Shadows In The Night (Open)

[Anonymous]

Night time in Arca was greatly removed from the hectic hustle and bustle of the day. The shops closed near to nightfall so as to allow those owners who did not live in the same building as their stores to walk home before the kinds of people that made night their hunting ground venture out to prowl. In fact with the sun having set more than a candle mark ago the streets were mostly empty save for the soldiers on patrol duty. It was too early for the drunks to be stumbling home either alone or with equally intoxicated companions and those that were out were mostly wise enough not to travel alone and even those that were with a group stuck to the center of the street and did their best to avoid coming too close to alley mouths. More than a few people had fallen prey to thieves, murderers, and rapists who hung around in the shadows just beyond the street and snatched anyone unfortunate enough to happen by within reach.  As far as anyone was aware no such thing had happened recently but that didn't mean there were not predators waiting out there in the darkness of the streets.

In fact that could very well be the best way to describe the darkly dressed figure who moved alone along the streets like so few did at this hour. Though it would have been difficult to make out any details of his face in the light provided by the lamps spaced equally along the street the hood of his cloak was pulled up anyway to make recognizing the man nigh impossible. He moved with a purposeful stride down a barren street that was currently free of even guards and if there were criminals watching they did not make their presence known. Most of their ilk prayed on the weak or helpless and if they did not notice the confident, graceful strides of a man who knew how to fight their eyes couldn't miss the sword at his hip and that alone was usually more than enough to dissuade a would be cutpurse and it was lucky for them that it did for with him they surely would have bit off more than they could chew.

The sounds of raucous laughter reached Draesen Corrigen's ears as he passed by the closed door of a tavern. That was where the majority of people within the common district were at this hour, spending their hard earned coin on drink and perhaps even to gamble at dice or games of cards. Truth be told it had been a while since he had ventured into a simple tavern so he wasn't quite sure what the popular games of the night were anymore. His duties kept him busy enough to make avoiding such places easy and since many of his nights were spent in much the same manner as this one... well he didn't find the time to throw his money away on drink that was no doubt worse than what he could get at the palace. Many would argue the point to going out to a tavern was to socialize, but since he had never been a socialite that hardly mattered form his perspective.

As the man neared the crossway between two streets he suddenly paused, the clinking of metal and the low murmur of quiet conversation alerting him to the presence of a patrol and a moment later they were rounding the corner of a building. They saw no one though for the shadowy figure of the Lord Knight Commander was already gone, having vanished down the nearest alley and into the lightless dark it contained where all manner of dangers might wait. None of them could be as dangerous as he though, and if there were bandits or killers about they were not carrying any metal, he would have sensed such things. One could never tell the manner of people that were out tonight though... It was highly possible he was not the only prominent figure of the city sneaking about.  Everyone had their reasons, just as he had his own.

The alley he had slipped into proved empty and, as he ventured out onto the street from the opposite side from whence he came in he heard the tell tale sounds of yet another inn. This one carried the muffled sounds of not only conversation but merry music as well. Obviously it was a little more popular or well off than some of those previously passed. He was just about to step out and get back on his way when the door suddenly burst open and everything suddenly became much louder while light spilled out into the street...

[Anonymous]

Earlier that evening, in the twilight, Roose had returned to the inn from his wandering explorations around the city of Arca.  The festival celebration he'd enjoyed since the day after his arrival had ended three days ago, and he'd been spending his time getting to know this place and its people.  Poked around in the merchant shops, tried the foods... listened to the music.  Yes, he'd returned to the inn where he'd spent his time in Arca, only to find some local musicians had chosen this evening to play where he was staying.  Here.  Now.  Normally, the young 'Twill would have fed and slept, early to bed, early to rise.  However...

... he loved music.

So, Roose stayed up, ate his evening meal with the crowd, listened to music and conversation, even partook of some conversation, himself.  And also found his hand frequently reaching for the pouch where he kept a gift he'd found earlier this day, for Chorri.  Touched it, and thought of her as the music lifted his spirits.  Oh, how he missed her!

Night time, yes.  Only a candle mark since the sunset?

Bedtime.  But Roose, awake, part of the inn crowd listening to the merry music and conversation, didn't feel like sleeping, though he did feel tired.  Felt... felt lonely, despite the people about him and the cheerful sound of well-played instruments in his ears.  Felt the need for quiet and meditation, which he wouldn't get here, at this moment.  So...

... he excused himself, took hold of his Boonwood staff, and headed for the door, intent despite the hour to find a quiet place to meditate, somewhere in the city.  No, not in his room... not where his sensative ears could still hear the voices and the music.  And no, he had no concern for the dark or the possibility of criminal activity.  Anyone foolish enough to attack him would find out exactly what a 'Twill could do, with claw, tooth and apparent shaft of wood.

So...

... Roose paced towards the inn's doorway, pale green tongue licking the end of his snout, tail's tuft aflick behind, perhaps a bit too rushed to leave, a reason for the inn's door to suddenly burst open, and dump him out of the doorway, along with the sound and light of what went on, within.

And Roose?

Well, he stood for a moment, yawned a toothy yawn, not sure where to go as he looked about and sniffed the night's air.  Aware of all the patterns round about, near and far, including the one belonging to the figure who had just stepped from the alley shadows.........

[Anonymous]

Damned this night and all the bad luck that seemed to be coming with it, the Commander's voice growled within his own mind, rich with annoyance. He was fast, more so than most, but no one could have leapt back into the shadows in time to avoid being seen by the Tau'Twill that came meandering out. The light illuminated it's back, displaying the shock of black and creamy white fur as well as the rich sapphire of the natural armor its scales provided for every limb.  Personally Draesen had never fought a Twill, but he had head tell that such armor was strong enough to withstand a strike from a sword, but there wasn't anyone who could wield a blade quite like him so who knew how a fight might play out.

That train of thought was immediately quelled. There was no need to go looking for a fight when such a thing could be avoided. Out here, alone, the last thing the swordsman needed was to attract the guard's attention and be discovered. How many people would love to know what the Lord Knight Commander was doing sneaking around the streets at night when everyone thought he was in his bed?  He could have retreated, dashed back into the alley and be gone from sight but that would only raise suspicion as to what manner of man he was. What if the creature shouted that there was a thief about? He could not afford to be delayed by pursuit. The contact was already waiting.

"Peace stranger." Draesen said in a deep, strong voice as a slender fingered hand was raised both in greeting as well as to soothe its nerves in case it suspected an attack. The cowl of his hood made recognizing him impossible, though few people in this part of the city would know him by face anyway. "I seek no trouble tonight."

While talking Draesen had been slowly moving forward, starting on his way once more so that he would not have to be any later than he already was to meet with the person he had ventured out to see. No doubt the Twill had its own business to take care of so it was assumed the best thing would be to go his way and let it do the same.

[Anonymous]

Hatshepsut should have been in bed and in fact most of her house hold staff thought she was in bed. Hatshepsut couldn't sleep however and instead of having a long winded argument with Alfred on whether or not it was proper for a Lady of her stature should be out at night, she decided to just sneak out. It had made her feel good, sneaking out of her own house as if she were a child. That small tiny thrill had made her night, nay, her evening much better than it had been.

Hatshepsut was depressed, chronically depressed. She needed excitement of any kind, anything that would spice up life a little. Life lately had been very dull and boring to Hatshepsut. She's lived so long and had seen so much happen that she was getting bored with it. However thanks to her race she can not die, at least not permanently. So tonight she just wanted to wander the streets and think.

She wasn't really watching where she was going, nor did she know where she was headed. She just walked, turning left then right. Through alley ways and down main streets. All sorts of noises made the night come alive, but most of those sounds didn't reach her ears. She was lost in her own world. The thought of being robbed or something worse did cross her mind, but honestly she wasn't afraid of it. Even if they killed her she would be back to live again in a few months or so. One didn't fear much when they didn't have death hanging over them. It was no surprise that Hatshepsut would run into someone with the way she was walking without paying attention. "Oops. Sorry." She said to the shadowy figure she's just lightly bumped into.

[Anonymous]

Yes, indeed, a shock of black and creamy white fur, what part of his mane stood visible above the low collar of his Nute, its own colors of brown and green a contrast.  Same too with his cargo shorts, also a matching green and brown.  His belt and pouches, an even darker brown, near black, with dull silver buckle made from an organically assembled alloy.  Sapphire scales indeed a shield against blades.  On his Homeworld, protection from more natural hazards, handed down from his distant ancestors.  His seelers, his Eye, and some more personal bits, also handed down from his ancestors, though by means not so natural, and much more recent.  Still, quite a long ago forced-genetic evolution.  And not relevant to the present situation, really....

Though...

... there was that pattern coming down the alley, behind the humanoid male who had just given him greeting.  Roose didn't feel the need to warn, since the pattern had no sense of danger in it, no intent.  And, to be honest, he felt curious, this approaching pattern, this cloaked humanoid male, who must have thought the hood over his head hid his identity.  All it did was hide his face.  Roose had already memorized both patterns, already bowed his low bow to the last words of this dark-cloaked figure, staff lowered, tail's tuft raised, ears and seelers slicked back, eyes closed, and Eye pulsing brighter with its bluewhite glow.  Though the dark most likely hid the line of script embroidered down the spine of his Nute, despite the glow from his forehead.  The young 'Twill's large ears held down and back, a barrier to light coming from his Eye.

Perhaps a bit of moonlight from over their heads, caught the silverwhite thread?

Roose made his bow brief yet full, in respect of this stranger's intent movements, his accented voice fitting his non-humanoid form...

...  "I seek none, myself...."

Head raised, ears up, emerald green eyes open, he couldn't help that bit of smile, when the lady who owned that other pattern finally arrived, her attention elsewhere, her accidental touch and apology.........?

[Anonymous]

Though Draesen was a skilled warrior, a man who had spent years honing his senses, he had not the skills of the Twill to recognize yet another approaching stranger from the very same shadowy alley he had emerged from moments before. His mind was elsewhere; distracted by thoughts of who he was going to meet this night and what he might learn once he arrived there.  He hadn't even heard the sound of approaching footsteps despite having the benefit of elven hearing to aid hm. Hat said when the third party in this little run in of chance bumped into him it had come as a surprise, one that nearly led to his hand flashing to the handle of his katana. Only self discipline stopped him from doing so, the same discipline that also held back a sharp curse at being seen by still another person. Apparently this simply was not hi night where sneaking around was concerned.

The voice that spoke an apology was soft, feminine and that too assisted him in keeping his annoyance in check. It was not she his irritation was centered on anyway, but himself and fate for landing him in the predicament in the first place. "It's alright, Miss." He answered, nodding to her and, though the hood cast his face mostly in shadow there was a brief moment where the moonlight reflected off eyes so brilliantly grey they shone like silver. "But you should be more careful. Plenty of men out here this night you don't want to bump into like that."

That same moonlight illuminated the lady's features quite well, though it was of little use to determine the exact shade of her skin and hair. He could tell only that both were darker. There were what looked to be the beginnings of tattoo like markings upon some of the parts of her that were visible. Those tattoos were darker than her skin and matched the shadow of her hair rather well. What was most stunning though, was the bright pink of her eyes. Those seemed to be untouchable where the shadows were concerned. They shone beautifully despite the lack of light and though the Commander had not realized immediately his own stare had been drawn and locked to hers for longer than it should have.

"I... need to be going." He said carefully after a brief clearing of his throat. With a muttered excuse me he turned and once again headed on his way. Still his thoughts were distracted, but this time it was the woman who held his attention.

(Sorry for the delay. Weekends can be kinda busy for me.)

[Anonymous]

Hatshepsut had yet to notice the Twill, she was lucky enough to notice the man she had just bumped into. It wasn't a night of noticing for her, it was a night of thinking and reflection. She briefly looked at the face of the man she bumped into, but it was mostly covered in shadow thanks to his hood. She didn't think he seemed like the dangerous type, of course she could be wrong, she had been on many occasions.

"Forgive me if I interrupted the two of you." She said, finally realizing that the dark man had been talking to someone else. "Thank you for the kind advice sir, but dangers and death do not bother me this night. Nor scary men." She said as she let her eyes briefly land on his for a moment. "You have a good night, then Commander." Hatshepsut said as she headed on her way. Most probably wouldn't have recognized him in the dark outfit, but she was a noble and knew most of the higher ranked military officers. Though she was sure that most officers didn't know her.

[Anonymous]

While attempting to turn away the swordsman's back suddenly stiffened in surprise as the woman casually used his title, or part of his title anyway. Apparently this disguise was even more useless than he had expected if some passing woman could recognize him by outline and voice alone.  Except there were not many commoners or civilian's who were familiar enough with him to be able to make such a deduction from so little to go on. That meant she most likely wasn't a commoner but a noble, someone in the upper classes of hierarchy who would have been privileged enough trips to the castle to both see and speak to him at some point in time. His mind dashed down that avenue o thought, trying to associate those exotic pink eyes and features with someone he may have personally met.  Only  lady Hatshepsut Kawit came to mind, but she didn't seem the type to wander the streets aimlessly and alone at night.

He should have kept going, should have pushed the thoughts from his mind and headed straight for the contact that was even now waiting for him with the information he had asked after. The girl could take care of herself and even she had admitted to being unafraid of anything that could fall her way, which was pretty close to the most foolish statement anyone could make as there was no telling just what could befall you out here. Perhaps that was mostly paranoia but it kept him at the ready so he wasn't complaining. There was also the Twill to consider. He could no doubt serve as an escort to the lady just as well, but that was under the assumption that the creature even cared enough to do so. Not to mention that he could not even be certain the Twill was the respectable type. It certainly didn't look like a rogue but first impressions could be wrong.

Draesen let out another soft sigh as the woman started on her way. Damn it... He couldn't just leave a woman, a noble woman no less, out here alone on the whims of chance.  He was the very head of Serendipity's legions, the commander of commander's. That meant he was their defender, both from outside attack and interior dangers. To leave her fate to chance would have been an abandonment of his duties, or at least that's what he told himself to justify making his contact wait all the longer.

"My apologies, my lady, but whether you fear for your safety or not I'm afraid I must ask you accompany me." He still wasn't certain the woman's name was truly Hatshepsut or he would have used that instead do of the simple honorific. "I will happily take you wherever it is you wish to go, and I would rest easier knowing you have arrived safely."

Those silver hues shifted back to the Twill a moment in idle speculation. What did the staff toting creature make of all this? Had he plans of his own this night or was he also the respectable sort who would rather see a lady home or wherever it was she was going rather than wonder what had become of her?

[Anonymous]

.........  For just the barest fractional second, Roose gripped his staff a bit tighter, before he relaxed again.  The cloaked male's slight tension, so plainly visible in his pattern's flux, just a momentary flicker quickly controlled through obvious self-discipline.  Again a smile, a bit of tooth visible, this time....

The young 'Twill didn't judge other beings by their looks, but by their patterns and behavior.  Degree of Taint, degree of manners.  And other such factors, both subtle and gross.  As social creatures, 'Twill found such things easy to read and understand, even in other beings.  Enough in common between species, a language had formed, a means to interpret intent.  Helped by the 'Twill ability to read biopatterns and interpret their meanings in context.  So Roose had much to read, between these two.  A subtle interaction, of words and movements and energies...

... the female, distracted both to eyes and to seelers.

... the male, tensed while turning away, evident surprise, a mild shock, perhaps?

Roose had heard the title the female used, perceived the shift of flux in the male's pattern, in his body-language and in his voice.  Silent, observant, Roose refrained from comment, simply watched and listened.  And waited for something more to happen, an opportunity to respond, without breaking the present "moment" hung so delicately in the night's air.  Meditation could wait.

Indeed, Roose could serve as escort, if the female wished.  Yes, he also possessed a respectable code of behavior, despite his youth and his hormones.

A sigh... not from him, but another one from the cloaked male, as the female walked away.  Instead, Roose couldn't help another toothy yawn, as he listened to the other male's words, and took in his silver glance.  Then directed his own glance, and a hurr for attention, towards the female.  Followed by another low bow, like the one before...

...  "I agree... fear or not, I see no reason not to travel as one, till we each find out where we're going."  Though not the exact words, Roose spoke this small saying in a translated contextual paraphrase, a saying common amongst his own kind, used when travelers met.  He had a place to find, for meditation.  This other male seemed intent also, with a goal in mind.  And yet... "my lady" seemed to have no goal, at all.  A curious meeting, indeed, for these three, on this night.  Serendipity in triplicate....

Roose waved his tail's tuft overhead, nodded to the other male, and started to follow the "lady", his digitigrade pace slow and relaxed, slight sway of hips and clack of toeclaws on the street.........

[Anonymous]

Hatshepsut stopped in her tracks. The commander was talking to her again. What she was wondering was why he was still talking to her. The vibes she got from him was that he needed to be some where else, anywhere else except here. So that alone was curious enough for her to stop and pay attention to what he was saying. She turned towards him. So he didn't think she should be out here alone, eh? He was probably right, but it didn't change the fact that she wanted to be out alone tonight.

"I am thankful for you concern, commander, but honestly I don't believe I need an escort tonight. You seem to be a busy man, I wouldn't want to take your time away from you." She said to Corrigan kindly. In all honesty if Hatshepsut had been in a better mood she would have gladly taken him up on the offer.

Then the person...or creature. She really wasn't sure, but she'd never thing such as a Twill before, began speaking. ... "I agree... fear or not, I see no reason not to travel as one, till we each find out where we're going." He said. Well, she couldn't be rude to two people and still claim to have manners. "I guess you gentlemen leave me no choice then. I will accompany you two to your destinations. As for myself I do not have one."

[Anonymous]

((Sorry it took so long you two. I'm not usually this bad but real life caught me up a bit. I also apologize for the crappy post. lol))

So it would seem then that the Twill also held some concerns about the lady walking about on her own this night. That was perhaps a blessing for who could say if the lady would have accepted his desire to at least see her to her destination safely had it been only him and not both who insisted on such. As it were she had apparently felt obligated to soothe such concerns by allowing their company. A companion or two was always far preferable to being aloe anyway so it wasn't like she was making a great sacrifice in order to journey with them.

"I'm not sure about him but I am already late for a meeting." Draesen replied to the lovely lady's revelation that she had no real destination, indicating the Twil with a nod of his head. Such were his distractions this night that the Commander had forgotten that he didn't know the creatures name yet, nor had he politely introduced himself. "The two of you are welcome to join me along the way."

With that he started off again, more slowly now that he was traveling with others and so had to ensure he moved at a pace they could match rather than his own. His contact was going to be furious that he had made him wait for so long when he could have easily been gambling and drinking himself into a drunken stupor by now. A few extra coins should help settle him down though, either that or some aggressive negotiations. It was possible he would have to find a new contact if this one turned sour and quit.  What mattered is that he got the information he sought tonight

[Anonymous]

In all actuality, Roose could have very well kept any pace this other male would have set.  Could have left him "in the dust", to put it bluntly.  If anything, the young 'Twill moderated his pace for the sake of his two humanoid companions, so as not to rush them... especially the female.  He would match any pace the other two set, slow or fast.  However...

...  "I have no particular destination, myself... just a quiet place, to meditate for a while."  A look from female to male, as they walked, in his own mind also aware no names had been shared.  Then a glance back to the female, a wave of tail's tuft in gesture, then same to the other male...

...  "Thank you for the invite... I am Roose, of the CityHome Hurro'Tau'ta.  If you are late, then I think it wise we hurry, hmmm?"  That hum on the end, almost a purr, though Roose had not the slightest bit of feline in his biogenetic heritage.  Just as he had not the slightest bit of anything else familar to his two companions, other than bilateral symmetry, and... well, he did have scales and fur and... other things in common with lifeforms familiar to these two.  But all life in the universe... well, most "terrestrial grade" life, anyway... shared many recognizable traits.  'Twill were warm-blooded mammals, after all, despite their looks.

A deep intake of breath, a quiet sigh, a glance to the stars overhead...

...  "Night is a good time to run...."

[Anonymous]

"It seems it is settled then. You, my good commander are the only one of us with any true destination. We shall keep you company on your way and promise to hold you up any longer." Hatshepsut said, trying to keep the bit of annoyance out of her voice. She really was grateful that these two gentleman cared for her well being, but she was honestly wanting to be alone. She'd deal with it though.

She followed behind the commander and listened with politeness to the odd male that traveled with them. "It is a pleasure to meet you Roose, of the CityHome Hurro'Tau'ta. My name is Hatshepsut Kawit, Lady Kawit if you wish. I must say I've never met one such as yourself. Do you travel from afar?" She asked politely.

(sorry fail, not feeling the greatest v.v)