The sun had set a little while ago, and there were only a few hours until midnight. Win remembered his promise, and he wouldn't break it and let his friend down. He checked himself in the mirror in his bedroom. Good thing I shaved today... He changed into a new plaid linen shirt and found his cowboy hat hanging from a peg on the wall. He placed it on his head and was out the door.
Richie had complained that he had seen little of Win in the past few months, and had just started asserting the necessity for a drink at the tavern with the excuse that "He was having some problems with the wife and needed some advice." Win never understood how he could possibly be suspected of knowing more about women than the married man, when he himself had never found luck in love. Richie claimed it was Win's honorable compromise between logic and emotion. I have no idea what that means... he thought to himself as he strode down the street in the dark. His breath was visible in the night air.
He found his way to the bar with the peeling green paint, the Drunken Rat Tavern. He pulled off his coat and hung it on a rack while he warmed up to the cozy interior. There was no live performance scheduled for tonight (Strange?) and Win didn't mind. He liked a little bit of silence. He removed his cowboy hat and scanned the room. Richie was nowhere to be found. Win decided to sit at the bar until his friend arrived.
The barkeeper knew Win's "Usual" and slid an ale across the bar into Win's hands. He took a swig and spun around on the stool, looking again. No Richie...
"I can still enjoy myself," he mumbled to the bottom of his mug as he gulped down the ale in between it and himself.
He glanced up at the clock. 9:00. Not too bad. He had plenty of time before midnight. What would he do? He peered down the bar, to a single woman sitting by herself near the stage. Is she alone? What are my chances? He looked away at the pictures of the ship, and imagined which one a failed attempt at approaching the girl identified with: the middle one. This ship, as it is tossed around in the storm, doesn't seem to have any hope.
That's where I'm different. I may have lost a lot, but I still have what I need to be happy and alive. This calls for a celebration... he thought, taking one large swig to this personal toast.
Like a Leaf on the Wind
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake slid, silently as an assassins blade, through the door of the tavern behind another patron and began to check the room. There didn't seem to be any "threatening" types tonight. That was good, he had never liked dealing with bullies and that wasn't about to change. In the blink of an eye Drake had sized up every man, woman, and child in the room, picked out who would be the biggest threat if a fight broke out, an who possessed illegal abilities. He had also identified every shape-shifter in the room, a minor ability that his time with his now missing friend, Cody, had given him.
Drake eased around the broad man that he had followed inside and peered at the barkeep from under his drawn hood. The man tipped his head in acknowledgment and Drake turned to go to his regular seat in the darkened corner, but something stopped him. Drake's attention was drawn to a man sitting at the bar. The man was a shifter, but the energy was different. It made him uneasy. After a moment the unrest passed with a mild shiver and Drake continued to his seat.
Shortly after he had claimed his place a petite, blond barmaid sat his glass in front of him and scurried away. Drake lifted the glass and stared morosely into the deep burgundy liquid. His activities on this night would be the exact same as they had for every night since he had returned to Marn. With Cody having disappeared, and no new dreams to guide his path, he was stuck mulling over the past.
Drake eased around the broad man that he had followed inside and peered at the barkeep from under his drawn hood. The man tipped his head in acknowledgment and Drake turned to go to his regular seat in the darkened corner, but something stopped him. Drake's attention was drawn to a man sitting at the bar. The man was a shifter, but the energy was different. It made him uneasy. After a moment the unrest passed with a mild shiver and Drake continued to his seat.
Shortly after he had claimed his place a petite, blond barmaid sat his glass in front of him and scurried away. Drake lifted the glass and stared morosely into the deep burgundy liquid. His activities on this night would be the exact same as they had for every night since he had returned to Marn. With Cody having disappeared, and no new dreams to guide his path, he was stuck mulling over the past.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
When the hooded man sat down in the corner, Win turned his head slightly to get a better look. The lighting in the room was dim however, and Win could not see the man's face. A strange suspicion swelled up in his chest, and his fingers tightened around his mug a little, but he relaxed as well. Win recognized a broad shouldered man sitting a few stools down from him. He was about to nudge the man's elbow and ask about the hooded man that he had never seen before, when Richie bumbled in.
Drake's careful analysis of the bar's patrons failed to take into account the people who hadn't arrived yet. That's why his entire analysis shifted when Richie arrived. Tall, lanky, awkward. He almost hit his head on the door coming in. Spiky brown hair, wide blue eyes. Win sighed and looked away, chuckling to himself and realizing that Richie had not come for a drink. He was already drunk. No wonder he was having trouble with the wife.
Win decided not to call Richie to the bar and let nature take its course when he saw Richie approach the hooded man. However, he was surprised to see Richie walk straight past and up to the blonde barmaid. "Hey, I'll have what he's having," he slurred, sloppily pointing at the glass in Drake's hand. The barmaid laughed and scurried off.
Win rolled his eyes. The barkeeper looked over at him and smiled, remembering that Win and Richie were friends.
"Johnny! How's it goin'?!"
Richie stumbled over to a man sitting alone in the booth next to Drake's. "Brother, where've you been?"
The man looked apalled. "Hey now, I'm not your friend. I don't know you."
"Stop foolin'!" Richie said, throwing his arm around the man and hugging him tight. "Longtimenosee!"
"Let go of me!" The man shouted, twisting about in Richie's lazy grip.
"Johnny, let's be friends again! Johnny Johnny Johnny Johnny Johnny..."
The man finally broke free and shot up out of his seat, casting Richie off like a robe. He was only a few inches taller than Richie, but much heavier and muscular. Richie stumbled backwards and bumped into Drake's table, spilling his drink.
"You shameful drunk! Get out of my sight!" The muscular man bellowed.
"But Johnny..."
"I'm not Johnny!"
Win spun around on his stool and started to walk over calmly before this confrontation escalated. How embarassing...
Drake's careful analysis of the bar's patrons failed to take into account the people who hadn't arrived yet. That's why his entire analysis shifted when Richie arrived. Tall, lanky, awkward. He almost hit his head on the door coming in. Spiky brown hair, wide blue eyes. Win sighed and looked away, chuckling to himself and realizing that Richie had not come for a drink. He was already drunk. No wonder he was having trouble with the wife.
Win decided not to call Richie to the bar and let nature take its course when he saw Richie approach the hooded man. However, he was surprised to see Richie walk straight past and up to the blonde barmaid. "Hey, I'll have what he's having," he slurred, sloppily pointing at the glass in Drake's hand. The barmaid laughed and scurried off.
Win rolled his eyes. The barkeeper looked over at him and smiled, remembering that Win and Richie were friends.
"Johnny! How's it goin'?!"
Richie stumbled over to a man sitting alone in the booth next to Drake's. "Brother, where've you been?"
The man looked apalled. "Hey now, I'm not your friend. I don't know you."
"Stop foolin'!" Richie said, throwing his arm around the man and hugging him tight. "Longtimenosee!"
"Let go of me!" The man shouted, twisting about in Richie's lazy grip.
"Johnny, let's be friends again! Johnny Johnny Johnny Johnny Johnny..."
The man finally broke free and shot up out of his seat, casting Richie off like a robe. He was only a few inches taller than Richie, but much heavier and muscular. Richie stumbled backwards and bumped into Drake's table, spilling his drink.
"You shameful drunk! Get out of my sight!" The muscular man bellowed.
"But Johnny..."
"I'm not Johnny!"
Win spun around on his stool and started to walk over calmly before this confrontation escalated. How embarassing...
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake watched as the drunkard stumbled into the bar. He knew the man would cause trouble. He was weaving and wobbling as if it were his first time walking, and he was moving in Drakes direction. He slid deeper into his bench and hugged up against the wall. The man still managed to draw attention to Drake by being near him.
Drake cringed in fear as the fool started up a commotion in the next seat. He shook his head and hoped it would end soon, without violence. Unfortunately, the drama soon swelled into a shoving match. Now Drake found himself staring down at a large wet-spot on the front of his cloths.
"Time to have a little fun?" Drake heard a voice call from somewhere in the back of his mind. "It has been a looong time since I had myself a brawling good time." Drake let out a low, inaudible growl.
"No, you're going to sit back and shut the hell up."
Drake cringed in fear as the fool started up a commotion in the next seat. He shook his head and hoped it would end soon, without violence. Unfortunately, the drama soon swelled into a shoving match. Now Drake found himself staring down at a large wet-spot on the front of his cloths.
"Time to have a little fun?" Drake heard a voice call from somewhere in the back of his mind. "It has been a looong time since I had myself a brawling good time." Drake let out a low, inaudible growl.
"No, you're going to sit back and shut the hell up."
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Richie started to get angry and sad at the same time, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"Johnny!"
"I don't have time for you!" The man huffed. He put on his hat and walked out of the tavern. Richie was about to pursue him, but Win sidestepped around him and grabbed his shoulders.
"Richie, Johnny's out of town. Remember, he left last week."
Richie stopped for a moment, as if he had been startled by a ghost, then he spun around and faced Win. "Win! Buddy! How's everything goin' with ya?"
"Richie, you're supposed to come to the bar to get drunk..."
Win called the broad shouldered man from the bar, Ericson. He fished a few bishani out of his breast pocket and handed them over. "You think you can take Richie home in your wagon, Eric?"
Ericson nodded and took Richie from Win and started dragging him out the door. The skinny man struggled and squirmed.
"Win! Win, nice seein' ya!" The door slammed shut behind them.
Win sighed and shrugged at the blonde barmaid, who laughed and winked at him. He started to head back to the bar to finish his drink, but he noticed the hooded man still sitting in the corner. He approached the man and looked down at him, smiling.
"Sorry about my friend. As an apology, I'll replace that," he said, gesturing at the drink that was on Drake's clothes instead of in his glass. He raised his eyebrows at the barmaid, who giggled and was off again. "Name's Winston Sabre. No one calls me that, though; it makes me feel old. Call me Win," he announced, offering his hand for a shake.
"Johnny!"
"I don't have time for you!" The man huffed. He put on his hat and walked out of the tavern. Richie was about to pursue him, but Win sidestepped around him and grabbed his shoulders.
"Richie, Johnny's out of town. Remember, he left last week."
Richie stopped for a moment, as if he had been startled by a ghost, then he spun around and faced Win. "Win! Buddy! How's everything goin' with ya?"
"Richie, you're supposed to come to the bar to get drunk..."
Win called the broad shouldered man from the bar, Ericson. He fished a few bishani out of his breast pocket and handed them over. "You think you can take Richie home in your wagon, Eric?"
Ericson nodded and took Richie from Win and started dragging him out the door. The skinny man struggled and squirmed.
"Win! Win, nice seein' ya!" The door slammed shut behind them.
Win sighed and shrugged at the blonde barmaid, who laughed and winked at him. He started to head back to the bar to finish his drink, but he noticed the hooded man still sitting in the corner. He approached the man and looked down at him, smiling.
"Sorry about my friend. As an apology, I'll replace that," he said, gesturing at the drink that was on Drake's clothes instead of in his glass. He raised his eyebrows at the barmaid, who giggled and was off again. "Name's Winston Sabre. No one calls me that, though; it makes me feel old. Call me Win," he announced, offering his hand for a shake.
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake glared at the drunk's back as he was ushered out of the door by some acquaintance. Drake thought the man lucky that someone had stopped him from following his hapless victim. As the fool disappeared through the door, still shouting back at his friend, Drake returned his attention to his wet lap. He sighed and resigned himself to the role of innocent bystander.
He was almost ready to order another drink when a shadow fell across his table. He looked up to find the drunk's savior standing at the end of his table. The man offered to replace his drink and then introduced himself. "Call me Win," he said, offering his hand. Drake shook it limply and held his hand out in the direction of the bench on the other side of the table in way of invitation.
"Drake Istalii," he said, tilting his head as if he were bowing with that part of his body alone. He then slid back his hood to avoid being rude, and almost laughed at his own actions. Not too long ago, in the time before he had teamed up with Cody, Drake would never have done this in such close proximity with a stranger. He was still cautious enough to not let his hair move from it's position over his scars.
He was almost ready to order another drink when a shadow fell across his table. He looked up to find the drunk's savior standing at the end of his table. The man offered to replace his drink and then introduced himself. "Call me Win," he said, offering his hand. Drake shook it limply and held his hand out in the direction of the bench on the other side of the table in way of invitation.
"Drake Istalii," he said, tilting his head as if he were bowing with that part of his body alone. He then slid back his hood to avoid being rude, and almost laughed at his own actions. Not too long ago, in the time before he had teamed up with Cody, Drake would never have done this in such close proximity with a stranger. He was still cautious enough to not let his hair move from it's position over his scars.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
The barmaid returned with a new drink for Drake, and Win sat down across from him with his ale.
"So tell me, pardner, you from around these parts? I've never seen you in here before but you seem to fit in," he lied.
It was all right that Win felt a little lonely since Richie had let him down. But why was he here talking to this weird mysterious fellow instead of that fine miss up at the bar? Truth was, there was something about Drake that Win wasn't sure if he liked. And he wanted to find out what it was.
(ooc: Now what? Let's discuss what to do in Plot Discussion, I've already started a thread there.)
"So tell me, pardner, you from around these parts? I've never seen you in here before but you seem to fit in," he lied.
It was all right that Win felt a little lonely since Richie had let him down. But why was he here talking to this weird mysterious fellow instead of that fine miss up at the bar? Truth was, there was something about Drake that Win wasn't sure if he liked. And he wanted to find out what it was.
(ooc: Now what? Let's discuss what to do in Plot Discussion, I've already started a thread there.)
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake slowly sipped the cheap gooseberry wine. It was no rare vintage, but it still head a very pleasing flavor. The cool liquid extinguished what little fire still burned deep inside of him.
"No, I'm not originally from here," he said as he gingerly replaced his glass on the table, "though my mother was. I have been here for a while though, and occupy this booth on my visits." Drake calmly studied the man that sat across from him. He appeared to have lived through a life of some challenge, but his face bore none of the ill will or despair that one would normally find on such an individual. The strange shifter energy that surrounded the man still piqued at Drake.
"What about you, are you a local?" Drake was simply using small talk to fish around some. He wanted to know what it was about this man that intrigued him so.
"No, I'm not originally from here," he said as he gingerly replaced his glass on the table, "though my mother was. I have been here for a while though, and occupy this booth on my visits." Drake calmly studied the man that sat across from him. He appeared to have lived through a life of some challenge, but his face bore none of the ill will or despair that one would normally find on such an individual. The strange shifter energy that surrounded the man still piqued at Drake.
"What about you, are you a local?" Drake was simply using small talk to fish around some. He wanted to know what it was about this man that intrigued him so.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Win glanced over at the attractive woman at the bar again. "Huh? Oh... yeah, I've lived in this here lil' burg my whole life. I uh... do a few jobs here and there to help out the other locals. Some say I'm a deadbeat, but at least I'm on my feet and not always getting soaked like some of my pals," he grinned, sticking his thumb at the door that Ericson just carried Richie through.
He looked at the woman again. Is she looking at me? Coulda sworn... He lifted his mug to his lips to find that it was empty. "You want anything else?" he asked Drake, keeping his eyes on the woman at the bar. "Right, I'll buy if you're still thirsty..." WIthout even looking at Drake or waiting for a response, he called the barmaid to order another ale and another glass of wine for the stranger.
He got a new mug and gulped down more ale until he finally said, "Well pardner. How about you? What do you do to pay for your drinks?" he asked, stroking his chin.
He looked at the woman again. Is she looking at me? Coulda sworn... He lifted his mug to his lips to find that it was empty. "You want anything else?" he asked Drake, keeping his eyes on the woman at the bar. "Right, I'll buy if you're still thirsty..." WIthout even looking at Drake or waiting for a response, he called the barmaid to order another ale and another glass of wine for the stranger.
He got a new mug and gulped down more ale until he finally said, "Well pardner. How about you? What do you do to pay for your drinks?" he asked, stroking his chin.
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Morrigan had been sitting near the stage for the majority of the evening, though she couldn't really remember when she actually entered the tavern. She had been thinking in an almost mesmerized state for hours until she noticed she had such a headache she could barely keep her thoughts together. She then decided to shape shift her body, even though she knew she would probably regret it afterwards.
She shoved her hood over her head as far as possible in order to hide her face for curious eyes. She did not wanted to be known as an illegal shifter and as such changing shape in a public area was rather dangerous. However she had been sitting their for hours and she figured no one who would have noticed her entering the tavern would be still here, so she was relatively safe.
The transformation process was a painful one and especially taxing for her deteriorating body because of her age. For several minutes her body felt like it was dying and being born at the same time, but she could not afford to be distracted by the pain as she had to carefully channel the change. Then, Morrigan closed her eyes...
... and Melpomene opened hers. The pain which had just been torturing her body were now nothing more then a memory off a past annoyance. Juvenility and raw energy streamed through her veins like a young dog which has just been liberated from its imprisonment. She is addicted to youth, and she knows it. The fact that she felt close to a source of extended youth only made her excitement and addiction worse.
Yesterday she had overheard a conversation between two drunken soldiers. She had not been paying much attention to their stories until the smaller of the two mentioned Glomis-plant. Glomis was a degradation of an abbreviation of “Chlomiazo Asteri” which was an extremely rare and – especially for Morrigan – precious plant. She knew the name could be roughly translated to ‘pale sun’ but she had no idea why. According to herbalists’ lore Cholomazio Asteri could, once properly processed be used to amplify a shape shifters power to the point were the shifter could permanently accept a shape of choice. Afterwards the shifter could still change into other shapes but from a different primary state.
If Melpomene could get her hands on the Glomis and if the rumours were true then she would never have to return to the old and dying body of Morrigan again. Those were two big “ifs” though…
According to the soldier’s tale a group of bandits had stolen the precious plants from a wizard somewhere in the west. The guards had chased the bandits and killed a few yet most of them had escaped and had taken all their loot with them.
s
Melpomene knew she would never be able to obtain the plant by fighting nor stealing… at least not on her own. She looked around, scouting the tavern for potential ‘partners’ on her quest for juvenility. Before she had the opportunity to take a good look at everyone she was interrupted by a barmaid who gave her a glass of wine. Melpomene, unable to recall her ordering anything the last hour gazed somewhat puzzled at the barmaid who in return smiled and nodded to a young lad who was looking at her.
”It appears I have the favour of the gods of luck,” Melpomene chuckled silently, ”lets see how far my luck goes this evening.” With that in her mind she gulped down half of her glass, walked over to the table of her admirer and calmly said:
”I do not think we have met before, have we?”
She shoved her hood over her head as far as possible in order to hide her face for curious eyes. She did not wanted to be known as an illegal shifter and as such changing shape in a public area was rather dangerous. However she had been sitting their for hours and she figured no one who would have noticed her entering the tavern would be still here, so she was relatively safe.
The transformation process was a painful one and especially taxing for her deteriorating body because of her age. For several minutes her body felt like it was dying and being born at the same time, but she could not afford to be distracted by the pain as she had to carefully channel the change. Then, Morrigan closed her eyes...
... and Melpomene opened hers. The pain which had just been torturing her body were now nothing more then a memory off a past annoyance. Juvenility and raw energy streamed through her veins like a young dog which has just been liberated from its imprisonment. She is addicted to youth, and she knows it. The fact that she felt close to a source of extended youth only made her excitement and addiction worse.
Yesterday she had overheard a conversation between two drunken soldiers. She had not been paying much attention to their stories until the smaller of the two mentioned Glomis-plant. Glomis was a degradation of an abbreviation of “Chlomiazo Asteri” which was an extremely rare and – especially for Morrigan – precious plant. She knew the name could be roughly translated to ‘pale sun’ but she had no idea why. According to herbalists’ lore Cholomazio Asteri could, once properly processed be used to amplify a shape shifters power to the point were the shifter could permanently accept a shape of choice. Afterwards the shifter could still change into other shapes but from a different primary state.
If Melpomene could get her hands on the Glomis and if the rumours were true then she would never have to return to the old and dying body of Morrigan again. Those were two big “ifs” though…
According to the soldier’s tale a group of bandits had stolen the precious plants from a wizard somewhere in the west. The guards had chased the bandits and killed a few yet most of them had escaped and had taken all their loot with them.
s
Melpomene knew she would never be able to obtain the plant by fighting nor stealing… at least not on her own. She looked around, scouting the tavern for potential ‘partners’ on her quest for juvenility. Before she had the opportunity to take a good look at everyone she was interrupted by a barmaid who gave her a glass of wine. Melpomene, unable to recall her ordering anything the last hour gazed somewhat puzzled at the barmaid who in return smiled and nodded to a young lad who was looking at her.
”It appears I have the favour of the gods of luck,” Melpomene chuckled silently, ”lets see how far my luck goes this evening.” With that in her mind she gulped down half of her glass, walked over to the table of her admirer and calmly said:
”I do not think we have met before, have we?”
This is not a signature.
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake chuckled softly at Win's question. "That one is a little harder to explain. You might say that I pray on the over-inflated egos of cut-purses and the like. Other than that it's odd jobs and the occasional bit of scouting and mercenary style work." He stopped talking.
Drake had planned to continue, at least until he noticed his acquaintances faltering attention. He followed Win's gaze to a comely young woman at the bar. Drake gave a knowing smile. He could certainly see why his new friend fancied the woman, but he also knew that that weak sense of shifter energy she was putting off couldn't be harming the attraction. He laughed and shook his head slightly. Win's desperation was practically palpable. He didn't have a chance.
Drake's chin nearly hit the floor when the woman walked over and greeted the young master Sabre. He slowly slid back into the most shadowed part of the bench and watched, as was usual for him.
Drake had planned to continue, at least until he noticed his acquaintances faltering attention. He followed Win's gaze to a comely young woman at the bar. Drake gave a knowing smile. He could certainly see why his new friend fancied the woman, but he also knew that that weak sense of shifter energy she was putting off couldn't be harming the attraction. He laughed and shook his head slightly. Win's desperation was practically palpable. He didn't have a chance.
Drake's chin nearly hit the floor when the woman walked over and greeted the young master Sabre. He slowly slid back into the most shadowed part of the bench and watched, as was usual for him.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake's chin nearly hit the floor while Win's completely tore through it. He froze and stared at her blankly until he realized what had happened. When he had asked the barmaid to fetch "The stranger" a glass of wine, he had meant for Drake, but the barmaid had slyly assumed that Win was referring to Melpomene. Win found the subtle absurdity of the situation to be quite humorous, and he chuckled.
He smoothed his hand over his hair and offered it to her, regaining his cool. "Name's Win, Winston Sabre. Win, call me Win," he grinned. "And this is my age-old friend, Drake," he lied, poking his thumb at his acquaintance. He gave Drake a quick glance; in it was a polite request (not pleading or demanding) to play along for a little while.
Win thought back to the books he had read about smooth-talking chivalrous knights. What was the line...?
"To whom do I owe the pleasure, Miss...?"
He smoothed his hand over his hair and offered it to her, regaining his cool. "Name's Win, Winston Sabre. Win, call me Win," he grinned. "And this is my age-old friend, Drake," he lied, poking his thumb at his acquaintance. He gave Drake a quick glance; in it was a polite request (not pleading or demanding) to play along for a little while.
Win thought back to the books he had read about smooth-talking chivalrous knights. What was the line...?
"To whom do I owe the pleasure, Miss...?"
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
When the young man hesitated for a short moment, not knowing what to say, Melpomene smiled slightly. She was not used to a lot of interest from the opposite sex especially now she could spend less and less time in her younger and thereby more attractive body. Though she would not admit Melpomene could be quite unsure, not necessarily about her appearance but more if anyone would be really interest in her difficult and twisted personality. As such, she couldn’t help to feel flattered by even the most anxious and nervous attempts to attract and seduce her.
She smiled again when he, after he persisted to that she would call him 'Win', nearly over-chivalrous informed to her name. Shortly she looked at Win's friend, Drake, and nodded subtle before she focused on Winston again.
"Melpomene... my name is Melpomene," she said softly, "would you mind if I would sit down with you? I do not feel like sitting alone this evening."
Before Winston or Drake had any chance to respond she already sat down on the bench. Not because she was so sure they would indeed not mind, but because everything had started to spin and turn black and she might not have been able to maintain her balance if she wouldn't have sat down immediately. Her right hand had started to twitch as well and she had to sit on it in order to not show it to the two men.
Both the near black-out and the twitching hand were side effects of her transformations. Her mind and body were not yet fully synchronized with each other; it usually took up to half an hour before she had full control of her body again.
However there was no reason to show any of this so she had to maintain her masquerade of being in control. She looked at Drake who said nothing so far and apparently seemed to prefer to observe her before exposing himself. Though it something she commonly did as well she did not like to be observed herself, it made her feel uncomfortable and out of control.
As an attempt to relocate the focus she said: "So tell me, how did you two met each other?".
Because she had missed the whole Richie incident she had no idea that the two men knew each other just slightly longer then she did.
She smiled again when he, after he persisted to that she would call him 'Win', nearly over-chivalrous informed to her name. Shortly she looked at Win's friend, Drake, and nodded subtle before she focused on Winston again.
"Melpomene... my name is Melpomene," she said softly, "would you mind if I would sit down with you? I do not feel like sitting alone this evening."
Before Winston or Drake had any chance to respond she already sat down on the bench. Not because she was so sure they would indeed not mind, but because everything had started to spin and turn black and she might not have been able to maintain her balance if she wouldn't have sat down immediately. Her right hand had started to twitch as well and she had to sit on it in order to not show it to the two men.
Both the near black-out and the twitching hand were side effects of her transformations. Her mind and body were not yet fully synchronized with each other; it usually took up to half an hour before she had full control of her body again.
However there was no reason to show any of this so she had to maintain her masquerade of being in control. She looked at Drake who said nothing so far and apparently seemed to prefer to observe her before exposing himself. Though it something she commonly did as well she did not like to be observed herself, it made her feel uncomfortable and out of control.
As an attempt to relocate the focus she said: "So tell me, how did you two met each other?".
Because she had missed the whole Richie incident she had no idea that the two men knew each other just slightly longer then she did.
This is not a signature.
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake listened to the elegant and beautiful woman talk. There was something in her voice that hinted at something beyond her facade. It was a deep wisdom of things, a wisdom much beyond her years. He watched her with concretely placed eyes, waiting for the slightest hint at what this woman was.
He smiled inwardly as the woman asked to sit and then invited herself. She had made a rude move for a rather odd reason. Drake had noticed her swoon slightly, not enough for the eyes of any mere man to notice, but his trained hawk-like vision had caught it. It took a moment for him to notice, but he eventually realized that she was also sitting on her hand. Not something most people do, unless they're nervous.
Drake watched as her eyes slid over in his direction and met with his own. She seemed to disapprove of his starring. Perhaps she thought him the typical gawker.
"Well, if I was in control this chump wouldn't have a chance with her," he heard the voice in his head say again. Drake bit down on his tongue so hard that it brought stars to his eyes. He barely heard the woman, Melpomene he thought she said, ask him the question. "Well, it's a long story, and Win here tells it a lot better than me. So how about it Win? Want to tell the young lady of our sorted meeting?" He shot a sarcastic look at Win from the corner of his eyes, a look that he intended to ask "What now bub?" without words.
He smiled inwardly as the woman asked to sit and then invited herself. She had made a rude move for a rather odd reason. Drake had noticed her swoon slightly, not enough for the eyes of any mere man to notice, but his trained hawk-like vision had caught it. It took a moment for him to notice, but he eventually realized that she was also sitting on her hand. Not something most people do, unless they're nervous.
Drake watched as her eyes slid over in his direction and met with his own. She seemed to disapprove of his starring. Perhaps she thought him the typical gawker.
"Well, if I was in control this chump wouldn't have a chance with her," he heard the voice in his head say again. Drake bit down on his tongue so hard that it brought stars to his eyes. He barely heard the woman, Melpomene he thought she said, ask him the question. "Well, it's a long story, and Win here tells it a lot better than me. So how about it Win? Want to tell the young lady of our sorted meeting?" He shot a sarcastic look at Win from the corner of his eyes, a look that he intended to ask "What now bub?" without words.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Touché, Mr. Drake... Win thought.
"Well, the two of us used to work together... as... bodyguards. For a wealthy merchant who lived 'round these parts. He lost all his money in a scandal and then he had to fire us. That was a while back, so Drake and I haven't seen each other since then. We only see each other ocassionally," he mentioned.
"So tell us a bit about yourself..." Win glanced up at the clock. Damn! "Miss... Melpomene..." Damn Damn Damn...
"Excuse me, I just remembered, that I have an important... er... dinner to attend. My hide'll be tanned if I don't get there soon. It was nice meeting you, Miss Melpomene, and good seein' you again, old buddy." He punched Drake lightly on the shoulder. "I'll be back here tomorrow night..." he called over his shoulder as he bolted out the door.
"Well, the two of us used to work together... as... bodyguards. For a wealthy merchant who lived 'round these parts. He lost all his money in a scandal and then he had to fire us. That was a while back, so Drake and I haven't seen each other since then. We only see each other ocassionally," he mentioned.
"So tell us a bit about yourself..." Win glanced up at the clock. Damn! "Miss... Melpomene..." Damn Damn Damn...
"Excuse me, I just remembered, that I have an important... er... dinner to attend. My hide'll be tanned if I don't get there soon. It was nice meeting you, Miss Melpomene, and good seein' you again, old buddy." He punched Drake lightly on the shoulder. "I'll be back here tomorrow night..." he called over his shoulder as he bolted out the door.