Little One

The sky above is blue, a beautiful color that defies the recent rains and offers sunlight to those below. It's the soft wind that those going up or down the mountain road notice most however. Not because it is terribly strong, which it isn't. The reason it is noticeable is because of the soft sound that is carried on it. It's soft at first in any case. It becomes louder as one becomes closer to the center of the path. It's a song. The sound of a lap-harp being played upon joined by thrumming and rhythmic taps. A beautiful sound played by a beautiful sildanyar seated beside the road.

Above, a shrill, keening call can be heard, moments later a white and grey hippogriff flies into view. Upon the beast's back is a rider in burnished armor, and they circle overhead a few times before coming to land nearby.

Selia sits quietly, listening to the music, perched upon a small rock near the player. Exactly when the sneaky little lutch got there is an open question, but she waits for a pause in the music to make her presence known. "Dat's rilly pretty. Where's ya learn ta play?" Her accent practically drips with Low Charn, and her fingertips flutter with a hint of Handspeech; not full words, more accent to what's spoken.

At the cry overhead, the tiny one disappears for a moment before peeking out again from behind the rock she was just perched upon. To be fair, she's hardly more than a bite to a hippogriff.

Standing nearby, listening to the music, Fiore simply uses the uses the music to meditate to upon a fairly large rock.

Azog trudges up the mountain road, carrying a huge barrel of rocks on his back. Because he can. It's not easy, and he's in full armor beside, but sometimes you just have to do things to show that they can be done. Even if you're just showing yourself.

The music, now completed trails off and the sildanyar opens lavender eyes to look at the one who spoke. Noticing that this person is currently hiding behind a rock the cry of the griffon above earns a brief glance. The connection is made between the two, but Shizin does not comment upon this. Instead replies to the polite question in a soft voice that could nonetheless be heard easily. Shizin lifts a hand to tuck blue hair behind one pointed ear and offers a smile. "I am still learning."

Selia squints at the large winged carnivore, cautious, but a little more at ease spying a rider. And an Azog. If anything goes wrong, he's sure to be in the right side of the mix. Looking back to Shizin, she pffts her lips, and waves vaugely. "Couse ya is, ya ain't dead yet. And iffen ya ain't dead, ya's still learning. But dat don't answer where wot ya 'ave learned was learned."

The figure in burnished armor dismounts from the 'griff, and spends some time checking over the saddle upon its back. The few packs strapped to the beast are also tested, and then the beast's head is given scritches and ruffles. The rider then pulls their helmet free and brown hair tumbles free in the light breeze.

As the music trails off a man appears from up the road. He travels down, toward Alexandria, his steps discordant as though his muscles and bones are all in the wrong places. A tall man with pale skin and black hair, he doesn't seem terribly out of place and yet... somehow he does. Perhaps it's his green eyes which seem unnaturally green. More at home in a cats face than in a human one. Or perhaps its something else entirely. Something indefinable. He stops beside the group of people gathered around the musician and offers a broad smile to each person in turn. "Hello, I am looking for my Black Rose, have any of you seen her?"

As the music fade, the large-ish woman lets out a breath and sets her feet down to stand. "Glad to have meditated for a while...at least."

Azog jogs up the hill at a steady, if slow, pace, sweat rolling down his face. As he draws even with the crowd, he nods a greeting. He pauses as he tries to think where he knows that name from. It sounds familiar.

The woman in burnished armor turns at the man's approach, and she begins to casually stroll towards the others. "Can't say I know anyone by the name of Black Rose.", she says evenly, her Acanian accent noticeably thick. "I believe there used to be an Order of the Black Rose but I am betting that is not what you are searching for."

Shizin laughs gently, the sound musical and warm. "True." The harp is put away with care; noticing the crowd gathering. Not to listen, but rather to speak to one another. With just as much care the elf rises upwards and nods to those whom are unfamiliar. Which in this instance is everyone. In fact the sildanyar would likely have answered the question posed, but is interrupted by the words of the dark-haired stranger. Lavender eyes blink and blue hair shakes back and forth. "No"

Selia squints at the odd fellow, the creepy human-ish looking one, that is, and frowns, idly turning a pair of silver coins in her fingertips. "Knew a dancer went by dat name while back, 'fore she got married. Reckon ain't da one ya lookin for neither. 'o are you?"

Rather than looking put out by the fact that no one seems to recognize the name of whomever the man is looking for he smiles. His green eyes are set upon Selia, watching her with a certain amount of fascination. Even when others talk his eyes do not roam from her and the gaze is an unsettling one. "You, are remarkably beautiful." He says to her, offering her an elegant and courtly bow with a touch of flourish.

"Wouldn't recognize the name unless it was someone from Dran." Fiore says as she stretches her legs out. She doesn't really seem bothered by this guy either.

When the scene goes from looking for a stranger to hitting on Selia, Azog takes that as his cue to head off. He resumes his jogging up the hill.

The armored woman ends up beside Selia, somewhat. Her eyes remain on the odd man, but she says to Selia. "He's not wrong."

Shizin looks from Selia to the dark-haired individual and back again. Confused for a moment about the quick change in subject. This opinion is kept silent however and the sildanyar steps slightly away from them.

Selia is distinctly wary of the fellow, but then again, she's like that with just about everyone. She nods at the compliment, and offers a smile which doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Selia ShadowKin, I'ma Dancer, down at da docks most nights, iffen ya like."

"Kol Demontry." He bows to her again. Even in this his movements are oddly discordant. Like a puppet drawn on strings rather than a real man, yet his smile is real enough. "I would love to see you perform." He steps toward her smoothly just slightly closer than is really polite. Not really close enough that it's rude either though. He's a tall man, easily six feet and some change tall, and built thinly muscular.

Decima's hand carefully rests on the pommel of her sword, and she looks to the Lucht. "Ma Rosie's?", she wonders of the smaller woman. To Kol Demontry, she offers a wry grin. "Interesting last name. I am sure it gets you a few looks, and probably more than a few drinks at parties."

Selia nods, still trying to be polite, despite every red flag in the back of her head waving madly. "Ma Rosie's sumtimes, good crowd there most night. Sometimes da PrisonBlock Bar, Ox, where ever 'appens ta catch me intrest fer da night. Don't like ta keep a set schedule, keeps da fans guessin."

Fiore gives Decima a 'look' before she looks back to the tall-ish man. The red haired woman is a good two feet about this man.

Shizin, seeing the conversation shifting decides that now is an excellent time to leave. Nods are offered to those paying attention and then the sildanyar exits stage right.

GAME: Decima rolls sense motive: (9)+7: 16
GAME: Fiore rolls sense motive: (6)+5: 11
GAME: Selia rolls sense motive: (3)+7: 10
GAME: Azog rolls sense motive: (1)+15: 16 (EPIC FAIL)

The man holds out one long-fingered hand toward Selia, leans toward her. It's not meancing in any way, but rather like a flower bending toward the sun. "Allow me to take you somewhere; I would truly adore to see you perform." There's a light of sincerity in his eyes, a certain eagerness as well.

Decima nods at Fiore, offering a light smile. "Oh, she doesn't go off with strangers on the first date.", the woman says to Mr Demon. Try. "Why not head down and try to catch her at one of the bars instead?"

Selia smiles again, the expression still not reaching her eyes. Actually, there's a hint of cold fury to them, which honestly is pretty inappropriate, but to be fair she's trying to hide it. "Thanks, but no. I -don't- do private shows."

It's then that Fiore rests her hand on Selia's shoulder. "Come on. Don't you have another show to get to?" She says softly, with another look to Decima.

"I should hate to miss seeing her!" Kol offers to Decima, a broad grin flashing her direction before nodding to Selia. "Easily rectified then; your friends can come as well. I would be happy to host you all." He offers another bow, this time including the whole group of people. The man seems quite pleased by the prospect.

Ever try to pet a cat that didn't know you where there, and it half turns itself inside out jumping away? Selia is kinda like that at Fiore's touch. But with fewer claws. Just the one short sword in her hands, glowing a faint blue. Freezing a for a moment, the jumpy lutch tries to calm herself. ".....-Don't-... do dat."

The woman in burnished armor gives just the slightest of starts when Selia draws her blade, and Decima's other hand moves to the scabbard of her blade, tilting it back slightly. The first few inches of her blade is exposed as she tugs lightly on the hilt. "Your offer, however polite and .. interesting, is declined, sir. On behalf of all the ladies present."

Kol's eyes flicker toward the woman in armor, the first time that he's really looked away from the little woman he's been charming. Fiore's movement causes the tall man to step to the side. Not enough that Fiore is not really blocking him, but more that it puts them closer together and seemingly to be polite he steps to the side rather than be rude and remain standing in her face. "Very well then my friend, you may come with." He offers this to Azog and holds out his hand toward Selia. Meeting her eyes with his own green ones. "One last chance to join us my little one."

GAME: Selia rolls will: (12)+7: 19

Azog shrugs, drops his rocks in a corner, and stretches his arms out. "So, what's this all about, anyhow?" he asks. Selia hesitates. Private shows end badly. She -knows- this. But, he seems nice enough. "Well, iffen Azog is commin wit, reckon might be okay..."

Fiore can't help but shrug. She said yes, so there was nothing Fiore could do. Fiore couldn't detect magic, so she has to go on the person's word....

The Cavalier's blade makes a ringing sound as she pulls it from her scabbard. "I shall defend her honour!", Decima says forcefully. "I challenge you!", she says, gesturing to Kol with a 'come and fight' wave of her hand.

Selia has honor to defend? Who'd she steal that from? Is news to her.

Kol raises one dark eyebrow at Decima, his hand touching Selia's. "Her honor is hers. As for me... you may challenge me some other day." These words are spoken with an antisipatory air, but he offers his hand as if to shake Azog's. "Come, she has spoken and we should be on our way."

Azog will shake the fellow's hand. That seems normal enough. "What are you all acting strange about?" he asks the other ladies. He must have missed the weird part?

"Apparently, this guy wanted a private dance, and lucht said no....and I even stepped in between them, but he stepped to her again and she said yes, so...." Fiore shrugs her shoulders. "Nothing I can do."

Selia flinches as she's touched again, but was expecting it this time, not moving out of reach. This can only end well, right?

With that, and quite suddenly; all three of the individuals vanish. In the space of a heartbeat Azog, Kol, and Selia vanish without a trace of where they went off to.

GAME: Azog rolls will: (10)+7: 17
GAME: Azog rolls will: (11)+7: 18
GAME: Azog rolls will: (9)+7: 16
GAME: Selia rolls fort: (19)+8: 27

-End