, itself.  So, as they came to the little green hut, the only real concern right now was how much this was going to hurt.

"Will he need me down off of this horse?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on March 06, 2018, 01:39:44 PM
Exon nodded in understanding of what Rena didn't want to say. It had been a difficult experience for everyone involved, and losing members of the group wasn't something you just spring back from.

"He will," the Maoin said, dismounting. He approached the horse Rena was sitting atop, offering his hand to help her down. There was no doubt in his mind that she could've gotten down on her own, as she was definitely more of a fighter than half the men on the island, but it was better not to push the injuries further.

Feldler perked up, recognizing where they were. He barked excitedly, tail wagging and eyes wide. The man smiled and whistled sharply. The pup raced over to the green hut, barking and scratching at the door.

"Oi!" Came a crabby voice from inside the hut. The door swung open and out waddled a little man with wildly styled purple and white hair. He was slightly hunched over and couldn't have been more than five feet tall, but he dressed... Well, he dressed like a homeless man. "Feldler!" He exclaimed, bringing his spectacles to his eyes from the top of his head. "You bein' here only meanth your airhead of a mathter burned the thkin off hith leg again. Come on, ol' boy."

Exon looked at Rena with pursed lips. "Master Rulius," he called. "Not for me this time, but I truly thank you for thinking of my needs. This is a friend. Her name's Rena, and we could use your help."

The funny, little man scurried over, stopping far too close to Rena than would be considered comfortable for any normal person. "Whath wrong with ya, girly?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on March 13, 2018, 06:39:51 AM
When Exon helped her down, the free hand was pulling out her big sword to basically use as a cane and support for moving around.  Pretty good idea, considering that she was effectively at a limp until someone healed her up.  She remained in fairly-high spirits as they approached the door Feldler was scratching at.  What came out even surprised Rena, though.  There have been jokes about adventurers - people who wander the world, exploring its wonders and selling their talents along the way - as murder hobos, but this man outsold all of the rumors at once!

Was that a gleam of madness in his eye, or was that just me?

Oh, and he had a lisp too.  That completed the picture, without a doubt.  Exon had taken her to a raving lunatic for healing purposes.  Rena was now trying to determine if he wa genuinely crazy, or if he was just some poor soul who'd seen too much.  When Exon explained the situation, the man walked right up to her - and we mean right up to her - and inquired with his glare maybe inches from her face.

It...wasn't just me.  He's got the crazy in a bad way.

Rena made sure her free hand was in his field of vision when she pointed downward, looking uneasy about this.

"It's...down there.  My legs.  They were scratched pretty badly by...  Well, it's best if I didn't say.  I don't want to start a panic about a situation that's been largely resolved."

The thing that did it was dead, more or less.  The man who'd been involved in it was dead, as well.  The only other person that would have any marginal involvement with the issue was...well...they didn't know where HE was.  With luck, he was just a thief who got paid and was gone.  If they weren't...then, at least he was just a thief and not a monster.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on March 27, 2018, 02:58:09 PM
Master Rulius squinted through his large spectacles, examining her up and down. He looked at Exon with what most people would consider a sneer, but which was actually just his normal expression. "Thith ith about that damned Eye of Hunger again, eh?" He inquired.

Exon laughed nervously, putting his hand behind his neck. "Uh, Rena, I should've mentioned that he's psychic, too."

"I wathn't readin' her mind, boy!" Master Rulius snapped. "It wath your mind! Anywho! I don't much care either way. Thtay right here." He disappeared and reappeared within a minute, holding his hands in the air. His palms were now covered with a purple paste. He approached Rena with a smile that was probably more unnerving than comforting. "Thith won't hurt."

Exon nodded to Rena briefly. "It's his own concoction. Heals most injuries completely in about three minutes; five if the wound is bad enough." The Maoin smirked. "Weirdly enough, smells like blueberries."

"I gonna touch ya now," the man said with a nod, kneeling in front of her legs and going to place his hands on the scratches.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on March 31, 2018, 02:05:31 AM
Yes, the mention of the utterly secret Eye of Hunger by a total strange DID startle Rena.  Thanks for asking.  The laughter and the explanation set her mind at ease again...slightly.  Rullius was still creepy.  He went off into the back to get something, and then returned...purple.  Despite the expression on his face, this much was at least recognizable.  It was a healing salve, or ointment of similar properties.  The worst Rena expected was a momentary sting, although she was assured there would be none at all.  Once she was told about it, she gave Rullius the nod to go ahead, then looked over at Exon.

"So, does that mean that it's not blueberries?  And if that's the case...what is it?"

She was no alchemist or anything, but her studies had left her at least educated to the subject.  It helped one know what will help or harm in the wild, if nothing else.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on April 19, 2018, 12:14:26 PM
"Of course it's not blueberries," Exon murmured, shaking his head. "Since when have blueberries healed injuries?"

Master Rulius snorted, adjusting his spectacles and tilting his head to the right in an almost perfect ninety-degree angle. The man placed his hands at the top of her injuries, slowly dragging them downward. The concoction wouldn't have been painful, but it usually left a strange tingling feel on the injury - like your leg had fallen asleep, but isolated to the injury.

What was weirder was that the paste disappeared as soon as it touched the injury. "That'th thuppothed ta happen," Master Rulius assured Rena with a mangled smile. "Off with ya now!"

"Wait," Exon said. "What do I owe you?"

The hunched man scoffed, shaking his head without looking back, as he retreated towards his hut again. "Don't be botherin' me for a while, fire boy!"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on April 20, 2018, 05:03:54 AM
For shame, Exon!  You're forgetting those sharp ears of hers!  Rena inclined her head in his direction with a small smile and spoke aloud to his quiet comment.

"I wouldn't know.  I'm neither alchemist nor healer, by trade."

This, fortunately, distracted her from the actions at hand, and especially the odd angle of the man's head.  True, she has seen her fair share of weirdness, but let's be real here, for a second.  These things don't go away.  They add up in your head, and if you're not careful, the number of things in your life that disturb you might out-weigh the things that don't.  This is why people go to crazy town.  It's a failure to make things add up properly.

Inevitably, her attention would be drawn back down, though.  One does not create pins and needles for your leg without giving it some notice.  And since it was a number of scratches there, it was a fair sting.  The paste vanished and Rena was given the official ousting from the older man.  You'll understand if she took it easy for now.  You don't push yourself too hard after recovery if you can avoid it, even after a magic healing.  He left them without taking payment, which looked to her like a problem...  She sidled up nearby and inquired now.

"Is he just being nice or do you pay him in too many favors and not enough hard currency?  Not that I doubt your talents, but sometimes people just want money."

Which shouldn't be too bad, right?  He was, after all, a decent entertainer, so his spending money should be reasonable, at least.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on May 14, 2018, 02:06:49 PM
Exon smirked, shaking his head slightly. "I tend to overpay Master Rulius," he said with a small shrug. "He doesn't really like me, since I'm always showing up with new injuries I get when practicing a new act. Plus, I usually come to him for healing instead of one of the other people in my group. He says I disturb him, but I think he just wants to see my dog."

The Maoin whistled sharply, as the hunched healer closed the door before Feldler could invade the hut he called home. The dog's ear swiveled, and he high-tailed it back to Rena and Exon.

"We should get back to town," he said, taking his horse's reins. "Return the horses and figure out what to do about the thief. Do you know what kind of person we're facing? Or are we going in blind with this guy?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on May 21, 2018, 02:48:19 AM
When Exon mentioned his acts being a potential source of alotof his injuries, Rena nodded.  She could see that happening.  He worked with fire alot, for one.  Presumably, he did alot of things that could cause injury and mayhem to his body.  Granted, after today, some of that would seem like a cakewalk.  That's a funny phrase, isn't it?  Who even came up with that?  Nevermind.  The lady warrior smiled at the mention of Feldler.

"Well, he is a nice dog."

They were going to take the horses back and make their next move.  Naturally, the question of who or what they were dealing with in the thief was raised.  Rena had to think about that for a minute, so she delayed answering until at least she was back in the saddle again.  It took some effort, but since she wasn't even in her mythril plate, there wasn't going to be any real issue about it.  Only after they started off did she speak up on the matter.

"I have a suspicion, but I can't be entirely sure about it.  Our thief is visiting this place, maybe for the first time, but he hasn't made any obvious mistakes.  He's done a very good job stealing this thing and he hasn't tried using it himself.  More to the point, no guard or soldier has spotted a suspicious man OR woman who might be the thief.  Nobody saw anything.  What we have here is a good thief, a smart thief.  Hell, he might be some kind of a great thief.  That's what worries me."

She shook her head, uncertain about this.

"I dunno.  Could be paranoia.  Has Thanatos ever heard of a guy called Gary Blight?"

We will saw that he's more well-known on the mainland, but if any Thanati have ever heard foreigners talking about this rumored highwayman, Exon would know.  Who knows?  He just MIGHT know a few things about this goblin thief.  Guy's got a reputation.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on May 29, 2018, 03:23:09 PM
Gary Blight... The name rang a bell, but Exon fell quiet, trying to pinpoint exactly why he knew of it.

"Uh, I believe so," he said finally, narrowing his eyes slightly at her. "Don't hold me to it, but I might know who you're talking about. My lady has family spread all over the land, so she tells me all kinds of stories from her siblings. He's a goblin thief, or something like that, right?"

Thanatos probably hasn't heard of Gary Blight, but Exon's connections reached further than the island he had never left.

From what he gathered, the goblin thief wasn't one to mess around when it came to his jobs, so if this really was who they were up against, Exon already knew that it wasn't over.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on June 03, 2018, 02:31:26 AM
She nodded at his basic understanding of Mr. Blight.  Uhh...then her mind trailed off back to the fact that Exon seemed to have quite an unusual status of relationships.  It was just one of those things.  She would have to let it pass.  He was Thanati and Thanati were different, in many ways.  Still, to return to the topic at hand...

"It's kind of hard to tell, because it seems like a number of his exploits are mainly there to make people believe that he can do anything, kind of like a folktale.  You talk about this person who does impressive things, and then you start telling tales that are blown out of proportion, and pretty soon, Gary Blight is omnipresent figure who can steal a king's ransom all on his own and trick a Manticore into stabbing itself with its own tail."

It was a problem, then, sorting out the real Gary from the fake one.  Rena shook her head.

"The most I really know is that he is a goblin, and that he is very good at thieving and robbing, probably a decent fighter.  And at least one of the credible rumors is that he's good at disguises and sneaking around.  One way or another, you haven't seen a goblin on this island.  Someone would've said, would've asked his business in Thanatos.  I am certain that plenty of good thieves could pull this off.  It's just that this has the feel of a human-hating goblin."

That was another thing that was credibly told about Gary Blight: He didn't like humans, not at all, and that goes for human-like beings, as well, save for the obviously supernatural who were most-definitely not human.  He was fine with those, and he got along well enough with outright inhuman races other than the gobbos.  Rena felt he might be at the end of this because a roaming demon of devouring power on an island full of humans would appeal to him.
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on June 26, 2018, 01:18:14 PM
"That does make sense, then," Exon mused aloud. "If he hates humans, this artifact would be pretty efficient in ridding the world of more than a few of them."

It wasn't really a long ride back to Sylphera's house, though it seemed the older woman had taken the warhorse out for a ride, herself. The man dismounted and nodded for Rena to do the same with Torch, taking Ashen's reigns and bringing her into the field. When the widow returned, she would take care of removing the tack and brushing them down, but Exon knew that he and Rena had more pressing matters.

He held the field door open for Rena and Torch, while Feldler lay panting near his master's feet. The Maoin's eyes drifted over, and he smirked, reaching towards the side of the field and picking up a six-foot staff. "Son of a bitch," he muttered. "Been looking for you for almost a year." He looked back up at Rena with a smirk. "So, if he's a master of disguise, how are we supposed to find him?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on June 29, 2018, 01:43:53 PM
"It'd certainly go far.  He'd probably warn goblinkind before getting someone to use it.  If this was a test run..."

She shook her head.  If this were merely a test run, that he allowed Maxton to have it so he could know the properties of the artifact before taking it back...  Well, in this case, someone would have to drop the Devourer before that was possible.  But after that, a master thief could pick it up again.  She was making assumptions.  It wasn't helpful at all.  Rena continued to ride on until they were able to drop off the horses, which...led to Exon discovering a quarterstaff he'd apparently lost.  Here, though?  And for so long?  Hope it doesn't smell...  This was a horse pasture, after all.  As for the master of disguise...

"That's a difficult one.  I suppose he'd have trouble looking tall, so you can at least limit it to short people and tall people who walk stiffly because of stilt-legs."

Standing as she was now, still leaning on a fence with the box, Rena was at least starting to feel better.  She didn't know how long it was until her full strength was back.  Maybe she'd be ready already, but she didn't wanna test that until maybe a goblin tried something.  In the meantime, uhh...there was a bunch of guards coming in this direction with Arrok in the lead.  Exon would know that look in their eyes.  They were in a 'take charge of this matter' kind of mood.

"Should I have a bad feeling?  They look like I should have a bad feeling about this."
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Celegwen on July 17, 2018, 08:50:36 AM
The reason why his staff had been left at Syl's place was because he often trained there. His Maoin lifestyle didn't provide him too much time - or space - to practice any type of combat, so he usually used Syl's house as his personal training grounds. And sometimes he got forgetful!

Feldler jumped up with a sharp bark, looking in the direction from which they had come. His ears flattened, and the dog looked at his master for instruction. Exon looked up, following Rena's gaze to the group of guards approaching with a look he knew all too well. It was often the look he got from his superiors whenever he was causing trouble.

"Oh, yeah," the Maoin said with a frown. "Anytime a Thanati has a look that obvious, you should definitely have a bad feeling." Glancing at Rena and back at the guards, Exon swallowed and gripped his staff. "Your call, Rena. Run or stay?"
Title: Re: Flaming Hearts {OPEN, PM to join}
Post by: Wrathwyrm on July 21, 2018, 08:03:28 PM
[OOC: Needed to think on how I wanted this to go.]

"What?  Make off like a thief in the night?  Oh, he'd love that.  If I'm about to break a ffew laws to protect people from themselves, the first one is going to be assault."

That was a decided 'Stay' as she put the box under one arm and stared down Arrok, her right hand free to grab a weapon if it became necessary.  He and the guards now came to a halt before them.  No weapons were drawn yet, but they looked like they could be.  There was an unpleasant moment of silence between everyone, then...

"So, how's your guy with the missing hand?"

Arrok: "He'll live.  I see you're in decent condition."

"Can't complain."

Another awkward pause, then Arrok's gaze narrowed.

Arrok: "I'm under orders to take that thing back to the Temple, where if it cannot be destroyed, it must be chained with all the chains we can find, and then dumped into the lower vaults, where it can lie in solitude, to be forgotten until it finally dies."

"I'll save you the time and tell you that there is no means on this island to destroy the Eye.  My uncle discovered that when he was here and I know it for certain, myself.  However, I DO have a plan.  You're familiar with the Mordecai of Connlaoth?"

Arrok: "I don't concern myself with the ways of other countries.  You know that."

"Well, if you did, you'd remark about how much Connlaoth and Thanatos seem familiar with their anti-magic laws and the magic-defeating Mordecai.  I hand it to one of them - or better yet, an Adhara - and it's dead."

Arrok: "Why do you have to transport it to some foreign country where it could be lost?  Can't you bring one here?"

"You mean, apart from my having no authority there and the limited availability of such people?  It'd take too long.  You could still have a master thief in your midst-"

Arrok: "We DO still have a thief in our midst!  Maxton's property was robbed!  It happened while we were out dealing with that thing.  The thief must've known the Eye would kill him and took advantage of gaining the free stuff."

Ah shit...  Thief confirmed.  Rena wasted no time now.

"Then, you have to escort me to port.  No offense, but you're lucky it's just a really good thief.  If someone powerful came here, found it, and then just chucked it in the ocean...  Well, you can imagine how bad THAT would be."

And now, Arrok's imagination was going straight to an insatiable demon-shark...