Heaven
Gamer
make me believe in something good
Posts: 128
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Post by Heaven on Jan 31, 2009 11:39:46 GMT -5
The shop was almost too well hidden leading one down a sheltered winding path that was cut off from the morning sun undisturbed in its journey across the sky. It was one of those fine days where there didn’t seem to be a cloud in the sky. Even so this place managed to never lose its air of hostility, poverty and decadence; be it day or night. There was no hiding the crowded proximities of run down or unfinished buildings and neither the rickety makeshift shelters and stalls. Yet in it all there lay a long faded classical beauty as if once, so long ago it had been as beautiful as the city of Avalon itself till ruin found it.
Heaven followed the small path as it led as it lay between the sides of sprawling buildings the light was subdued here, sparse and dappled where they managed to penetrate the shadowed and cool path through the seeming maze of stone walls. Curtains hung out of windows and holes where windows had been too much of a luxury to place. Bare wooden frames a hollow suggestion of what should have been.
The path finally widened slightly till it could encompass two people walking side by side again and then further still bringing with it a small semi circled courtyard that looked less than well maintained. A small flurry of currently abandoned stalls lay bereft and skeletal on each side like guarding sentinels asleep with secrets untold. The sun was however back and free to fill the place with sunshine. The shop itself was like a relic from a forgotten age as it sat there with a worn droopiness that at first seemed a play of the imagination. Its display windows were cluttered with old bottles and other bits and pieces. It looked rather abandoned with its black draping material behind the dusty panes. Above the door lay an almost faded sign the words having at some point been etched in with gold now buffed away by the years of neglect. It hung awkwardly above the small door, as if along its way it had given up any desire to continue. Still the name was still just visible. Serpent Moon.
Heaven pushed open the door having to stoop a little as she entered. "Watch your head." she warned. The shop was larger than its given impression from the outside but by no means well lit. It was almost impossible to see anything for a few seconds as her eyes adjusted from the brightness of the sun to the lighting or rather considerable lack of it within.
The smell of incense and patchouli permeated the air curling itself around her senses as she entered. It almost felt like stepping into a world within a world. The shelves looked moderately well kept at best, sporting all manner and shapes of jars, some with things in them that didn’t bear asking shimmering dully where they managed to steal a glimpse of light. No matter how many times she came she couldn’t help but appreciate ancient and mystical quality seeped into every corner and item in this place. Even the books were like touching a thing from time unknown.
There was a young girl moving around valiantly dusting, the routine consisting of an up and then down motion as she climbed up on her little footstool, dusted as best her small arms could reach, climbed down, then moved the footstool a little and proceeded to climb on top again continuing the seemingly unending cycle. Her face broke into a small comely smile that bordered on a shy welcome her gaze widening marginally as she saw Ri. She gave her a small shy wave as colour spread across her cheeks.
Behind the well worn counter there sat a woman holding a small child to her waist. She looked slightly worse for wear obviously having just got the child to sleep. She wore the look of someone full of exhausted relief and the quick look she gave promised dire consequences for the one that would wake the child again. Despite it she was beautiful, even with the terrible looking shawl she had round her shoulders. Chances were no one could look good against its unforgiving colour and design. Corn silk curls had escaped her headdress framing her face delightfully as she looked at Heaven questioningly.
“Where’s the old biddy then?” Heaven asked unceremoniously of the woman who smiled uneasily at her words.
Before the woman could answer there was a shuffling form that headed out from the far side door where the shelves for the spell books resided. An occasional tap then shuffle announced the walking stick even before she that held it walked into the light clothed in a dark robe. Strands of white hair curled round her forehead where they had escaped her usual severe bun. Her mouth was turned down in a perpetually dour expression, her wrinkles deep seated round her forehead, eyes and mouth leaving her with jowls certainly not improved by her expression.
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Ri
Gamer
River's Flow With The World
Posts: 122
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Post by Ri on Jan 31, 2009 14:03:34 GMT -5
Ri ducked her head as she came in behind Heaven looking around the shop as her eyes adjusted. Not paying any attention she bumped into Heaven quickly she grabbed a hold of Heaven's waist to keep from nocking the girl over.
"errr sorry Heaven" she blushed hard under the older woman's gaze. She moved back a little to try and hid behind Heaven quickly rolling down her sleeves to hid her marks.
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Heaven
Gamer
make me believe in something good
Posts: 128
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Post by Heaven on Jan 31, 2009 15:36:40 GMT -5
She couldn't say that the bump didn't surprise her but the heat that spread across her cheeks had more to do with the hold around her waist. Especially as the old woman looked at her surprise at seeing Heaven giving way to slight confusion as though old her quick gaze caught the hold before it was withdrawn as sudden understanding dawned.
Heaven wasn't sure she liked that look at all. She looked towards Ri her gaze a combination of concern and accusation. "Crone." she said simply as she looked back to the old woman as she approached. The woman muttered something as she did the fragile white bones visible under the thin wrinkled skin stretched over the hand that clutched a hold of the walking stick.
Her expression was particularly sour as her worn gaze fell on the brown haired girl but there was a definite hint of cogs working behind that withered face. What was she planning this time? “It’s you…again, what a delight. Hecate has surely favoured us to see you again.” The words sounded forced, false and devoid of any truth but then Heaven was well attuned to this woman. "I see you bring a friend...I thought you had none. Or at least that's what you've led me to believe. Or maybe she 'isn't' your 'friend' but more." walking over to Ri she walked round her taking her in pointedly taking her in none too subtly.
"A hybrid." she said stepping back with a small hiss.
Heaven frowned irritably "You know why I'm here...that's all that need concern you." Heaven said pointedly feeling suddenly prickly and on the defensive.
The old woman's gaze snapped back to Heaven "Fine. I've been keeping these just for you; somehow I knew you would return." Like a rash you can’t quite rid yourself of, but one day i will, she thought in addition her forced smile re-materialising. This time however it would seem things had changed a little. Never before had she seen Heaven with someone else in tow. How very interesting indeed. Lifting a ringed hand she waved it quickly producing two coloured envelopes in the blink of an eye, one blue, one red but before Heaven could reach out to choose one it was snapped away from her and presented to Ri instead.
Old wizened eyes stared at the girl "Choose the quest...or are you too scared." she said mockingly as she held out the envelopes to her a palpably ominous air surrounding her.
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Ri
Gamer
River's Flow With The World
Posts: 122
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Post by Ri on Jan 31, 2009 16:06:07 GMT -5
Ri growled at the old woman, so she was a hybrid so what, her fangs peeked over her lips a bit but she didn't act. Reaching out she asked "can i just chose one or can i take both of them" reaching for the red one she her sleeves slid down a bit revealing her marks but the woman already knew she was a hybrid.
Ri paused but did she know whose daughter she was and what hybrid she was exactly. Growling she took the red one and in her clawed hands and said "I have no reason to fear what i know is bond to come life is a simple thing you live, you age, you die" she felt her anger reaching a point it was like this old woman just made all her thoughts about restraint go out the window.
Moving to stand beside Heaven she took calming breaths through her nose and wanted to make a face, Where Heaven smelt very nice, the old woman smelt very bad like old milk or bread. Still the blood in the aged body did call to her. Clenching the one hand that wasn't holding the envelope she she held herself back. Some how she just new she would hate this woman, it was like she would be the blame for most of her troubles and Heaven's.
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Heaven
Gamer
make me believe in something good
Posts: 128
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Post by Heaven on Feb 1, 2009 5:44:54 GMT -5
Heaven watched silently choosing not to say anything. The old woman was up to something, she could practically smell it. She was always up to something but this time seemed rather a bit more gleeful. She felt it strange that she hadn't let her choose still she didn't mind, it was the same no matter who was to choose.
"You can choose only one" was the reply curt and leaving no room for argument her gaze never leaving Ri even as she did choose. At Ri's reply there was a look of disdain at those words as the woman stepped back the choice having been made. She looked towards Heaven briefly with a smile that wasn't at all the friendly one it masqueraded itself at. It was more a victorious one, that smile Heaven had come to know well enough.
Then training her gaze back on Ri, she said simply "If you think that is it...then you know nothing at all." and it was delivered like a sentence an imposing sense of doom in her voice as if she knew more than she was willing to tell. She made a quick flick of her fingers and the remaining envelope disappeared as if it had never been. Heaven wasn't impressed, she'd seen her do this so many times now, what she was interested in, always was, was the contents of the envelope Ri had chosen. When that wizened old gaze found hers again Heaven smiled a little and then they slid to Ri again as she moved to stand beside her. Her smile was lost at the woman’s next words because she couldn't understand it. She hated that spell when she was on the receiving end of it. To her it sounded like a foreign language but to the girl it was aimed at, her words were clear as day.
"I would be careful around this one, hybrid. Some people can never be redeemed."
Heaven didn't ask. She had no doubt it wasn't good but it was probably true. Despite it there was mild apprehension there was after all no way to completely avoid the feeling that came with the knowledge someone was talking about you especially when what was said was unknown to you.
She looked to Ri "Ready?" she questioned simply.
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Ri
Gamer
River's Flow With The World
Posts: 122
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Post by Ri on Feb 1, 2009 9:40:13 GMT -5
Ri growled again at the old woman before turning to Heaven and nodding "yeah i am ready" quickly walking to the exit she ducked and went outside trying to calm herself. Breathing air and panting.
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Heaven
Gamer
make me believe in something good
Posts: 128
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Post by Heaven on Feb 1, 2009 10:41:00 GMT -5
Heaven watched her curiously once they were back out in the sun again. For Heaven there was a certain appreciation that came with the fresh air and the light. It meant continuation and freedom despite her love for the world that came with the inside of the shop she loved the feeling of being able to escape it too. She valued her freedom too much to be cooped up in confined spaces too long.
A small look of concern flittered across her face, what was it that had her troubled? Was she perhaps ill? She couldn't very well start on a quest if she wasn't well...Her thoughts came to a sudden pause. Since when had that ever mattered? Her normal reaction would have been to forge on ahead regardless, if it meant leaving her behind then so be it. Yet here she still stood...actually concerned.
"Are you ill Ri?" she asked voice giving nothing more than a detached questioning. "You seem...agitated. Do you wish to take a break?"
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Ri
Gamer
River's Flow With The World
Posts: 122
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Post by Ri on Feb 1, 2009 10:53:52 GMT -5
Ri leaned back against the wall and shook her head "no i am not ill, that old lady just got me real riled up is all, i never thought i would have to fight with myself so much as i did in there she was practically begging form me to hurt her" Ri's breathing was back to normal and she smiled "plus she smelt really bad"
Walking over to Heaven she gave her the red envelope "here is the quest".
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Heaven
Gamer
make me believe in something good
Posts: 128
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Post by Heaven on Feb 3, 2009 17:38:23 GMT -5
Heaven watched her quietly seeming to pay rather more attention to her as she spoke than she had for awhile. She wasn't sure how this anger aspect was to be dealt with. It was her normal process to take apart and piece it back together in all conceivable outcomes. If she had to fight to control it, what was her breaking point and when she reached this breaking point...what happened then. Outwardly she gave no indication of what she was thinking as slender fingers curled round the envelope taking it slowly as she spoke "She spends a lot of time making potions and locked in small rooms with things best not thought of, she is bound to smell less than pleasant on a sensitive nose."
The sense of being watched was heavy on her senses and as if drawn she looked back at the shop. There was no one at the window, the door was shut, nothing twitched suspiciously but she couldn't rid herself of the feeling. She hated being watched like this and there was no doubt about it or about whom it was doing the watching.
"Let's leave this place." she said as she began walking leaving the shop behind and moving back from whence they had initially left the more crowded streets of the slums, avoiding one or two people when they would have bumped into her. She wasn't stupid, that trick wouldn't work here. People weren't clumsy here, they never walked aimlessly and accidents were rare. Being robbed blind wasn't. Looking back to assure herself Ri was still with her and her over-eager footsteps, she retreated to the shade of a nearby tree where a small makeshift bench in the form of an long abandoned log lay curved and welcoming. It was obviously not the first time it was to be used as a seat. Sitting she waited for the girl to catch up giving a small smile that aimed to say sitting next to her was fine...and perhaps welcomed.
Fingers fidgeted with the sealed flap of the envelope feeling that sense of excitement that always came with these things. Those first moments in which you wondered just what it might be, that small flash of uncertainty that even she could feel. Without thinking much as to why she looked to Ri as if to silently confirm she was ready, done with a simple rise of her brow before beginning to tear open the envelope.
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Ri
Gamer
River's Flow With The World
Posts: 122
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Post by Ri on Feb 4, 2009 14:07:12 GMT -5
Ri sat down next to Heaven and leaned over a bit to look at the letter with the quest on it. She could feel her senses coming back to normal though so it was a plus."Well lets get this quest started"
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Heaven
Gamer
make me believe in something good
Posts: 128
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Post by Heaven on Feb 4, 2009 14:42:58 GMT -5
She wasted no further time and got straight to reading it. Heaven wasn’t one to read out loud, the courtesy eluded her simply because she had not had to consider the presence of another much less the need to communicate information in that manner. She did however hold it in a way that they could both read it with ease her hair falling forward around her bent head, eyes thoughtful… It simply read; ‘Solaris’
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Shining like the light of a thousand stars with the brightness of the strongest fire Hilt golden and resplendent the sword dubbed Solaris was forged to never miss a stroke Cut through stone and fabled to have the power to read and grant the dreams that lie in a warrior’s heart.
To learn its true name is to acquire knowledge previously unknown and to alter the hand’s of fate with a will as quick as the dazzling glint that falls from it's tip or propel those it deems worthy towards a new beginning.
Solaris has long been lost to many who have searched for it hidden deep in the unfathomable caverns that lie deep in the Shiverpeak Mountains and protected by a powerful merciless beast yet undefeated. For those brave enough its promises have driven their search and consequently many have lost their lives in the search but for the one that would find it and liberate it from the protection of Dvalinn and Durin great power will surely be theirs.
To begin the quest, travel to the footfalls of Shiverpeak Mountains in the continent of Kelara and seek out Mòtsognir the first.
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Ri
Gamer
River's Flow With The World
Posts: 122
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Post by Ri on Feb 4, 2009 19:10:50 GMT -5
Ri grinned snow was her favorite kind of weather she would have some fun on the quest. Looking over to Heaven she said "sounds like it is going to be fun what do you think Heaven" she took the letter gently from her hands and read it over again.
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Heaven
Gamer
make me believe in something good
Posts: 128
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Post by Heaven on Feb 5, 2009 2:59:00 GMT -5
Heaven in comparison wasn’t a 'snow' type of person. She loved the rain and loved the sun, she even loved the things in-between on those grey days where it was neither wet nor sunny... but she had no affinity for snow.
However that wasn't going to stop her from going, it would take a lot more to convince her not to do anything. A patch of bad weather was a minor thing that she was more than confident she could handle. Getting there was another thought...walking would take far too long for her liking, already eager to be away but having never been to that region teleportation was out of the question. She'd probably have to summon something instead...as for supplies she was sure she could find most things on the way, for others she would have no option but to buy. She didn't think there would be many willing to brave the mountains so stealing in a pinch was out of the question and food would thin out the deeper they went. Another thing, but one she would deal with when she got there, how would she find this Mòtsognir?
She realised suddenly that she hadn't replied simply used to working it out all in her mind that it had gone off on its own tangent. "I'm game." she replied simply but there was an excitable impatience in her eyes that said she wanted to be there…yesterday.
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Ri
Gamer
River's Flow With The World
Posts: 122
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Post by Ri on Feb 5, 2009 14:45:44 GMT -5
Ri jumped up "then lets get going then i can't wait to get up there so i can transform some it will be nice to stretch my body some" Ri looked up at the sky with glee written all over her face. Tail swishing back and forth fast.
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Heaven
Gamer
make me believe in something good
Posts: 128
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Post by Heaven on Feb 6, 2009 4:44:24 GMT -5
"Transform...?" she muttered and it came out sounding like a question she hadn't intended to ask as she rose at a much slower pace looking deceptively like each movement had been thought of first. She began heading out of the area, it wouldn't do to summon anything here, especially if she didn't get it right the first time round. She needed an open place.
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