Nocturne Des Nevermore
Created by Raven Harlequin
Chapter 1

The God that Failed Mephistos 3:31 am friday july 21, 2000
The Hall of the Gods shimmered softly in the quiet moonlight. The elder god sat in his high backed chair waiting silently with a scowl on his face. His attention was gained when a soft rush of wind swooped through the room and the man materialized in front of him. Mephistos lifted his head and fixed his black eyes on his brother and gave him the tilted grin that he hated so much. "I regret to bring you this news dear brother but I was not the only one who failed," Mephistos said in a quiet but menacing tone. "The humans have turned their backs on you as well."
re: The God that Failed Orion 3:39 am friday july 21, 2000
Orion drummed his fingers on the arms of his chair, seething. Anger was not something he felt often, and when he did, it had devastating results to those who'd evoked his wrath. "Wipe them out." He growled in a low, almost evil tone. "All of them." This was a task well suited for his brother's hands and one which he knew Mephistos would take great enjoyment from.
re: The God that Failed Mephistos 4:06 am friday july 21, 2000
Mephistos grinned wickedly and nodded once. "As you wish brother," he replied then dematerialized. He reappeared on a hill overlooking Ligeia and smiled as he began to wreak his havoc. He lifted his hand towards the sky and took away the thing people seemed to need the most. "First I'll shorten their days. Humans cannot live in peace without the light!" His wicked laughter rang throughout the valley, sending chills down the spines of any who remained awake during the midnight hours.

Consequences Kantu 4:14 am friday july 21, 2000
Kantu sat atop his mount proudly as his army was set upon the destruction of everything in sight. The orange light of flames licked at his face, making him appear more ominous than usual. He watched with glazed eyes as the largest city in the world became his in fifteen hours. He grinned suddenly, as was not like him, and turned his gaze to the heavens. It was because of the extended nights that he was finally able to fulfill his biggest desire. In only one night he had become the most powerful man in the world. Ligeia was his.
re: Consequences Orion 4:41 am friday july 21, 2000
Orion stepped into Nevermore and looked around. He knew what he was looking for and headed in it's direction. The sage saw him and immediately bowed in subservience. "A gift." Orion said as he extended his hand, a gray rune lying on his palm. "The rune of Illusions."
The sage licked his lips and outstretched his hand tentatively. He plucked the rune from Orion's palm, then looked at it enviously. "Use this rune to deliver dreams to those chosen to rid the world of Kantu by finding the marked one who will bring back the balance. Give them these glimpses of the future should they fail their task." He grabbed the sage's hand, clasping his palm over the rune and pinning it to into the sage's. A wash of sickening images flooded into the sage's mind and he called out in terror and pain. Orion's lips curled into a slight smile as he released the man and watched him drop to his knees. "Do not fail me." He said as he turned and walked away.
re: Consequences Master Sage 4:51 am friday july 21, 2000
The sage took himself back into his chambers and looked into the rune he carried. He sighed as he leaned back into his chair and summoned up the images of those still faithful to the Gods. 'They are all but children!' His gaze flickered over all the young faces of those chosen to deliver the world out of its darkness. He sighed heavily and opened his eyes. 'I will have to wait until they are ready. If they go now then they will most assuredly perish."

Six Years Later Master Sages 5:10 am friday july 21, 2000
The sage gazed out at the world and took a deep breath. Now was the time to deliver the dreams to those chosen. He closed his eyes and held the illusion rune firmly in his hand as he sent out the images of the chosen one and of the future. 'You will know what you are supposed to do in time young ones. You will discover the truth in time...'

Tamerlane Luna Jadon 1:34 am saturday july 22, 2000
Luna strolled around silently glancing at into the store windows. She felt a bit uncomfortable in the bustling town with all of its people and visitors crowding the streets. She held her hands clutched behind her back as she looked around then turned her head at the commotion just ahead of her. A smile twitched at her frowning lips when she spotted the tents of the Tamerlane Circus. Immediately drawn to it she pushed aside her cloak and walked towards it in a slightly quickened pace.
re: Tamerlane Zsasz 2:01 am saturday july 22, 2000
The platform felt higher than it needed to be as Zsasz looked out over the crowd. His father was wowing the visitors as he stood back from them, nervous of his performance. The barker's voice suddenly broke into his thoughts, announcing his act and Zsasz took a tentative step out onto the stage he was to use. He looked out over the trickle of passersby, noticing one in particular. Her black cloak drew his eyes toward her and he nudged Baffle Baffle out of the way. He licked his lips, hearing the barker announce his first trick. He gave the barker a look, then focused on the young woman he'd seen before he flicked Baffle Baffle with his finger and removed his top hat. He mumbled a few words, waving his hand over the hat more for show than anything else, then reached in and yanked out what was supposed to be a rabbit. The snickers and pointing told him he'd messed up and as he looked to his hand he quickly dropped the shrew his rabbit had somehow morphed in to. A glare from his father made him concentrate on his next trick and replaced his top hat to display to the crowd a magic box, tapping it's sides to show them it was empty. He turned it upside down, the lining suddenly giving way to spill the box's contents onto he stage. Zsasz dropped down, gathering the two doves, then quickly released one as it pecked him and flew off. He shook his hand, then put the other one back into the box before one of it's seams gave way and it crumbled. The second dove escaped and the crowd roared. Baffle Baffle covered himself with his wings, shifting positions on the brim of Zsasz's top hat. He looked at the girl he'd seen when he'd stepped out on stage, then focused on his next trick, another glare from his father telling him that he'd better get it right, "Baffle...c'mon...help me out..." he mumbled as he produced a crystal ball from his pocket. The bat shifted and swayed, the ball slowly beginning to glow with fiery glare as it ignited inside. Zsasz grinned proudly, then removed his hand to let the ball float, then kicked at the shards as it shattered to the stage and his audience erupted in laughter once more, "oh...quicksilver!" he said suddenly. A ball of silver go suddenly appeared, then coiled itself around in the air, forming a spring before Zsasz twisted it into circle. He manipulated it back into a ball, then held out his hand and waited for it to settle on his palm. The audience clapped, Zsasz grinned proudly, then let it fade as his father gave him a stern glare. Zsasz turned and trudged off the stage for the next performer, then moped toward the big top, his top hat falling down over his eyes before he pushed it back up.
re: Tamerlane Luna 2:10 am saturday july 22, 2000
Luna sat down on a bench away from the other onlookers and watched the performer silently and with a straight face. She sighed softly as she watched him and pulled her legs up so that she was sitting cross-legged. She watched his tricks with bemused interest until he was finished. It wasn't until he stepped down and she watched the hat fall over his eyes that she actually cracked a small smile.
re: Tamerlane Zsasz--&--Jester 2:23 am saturday july 22, 2000
Zsasz pushed his top hat up again, then hit the ground as something coiled around his right foot and jerked him to the side. Baffle Baffle fluttered around above him, then settled back onto the top hat brim as Zsasz got to his feet, "quit it, Jester!" he snapped as he dusted himself off, then started walking toward his tent. Jester grinned and stalked after him, the bells on his cap giving away his otherwise silent approach. Zsasz turned as something tapped his right shoulder, then jumped back as Jester's garrote smacked him across the face, "why so down?" Jester asked as he lassoed a clothesline and swung on the end of his garrote. Zsasz gritted his teeth and glared, then turned back to his tent and entered. Jester's lips curled into a malicious grin as he hopped off his garrote and tugged it free from the clothesline. He flicked it out until one end slid under the tent flap, then snagged Zsasz's foot with it and jerked him back out, wrapping him in the coils of the rope before he gave it a yank and sent him spinning. Zsasz, hit the ground, dizzy and briefly confused, then glared, "quit it!" he said as he got to his feet, grabbing hold of a tent pole to balance himself, "my dad's gonna kill me for making people laugh, I'm supposed to amaze them not amuse them." Jester grinned, then slung an arm over Zsasz's shoulders, his garrote draping around loosely, "so what makes amazing people anymore important than amusing them?" Jester asked as he flicked the brim of Zsasz's top hat, then grinned at him playfully, "I wanna see just how much your father would like getting a chuckle or two..."
re: Tamerlane Luna 2:37 am saturday july 22, 2000
Luna turned her head and watched the magician tumble to the ground. Her eyes widened in surprise as she searched for the cause of his fall. Curious, she got to her feet and walked in the direction of the two men but was careful not to get too close to them. She couldn't help but to smile at the red haired man's antics. Even if some of them were kinda mean. She sighed, feeling guilty for spying on them and stepped out in the sunlight so that she could look around and decide where to go next.
re: Tamerlane Angelo Strixx 2:44 am saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo leaned against the doorframe of the toyshop his father had begun. He watched the people in the streets, finding little interest in them until one person caught his eye. He straightened slightly as he watched her step away from the circus, her black cloak and reddish brown hair fluttering in the afternoon breeze. "Angelo." He heard his father call from the back room. "Watch the counter while I get a few things boxed up." Angelo sighed and pushed away from the doorframe. He looked over at the girl again, then walked into the shop and headed for the counter.
re: Tamerlane Luna 2:54 am saturday july 22, 2000
Luna sighed in frustration as her eyes flickered over the crowd and the stores to her side. She reached up and swiped away a lock of hair that had escaped from her braid started to fiddle with the silver charm bracelet on her left wrist. She spotted a bench not to far from the circus's main tent and stepped over to it to sit down and stretch her legs. She flipped open her pouch and pulled out her map to study it. She had been moving around for the last year but this had been the first time she'd ever actually came into Tamerlane. She bit her lip and glared at a man who bumped into her hand and sent the paper fluttering out of her grasp. She shot him one last, annoyed glare and jumped up to go fetch it. She reached for it but the breeze pushed it further away from her. Rolling her eyes she followed it and made another attempted grasp for it. She grinned when it eluded her once more. It was just too windy to grab a hold of it.
re: Tamerlane Angelo 3:01 am saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo watched his father walk back out of the backroom with a box, then took leave of his counter watch and returned to his place in the door way. A map fluttered by and he quickly snatched it from the wind's playful tossing.
re: Tamerlane Luna 3:04 am saturday july 22, 2000
Luna groaned softly when she seen the man catch the map. She rolled her eyes as she reluctantly stepped towards her and held out her hand to him. "May I please have my map back?" she asked in a soft voice as she lowered her green eyes to avoid his.
re: Tamerlane Angelo 3:10 am saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo looked at her a moment, then handed her the map without a word. He'd never seen her before, which was strange, even as large as Tamerlane was, he'd never failed to recognize someone. 'She's from out of town.' He thought softly. 'I wonder where from...' His thoughts turned to one of his recent dreams, he hadn't seen her there either, but it seemed odd to him that he'd start having nightmares and then see an unfamiliar face. 'This is no coincidence...' He thought coolly. He heard a sinister chuckle in his mind, then narrowed his eyes slightly. 'Don't even think it, Vex.' He told the guardian dryly.
re: Tamerlane Luna 3:19 am saturday july 22, 2000
Luna nodded to him as her thank you and turned away from him. She looked around and wished she knew where it was that she was going. She only knew that something drew her to this town. So what was it that she was supposed to find? She flipped her braid back over her shoulder and untied her cape. She pulled it off and draped it over her left arm and walked a few feet to stand under the cool shade of a solitary tree while she carefully fold the map. She glanced back up at the man who'd caught the map and just as quickly turned her gaze away when she realized he'd been looking at her. She turned around and looked back at the bright tents of the circus. She smiled softly and reached up into the branches. In one smooth movement she was up in the tree and sitting on a high branch where she could look down at the circus trailers. She leaned forward until she seen the man in the top hat and the man with the red hair. On her other side she could see the small toy shop. She sighed again as she leaned back and watched the activity around her peacefully. 'At least up here no one will bother me!'
re: Tamerlane Atticus Redwolf 3:24 am saturday july 22, 2000
Atticus stepped out of the big top and approached his two friends. He sighed and looked around. It seemed like everyone had gone to an honest living, he hadn’t had a reason to assault anyone in weeks, the ringmaster was going to start wondering why he paid him. He looked around the crowds of people, then felt a strange feeling wash over him and looked to one of the trees overlooking the circus tents. He could see nothing, but knew there was something there.
re: Tamerlane Luna 3:34 am saturday july 22, 2000
Luna looked down again at the trailers. There was another man there now and this time he was looking right at her. When he didn't move his gaze she shifted uncomfortably and climbed down a few branches hoping that he wouldn't notice her. Finally she gave up trying to hide and dropped down to sit on the lowest branch so that she could swing down. 'Why did I ever come to this town?' She shifted her weight on her other foot and fiddled with her bracelet. 'What am I looking for anyways?' Her face flushed a little when she realized that people were staring at her again. She seemed to have that effect wherever she went and she didn't like it. All she wanted was NOT to be noticed. She pulled the black cloak on in a dramatic movement and stalked away with her shoulders squared. She walked past the trailers and flashed the two performers she had been watching a small smile, she had enjoyed the little one's act even if she didn't show it. She sighed again and looked down at the map again. "Maybe I should take a trip to the shrine. What do you think Razz?"
re: Tamerlane Angelo 3:41 am saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo watched the young woman climb back down out of the tree, then, in a swift movement that defied normal human speed, he was behind her. His footsteps fell silently on the sidewalk pavement and for every move she made, he made one identical to it, keeping himself perfectly out of her line of sight and even her peripheral vision. She intrigued him, he was curious, as usual, and he knew he wouldn't rest until he knew why she'd come to Tamerlane.
re: Tamerlane Luna 3:50 am saturday july 22, 2000
Luna glanced around after looking at her map and bit her lip. She kicked at a small rock and started to weave her way through the trailers hoping to find her way out of them. Finally she emerged on the other side of the circus and looked down the long dirt road that she knew lead to the temple of Mephistos. She tucked away the map and gave one last glance behind her to listen to the sound of children laughing and people simply having fun. Her eyes took on a mournful look for a moment and she quickly shook it away so that she could slowly stroll down the road leading to the temple.

Bored Huntress Silvara 2:52 am saturday july 22, 2000
Silvara crouched on the gentle slope, unconsciously using the tall grasses to hide her body as she studied Tamerlane. As always, coming back to the city depressed her in some vague and indefinable way, she was really much more comfortable when she wasn't surrounded by people. She sensed a presence behind her and grinned, "not this time Lamashtu, now would you quit stalking me and come here please?"
’well if you wish to be boring...’
Silvara grinned at the sulky thoughts and smiled as the grasses parted and a tawny lioness padded towards her. Healthy, young and with a glossy pelt, Lamashtu was a beautiful example of her species and moved with the supple grace of her kind. In all though, there was nothing extraordinary about her until you looked into her eyes. If you were foolish enough to try it. Those eyes were truly windows to the soul lurking within the animal's body and their silver depths gleamed with unnatural intelligence as well the chaos that was the essence of the demoness. "Well met my mother, how fared the hunt?" The lioness bared her teeth in a feline smile and the voice that sounded in the bounty hunter's mind was thick with satisfaction...and amusement.
’The hunt fared well enough child, and well met.’
Lamashtu laughed suddenly, shaking her leonine head in annoyance.
’if you hate this place, why then must we constantly return?’
‘You aren't like the rest of them, daughter if.’
She languidly stretched and flexed her great claws as she yawned, idly clawing deep grooves into the rich soil before continuing,
’if you were, you would not have gained my notice.’
The demoness laughed again, purposefully showing her fangs in the process.
’much less my protection, daughter mine.’
Lamashtu came to sit beside her ward, throwing the city an arrogant glance before apparently falling asleep. Silvara laughed at the sulky tone and draped her arm around the lioness's neck. "You were just bored if you'd be honest and rescuing me from those men was just an interesting diversion for you" She chuckled and stood, stretching with the same grace of the great cat beside her, "and you only stay with me because I continue to amuse you, my mother." Silvara grinned knowing the respectful title annoyed the demoness...and that the unfamiliar sensation pleased Lamashtu. Just as considering a human her daughter also pleased Lamashtu. "As for returning...this is just a good place to find work and you may have no need for money but I do. Besides...I'm bored." Silvara grinned as she saw the blood under Lamashtu's claws, "you can stay here and play...or come see if we can't find something to amuse us both." She laughed at the exaggerated purr that arose and loped beside her into the city.
re: Bored Huntress Silvara 3:50 am saturday july 22, 2000
Silvara sauntered down the street smiling at Lamashtu's acid commentary about the city's inhabitants. As a rule, the demoness disliked humans and their settlements, but she could never pass up the chance to find something amusing. "One of the drawbacks to immortality I suppose, the boredom seems to have made you into a bitch." Silvara chuckled softly at Lamashtu's stinging mental retort and began sputtering with laughter at the next insult. "I am sorry, mother huntress, but I don't think that's physically possible." Silvara paused and glanced around with an arched brow, "well...we can get straight to work and begin the next hunt, or we can amuse ourselves first." She ignored the stares they were attracting and continued talking to the lioness, who began snarling softly at the humans around her. "You know you can't do that, mother, true...it would be amusing but it would be difficult to explain...besides in this heat!? Could you imagine how their corpses would smell in a day or so?" Silvara laughed softly as the people who overheard her began hurrying on their way and ran her fingers over Lamashtu's head as they continued walking. "hmmm, the circus? or the nearest bar?" The lioness took a few steps and slowly turned her head, throwing the bounty hunter a wink as she padded off. "I don't know why you're in such a hurry! It's not like they'll serve you anyway." Silvara laughed again and took off after the demoness, following the lioness into the tavern.
Happy Hour Silvara 8:24 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Silvara smiled a predatory grin as several customers fled the bar after Lamashtu's sudden entrance. The bounty hunter gave the bar tender a cold glare, practically daring him to say anything as they made their way to the back of the small tavern. As was her habit, Silvara chose the table furthest from the door and positioned herself so she could see the entire tavern. Usually Tamerlane was quiet enough, but no one had ever died from being overly-cautious. Besides...it was amusing to watch the other customers squirm a little.
’I do believe the point of entering a tavern is to order a drink.’
Silvara grinned and signaled the nervous bartender with a crooked finger. "I do believe you're correct, my mother, so lets get started shall we?" The bounty hunter smiled again, but softer this time because she could practically smell the fear radiating off of the small man. It must be driving Lamashtu mad. Silvara idly stroked the lioness seated beside her and addressed the man in a soft, calming voice. "She is quite tame and I assure you, she will attack no one unless they mean to harm me." Silvara tossed him a small pouch of coins and smiled as his eye widened. "A flagon of ale..." she tilted her head as if listening and nodded, "if that's what you want..." Violet eyes turned back to the man's nervous face, "and a saucer of your finest wine for my companion." Silvara chuckled as he scurried off and returned a few moments later with their drinks. As he all but ran back behind the bar, Silvara took a tentative sip and laughed at Lamashtu's satisfied rumblings as she lapped at her wine.

Shadow Shrine Luna --&-- Blade 7:22 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Luna shivered at the cold draft that rushed at her as she pushed open the heavy door of the shrine. She stepped into the large room heavily lit with seemingly endless burning candles. She made a face at the light layer of smoke that had lifted from them and wondered how long it had been since someone had entered the shrine. 'Not too many for the last six years.' She walked forward, letting her eyes slowly focus to the darkness and taking short breaths to avoid the musty basement smell. It wasn't until she had stepped into the circle of light at the end of the room that she noticed the young girl kneeling with her head bowed in front of the shrine. 'Another faithful to the gods? Can it really be true?!' Luna's eyes widened as she stepped towards the girl with the hip length dark brown hair.
Blade heard the soft footsteps behind her and quickly spun around as she drew forth her dagger. Her emerald eyes flickered in the candlelight as she glared at the intruder of her prayers.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Blade hissed as she rose to her feet.
"I'm Luna..." Luna took a step back, her eyes never leaving the silver blade in the girl's hand. "I came here to speak to Mephistos if that is alright with you."
"Mephistos? You... no it can't be. People stopped believing in the gods when I was only fourteen years old. It isn't possible that there are any more of us left," she shook her head in denial as she stared at the girl. As if using it as a defense she lifted the hood over her head and pulled the cloak closer around her body.
"I am as faithful to the gods as you appeared to be," Luna sighed. "But I will leave if that is what you desire." Without another word she spun around and quickly left the room. The candles flickered and almost extinguished as she passed. She glanced behind her at the girl once more before silently pushing open the door and leaving the shrine. 'I wonder who she was.' Blade sighed softly and strolled down the aisle towards the door. She was in the process of walking out when she collided with a man who couldn't be much older than she. He had apparently been watching the quickly retreating Luna and she wondered if he knew who she was. "Looks like you lost your friend," Blade said with a smirk as she pointed to Luna who disappeared into the forest on the side of the path.
re: Shadow Shrine Angelo 8:28 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo looked at the new stranger, then glanced toward the forest a moment before looking back to the new face. "We're not exactly friends...I was just following her out of curiosity." He answered softly. "...What are you doing here?"
re: Shadow Shrine Blade 8:34 pm saturday july 22, 2000
"I came to pay a visit to Mephistos," she sighed as she began walking down the dirt road to Tamerlane. "I was hoping that he would see me in person but I suppose that he was too busy for me tonight." She chuckled slightly as she gazed up at the sky. The multiple shades of oranges blended with yellows and darkening blue of the coming twilight. "Hmm so you follow a complete stranger out of curiosity and to a temple of Mephistos of all places. I must admit that I was surprised to when she came inside. Its been many years since I've seen anyone other than myself even go near a shrine."
re: Shadow Shrine Angelo 8:47 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo looked at her for a moment, then sighed. "I generally go to the temple of Orion..." He said softly, then narrowed his eyes as he felt Vex shift inside his mind. 'Don't you dare.' He told the guardian coldly. 'You're spoiling my fun, boy.' Vex answered, then poked a nerve and chuckled as Angelo tripped and fell to the ground. He got back up, then flashed his new companion an innocent smile and continued walking. 'Knock it off!' He snapped at Vex, then took a deep breath. "What's your name?" He asked the girl he was walking with.
re: Shadow Shrine Blade Ravenhart 9:06 pm saturday july 22, 2000
"My name is Blade," she told him. Something suddenly crossed over her eyes and quickly disappeared. "Blade Ravenhart. You go to the shrines too? Is it possible that people have regained their faith or is it just some strange coincidence that I go for six years never seeing another faithful and end up meeting not one but TWO in one day!" She sighed in frustration as she kicked a stone out of her way.
re: Shadow Shrine Angelo 9:38 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo looked at her, then took a deep breath. "My name is Angelo Stixx..." He told her softly, then put his hands in his pockets. "...I don't make a point of displaying my loyalty to the gods, people around her tend to start...shall we say, getting broke?"
re: Shadow Shrine Blade 9:44 pm saturday july 22, 2000
"Yeah, I know the feeling," Blade sighed. She looked around and smiled slightly. "Everywhere I have been... and I HAVE been everywhere, people act like that. You should see Ligeia, its all just a big mass of crime. Its such a shame that such a grand city became a playground for that damned warlord. He has people running scared everywhere... hell I shouldn't be telling you that. If his followers heard me..." she glanced around nervously at the thought of what they would do to her and began to walk more rapidly.
re: Shadow Shrine Angelo 10:07 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo found now problem keeping up with her. "I'm from Metzengerstein originally...what's left of it anyway, no one there now." He said.
re: Shadow Shrine Blade 10:14 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Blade stopped suddenly, her eyes widening slightly as she looked at him. "YOU are from Metzengerstein?! This is just too strange..." she muttered returning to her quick pace. "...too strange a day for me."
re: Shadow Shrine Angelo 10:20 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo kept her pace without so much as thinking about it. "Where are you from?" He asked, then narrowed his eyes as Vex snickered. 'Shut up, Vex!' He snapped at the guardian, then felt a pinch in his mind and hit the ground face first as his feet stopped moving. 'Dammit, Vex!'
re: Shadow Shrine Blade 10:37 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Blade stopped and looked down at him. "Is there something wrong with you? I mean, you aren't ummm hell never mind.." she leaned down and helped him back to his feet. "I am from Metzengerstein as well. My parents both died before it became the ghost town so I was left with no home anyways. So it isn't like I care that Kantu had his way with the stupid town." She scowled and began walking down the road again. "I don't want to talk about it."
re: Shadow Shrine Angelo 10:48 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo dusted himself off. "Thank you." He said as he caught up with her. "...So..." He started then felt Vex jiggle something in his mind. "?gniog uoy era erehw" He finished, then narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath. "!XEV FFO TI KCONK" He snapped out loud, closing his mouth as the words rang out.
re: Shadow Shrine Blade 10:51 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Blade stopped again and looked at him with a bewildered look on her face. "Are you daft or something? Seriously! What in the hell is wrong with you?" she asked in frustration and then calmed herself. "I didn't mean to yell at you." She turned away, her cheeks flaring with the embarrassment of her outburst.
re: Shadow Shrine Angelo 11:01 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo tested a word softly, then sighed. "I'm sorry, it's my guardian." He answered, then took a deep breath. "He kind of...leeched onto me..." He gritted his teeth as he felt Vex tangle something in his thoughts, then kept his mouth closed for fear of what would come out. He looked at Blade, then at the road for a moment. He took a step, then crumpled to the ground before he got back up, taking deep breaths to ride the anger he was feeling. He finally took another step, finding that he could at least walk again. re: Shadow Shrine Blade 11:07 pm saturday july 22, 2000
"Hmph! Guardians have a tendency to get too involved with their masters," she agreed. "All mine do is argue back and forth.... so where are you heading? I need to find an Inn or something, think you could recommend one for me?" She smiled at him as she watched him get up several times over.
re: Shadow Shrine Angelo 11:12 pm saturday july 22, 2000
"I'm heading back to Tamerlane." Angelo answered, then shot his right arm a glance as it suddenly lifted and his fingers started wiggling. "There's an inn there if you'd like to stay at it...or there's a guest house above my father's shop, you could stay there, it's cleaner, I assure you." He finished, then glared at his arm and used his left to shove it down.
re: Shadow Shrine Blade 11:16 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Blade sighed softly and looked down the long path to Tamerlane. "It sounds fine, I really don't like the smelly Inns anyways," she allowed herself to smile softly at him and turned to walk again, ignoring his attempts to control his guardian. "Shall we get going then, it'll be long dark before we get back."
re: Shadow Shrine Angelo 11:21 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo nodded and walked with her. 'Dammit, Vex, you're making me look like an idiot!' He snapped at the guardian, then heard Vex chuckle. 'You don't need my help for that.' Was the answer he received. Angelo narrowed his eyes, then took a deep breath and glanced at Blade.
re: Shadow Shrine Blade 11:34 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Blade sighed and turned around. "Well are you coming or not?"
re: Shadow Shrine Angelo 11:36 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Angelo looked up, then caught up to her and smiled slightly.

Tamerlane Tavern Luna 8:29 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Luna picked her way through her self made shortcut in the woods until she emerged back within the city limits. She stopped long enough to away brush the leaves and twigs that had snagged onto her cloak and hair and started to walk through the streets of Tamerlane. Luna gazed up at the slowly darkening sky and smiled softly. She knew that later on she would sit and watch them turn on the lights at the circus. Walking past the main tent and across the street, Luna ducked into the noisy tavern and winced at the ludicrous smell that invaded her nostrils. She cleared her head and sat down on a stool to wait for the bartender. When he finally came he gave her a narrowed glance upon hearing her order then started to chuckle lightly as he quickly retrieved her an ice water.
"Hey missy why don't you try a man's drink?" a scruffy but large man asked her as he leaned over her. She moved away from him and gave him a look that said to leave her alone. "Hey missy I'm talking to you, what are you daft?"
Luna shook her head and stepped further away from the smelly man. His hand suddenly shot out and grabbed her upper arm in a bruising grip. She winced in pain and attempted to jerk away from him. "Let me go!" she moaned softly.
"Ahh so you CAN talk!" he laughed in his amusement and started to pull her closer. She smelled the whiskey on his breath and felt her stomach begin to twist at the sickening stench. She reached for her crossbow clipped to her belt but the man's other hand darted forward to prevent it. She grit her teeth as she struggled helplessly against his much stronger hold.
re: Tamerlane Tavern Silvara 8:50 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Silvara watched the commotion developing across the tavern and frowned in annoyance. "I'll be right back...stay out of my ale." The bounty hunter stood and made her way over to the struggling pair. A wicked smile curved her lips as she slipped the tiger claws onto one hand, the metal talons glinting in the dim light. She stood behind the man, unnoticed and her hand darted between his legs, as she pressed the claws into the soft flesh of his groin, not hard enough to maim...just enough to get his full attention. "Why is it every damn time I decide to take a minute and enjoy a drink some burly asshole has to spoil my mood? Now apologize and let the girl go, or I'm going to cut them off and stuff them down your throat." She grinned as he released his captive and a throaty laugh escaped her lips, "good boy." In a blur of movement Silvara swept his legs from beneath him and slammed his head against the wooden floor before he could recover. "Nighty night, big boy." She grinned as she stood over his unconscious body and then smiled softly at the girl. "Hey...are you alright?" Concern softened her violet eyes as she reached out and captured the girl's arm in her hand, "I'm Silvara, come sit down and let me get you some more water before you pass out or something. None of them will mess with us after that." The bounty hunter gave the girl a winsome smile, "well?"
Bats in the Belfry Zsasz 8:37 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Zsasz wandered away from the circus, stuffing his hands in his pockets, more or less to keep his pants from falling down around his ankles. He didn't want to be around when his father was through enchanting the crowds and he headed for the forest just outside town. He'd managed to get away from Jester's constant pranks when the ringmaster had called on him to perform his act, so he was finally alone. 'I need food.' Baffle Baffle said as he released the brim of Zsasz's top hat and fluttered toward a nearby fruit tree. He tried uprighting himself, but tilted and eventually flipped back over before he snagged a branch and grabbed a piece of fruit, then sucked the juice out and dropped the peel on Zsasz's shoulder.
Into the forest blindly Luna 9:01 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Luna's emerald eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked into the other girl's violet eyes. She shook her head violently and jerked her arm free from her grasp. Her strong legs carried her out of the tavern as she ran like the wind back into the forest. She cried out when she collided with something solid, pulling them both to the ground. She sat up and rubbed her head before looking at the circus performer in the top hat that was now resting on the ground beside him. "I... I'm sorry..." she said softly.
re: Into the forest blindly Zsasz 9:07 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Zsasz shook away the brief confusion, then looked at what had run into him. Baffle Baffle floated out of his tree and caught the brim of his top hand, hanging there looking at the girl before he folded his wings around himself and swayed slightly, "don't worry about it," Zsasz told her softly as he pulled his shirt cuffs back over his hands and curled his fingers around them to keep them from falling back down. Baffle Baffle unfolded a wing and peered at the girl, then cocooned himself again inching his way along the brim of Zsasz's top hat until he was on the other side.
re: Into the forest blindly Luna 9:14 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Luna stared in interest at the little bat and suddenly giggled when she felt something moving under her cape. A flash of black suddenly whirled around her and stopped at her shoulder. The little dragon snorted softly as it too stared at the bat transfixed. Luna smiled softly and relaxed a little, sensing that this man was not like other, crueler one's she had previously met. "My name is Luna," she told him as she rubbed at the bruises forming on her arms. "And this nosy little guy is Razzmatazz. I'm really sorry, I swear I didn't see you. I was just..." she bit her lip and hurried to wipe away the tears that had escaped. She straightened herself, trying to regain her composure. 'Oh its no use.' Her shoulders slumped forward again and a light sigh escaped her lips. "Are you okay?" She asked looking back up.
re: Into the forest blindly Zsasz 9:53 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Zsasz nodded, "I'm okay," he answered, then gave Baffle a swat as the bat inched in front of his face, "Baffle, quit," he complained as the guardian fluttered into the air. He tried righting himself as he flapped toward Luna, then flipped back over and hovered upside down in front of her, looking at Razzmatazz. "I'm Zsasz," Zsasz finally said as he stood up, then looked at his bat, "and that's Baffle Baffle."
re: Into the forest blindly Luna 10:11 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Luna smiled sweetly as she looked at the upside down bat. She lifted her hand to try and touch it but her arm began to ache and she had to put it back down. She flipped aside her cape and looked right above the elbow through the sheer fabric where it was beginning to turn a deep shade of purple. “I shoulda sicked Razz on that creep," she muttered to herself then looked back up at Zsasz with a bright smile. "I'm pleased to meet you. Hmm I should be going soon, I have to find a way to get some money before night falls or I'm gonna be sleeping outside in a tree again. Hey! Does your circus need any help per chance?"
re: Into the forest blindly Zsasz 10:24 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Zsasz thought for a moment, then grinned, "the knife thrower needs a new assistant, you could ask for the job," he answered as Baffle Baffle fluttered back to him and perched on the brim of his top hat, "I can take you to him if you want?" he suggested.
re: Into the forest blindly Luna 10:29 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Luna looked at him blankly for a moment then sighed. 'I really don't want to sleep in a tree again...' "Alright," she relented with a forced smile. "Thank you for your help. I'll see him if you take me."
re: Into the forest blindly Zsasz 10:38 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Zsasz nodded, "sure," he answered. He lead her back through the trees, then toward the circus, hiking his pants up several times before he finally just held onto the waistband. He weaved through the crowds, making sure Luna wasn't far behind him, then stopped at one of the tents, "this is his tent, he'll be back, he's performing right now," he explained calmly, then sat down on a stump and swatted Baffle Baffle away from the center of his face. The bat inched toward the side, then released the top hat brim and fluttered around, not bothering with trying to right himself. He headed toward Luna, then looked her over carefully before he dropped down and hung from the hem of her cloak for a moment before he released it and returned to Zsasz's top hat.
Into the circus blindly Luna 10:49 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Luna stood outside the tent pacing back and forth as she fidgeted with the silver bracelet in her normal nervous gesture. 'Oh the things I get myself into. This guy'll probably turn me into a pin cushion! Whatever happened to the last assistant..?' Luna sighed and glanced around nervously. 'I can do this, I'll be fine. I shouldn't worry so much.' She stopped pacing and looked at Zsasz. "How long is he going to be?" she asked as she glanced up at the setting sun.
re: Into the circus blindly Jester--&--Zsasz 10:54 pm saturday july 22, 2000
"Not l-" Zsasz started, then cut off as something coiled around his right foot and jerked him from the stump. Jester back flipped away from one of the tents with a malicious cackle, then landed in front of Zsasz as he sat up, "miss me?" he asked. Zsasz gave him a glare, then motioned to Luna, "she wants to be your new assistant," he said. Jester looked over at Luna, then grinned playfully and walked over to her, "so you want to join the circus, eh?"
re: Into the circus blindly Luna 11:00 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Luna crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her chin defiantly. "No I just need the money," she answered coolly. Then she looked up at him, hiding her nervousness with a small smile. "I figured that doing this would be preferable to sleeping in a tree and that's what I'd be doing." She sighed softly and bit her lip as she focused her attention elsewhere. 'Why am I talking so much?'
re: Into the circus blindly Jester 11:08 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Jester smiled wickedly, idly toying with his garrote as a shadow crept up his left leg. It sank over his shoulder, then took form behind him, a massive blue polar bear peeking over his shoulder before it laid it's chin down, "my last assistant was a bit dull," Jester informed her casually, "...I prefer something a little sharper..." He grinned at the girl maniacally, then extended his hand, "Jester Onyx."
re: Into the circus blindly Luna 11:13 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Luna narrowed her eyes at his last comment then shrugged her shoulder's, not really caring for the pun. She took his hand and looked up at him. "Luna Jadon." The moment the words left her lips the swirling of black wrapped around her arm and looked up at Jester as if sizing him up. Razzmatazz glared up at jealously for touching his master and growled a threat. "Leave him alone Razz," she hissed at the dragon and shook her arm slightly so that he would retreat.
re: Into the circus blindly Jester 11:18 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Jester grinned at the dragon, "charming little beast," he said, then chuckled. Rikki Tikki's eyes sparkled at the sight of the black dragon, then, reaching for a huge blue paw, he snatched the tiny guardian and licked him. Jester gave him a disgusted glare. "Rikki Tikki," he scolded meanly, then tapped his foot, "release it, you've no idea where it's been," he finished with a grin and a chuckle.
re: Into the circus blindly Luna 11:25 pm saturday july 22, 2000
"Huh? He hasn't been anywhere thank you very much," Luna insisted as she grabbed her dragon back from the bear. She smiled slightly as she looked up at Jester and wondered if he was as funny as he thought he was. 'We'll see...' She let Razzmatazz go and felt the swirling of wind as he whipped around her waist to hide under her cape. "Well tell me what I have to do funny man." She almost snorted as she said those last words and took a step towards him and tugged at a bell on his cap. "If you really ARE a funny man!"
re: Into the circus blindly Jester 11:40 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Jester grinned at her and shook his head, jingling his bells, "I like you," he said as he snapped his garrote and coiled it around Zsasz, then gave it a blind yank while keep his eyes on Luna. Zsasz went spinning, finally stopping against a post, clinging to it for balance.
re: Into the circus blindly Luna 11:50 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Luna watched him, her eyes widening for a moment before she turned to look at him again. "Unfortunately most people do," she shrugged. And finally giggled softly in her childish way. She let her arms drop and eased her stance, finally beginning to feel comfortable with where she was. She winced slightly at the pain in her arms and then looked over at Zsasz, feeling a little sorry for him. Finally she looked back up at Jester. "Hmm... well I guess you have an assistant now if you'll have me."
re: Into the circus blindly Jester 0:01 am sunday july 23, 2000
Jester grinned, "you can start tonight then," he said as he flicked his garrote and coiled it into a several tight loops which he then hung from his belt. "It's all simple really, I throw, you stand..." he said, then grinned at her in a playfully evil way, "perfectly still."

The approach Ilaron 9:34 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Ilaron quickly stepped aside as the woman fled from the tavern, catching a brief glimpse of wide green eyes and long brown hair that sparkled with fiery highlights before she disappeared into the crowd. A silver brow arched in silent inquiry but no emotion flickered across his elegant features.
’how rude.’
He smiled at Valari's less flattering description of the woman and her behavior before he swept into the tavern. Cold eyes swept the noisy crowd before lighting on the woman making her way towards the back of the tavern. His eyes narrowed in speculation, until he saw her sit at a table...next to the tawny lioness sprawled across the floor.
’that's her...that's the huntress Silvara.’
He moved into the crowded room, ignoring the lingering tension of the patrons.
’I'd heard of her eccentric tastes...it was an understatement.’
He shrugged at Valari's screaming criticism of the woman's dress and appearance before walking towards her, eying the lioness that turned gleaming silver eyes towards him. Ilaron paused, considering how to go about convincing the bounty hunter to accept his contract. It sounded insane...asking a bounty hunter to track a woman from a dream...especially when he could never get a clear image of her face. He wouldn't even have considered this course of action had it not been for the mark. In the last few weeks, the dream had changed somewhat, instead of fading away...the woman had turned giving him a brief view of a strange mark emblazoned on her shoulder blade. There couldn't be that many women with a mark like that... His thoughts darkened,
’if it comes to it...then I will do what I have to do.’
Ignoring the warning snarl and quieting Valari with a harsh thought, Ilaron moved to the table and waited to be acknowledged by the woman.
first contact Silvara 10:14 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Silvara shook her head as she watched the girl turn and flee, 'why am I not surprised?' The bounty hunter delivered a swift kick to the unconscious man before returning to her table. She raised a brow at Lamashtu and examined her ale for any tawny hairs before taking a large drink. "Well, that will teach me. I can't decide which of us frightened her more..." Silvara made a rueful grimace and took another drink, "I should have just stayed out of it and let her handle it herself."
’why let it concern you, daughter? You helped her..she ran.’
Lamashtu went back to drinking her wine and snarled.
’if she chose to fear you..so be it.’
The lioness made a rumbling purr, a feline chuckle.
:there are more prey than hunters child...accept it.’
Silvara nodded morosely and took another sip, her voice thoughtful as she spoke, "I suppose so.." She sensed Lamashtu stir, felt the subtle tightening of muscles under the tawny hide and knew someone was approaching them.
'ware my daughter.’
Silvara took another drink, using the motion to hide her perusal of the man a he paused a short distance from their table. 'Well...' Tall, well-built without being bulky, graceful movements. 'and well again..' She sat down her ale, not looking at him as he came to stand near the table...obviously waiting for her to acknowledge his presence, but she could feel his eyes on her. Lamashtu snarled again and Silvara idly caressed her as she lifted her gaze. The bounty hunter returned his intense gaze, casually letting her gaze rake his body before settling cold eyes on his face. He was quite handsome with a pale and arrogant beauty, and she noticed that his eyes were the same brilliant shade of silver as his hair. 'Oh yes, quite handsome..' Silvara smiled coldly, her eyes gleaming with a predatory interest that mirrored the lioness's. "Well? Do you like what you see?"
failed words Ilaron 10:41 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Ilaron took the question as an invitation and seated himself across the table. Briefly he opened and found himself stunned by the sheer intensity of the many emotions radiating from the woman. 'Sadness. amusement. and anger...at herself?' All of those were underscored by a fierce pride...confidence...and just the first stirrings that marked sexual interest. The latter directed at him. Ilaron remembered a time when he would have been flattered by that coming from a woman like her but it hardly seemed to matter now. It was just another way to reach her...a weakness. Still, her bold question amused him even though none of it showed through his expression or his voice when he finally spoke. He opened his mouth and was surprised when the words froze in his throat. Ilaron frowned then, it wasn't that he couldn't speak just that month's of silence had locked his vocal chords. Flustered he grasped his throat and glared at Silvara as Valari's laughter rang in his mind.
’oh Ilaron...what would you do without me?’
He felt a soothing warmth in his throat and knew whatever Valari had done had freed his voice. It was damn well embarrassing though, much akin to a warrior reaching for his sword only to have the hilt come away in his hand.
‘Valari...remind me to make a point of speaking more often.’
Dismissing the incident from his mind Ilaron turned his full attention back to Silvara. "That depends on whether or not you're available, huntress. I have a business proposition for you." I'm listening Silvara 10:53 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Silvara watched him clutch his throat and arched a brow when he glared at her. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him what he could do with himself when he finally spoke. The bounty hunter felt a shiver dance up her spine, like his appearance the voice was cold...elegant...and utterly beautiful. Silvara felt a renewed spark of interest in the man and took another sip of her ale, watching him over the rim of her flagon. She set it aside with a small smile and signaled the bartender again before answering him. "Available doesn't necessarily mean affordable...but I'm willing to listen. Providing you buy the next round." She grinned at him, studying him for a reaction as Lamashtu purred on from her place beside her feet.
the offer Ilaron 11:09 pm saturday july 22, 2000
"Of course." Ilaron ordered her another ale and a goblet of wine for himself before he continued. "I need to find someone and I understand that you're one of the best at finding those who don't wish to be found." He shrugged and took his wine when the bartender returned, "it won't be easy, but with your reputation..." Ilaron smiled coldly and took a sip of the crimson liquid, "I should think that you would be up for the challenge." As he spoke he kept his senses open, monitoring her emotions and choosing his words to manipulate them. "and I assure you, it will be a challenge. I have no name and no description either of the person or their last whereabouts. All I can give you is a description of the mark on her body." Ilaron watched her carefully, "I will wish to accompany you as you search for her and once I am satisfied that she cannot be found, I am willing to pay you twice your usual fee for a similar contract, five times that amount if we succeed in finding her." Ilaron watched her impassively, sensing her emotions and waiting for her response...prepared to use his power to try and manipulate her thoughts should she refuse him.
try again Silvara 11:17 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Silvara listened to his offer, and while intrigued, she felt that he was hiding something from her.
’I don't trust him, daughter. Shall I?’
The bounty hunter privately agreed with the demoness, but still placed a gentle hand on her tawny pelt as the lioness rose to her feet. Slowly she turned her cold eyes back to the man, "Interesting...now tell me everything again...including whatever it is you're trying to hide from me and I'll consider it." Silvara settled back into her chair and her voice softened, hiding the fist blush of anger rising within her. "You can start with your name..."
second time the charm? Ilaron 11:30 pm saturday july 22, 2000
Ilaron's voice matched her own, softening into mock complacency. In precise detail, Ilaron described his dreams, the devastation, the suffering...and then the woman. His eyes actually softened as he described what he could about her, the sense of hope that seemed to surround her and the cold certainty that she was the key to it all. He frowned as he sat back, aside from the strange mark on her right shoulder blade there was nothing he could offer about her physical appearance. Still, he shrugged and described the mark as best he could and was shocked by the sudden amazement and fear radiating from the bounty hunter. "So..." his voice fell to a thoughtful whisper, "I'm not the only one then, to dream of her." Ilaron read the truth in her gaze and closed his senses blocking her emotions from his mind. "I take it, that we have a bargain?"
accepted Silvara 0:04 am sunday july 23, 2000
Silvara shook her head, amazement and fear mingling with the excitement rising in her blood. "I'm not the only one then, to dream of her." Silvara felt his silver gaze like a burning brand as she forced herself to meet his eyes, unable to speak. Shocked that he had just described the dream that had haunted her sleep over the last few months. "I take it, that we have a bargain?" Ignoring Lamashtu's low snarls, Silvara slowly nodded. "Yes, I accept." She smiled then and shook her head, "Silvara Aerindale, at your service...and this...is Lamashtu" The lioness gave him a disdainful sniff and began flexing her claws, digging furrows in the wooden floor. "When do we start?"
until the morning Ilaron 1:00 am sunday july 23, 2000
Ilaron turned cold eyes to the lioness, "charmed." His attention returned to the bounty hunter, "Ilaron Skiyth, we'll begin at first light, if that is agreeable." He sat in silence for a moment, knowing he should say something else to her, discuss plans, find where she would be staying...something to break the uneasy silence. He knew this...he just didn't care. Valari hurled a string of colorful insults to the woman as he stood and flung some coins on the table. As an after-thought he tossed a small bag of coins onto Silvara's lap and nodded. "Buy whatever supplies you think we'll need, I will wait for you outside the Inn. Until the morning." With a small bow, he turned and left the tavern, heading towards the Inn. As much as it annoyed him, it was more prudent to remain inside the city for the night. 'Besides', he paused and glanced around, 'a city this large would have shrines, unless they’ve fallen to ruin.' The thought of those sacred places crumbling due to neglect troubled him, softening his features and bringing an melancholy sadness to his silver eyes. Valari sent a comforting wash of reassurance through his thoughts.
’They still stand, Ilaron. Empty...waiting, but they still stand.’
He nodded and settled his cloak around his shoulders, he would pray and purify his mind, then return to the Inn. Tonight he would dream of her, and in the morning he would begin the search.
a night in prayer Silvara 3:32 am sunday july 23, 2000
"Ilaron" Silvara said the name softly as she watched him walk out of the tavern and a frown of confusion marred her features. Quickly, she stood and pocketed the pouch of coins he had given her, buying supplies would be a waste of time. 'We'll hunt for our food, sleep under the stars...anything but the clothes on our backs and our weapons would only slow us down anyway.' Her frown deepened, it bothered her how easily she had began to think in terms of "us" or "we." It was a dangerous thing to do, even with someone you trusted...and she certainly didn't trust Ilaron Skiyth. There was just something about him, something that danced just beyond the edge of her perception that unsettled her. 'It's probably just him, I've never met someone...so cold.' She turned and walked out of the cavern, barely aware of Lamashtu padding along beside her as the wondered down the darkened street. The whole time they talked, he had shown no emotion...it had been like talking to a statue.
’Daughter? You never spoke to me of your dreams, why?’
Silvara shrugged absently, "because they were just dreams, mother." She shook her head, "even if you keep having them, over and over, they're just dreams...but the same dream? between two complete strangers?" The bounty hunter shook her head, "certainly killed my buzz." Lamashtu's soft laughter brought a smile to Silvara's lips as they skirted the circus grounds, heading for the narrow dirt road that would lead to the shrine. As always Silvara felt the familiar mixture of sadness and peace as she finally came upon the shrine and began removing her weapons. There was no law or custom about entering the shrine unarmed, this was just her own personal ritual...it just felt right somehow. Lamashtu sprawled beside the growing pile of weapons without saying a word. Even though they didn't come here often, she knew Silvara's customs and settled down for a quick snooze. The bounty hunter grinned at the lioness and slipped through the heavy door, savoring the rare sense of peace that came over her as she walked to the alter and knelt before it. It was ironic that this, a shrine to Mephistos, the god of shadows and demons, was one of the few places where she ever felt truly safe. A soft smile shaped Silvara's lips as she bowed her head in prayer.
silence Ilaron 0:32 am monday july 24, 2000
Ilaron left the shrine without a backwards glance. Back before his wife, Elyse, had passed away in childbirth, taking their baby with her, he had been a devout worshiper of Orion. While everyone else had abandoned the gods, he had always found refuge and peace praying to the elder god, but now... Even though he still visited the shrines dedicated to Orion, something had changed within himself and he no longer felt the same joy in his soul. He still believed, more than ever he cherished his faith above all things, but he now felt that his soul and prayers were better suited to the younger god's worship. A short time later, Valari whispering a soft melody in his mind, Ilaron made his way down the dirt road and nodded when he saw Mephistos' shrine. Lost in his thoughts, he failed to notice the lioness until Valari pointed her out to him. He thanked his guardian and studied Lamashtu with cold eyes, noticing the pile small pile of weapons beside her. A pale brow arched in silent inquiry and he idly wondered where Silvara managed to hide all of the blades given her attire. He returned the lioness's cold stare and moved to a nearby tree, placing his hand on the lowest branch. With a gentle nip to his earlobe, the blue serpent uncoiled from his throat and slid under his sleeve, traveling down his arm to the tree. Ilaron shook his head at the soft laughter in his head and ran a finger over the tiny snake's head before turning and entering the shrine. If Silvara heard him enter, she gave no sign of it and for a moment he studied her with cold silver eyes. Amazing to think that she was also one of the few who still followed the gods. Ilaron nodded to himself, he had been wise in seeking her out, and her faith only strengthened his conviction that they would succeed. A calming peace swept Ilaron's soul and the vaguest hint of a smile touched his lips before as he walked towards the alter. She gave no notice of him as he knelt and placed his hands on his knees, lowering his head in prayer.
hunger Silvara 1:06 pm monday july 24, 2000
Silvara finished her prayer and let her eyes drift open, slowly turning them to the man beside her. 'Ilaron.' In a fluid motion she rose from her knees and quietly left the shrine, stepping out into the warm night air with a contented sigh. Her tranquility was short lived as thoughts of Ilaron intruded on her mind. 'So, he's one of the faithful...' Lamashtu rose to her feet with a yawn as Silvara bent and gathered her weapons. "What do you think?” The demoness laughed in her mind and purposefully mistook the question.
’I think we should go hunt, it's been to long since you fed.’ Lamashtu chuckled at the look Silvara gave her.
‘In all honesty daughter, I am as yet unsure of him myself’
The lioness lifted on her hind legs and placed both paws on the woman's shoulder, placing them eye to eye.
’I am serious about you eating though, how long since you..’
Silvara shrugged with impatience, "yesterday. I'll find something tonight, the restaurants are probably closed and I'm not up for another tavern. The circus will probably sell some sort of food and they look busy tonight so it's not a problem." Silvara knelt beside Lamashtu as the lioness dropped back to the ground and ran her hands over the glossy pelt. "I'll eat something tonight, don't worry about me, besides...I'll need my strength for the morning." Silvara wrapped her arms around Lamashtu's neck and her voice dropped to a soft whisper, "I don't know what to think of him either, I don't trust him....not entirely, but I am somewhat reassured that he believes in the gods." She stood and stared at the shrine for a moment, clearly debating on whether or not to wait for him when Lamashtu began growing impatient with her.
’you can speak to him later, I want you to eat something now’
The bounty hunter rolled her eyes and turned to follow the lioness towards the circus, smiling at the lofty tone. "Yes mother"
following Ilaron 1:35 pm monday july 24, 2000
Ilaron finished his prayers a short time after Silvara left the shrine, but remained kneeling in front of the alter for a few moments, just enjoying the peace surrounding him. Finally, he rose to his feet and followed the bounty hunter outside, vaguely relieved when he saw her already walking down the road back towards the circus. He was in no mood to put up with idle talk right now, he would prefer not to speak with her at all if it could be helped, it was just that his desire to find the woman outweighed his personal feelings about avoiding other people. Silvara was useful and definitely needed, but he wasn't interested in her as a traveling companion and he certainly had no use for her as a friend. Ilaron settled his cloak around his shoulders and called to his guardian.
’Valari?’
Ilaron watched a shimmering blue light float from the tree and settle into the palm of his outstretched hand, shaping into a tiny serpent.
’She spoke to that beast, I overheard. Shall I tell you?’
Ilaron nodded absently and sighed as Valari slithered up his arm to coil around his throat as her soft voice repeated the bounty hunter's words.
’So she doesn't trust me...very perceptive of her.’
He ignored Valari's harsh criticism of the woman, his thoughts troubled by the thought that Silvara had apparently not eaten anything since yesterday. ' but I am somewhat reassured that he believes in the gods.' He sighed then, almost able to hear the words in his mind. His emotionless eyes turned back to the road and he began following after the bounty hunter.

Back to town Blade 0:01 am sunday july 23, 2000
Blade glanced around as she followed Angelo into town. She stopped to look around for a moment then hurried to catch up with him. "Where does your father live?" she asked him quietly, impatient to get some rest. She had been on her feet for a good week during her journey from Ligeia. "How much do you want for the room?"
re: Back to town Angelo 0:05 am sunday july 23, 2000
"We live behind the shop." He answered calmly, then stopped outside a storefront. "This is it, you'll have to talk to my father about the cost."
re: Back to town Blade 0:12 am sunday july 23, 2000
"Fine," she said as she walked past him into the store. She looked around at the toys in wonderment until she realized what she must look like and hid her reaction. She noticed the man who must be Angelo's father and stepped towards him. "Your son told me that you have a room for rent, I would like to know what price you've put on it." She reached into her pouch and pulled out a handful of silver coins and showed them to him. "Would this be enough?"
re: Back to town Anton 0:18 am sunday july 23, 2000
Anton looked at the coins and smiled. "Surely." He answered happily as he looked at the woman warmly. He pointed to Angelo, then motioned for him to come into the shop. "Angelo will show you the room and set you up." He told her.
re: Back to town Blade 4:06 pm sunday july 23, 2000
"Thank you," Blade smiled at the man and turned around to look at Angelo. "Shall we?"
re: Back to town Angelo 7:31 pm sunday july 23, 2000
Angelo walked into the shop and took the key his father handed to him, then looked at Blade. "It's up here." He said as he headed for a door behind the counter, then opened it to display a set of stairs. He was up them in a flash, then unlocked the door to the room and opened it.
re: Back to town Blade 9:15 am monday july 24, 2000
Blade started up the stairs and was at the top by the time that Angelo pushed open the door. She stepped inside the room and waited for him to flip on the light before finding a chair and sitting down. She turned her green eyes to Angelo and gave him a small smile. "You can stick around for awhile if you want. I'd like to hear about the city if you have time to tell me."
re: Back to town Angelo 9:35 am monday july 24, 2000
Angelo leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms loosely. He wasn't used to dealing with people on a personal level, he generally only interacted with the public in the shop and that was without a word spoken other than the forced 'thank you' after a purchase. "What do you wanna know?" He asked finally.
re: Back to town Blade 10:23 am monday july 24, 2000
"Well... what do you do for fun around here?" she asked, brightening up a little. "I have been traveling alone for as long as I can remember and haven't done anything even remotely fun since then..." she bit her lip, wondering why she said so much to him then shrugged it off and smiled at him.
re: Back to town Angelo 6:35 pm monday july 24, 2000
Angelo took a deep breath and remained in the doorway. "The circus is where most people head to, I tend to stay as far away from people as I can possibly get..." He glanced at her, then shifted his weight and felt Vex tweak a nerve. He hiccupped, then narrowed his eyes and sighed as he continued to do so. 'VEX! Quit it!' He snapped at the guardian.
re: Back to town Blade 6:45 pm monday july 24, 2000
"Aww come on, it'll be fun!" Blade replied jumping up. "I have never been to a circus before, if you won't go then I guess I'll go alone." Blade pouted a little as she looked at him.
re: Back to town Angelo 7:43 pm monday july 24, 2000
Angelo sighed, then took a deep breath. "I suppose." He said softly, then felt Vex twitch something in his mind. He fell over, sound asleep until Vex's image floated away from his body and looked at the woman closely. He examined her with scrutiny, looking through her shell and into her mind. He noted the Guardians, then seeped back into Angelo's mind and allowed him to waken. Angelo got up slowly, then shook off the slight drowsiness and looked at Blade. "Let's go, the main show should start in about half an hour."

No turning back now! Luna 0:07 am sunday july 23, 2000
Luna shrugged, successfully hiding her nervousness from him. "You'd better not miss," she said as she crossed her arms again. "I have no desire to lose a limb and if I do then I'm gonna beat you senseless with it!" She batted at one of his bells again as she walked past him.
re: No turning back now! Jester 0:11 am sunday july 23, 2000
Jester grinned as he watched her walk away, then uncoiled his garrote and snagged Zsasz with it, yanking the magician over to him, "where did you find her?" he asked. Zsasz shrugged, "she ran into me in the forest-literally, I don't know where she's from." Jester smiled wickedly, then flicked Baffle Baffle and turned. 'This is gonna be fun.' He thought with an evil smile.
re: No turning back now! Luna 0:16 am sunday july 23, 2000
Luna stepped into the tent and looked around bemusedly. Just today she had been here and would never had guessed that she would be working here. She felt Jester approach behind her and sighed. 'He doesn't frighten me.' She stood up straight and crossed her arms. "So what do now?" she asked without turning around to look at him.
re: No turning back now! Jester 0:29 am sunday july 23, 2000
Jester grinned, then pointed to a large, multi-colored wheel in the center of the big top, "now you get strapped to that wheel, I spin you around and around and toss a couple of knives at you...all there is to it," he answered with a wicked smile.
re: No turning back now! Luna 4:05 pm sunday july 23, 2000
"Fine," she sighed. "You'd just better be carefull! I don't wanna have to sick Razz on your funny ass!" She giggled as she stepped forward. She turned around and pressed up against the wheel with her arms out. "Go ahead and strap me in."
re: No turning back now! Jester 7:50 pm sunday july 23, 2000
Jester flashed her a smile, then approached the wheel and strapped her ankles and wrists before he gave the wheel a hard jerk. Luna started spinning, the ringmaster announcing the act as Jester leapt into the spotlight. He produced from the sheathes on his belt, four knives, then turned and quickly tossed them at the wheel, grinning as he pinned Luna against it, the blades so close to her she could feel the cold steel through her clothing. He made an elaborate flick of his hand and pulled a thick black cotton scarf from his shirt sleeve. The wheel started slowing down as he blindfolded himself, then pulled out four more knives. Little did the audience know that he could still see, even with his eyes covered, Luna's safety was guaranteed. He heard the hush of the audience and grinned, then fanned out eight more blades, four per hand. Within eight seconds he had flung them all at the wheel, the blades hit within a second of one another, each hitting the wooden wheel fragments of an inch away from Luna's body. The crowd roared, Jester removed his blindfold and turned for a bow. Why they enjoyed his act so much was still a mystery to him, but so long as they were happy, he was more than willing to oblige them. He turned and trotted to the wheel, then flashed Luna a smile and released her, then nudge her toward the spotlight, "now you bow and you're done for an hour," he told her.
The princess and the jester Luna 9:12 am monday july 24, 2000
Luna shook her head and stumbled a little against Jester. While she had been scared out of her mind when she felt the cold steel slide against her body she had actually been thrilled as well. Her eyes brightened as she gave Jester a big smile and turned to give a sweeping bow to the audience. She was truly amused and that was a rare thing indeed. She straightened herself and stepped away from the spotlight so that she could sit down and make her head stop spinning.
Luna sighed softly as she gazed at Jester. What was it about him that made her so quick tongued? She was normally soft spoken and loving but the moment that he was close enough to touch she had found herself saying things that she didn't truly mean. 'Maybe it was the episode at the tavern that did it...' She dropped her head forward and frowned sadly. She hated herself for her physical weakness. 'If I hadn't been daddy's pampered little princess then maybe I would actually have learned to fight. She lifted her discarded cape off the floor and turned her sad eyes back up to Jester. 'How simple life must be for him. Living only one day at a time, a steady but spontaneous job. How I wish I were more like him...'

Deadly Mistake Mephistos 1:00 pm monday july 24, 2000
Mephistos suddenly appeared in the hall of Nevermore and glared at the master sage. "How did Kantu get the dream, you old fool!" Mephistos raged. "Kantu SEEN her! He is used to the destruction and the fires so all he had to do was focus all of his attention on HER! Now his assassin knows what she looks like and is searching for her. Do you KNOW what Kantu would do to her if he found her?!" Mephistos' black eyes burned into the sage. "Damn you Orion! Why did you have to show them what she looked like? Damn that brother of mine, always standing in my way somehow.... I swear Sage if she gets hurt then I'll hold YOU responsible!" Mephistos disappeared in an angry cloud, leaving the nervous sage trembling with fear.
re: Deadly Mistake Siirotinus 1:05 pm monday july 24, 2000
Siiro stepped into the town and smiled grimly. Even at night the market town was bustling with activity. His eyes flickered over at the circus in the distance. Of course, that might be the reason why. He glanced around as he walked forward and searched for an Inn for him to check into. He need to begin his search as soon as possible, possibly someone in the tavern had seen her. Or better yet, at the circus. He'd followed her trail thus far and knew that she was here. Somewhere.
Prove yourself Mephistos 1:47 pm monday july 24, 2000
Mephistos appeared a few steps behind the silver haired mortal and frowned in frustration. He had heard the man's prayers and was too curious not to answer him. "If you know what’s good for you, you will NOT turn around," Mephistos replied coolly when he seen that the man was about to turn. He knew that his divine voice would stop him in his tracks and it did. "I'm sure you already know who I am... you're guardian will tell you as much. I have overheard your desire to find the chosen one. I know that she gives you hope but what I would like to know is why? I am certain that you will manage to find her but if you can prove that you will you are searching only to help her then I may be persuaded to assist you on your quest. If you are only wanting her for your personal gains then forget it. I will be in touch mortal. Think about what I've said." Mephistos grinned mischievously and disappeared.
annoyed Ilaron 1:03 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Ilaron actually let a smirk twist his lips as he began walking again.
’If I prove myself...he MAY be persuaded to assist me...’
The once bard shook his head in annoyance, he was a faithful follower of the gods...but that didn't mean that he had to like the way they dealt with him.
‘accept my worship...and stay out of my way.’
Ilaron turned and stared at the shrine, directing his thoughts at the structure despite Valari's horrified voice ringing in his mind.
‘I have followed and I have worshipped when others forgot’
Anger surged within Ilaron and a wind flared his cloak and hair behind him.
‘I have always tried to live according to your laws....’
He turned and walked away, the anger fading away with each step.
:I worship because I believe. I have never asked for your hell’
A cold smile shaped Ilaron's lips, but he didn't glance back.
’and I don't recall having asked for it now.’
Valari was strangely silent as he reached the circus grounds and opened his senses. He knew she would be here, he could almost feel her even before he began to look. With a cold expression on his elegant features, Ilaron threw a handful of silver to the man beside the tent and stepped inside. Silver eyes scanned the crowd, narrowing when he saw the woman and the tawny lioness. Silently, he wove his way towards her but stopped and sat several rows behind and to the left of the bounty hunter. Studying her as she watched the performers on the highwire above the center ring. The lioness looked utterly miserable, but the woman's mouth was softly parted in excitement and her eyes were wide with delight. He hadn't realized how incredibly young she looked and he realized that he was looking at the real Silvara. The young woman behind the bounty hunter's reputation and he found himself wondering what had happened to her...to set her on that path. Ilaron's eyes narrowed as he pushed aside those thoughts and turned his attention back to the show.

surprised Silvara 2:06 pm monday july 24, 2000
Silvara couldn't help the small smile that shaped her lips as she wondered through the circus grounds. The lioness at her side drew no more than passing glances since most people assumed they were with the circus. They would have been very distressed if they could have heard Lamashtu's choice commentary. the demoness was in rare form tonight. "That's not nice Lamashtu...no all these people aren't part of the freak show and I'm sure that woman didn't steal a tent to make that dress." Silvara wound up giggling as Lamashtu continued her running dialog of insults. "You just don't like being overlooked, your pride is showing mother mine." Silvara grinned again and bought a candy coated apple, ignoring Lamashtu's annoyed glare. "C'mon! It's food, I'll hunt tomorrow when we leave." She wondered around the circus a while longer, finally giving in to Lamashtu's constant nagging and buying a hotdog as well, "happy?" The woman and the demoness continued to bicker with each other as the walked and Silvara was surprised to find that they had reached the performer's tents. 'oopsy, I bet we're not suppose to be back here.' The bounty hunter glanced around and saw an opening in the main tent. 'I bet that's where the performers enter...' A small laugh escaped her throat, "well...how would you like to watch the show? I bet we could sneak in." Silvara laughed again at Lamashtu's reply and quickly ducked into the tent and all but dove into a deeply shadowed area before anyone could notice her. Silvara remained crouched for a moment, a huge grin on her face as she waited to see if she had been spotted. "Nope, looks like we're gonna get a free show after all."
’Maybe not my daughter, you have been seen.’
"Damnit," Silvara followed the lioness's gaze to the woman sitting on a small bench nearby. She too was hidden in shadows but Silvara finally managed to make out her face and smiled warmly as she walked towards her. "H'lo, remember me? I just thought I'd slip in and catch a free peak..." Silvara flashed her a sunny grin and plopped down beside her, "You took off pretty fast from the tavern, I'm sorry I scared you." The bounty hunter turned wide eyes back to the ring, her attention riveted by the show even as she chatted to the woman beside her, "do you work here? Or did you sneak in too?" As an afterthought, Silvara produced the second candy apple she'd managed to buy when Lamashtu wasn't watching, these things are terrible for you, want one?"
even more surprised Luna 2:15 pm monday july 24, 2000
Luna smiled softly as she accepted the offered apple. "I'm really sorry I took off on you like that," she sighed. "I was a little more than terrified, if you know what I mean? ehh probably not, you don't look like someone who would be as scared as a little rabbit like myself. Thank you for aiding me back there, I thought that I was a goner." She managed to look up into the girl's violet eyes and forced herself to smile. "And I do work here... well I do now. I just got the job about an hour ago," Luna turned her gaze back to Jester and smiled. "I'm HIS assistant. He throws knives at me." She giggled softly.
re: even more surprised Silvara 2:29 pm monday july 24, 2000
Silvara tilted her head and grinned as she studied the girl watching the performer. "So he throws knives at ya huh? Well, I guess it takes all kinds.." The bounty hunter giggled and turned her attention back to the show. "Hey don't worry about it, that place can get rough every once in a while but someone would have stepped in before it got out of hand. You weren't in any real danger...besides, I saw you reach for your weapon so why are you being so rough on yourself? I just stepped in because that jerk was killing my buzz," she shrugged, "that and he needed a quick lesson in manners on the proper way to treat a lady." She smiled at the woman and Lamashtu came over and sat at her feet, "this is Lamashtu and my name is Silvara."
re: even more surprised Luna 2:40 pm monday july 24, 2000
Luna managed to tear her gaze from Jester long enough to turn to Silvara and smile. "My name is Luna.... Luna Jadon," she replied. "Its nice to meet you and Lamashtu, is she your guardian?" A swirling of black whipped around Luna's leg to her feet. The black dragon stopped and sniffed at the lioness curiously. Luna giggled as she watched him. "That is Razzmatazz, he's always curious about other guardians. And a bit jealous of humans, I might add. He looked like he wanted to bite poor Jester when I shook his hand." Luna smiled proudly at the little dragon as she lifted her leg and forced him to hang on, clinging to her boot. He snorted up at her and whipped back up and around her waist to hide. "I guess its obvious where he got his name," she giggled. She thought about something and turned back to Silvara. "Did you say that you snuck in? Here, take this, I don't want you to get into trouble over this." Luna pressed the day pass that she had purchased earlier into Silvara's hand. "At least that will soften the blow if you get caught in the performer's area. I'm not sure how Jester would react, like I said, I've only known him for one say." She grinned as she looked back to the flame haired performer, giggling when she remembered playing with the bells on his hat.
teasing Silvara 4:51 pm monday july 24, 2000
Silvara giggled as she watched the little dragon scurry back to his hiding place, and grinned at Luna as she took the pass from her. "Wow, thanks, I'm not too worried about it though, Lamashtu is pretty good at keeping people from bothering me. Silvara frowned at the lioness who was eying Luna with a suspicious gleam in her silver eyes.
’can I play with the little one?’
Silvara shook her head knowing exactly what the demoness had in mind...her idea of play wasn't anything the bounty hunter wanted to have to watch. "No you cannot...because that's her guardian...I don't care if it would be fun, watch the show if you're bored!" Not really paying attention to Luna Silvara argued with Lamashtu for a good five minutes before the lioness gave her a haughty glare and sulked into the shadows. The bounty hunter frowned after her and turned to grin apologetically at Luna, "she wanted to play with your little friend...Lamashtu isn't curious about other guardians, just interested in seeing whether they're stronger than her." Silvara brushed back her hair and smiled as she watched the performer, "so HE has a name does he? Is Jester the only reason you joined the circus or was he just an added bonus? Ya know what, he is kinda cute..." the bounty hunter watched Luna out of the corner of her eye and struggled to maintain an innocent expression, "where ever did you find such an adorable guardian?"
re: teasing Luna 5:22 pm monday july 24, 2000
Luna's eyes widened and her cheeks flared with embarrassment. She looked at Silvara shyly and struggled to say something to her but was having difficulty getting anything out. "Umm no... I uh.. well.. I joined because I need the money... I had no place to go..." she stuttered out and turned her gaze away from the girl. "Razzmatazz was a gift from Mephistos for my continuing loyalty to the gods... even after everyone lost their faith.. but please don't tell anyone they'd probably hunt me down and string me up or something grotesque like that." She couldn't resist the urge and looked back up at Jester. Meeting his black eyes made her flush even more and she turned away from him, swinging her legs around the bench so that she was facing the other direction. "You wouldn't want Lamashtu to play with Razz anyways... he might be small but he really is mean as hell." Luna reached into her cape and lifted out the little guardian. "He was once Mephistos’ own personal pet, actually. Mephistos said that since Razz latched onto me that I could have him. He IS cute isn't he?" Luna giggled as she nuzzled Razz's snout with her nose. Razz snorted again and looked up at her in annoyance. He knew he was cute, he didn't need her to remind him. "Unfortunately he cannot talk to me, even telepathically but he does manage to send me signals of what he senses." Luna let him go and he whipped around her back to his hiding place. She sighed softly and pulled her legs up onto the bench. "He likes to stay hidden in my cape so as well. I took it off earlier and he didn't even realize that I was gone until I returned for it," she laughed lightly. "Do you live here in Tamerlane? Today was the first time I've been here. Last place that I went was Enigma, that was a really nice place although I had a lot of trouble finding it!"
a little depressed Silvara 6:34 pm monday july 24, 2000
Silvara stared at Luna in awe, "Mephistos actually sent you..." The bounty hunter gazed at the little dragon, "how wonderful, I mean aside from receiving your guardian...just to actually be noticed by a god, you must be a very special person Luna." She felt a brief wash of sadness touch her soul but hid it behind a smile. "You should never be afraid...about your faith I mean, I've never heard of anyone being physically persecuted for following the gods, it hasn't got that bad...not yet anyway..." Silvara's smile fell and her eyes took on a distant look, "I still worship Mephistos, I've been mocked for my beliefs but so far no one has tried to harm me for them...I suppose we'll reach that state eventually..." Lamashtu sensed her mood and came to sit beside her, laying her head in her ward's lap and watching her with somber eyes. Silvara shook her head as if to banish the disturbing thought and smiled at her guardian. "I don't think either god sent Lamashtu to me, I was attacked once when I was younger...some men managed to catch me out on the plains." The bounty hunter shrugged away that terrible memory, "Lamashtu noticed and decided it would be interesting to save me, she killed them all before they could do anything to me, but I was pretty shaky their for a while." Silvara ran a finger down the lioness's muzzle, "for some reason, she decided to stay with me after that and she's guarded me ever since. I can hear her thoughts when she directs them to me, but that’s about it." Silvara grinned again, hiding her true emotions and thoughts behind the cheerful mask, "and as to the rest, I don't have a home, I kind of uses this as my home base and make a point to swing through from time to time, but mostly just to visit the shrine and find work. the rest of the time I just kind of wonder around except when I'm hunting." She watched Jester for a few more moments, "do you think I should leave? I don't want you getting in trouble what with it being your first day and all."

The Faithful Guard Atticus 6:48 pm monday july 24, 2000
Atticus stood leaning against a tent post, he'd followed the young woman and her lioness throughout the circus grounds, but since she'd remained unharmful to others and hadn't stolen anything he'd continued to merely follow her. He grinned as he watched the other girl hand the intruder a circus pass, then shook his head slightly and cleared his throat to finally draw attention to himself.
re: The Faithful Guard Luna 6:58 pm monday july 24, 2000
Luna's eyes widened at the sound and looked up. 'He's the guy I'd seen from the tree! Oh hell...' She fidgeted nervously and bit her lip. "Umm I'm sorry, its my fault that she's back here, I had her pass and she needed it to get and umm well I just now gave it back to her so she can go on back alright?" she lied through her teeth and hated every second of it. "I'm sorry, she'll go now... my break is almost over anyways!"
re: The Faithful Guard Atticus 7:20 pm monday july 24, 2000
Atticus smiled, a rare occurrence, but this called for it. He pushed away from the tent post. "She's fine." He answered softly, then extended his hand. "Atticus Redwolf, I'm the ringmaster's body guard."
busted Silvara 7:20 pm monday july 24, 2000
Silvara shot Luna a quizzical glance and the slowly let her gaze sweep the man standing over them. Lamashtu's voice rang in her head and the bounty hunter choked on her laughter as she nudged the lioness with her foot in an unspoken order to behave. "Well, I guess that means I'll see you later Luna, thanks again." The bounty hunter smiled at the nervous woman and then stood, subtly kicking Lamashtu for the insults she was still hurling at the man. 'I wish to Mephistos she'd shut up or I'm going to burst out laughing...or worse, start repeating them!' The bounty hunter smiled fetchingly and gave the stranger a playful wink, "catch ya later." With a cheery little wave to her friend, Silvara ducked around him and sprinted out of the tent before she began giggling. "I can't believe you!! Where did you pick up words like that Lamashtu? If you'd have kept that up much longer you'd have had me saying them!" The demoness grinned, a fairly intimidating expression given her glistening fangs.
I know, why do you think I did that? He was annoying…’
The lioness gave a disdainful sniff as they walked away from the tent.
’You liked that girl and you should have friends, he intruded.’
Silvara shook her head, "well, I wasn't s'pose to be back there anyway. I just hope I didn't get Luna in trouble." Silvara sighed, "well, I've still got her pass, I can't believe she lied for me like that...you want to go watch the show?" She grinned as the lioness made a disgusted noise. "C'mon, there's nothing else to do and maybe we can talk to her after it's over and make sure I didn't get her fired or anything." Lamashtu sighed and shook her head in annoyance that she would be crammed inside a tent full of annoying humans but finally agreed, stalking behind her ward in a full-blown sulk.
’yes...this is exactly how I wanted to spend my evening.’
Silvara ignored the sarcastic thought and used her pass to slip back into the tent, settling down to watch the show.
re: busted Luna 7:32 pm monday july 24, 2000
Luna pouted as she watched Silvara leave then turned back to the bodyguard. "I'm sorry... she had to go," Luna sighed. She glanced at the clock nearby and bit her lip. "My hour is nearly over anyways. What's he going to do to me now?" She groaned as she spun back around on her bench to look for Jester. She finally found him and watched him carefully, waiting.
re: busted Jester 7:38 pm monday july 24, 2000
Jester trotted over to Luna's bench, then past her, snagging her with his garrote. He wound her up with it, then gave it a slight yank and watched her spin out before he grabbed her and stopped her, "hope you like heights, high wire’s next," he chuckled.
re: busted Luna 7:50 pm monday july 24, 2000
Luna felt herself being pulled up then began to spin around only to be suddenly stopped by Jester. She grabbed his arms to steady herself and gave him her meanest look. His next words are what got her attention. A mischievous smile spread over her lips. 'Heights huh? My specialty!' She quickly hid the smile and frowned instead. "Actually I hate heights."
re: busted Jester 7:53 pm monday july 24, 2000
Jester gave her a grin, "get used to them quickly," he said, then trotted into the big top.
Act 2 Luna 7:59 pm monday july 24, 2000
Luna shrugged her shoulders and followed behind Jester a little slower than he. She smiled slightly as she stepped up next to him. She glanced up at him nervously as he pointed to the ladder and she slowly began to climb up with him close behind her. She got to the top and held onto the railing beside her, pretending to be terrified as she inwardly giggled. She looked down and waited for him to tell her what to do. "I'm horrible at this sort of thing," she lied.
re: Act 2 Jester 8:06 pm monday july 24, 2000
"Don't worry, if you fall, you'll land in the net," he told her with a smile, then hopped onto the high wire and turned with an outstretched hand for her. "Take a step out and just wander along the wire, you don't have to do anything fancy," he instructed calmly.
re: Act 2 Luna 8:09 pm monday july 24, 2000
Luna bit her lip as she took a cautious step out onto the wire. She took a few more wobbling steps and took his hand, gripping it tightly. "I don't care if there is a net or not, that doesn't look like a fun fall," she muttered.

Lets go! Blade 8:02 pm monday july 24, 2000
"Great! Lets go!" Blade laughed as she grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room. The black hood slipped off her head and the long dark brown hair spilled out behind her. She ignored it, not actually worried about being seen at the moment. Who would be looking for her at the circus? 'No one would think to look there.' She smiled as she pulled Angelo inside and tossed the front man a handful of silver.
re: Lets go! Angelo 8:09 pm monday july 24, 2000
Angelo followed begrudgingly, then took a deep breath as they entered the circus grounds. He hated being around this many people, it only gave Vex ample victims and served to embarrass him.
re: Lets go! Blade 8:14 pm monday july 24, 2000
Blade giggled as she pulled him into the main tent. "I think we made it just in time," she replied a little too excitedly. 'I don't care, I've never been to a circus before!' "Wow there's so many people! I had no idea these things got so busy! This must be a really great show!" She laughed as she continued to drag him along after her. re: Lets go! Angelo 8:16 pm monday july 24, 2000 "As far as I know, this is the only circus in the world, so people come from all over." Angelo told her as she dragged him along behind her. "I've even met people from Enigma who've come here just to watch the show."
re: Lets go! Blade 8:31 pm monday july 24, 2000
"Really? I heard that Ligeia once had a circus before Kantu," she sighed sadly. "Oh well, let’s just enjoy this."
re: Lets go! Angelo 11:52 pm monday july 24, 2000
Angelo glanced at her. "That's the whole point, they USED to." He answered calmly. "Now everyone flocks here for their entertainment. I suppose it's not so bad, keeps the economy alive, but it's the circus and the inns that make the largest share of the money, then the weapons and items shops...places like my father's toy store are barely hanging by a thread..." He trailed off, then gave her a smile. "But there's no reason to dwell on something you can't do anything about." He looked out into the arena and watched the act on the high wire. It was amusing enough watching the two performers, but he still felt uncomfortable among the crowd. He felt Vex slowly seep from his mind and suddenly became nervous of what the guardian had planned for whatever unsuspecting victim he'd chosen. His question was answered when a man three benches down from the one he and Blade were sitting on began throwing peanuts at one of the circus goers next to him. Angelo bowed his head and tried not to notice, but the scuffle began to intensify as the peanut hurler threw a right jab. 'VEX!' He called to his guardian mentally. 'Knock it off!' He felt Vex seep back into his body and curl up in his mind, then heard the demon's snickering laughter as a fight ensued three benches down.

Highwire Jester 8:13 pm monday july 24, 2000
Jester gripped her hand, then released it and backed away from her, "keep following me," he told her, "until you're at the center of the wire." He grinned and drew four knives from his belt sheathes, then began juggling them. He could tell she was lying to him, he could see through the fake mask of fear she'd painted. He flashed her a smile, then tossed the knives over her head and leaped, catching the blades and landing behind her, sending her bouncing into the air.
re: Highwire Luna 8:19 pm monday july 24, 2000
Luna's eyes widened, taken off guard by the sudden move and felt herself being thrown upwards. She quickly recovered and did several flips before landing neatly back on the wire. She looked at him with a sly grin on her face trying not to laugh. "I take it you knew I was lying?" she giggled. "Oh well, I was never good at tricks anyways. I'll leave them up to you funny man." She easily strolled over to him and swatted at the bell before giggling again.
re: Highwire Jester 8:24 pm monday july 24, 2000
Jester grinned and started juggling his knives again, "very nicely done, mon petite chou," he chuckled, "now head toward the other side, do whatever strikes your fancy."
re: Highwire Luna 8:29 pm monday july 24, 2000
"Like what?" Luna asked doing a back flip. She looked at him smiled. "I haven't been to a circus since I was ten years old. I have no idea what these highwire acts do and I certainly cannot juggle knives! Come on out Razzmatazz." The little dragon whipped around her legs up to her shoulder and snorted at Jester.
re: Highwire Jester 11:44 pm monday july 24, 2000
Jester grinned at her, continuing to juggle his knifes before he tossed them and completed a back flip before catching the blades and setting them into motion again. "Just do whatever, show off your acrobatics," he told her as he looked at Razzmatazz, then stuck out his tongue at the tiny guardian and bounced on the wire, sending Luna hopping into the air again.
re: Highwire Luna 9:10 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Razz hung on for dear life as Luna flipped backwards in the air. She smoothed the landing into several back flips. Razzmatazz spun around her several times before stopping to snort at Jester. Luna swiped aside a lock of hair that had escaped her braid and fallen in front of her face and grinned at mischievously Jester. "Go get his hat," Luna whispered happily. Razzmatazz snorted again and darted along the wire to whirl around Jester a couple times before running back with the big hat in tow. He obediently left it on top of Luna's head and spun around to hide behind her. "Ta-da!" Luna laughed throwing out her arms.
re: Highwire Jester 9:18 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Jester grinned, "very clever," he said as he watched a streak of blue mist slide along the wire, then make it's way up Luna's right leg and over her body. Rikki Tikki materialized under Jester's hat, a blue polar bear cub suddenly sitting atop her head, the hat tilted over his ears. He was surprisingly weightless, and reached down a blue paw to pat Luna on the head before he leapt and returned to Jester.
re: Highwire Luna 9:27 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Luna smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "It was too big for me anyways," she giggled. She stepped towards Jester leapt over top of him. She made sure that she landed with all of her body weight so that she would send HIM flying into the air.
re: Highwire Jester 9:31 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Jester saw it coming and quickly caught each of his knives before he sailed into the air, easily countering it with a slight twist before landing to face Luna. He sheathed his knives and grinned as Rikki Tikki deposited his cap onto his head, then faded away. "Now we finish," he told her as he made several small leaps and bounds backward to the wire's platform.
re: Highwire Luna 9:47 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Luna looked at him and felt herself actually walking about an inch above the wire on thin air. She toyed with the charm bracelet on her left wrist and cast the Aero spell from her wind Rune on herself. She rolled up into a ball and spun around as she was lifted up then straightened out to land back onto the wire a foot from the platform the just stepped up onto it. "Was that good enough?" she smiled.
re: Highwire Jester 9:53 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Jester grinned and hopped over her, then backed out onto the wire again, "now we get down," he said as he stepped to his right and cannonballed to the net below, bouncing on it a couple of times before he rolled off and waited.
re: Highwire Luna 10:05 am tuesday july 25, 2000
"Haven't you ever heard of a ladder?" Luna smiled as she stepped back onto the wire. She glanced down and grinned as she leapt off the wire flipping three times before landing on her back in the net. She rolled to the edge and leapt onto Jester's back, making herself light as air so that holding her up would be effortless. "That was fun funny man," she giggled.
re: Highwire Jester 10:13 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Jester grinned and wandered toward the spotlight, then took his obligatory bow. He waited for Luna to take hers, then headed for the performer exit at the back of the tent. The sun was starting to sink and night time would fall soon, his shining hours. He looked at Luna, then grinned wickedly, "that was very good," he said as he toyed with his garrote, then flicked it out and started spinning it in a circle, "you're much more effective on the highwire than on my wheel of death." His attention fell to the figure passing along behind one of the tents, then he snapped his garrote back to his hand and coiled it before hanging it from his belt. He grinned a mischievous grin and looked at Luna, "you wanna meet our creepy psychic?" he asked.
re: Highwire Luna 10:19 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Luna shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "Why not? I have nothing better to do," she sighed. "By the way, where am I gonna sleep tonight?" She looked down and kicked a rock out of her way before continuing her stroll alongside Jester.
re: Highwire Jester 10:27 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Jester looked at her, then thought for a moment and grinned, "I think the bearded lady has an extra cot you can use," he answered happily, then snapped out his garrote to snag the psychic's foot. He snared the man's ankle, then looked at Luna, "I guess he's not so psychic after all," he said with a chuckle as he reeled in his catch, only to find a squirming crowd member dangling from the end of the rope.
re: Highwire Luna 10:30 am tuesday july 25, 2000
"Bearded lady?" Luna made a face. "I think I would rather sleep in a tree." She looked at the man at her feet and gave Jester a mean look. "Let that poor guy go."
re: Highwire Loki 10:36 am tuesday july 25, 2000
"Looking for me?" A voice asked from one of the numerous tent posts before a figure stepped into the dwindling light. "You should know by now, Jester, that I don't fall victim to your tricks as easily as others." The white dog at his side made a low growl at the clown, then sat down at his master's side as Loki leaned against the tent pole he'd spoken from. He gave the woman beside him a glance, memorizing her outward features, but little else, something seemed to be protecting her psyche.
re: Highwire Luna 10:45 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Luna's eyes widened when she felt the small twitch in her mind and hurried to put up a wall in her mind to keep him from looking at her past. 'So he really is a psychic.' She shook her head and smiled shyly at him. "Hello, I'm Luna," she told him. She glanced at Jester out of the corner of her eye and turned to lightly kick him in the shin. "Will you PLEASE let that man go?" re: Highwire Jester 10:48 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Jester grinned at her and wrapped his catch up in the garrote, then flicked the rope and watched the guest go spinning off, "how's that?" he asked with a smile, then looked at Loki, "this is Vincent Loki, he's our sideshow psychic...a veritable psychic swami."
re: Highwire Luna 10:55 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Luna gave Jester her meanest look which wasn't very mean at all and sighed as she turned to look at the psychic. "Nice to meet you," she smiled. She felt the swirling of wind as Razzmatazz whirled around her and stopped to examine him. He looked at him and sniffed for a moment then he snorted his disapproval. "Don't mind Razzmatazz, he doesn't like anyone," she giggled.
Razzle Dazzle with Jester's Hat! Razzmatazz 12:18 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Razzmatazz swirled around his Luna again and stopped at her left shoulder so that he could glare at the one called Jester. He stood up on two legs and snorted at the red haired man before swirling around his Luna's waist only to whoosh around Jester. He made a slight hissing sound as he caught the colorful hat in his teeth and made off with it. He leapt to the and made his escape, the bells jingling as he tripped over the fabric and rolled over and over. He could hear his Luna laughing softly behind him and jumped up to run again.
re: Razzle Dazzle with Jester's Hat! Luna 12:24 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Luna giggled as she watched the dragon's clumsy attempts to escape with Jester's hat. Before Jester could make a move Luna was rushing after her guardian. "Razz give that back this instant!" she scolded the dragon. She finally caught up with him and scooped him up in her arms, pulling the hat from his grasp. She looked at him and smiled softly as she tweaked his snout. "Just because I like the hat does NOT mean that you can steal it!" She clutched both dragon and the hat into her arms and looked up at Jester with a big grin. "He has a habit of snatching things that I like. Anything to get me to smile...." She sighed sadly as she looked down at the shadow beast in her arms.
re: Razzle Dazzle with Jester's Hat! Razzmatazz 12:37 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Razzmatazz sensed the sadness in his Luna and nuzzled up against her. Then he turned his head and snorted at Jester as if to warn him not to touch her.

Familiar faces Blade 9:19 am tuesday july 25, 2000
"Yeah you're right, no sense in dwelling on it," she watched the disturbance below her for a moment then lifted her eyes back up to the highwire act. She narrowed her eyes at the girl that was up there and knew that she looked familiar. The bright circus lights brought out the red highlights in her hair but it was the face that drew Blade's attention. She was very sweet, almost childish, looking. It was the girl from the temple. "Hey Angelo, I think that's your friend up there," Blade replied pointing up.
re: Familiar faces Angelo 9:22 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Angelo looked up and watched the act roll on. He recognized the girl, but he was more familiar with her partner. "Her name's Luna." He told Blade over the din of the crowd. "And her partner's name is Jester Onyx, he's one of the circus' main performers."
re: Familiar faces Blade 9:29 am tuesday july 25, 2000
"I know her name, she told me in the temple," Blade replied. "So what's she doing here? Did you know she worked in the circus?" She looked up at the pair and smiled. "They work good together, its almost as if their competing!"
re: Familiar faces Angelo 9:34 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Angelo shook his head. "No, I didn't know she worked here." He answered as he watched the finishing leg of the act. "I've never known Jester to compete, but I suppose anything's possible."
re: Familiar faces Blade 9:53 am tuesday july 25, 2000
"It sure looks to me like their competing," Blade smiled. "Oh well really don't know either of them so I wouldn't really know." Blade looked around and scanned the faces of people walking around. Her eyes finally rested on someone familiar and she nearly jumped out of her seat. 'How did he find me?!' She grabbed Angelo's arm and tugged on it. "Hey, you know, I'm kinda bored. Can we go now?"
re: Familiar faces Angelo 10:05 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Angelo tore his eyes from Jester, then looked at Blade. "Yeah, if you want to." He answered, then got up and followed her.
Hasty Retreat Blade 10:10 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Blade sighed with relief as she pulled the hood back over her head and pulled him out of the tent. She sucked in a deep breath of night air and started walking to get as far away from the tent as possible. "So what do you want to do now?" she asked turning around and walked backwards so that she was facing him while she spoke. "You know this place better than I do."
re: Hasty Retreat Angelo 10:19 am tuesday july 25, 2000
"I suppose that all depends on what you have in mind." Angelo answered, then spun around in a circle and walked off to the right, giving Blade a bewildered 'follow me I can't help it' look.
re: Hasty Retreat Blade 10:23 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Blade's mouth dropped open and her eyes widened slightly when he turned. Then, unable to control herself, burst out laughing. She hurried to catch up to him and chuckled as she grabbed a hold of him to force him to stop. "What kind of guardian is he anyways? How is it that he controls you instead of the reverse?" she asked curiously.
re: Hasty Retreat Angelo 10:39 am tuesday july 25, 2000
"He controls my body, but not necessarily my mind, he can't manipulate my thoughts." Angelo answered. "I suppose I can't control him because I didn't choose him, he just...assigned himself to me." He stuffed his hands in his pockets, then glanced at Blade before he looked to the ground. "This is why I don't go out in public." He finished softly.
re: Hasty Retreat Blade 10:42 am tuesday july 25, 2000
"Its okay, you should have told me sooner. I wouldn't have made you come here," she sighed. "No one really actually chooses their guardians. Scythe chose me and Orion chose Galahad for me so I didn't do my choosing either." She smiled warmly at him.
re: Hasty Retreat Angelo 10:46 am tuesday july 25, 2000
Angelo looked at her, then sighed. "Well, Vex is condemned, even by the other demons, he's been sentenced to spend his eternity in chains and-" He cut off as Vex suddenly pinched something close in his mind. 'Ah ah ah, boy, no need giving away ALL of my secrets.' Vex chuckled.
re: Hasty Retreat Blade 10:49 am tuesday july 25, 2000
"Ha so he's just a misfit guardian," Blade muttered. "And I thought I had it bad with mine arguing all the time." She grabbed Angelo's arm and pulled him towards the town. "I guess since you don't like public places we'll just wonder around for awhile."

Divine Intervention Mephistos 3:49 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
The lights in the circus dimmed for the next act and there was a rush of wind in the empty seats behind the huntress and the silver haired man. A man appeared, unnoticed by the crowd around him and he leaned forward, elbows on his knees towards the pair. "Hello Silvara," he said in a quietly ominous voice.
re: Divine Intervention Silvara 4:00 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Silvara pulled her eyes away from the show when she heard a man behind her call her name. Lamashtu had finally grown bored enough to doze off so it wasn't surprising that she hadn't warned her of his approach...because there hadn't been anyone behind her a second ago. Lavender eyes swept him and a friendly smile shaped her lips, he was quite handsome...tall, short wavy black hair that seemed to absorb the light, and intense black eyes. 'Quite handsome...' The bounty hunter tossed her bangs from her eyes and the smile turned into a playful grin, "well hello yourself."
re: Divine Intervention Mephistos 4:10 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Mephistos grinned as he drew closer to whisper in her ear. "Have you any inkling of who I am?" A mischievous light played in his black eyes as he stared into her violet ones. His grin spread even wider as he told her without speaking. He chuckled softly as he continued, not caring about her reaction. "I heard you talking to little Luna today, I see you have become quite drawn to her. It is no surprise, everyone is..." He waved his hand as if to change the subject. "You're friend here doesn't seem to like me much. He must be a follower of that brother of mine huh? Hey, are you one of Orion's faithful followers?" he chuckled. "But you, my little huntress are one of mine, am I correct?"
re: Divine Intervention Silvara 4:17 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
The playful grin left Silvara's face replaced by an unusual somber expression as her lavender eyes fell away. The bounty hunter forced herself to meet his eyes, unwilling to appear a coward before her god. "Yes, I am yours."
re: Divine Intervention Mephistos 4:23 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Mephistos nodded once, acknowledging her bravery. "And I must admit that you are one of my favorite as well. Few have served me so well," he sighed as he leaned back. "Shall we retreat to a more... private place. All of these unfaithfuls make my stomach churn." He waved his hand as he rolled his eyes and in a flash they were standing outside the tent in the night air. He breathed a sigh of relief and turned to the huntress. "Your friend is going to be jealous when he discovers that I whisked you away, don't you love it?" he grinned deviously as he turned and peered through the shadows. "There is Luna now. You see the aura of sadness around her? Do you wish for me to tell you why?"
re: Divine Intervention Silvara 4:29 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Silvara found herself returning his grin before she turned and gazed at Luna. "Ilaron is hardly a friend, my lord." Her smile fell away as she watched the woman, "but yes, please tell me about Luna."
re: Divine Intervention Mephistos 4:45 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Mephistos chuckled at her statement and turned to gaze at the woman they were currently discussing. "Her family was once the richest, most powerful family in Ligeia. Luna was given everything she wanted and more, a veritable little princess you might say, of course she was very happy. Then her mother and infant brother died during childbirth... I wish that I could blame Orion for that but alas the woman was just too frail to handle a second birthing. Her father began to shelter Luna, not letting her out of the house, even for a second, when he was not with her. That hurt her more than it helped her... I'm sure that you can see why. Eventually Kantu our lovable warlord dropped in for a visit and burned the house to the ground, killing her father and leaving Luna with no one but her aunt who just so happened to die a year ago," he sighed. "I know she told you about Razzmatazz but if you have ever been to Ligeia then I am sure that you understand why she needed the protection.... You want to know why I'm telling you this don't you?" He crossed his arms over his chest and stared into her eyes as he stepped closer. "To be perfectly frank, you are one of the few people that have actually befriended Luna with no questions asked. And... you helped her in the tavern as well. I wish for you to keep your eye on her if it is no problem. I know that you are helping Ilaron search for the girl of his dreams but until he faces the fact that he'll need help from the gods to find her then you two will only be running in circles like chickens with their heads cut off. Understand?"
re: Divine Intervention Silvara 5:00 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Silvara's eyes had softened as she learned of Luna's tragic history. "She's like me, we've both lost everything we ever cared about..." The bounty hunter nodded and turned her full attention back to Mephistos, her expression filling with quiet determination. "I will guard her, my lord, she is my friend and I would not dream of denying you." Silvara shook back her hair and met his eyes, "how else may I serve you, my lord?" Silvara stood there waiting for his reply, striving to remain calm even though something in her mind was shrieking with excitement that she was actually taking to him. Her somber expression fell away and a dazzled grin shaped her lips. 'This is incredible...'
re: Divine Intervention Mephistos 5:04 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
"I am glad to hear it," he announced. "I would not want anything to happen to her, she is a very special person as you once mentioned...." He put his hands on his hips and flashed her a devilish grin as he leaned closer to her. "I AM incredible aren't I?"
re: Divine Intervention Silvara 5:22 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Silvara's eyes flew wide and a blush crept up her cheeks. 'Of course he can read my...' The blush deepened but she smiled, unable to help herself in the face of his grin. "Yes...you are, my lord." The bounty hunter felt the blush fading and sighed with relief, it was finally starting to sink in and she was getting flustered by his presence. It wasn't surprising, it wasn't every day your god singled you out and actually spoke to you... and he had said she was one of his favorite followers. A gentle warmth spread through her at the thought and the dazzled grin returned. 'I never thought he would have even noticed someone like me...at least I haven't freaked out yet or done something equally mortifying...' The blush returned, hot color rising to stain her cheeks, 'of course I'm standing here blushing like an idiot...' The bounty hunter gave a soft moan and briefly closed her eyes in embarrassment.
re: Divine Intervention Mephistos 5:38 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
"Ahh don't worry about it," Mephistos chuckled at her colored cheeks. "I am used to this reaction... but did you know that Luna did not act thus? It was quite surprising when she just smiled up at me like I was just another mortal. Heh, I suppose that is what won me over to her. Hmmm..." he rubbed his chin as he thought for a moment. He reached into his pouch and retrieved a small but smooth black stone. He held it out then tossed it to her flashing her a grin. "I'd give you a rune but then my brother would have my head over it so I'll give this to you instead. If you rub it along the blades of your weapons then it will give then a poison effect. Very useful if you ask me."
re: Divine Intervention Silvara 6:05 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Silvara caught the black stone, thankful that her reflexes hadn't disappeared with her composure. "Wow." She stared at it for a moment, a delighted smile shaping her lips as she lifted her gaze back to Mephistos. "I suppose you're also used to people thanking you as well...but thank you, my lord." The smile turned into sunny grin and her nervousness fell away as she bowed, "my blades and my life to your service, now and always."
re: Divine Intervention Mephistos 6:10 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
"Very wise of you indeed," Mephistos grinned. "Especially since the shadows outnumber the light. Poor Orion, now paying for his quick temper. Its too bad isn't it?" Mephistos chuckled. "I will leave you at that little huntress. I will have to remind myself to pay a visit to our humorous friend over there," he told her with a nod towards Jester. "Wonder how he'll react?" He disappeared, leaving only his laughter fading into the distance.
re: Divine Intervention Silvara 7:08 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Silvara blinked and grinned as his laughter faded away, "oh my..." The grin widened as she realized what she had almost said, "...exactly!" The bounty hunter clutched the black stone to her chest and giggled as she spun about, "I can't believe it!" Her lavender eyes sparkled with a combination of awe and happiness, "he spoke to me!" Her gaze swept across the way to Luna and her smile warmed, it wouldn't be any trouble to guard her. "Besides, she's about the only person I've met lately that I actually like, and Lamashtu wanted me to...." The bounty hunter's mouth dropped in surprise, "I forgot about her," her expression fell, "and Ilaron..." With a shrug, Silvara turned back to the tent only to stop and giggle again, "he teleported me! Lamashtu won't believe this!" Still giggling, Silvara tucked the black stone into her pouch and bounded back inside the tent and made her way to the sleeping lioness. "Lamashtu! Mother..wake up!" The lioness gave her an annoyed glare and turned to gently bite the hand shaking her.
‘What?! I was quite comfortable, my daughter’
Silvara ignored her sulky tone and pulled her hand free of the gleaming teeth with a small laugh. "You're not going to believe this but..." her excitement faded somewhat as she glanced up to see Ilaron standing over them. "Uhhh...what?"

caught Siiro 7:12 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Siiro grinned when he spotted her. Sitting there quietly, enjoying the circus. 'Enjoy it while you can because you're about to die.' His grin broadened when he seen her rush out of there like the hounds of hell. 'Good she doesn't know I seen her.' He followed behind her, quietly staying in the shadows as he watched her. She didn't suspect a thing. 'You're going to get it now...' He stepped out of the shadows and enjoyed the anguish that appeared on her face. "Yes its me... come to finish what we began earlier. Prepare to die Blade Ravenhart."
re: caught Angelo 7:22 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Angelo spun around and made a move, then stopped dead still. His body froze in place and he stood like a helpless statue. 'This is not your fight, boy.' Vex told him. 'VEX! Lemme go! I have to help her!' He told his guardian with a mental snap. 'You will be patient, this is not your fight, boy.' Vex answered.
The Arms of Orion Orion 7:30 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
A doorway suddenly appeared behind Vincent Loki as he stood in the darkness. "Vincent Loki." Orion said as he stepped through the door, then let it blink out. "I've a task for you, one which will bring you a great reward should you succeed." He drew from his pocket a dull gray stone, even the stars refusing to twinkle off it's surface. "A special gift in a not so special package."
re: The Arms of Orion Blade 7:36 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Blade looked at Siiro, dread tightening her every muscle. She remembered the last time they fault.. she nearly died. She barely escaped. He was just way too strong. "Angelo? Angelo this isn't a good time for your guardian to play with you!" she cried helplessly as she backed away from Siiro. She stared into his ice blue eyes and trembled. "Damnit Angelo he uses water magic! He'll kill me!" Blade managed to free the twin swords from her back and click them together at the hilt. She held the double sword in front of her and wished that she had a reflect rune.
re: The Arms of Orion Loki 7:44 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Loki nodded. At the simply gesture he suddenly found himself somewhere in the streets of town. A quick look around gave him bearing and he assumed that the three people standing here were his task. The magic of the moving male pulsed in an icy aura, he was water based, his one true weakness. He drew Pendulum from his pocket and removed the blade guard, then took his place at the girl's side, giving the immobile toy maker he'd seen before a quick glance.
re: The Arms of Orion Blade 7:53 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
"Who are you?" Blade muttered as she glanced at the newcomer. She quickly turned back towards Siiro, not wanting to take her eyes off of him. "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into and I pray you aren't weak against water..." Blade instantly regretted taking her eyes off of Siiro when he cast the first ice spell. The 'Ice Strike' hit her full blast, knocking her back against a wall. She shook her head and looked up, her eyes blurred from the attack. 'Damn water spells...' she lifted her hand and returned the blow with a Flame Blast. Her head pounded as she struggled to get back to her feet.
re: The Arms of Orion Loki 7:57 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Loki watched the girl go sailing, then looked at the man responsible for the magic. He loosened Pendulum's cord so that both ends dangled from the same end of the handle, then swung the blade, adding the counterweight after the rotation was established. He drew his opponent's attention to the spinning blade and counterweight, attempting to hypnotize him just enough so he'd relax his mind a little.
re: The Arms of Orion Siiro 8:06 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Siiro felt a sudden dizziness as he watched the strange weapon go around but shook it off with a growl. "You'll have to do better than that!" he yelled stumbling backwards. "You shouldn't mess in other people's business." With a grim smile he lifted the rune in his hand and cast Blizzard at his opponent.
re: The Arms of Orion Blade 8:20 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Blade finally managed to get to her feet. She looked up at Siiro with burning hatred in her softly glowing eyes as she took a small step towards him and lifted her double sword. "Let's see if you can handle the Blade Fury," she growled as the sword ignited with a black flame. She used the distraction to her advantage as she leapt towards him, attacking with full fury until he began to falter away from her. She swung the blade into his left leg, using the momentum it created to bring the other blade slicing into his left hip. She jumped away from him, as he fell backwards, and dropped to one knee. He glared at her as he hurried back to his feet and limped off into the shadows. Blade sighed her relief as her head slumped forward. "Who ARE you?" she asked the mysterious man breathlessly.
re: The Arms of Orion Loki 8:23 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Loki looked at her and slowed Pendulum's swing until it stopped, then replaced the blade guard and put the weapon back in his pocket. He brushed the ice chips off his left sleeve, then looked at girl calmly. "My name is Vincent Loki," he answered in a soft, nearly inaudible, tone.
re: The Arms of Orion Blade 8:27 pm tuesday july 25, 2000
Blade nodded. "Well that answers the who, so what about the why?" she asked. "I know you didn't come help me just for the hell of it, no one has done that since they lost faith in the gods." She sighed as she let herself drop back down in a sitting position. "Damn water spells..."
re: The Arms of Orion Loki 0:20 am wednesday july 26, 2000
Loki looked at her for a moment, then at the frozen toy maker before he took a deep, cleansing breath. "I was sent here." he answered finally. The blizzard spell had weakened him substantially, but he wasn't about to display his weakness. "Obviously, to aid the two of you."