Melpomene carefully listened to Win telling how he and Drake had met. Especially the part about them working as bodyguards interested her. "This is just perfect," she thought, "they are exactly the type of persons I need."
At Winston's question to tell more about herself she said:
"Well, I have just recently came to Marn again after an absent of a couple of months. I used to live and work here before a lighting stroke my neighbour's place burning both his and mine house to the ground. A few days again I returned here to..." she wanted to continue but Winston interrupted her... with a 'really important dinner appointment’.
She believed the made up story she was telling even more then Wins excuse for his sudden departure. Seemingly offended she refused to say anything more then a casual ‘bye’, though she took note of Winston’s promise to be return the next night.
It was only Drake and her now. She was somewhat unsure about what to do now because it was Winston who had invited her and Drake was not exactly generous in sharing his thoughts and intentions. Almost instinctively she tried to take control of the situation again as she turned to Drake and said:
"Your friend certainly is in a hurry to get out of here..."
She paused for a moment, looked Drake in the eyes, smiled and then continued with a somewhat sarcastic tone:
"So... Drake, are you the silent type or just need some more time watching me?"
Like a Leaf on the Wind
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
This is not a signature.
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
"Just don't talk much ma'am," he said, addressing her in a way that he thought a subtle slight towards the man that had just left. "But alas, I too must be off. Important business that needs attending to in the morning. Don't worry about getting up," he said as skillfully swung himself up and over so that he ended up in the space between the empty bench and the table. As he moved to leave he stopped beside the striking young human. "Look forward to seeing me again as well..." he paused just the right amount of time for effect and shot a sly glance at Melpomene, "you intrigue me." With that, he strolled out the front door in a mild hurry.
Once he was outside he made his way to a dark, narrow alley and sprung from wall to wall until he was on the roof of some old building. He doubted he would make much noise, even atop this run-down a building, but he decided to be cautious anyway. After a moment he was on the roof of a much newer and much sturdier building, running with the silent steps of an assassin. He was trailing the hurried footsteps, labored breathing, and, most importantly, the strange shifter energy of his new acquaintance.
It was quite refreshing, finally being up in the open air again after so long down on the crowded streets. He marveled at how wonderful the wind felt against his skin. He joyed in the ever present shadows of the upper reaches of the city. He was having so much fun just running along the spines of roofs and leaping over chimney stacks that he almost lost his target. He shook his head to cut himself off from the blinding sensations and continued after his quarry.
Once he was outside he made his way to a dark, narrow alley and sprung from wall to wall until he was on the roof of some old building. He doubted he would make much noise, even atop this run-down a building, but he decided to be cautious anyway. After a moment he was on the roof of a much newer and much sturdier building, running with the silent steps of an assassin. He was trailing the hurried footsteps, labored breathing, and, most importantly, the strange shifter energy of his new acquaintance.
It was quite refreshing, finally being up in the open air again after so long down on the crowded streets. He marveled at how wonderful the wind felt against his skin. He joyed in the ever present shadows of the upper reaches of the city. He was having so much fun just running along the spines of roofs and leaping over chimney stacks that he almost lost his target. He shook his head to cut himself off from the blinding sensations and continued after his quarry.
“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
Each footstep was a sickening crunch in Win's eardrums as he hurried along through the streets of Marn. The moon was a wide crescent that smiled at him from above as if he was being mocked by the heavens. Shut up. I still have time. It's only 11:45.
He quickened his pace, weaving in between and trees and at one point, even vaulting over the wooden railing of a porch in front of a small shop. He looked back, and felt he was being followed. However, there were very few lights and the moon was not helpful. Everything around him was pitch-black, except for a dim outline of the rooftops. If Win had hawk vision, he would have seen Drake's shadowy form slithering behind him.
He reached a small house, fumbling with his keys as his vision shifted back and forth. In the clear. He finally unlocked the door and was inside. He locked it again. He kicked off his leather boots and tossed his cowboy hat on a coat rack, and proceeded to the window. He drew the brown curtains aside, then unlatched and opened the window. Cold night air rushed into the room; despite this, he unbuttoned his plaid shirt and tossed it aside. It caught the nighttime breeze and fluttered across the room to a table near the front door. He checked the door one more time. He glanced at the clock. 11:58.
"That was a close one," he muttered as he stripped down until he was naked. He folded his pants and left them on the floor. "But everything's dandy now..."
Win's home was as dark as the night outside, but Drake's eyesight could spot him, standing there cold and naked inside his home. Then he began to change.
His hands folded back, the hair on his arms stiffened and turned into the fibers of feathers. They ruffled and grouped themselves together like the plates of a pinecone, only softer. The callouses under his toes spread across his skin. It became rougher and tighter as his feet transformed into a bird's, and his toes shrank as they conjoined to make slender talons.
The tip of his nose seemed to sharpen and get longer, and his nostrils slid up around the side of it. It became harder as it joined with his misshapen lips. A beak.
His eyesight blurred out of focused, then returned with vision sharper than before. Had he looked outside, Drake's form hovering above the neighbor's house would have been as obvious had it been during the day. He was shorter now, and the furniture in his house suddenly seemed large, unnecessary, and bizarre. Hungry.
He was lighter; his hollow bones rattled as the final restructuring of his internal systems was complete. A hawk. Time to hunt.
He hopped erratically across the room, jumping up onto a wooden chair then onto the windowsill. His eyes quickly scanned the barren plains, then settled on the woods between Marn and Shim. He spread his wings and leaped from the windowsill, flapping wildly and awkwardly at first amongst the billowing mess of his window's curtains. He became more graceful as he glided toward the heavens on an updraft, like a leaf on the wind. His raspy screech echoed across the city rooftops.
He quickened his pace, weaving in between and trees and at one point, even vaulting over the wooden railing of a porch in front of a small shop. He looked back, and felt he was being followed. However, there were very few lights and the moon was not helpful. Everything around him was pitch-black, except for a dim outline of the rooftops. If Win had hawk vision, he would have seen Drake's shadowy form slithering behind him.
He reached a small house, fumbling with his keys as his vision shifted back and forth. In the clear. He finally unlocked the door and was inside. He locked it again. He kicked off his leather boots and tossed his cowboy hat on a coat rack, and proceeded to the window. He drew the brown curtains aside, then unlatched and opened the window. Cold night air rushed into the room; despite this, he unbuttoned his plaid shirt and tossed it aside. It caught the nighttime breeze and fluttered across the room to a table near the front door. He checked the door one more time. He glanced at the clock. 11:58.
"That was a close one," he muttered as he stripped down until he was naked. He folded his pants and left them on the floor. "But everything's dandy now..."
Win's home was as dark as the night outside, but Drake's eyesight could spot him, standing there cold and naked inside his home. Then he began to change.
His hands folded back, the hair on his arms stiffened and turned into the fibers of feathers. They ruffled and grouped themselves together like the plates of a pinecone, only softer. The callouses under his toes spread across his skin. It became rougher and tighter as his feet transformed into a bird's, and his toes shrank as they conjoined to make slender talons.
The tip of his nose seemed to sharpen and get longer, and his nostrils slid up around the side of it. It became harder as it joined with his misshapen lips. A beak.
His eyesight blurred out of focused, then returned with vision sharper than before. Had he looked outside, Drake's form hovering above the neighbor's house would have been as obvious had it been during the day. He was shorter now, and the furniture in his house suddenly seemed large, unnecessary, and bizarre. Hungry.
He was lighter; his hollow bones rattled as the final restructuring of his internal systems was complete. A hawk. Time to hunt.
He hopped erratically across the room, jumping up onto a wooden chair then onto the windowsill. His eyes quickly scanned the barren plains, then settled on the woods between Marn and Shim. He spread his wings and leaped from the windowsill, flapping wildly and awkwardly at first amongst the billowing mess of his window's curtains. He became more graceful as he glided toward the heavens on an updraft, like a leaf on the wind. His raspy screech echoed across the city rooftops.
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
(A bit of OOC first: You guys waited....*tear*. So, I guess I'm to go next. If not, I'll just delete this and put it in later.)
Drake fetched up against the backside of a chimney, his chest heaving after every bit of air. It's been a long time since I've had to run like that, he thought to himself as he whipped a narrow stream of sweat from his forehead. A few seconds later his breathing slowed almost to normal, and he moved slowly out from behind the chimney.
The house he had seen the man entire was dark and lifeless. Nothing seemed to be moving inside. He was almost ready to venture in for a closer look when he noticed light flash across bare skin. Drake's keen eyes worked like an perfectly made telescope, adjusting to the distance and magnifying the image before him. Drake recoiled in shock. He really hadn't been expecting to see a nude Win standing before the window.
"What is he doing?" he whispered to the wind as curiosity forced him to look back to the window. The man inside no longer resembled the man Drake had met in the tavern. His arms were painfully contorted, his frame had shrank by some measure, feathers were sprouting up all across his body, and his face had become some nightmarish mixture of man and fowl. He was shifting into the form of some bird. Drake laid down flat against the rooftop in anticipation of the shifter's taking wing.
"I guess Elven sight really is better than that of a bird," he mused to himself as he watched the large hawk Win had become sailing gracefully off into the distance. With some thorough concentration on a certain spell, Drake leaped off the rooftops and glided slowly to the ground below. At a nonchalant pace, so as not to look suspicious, Drake strolled over to the open window of Master Sabre's. Drake hopped through the window as smoothly as a seasoned burglar, until his momentum granted him a meeting with a chair.
Dusting himself off and listening for sounds off alarm, Drake began to drink in the details of the man's little home. The current room, the living room judging by the furniture, was a bit cluttered. He walked over to the couch and gingerly checked through Win's clothing for some valuable trinket, a habit from days of surviving off the purses of others. He dropped everything once he realized what he was doing.
The kitchen, the only other room on the ground floor, was immaculate. No dirty dishes lying around, no food particles clinging to the counters, and not a trace of a mud or grease stain on the floor. The cupboards were extremely sparse. "Guess he keeps his belly full of mice and vermin," Drake said with a light chuckle as he turned to leave the room.
The stairs leading to the second floor were narrow and claustrophobic, a result of having to cut corners in the name of space. At the top was another small space, a hallway between two rooms. After brief glimpse through the door of the room on the right, Drake decided not to try his luck. From what he had seen the room was filled with piles of mismatched armor, awards, and other miscellaneous junk that almost reached the ceiling.
The other room was a bedroom. The layers of dust and lack of clutter made the room seem as if no one had used it in months. Everything was very plain too; a plain oak armoire, a plain little bed with plain white sheets, and plain hangings. The only interesting things in the room were the Gnomish clock and some other strange device with knobs and dials.
Drake eased his way back down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Might as well wait on my dear old friend," he said as he sat down on the counter top and sank his teeth into an apple he had pilfered from the near bare cabinets.
Drake fetched up against the backside of a chimney, his chest heaving after every bit of air. It's been a long time since I've had to run like that, he thought to himself as he whipped a narrow stream of sweat from his forehead. A few seconds later his breathing slowed almost to normal, and he moved slowly out from behind the chimney.
The house he had seen the man entire was dark and lifeless. Nothing seemed to be moving inside. He was almost ready to venture in for a closer look when he noticed light flash across bare skin. Drake's keen eyes worked like an perfectly made telescope, adjusting to the distance and magnifying the image before him. Drake recoiled in shock. He really hadn't been expecting to see a nude Win standing before the window.
"What is he doing?" he whispered to the wind as curiosity forced him to look back to the window. The man inside no longer resembled the man Drake had met in the tavern. His arms were painfully contorted, his frame had shrank by some measure, feathers were sprouting up all across his body, and his face had become some nightmarish mixture of man and fowl. He was shifting into the form of some bird. Drake laid down flat against the rooftop in anticipation of the shifter's taking wing.
"I guess Elven sight really is better than that of a bird," he mused to himself as he watched the large hawk Win had become sailing gracefully off into the distance. With some thorough concentration on a certain spell, Drake leaped off the rooftops and glided slowly to the ground below. At a nonchalant pace, so as not to look suspicious, Drake strolled over to the open window of Master Sabre's. Drake hopped through the window as smoothly as a seasoned burglar, until his momentum granted him a meeting with a chair.
Dusting himself off and listening for sounds off alarm, Drake began to drink in the details of the man's little home. The current room, the living room judging by the furniture, was a bit cluttered. He walked over to the couch and gingerly checked through Win's clothing for some valuable trinket, a habit from days of surviving off the purses of others. He dropped everything once he realized what he was doing.
The kitchen, the only other room on the ground floor, was immaculate. No dirty dishes lying around, no food particles clinging to the counters, and not a trace of a mud or grease stain on the floor. The cupboards were extremely sparse. "Guess he keeps his belly full of mice and vermin," Drake said with a light chuckle as he turned to leave the room.
The stairs leading to the second floor were narrow and claustrophobic, a result of having to cut corners in the name of space. At the top was another small space, a hallway between two rooms. After brief glimpse through the door of the room on the right, Drake decided not to try his luck. From what he had seen the room was filled with piles of mismatched armor, awards, and other miscellaneous junk that almost reached the ceiling.
The other room was a bedroom. The layers of dust and lack of clutter made the room seem as if no one had used it in months. Everything was very plain too; a plain oak armoire, a plain little bed with plain white sheets, and plain hangings. The only interesting things in the room were the Gnomish clock and some other strange device with knobs and dials.
Drake eased his way back down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Might as well wait on my dear old friend," he said as he sat down on the counter top and sank his teeth into an apple he had pilfered from the near bare cabinets.
“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 hawk silently tore down through the trees, a deadly sword that descended on a field mouse scurrying through the leaves.
So hungry...
With a fury of talon and beak, the hawk shredded the raw flesh limb from limb, kneading the soft brown fur with his feet and kicking leaves out of the way to clear a place for his first course.
At night, Win had to eat much more than a normal hawk of his size would. After all, he had to support his human form as well...
After the mouse was dead, he pulled it up in his beak and tilted his head back, his sharp eyes scanning the forest floor for any more sign of movement. He gulped down the mouse, and finally the hunger started to disappear.
He prepared to swoop off again, but he spotted a flash of green ducking and weaving through the mess of leaves. He hopped erratically across the ground in pursuit of the lizard. He struck his beak down like a hammer, trapping it, and grabbed it up in its talons.
He hastily swallowed the lizard and strutted about for a few seconds, then took wing and was in the air once again. With a shriek, he rose up above the trees, a sharp hieroglyph against the twilit sky. He would hunt for a few more hours until he was finally satisfied.
* * * * * * *
Just before dawn, the hawk swept in through the window, the chilly cold air rushing in behind him. He landed softly on the rug and began to transform back into his human form. His beak flattened against his face and became a nose, his legs grew and his talons softened into toenails, his feathers seemed to gloss over and be replaced by a silky smooth shell that became his skin.
Exhausted, Win stumbled across the room and pulled on his pants, then flopped down on the couch. He was asleep in an instant, and he dived into a strange new kind of dream ...
So hungry...
With a fury of talon and beak, the hawk shredded the raw flesh limb from limb, kneading the soft brown fur with his feet and kicking leaves out of the way to clear a place for his first course.
At night, Win had to eat much more than a normal hawk of his size would. After all, he had to support his human form as well...
After the mouse was dead, he pulled it up in his beak and tilted his head back, his sharp eyes scanning the forest floor for any more sign of movement. He gulped down the mouse, and finally the hunger started to disappear.
He prepared to swoop off again, but he spotted a flash of green ducking and weaving through the mess of leaves. He hopped erratically across the ground in pursuit of the lizard. He struck his beak down like a hammer, trapping it, and grabbed it up in its talons.
He hastily swallowed the lizard and strutted about for a few seconds, then took wing and was in the air once again. With a shriek, he rose up above the trees, a sharp hieroglyph against the twilit sky. He would hunt for a few more hours until he was finally satisfied.
* * * * * * *
Just before dawn, the hawk swept in through the window, the chilly cold air rushing in behind him. He landed softly on the rug and began to transform back into his human form. His beak flattened against his face and became a nose, his legs grew and his talons softened into toenails, his feathers seemed to gloss over and be replaced by a silky smooth shell that became his skin.
Exhausted, Win stumbled across the room and pulled on his pants, then flopped down on the couch. He was asleep in an instant, and he dived into a strange new kind of dream ...
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake heard a flutter of wings in the next room, a sign that his new friend had returned. He stayed sitting on the counter, silently listening for the man's movements. A cushioned plop told him the other had claimed the couch for a bed. Drake slid from the counter with cat-like grace and eased over to the doorway that separated the two rooms of the small house's lower floor.
The man was already fast asleep. A thin layer of cold sweat covering Win's skin reminded Drake of the fact that he hadn't bathed in nearly two days. "I will return," he said in a low voice as he crossed to the still open window.
*****
The water in the tub, though only lukewarm, eased Drake's tired muscles. He loathed the little unsettling movements he had to make in order to scrub the grime from his pale body. He wished he could sleep, but he also wanted to make it back to Win's house before the man awoke. He wrestled with the idea of taking a short nap.
On the one hand, if he didn't make it back before the man awoke there was a chance the Win would find evidence of his having been there and make a run for it. On the other hand, if Win woke and decided that intruders were best dealt with with a blade, Drake would need his energy. "I nap it is," he murmured to the walls. He drug him self up from the tub and slowly made his way to his bed, and once there collapsed into the mattress, buck-naked and sopping wet.
****
Drake awoke with a start. He had been in his little memory chamber again, going over all the visions again as if he could find some hidden message in one. It had been going as it always did, a slow and merciless decline into utter defeat, until he noticed an older memory that he couldn't recall watching before. So, upon selecting it he was forced to relive his attack in the Astral Plane. Seeing the face of the wicked being that had caused him so much turmoil had jarred him awake.
Now he sat in bed pondering all the possible meanings for that vision. Had he not seen that one before? Had he simply neglected to view it or had it only recently found its place in the web? He was just about to launch into one of his lengthy internal monologues when a thought hit him. "Win."
Drake ran, full tilt, down the streets of Marn, eliciting all sorts of stares. As he drew near the house he was looking for he slowed to a trot, and, without conscious thought, placed a hand over his jouncing scabbard to silence it. Behind the house he ducked low and jogged to the window. A quick peek inside told him that the other was still resting, albeit fitfully.
The man began to come to just as soon as Drake's feet found the sill. He sat there, like some great bird ready to swoop down on its prey, waiting for the other man to take notice. The body on the couch rolled over and shock-filled deep brown eyes fell on Drake. "Morning old friend. That's some little power you've got there. Care to explain were you got it?" The half-elf placed his palms on the sill and swung his legs into the room, turning the window into an effective seat. He continued to sit there, watching the other man with a look of mock-expectancy on his face.
The man was already fast asleep. A thin layer of cold sweat covering Win's skin reminded Drake of the fact that he hadn't bathed in nearly two days. "I will return," he said in a low voice as he crossed to the still open window.
*****
The water in the tub, though only lukewarm, eased Drake's tired muscles. He loathed the little unsettling movements he had to make in order to scrub the grime from his pale body. He wished he could sleep, but he also wanted to make it back to Win's house before the man awoke. He wrestled with the idea of taking a short nap.
On the one hand, if he didn't make it back before the man awoke there was a chance the Win would find evidence of his having been there and make a run for it. On the other hand, if Win woke and decided that intruders were best dealt with with a blade, Drake would need his energy. "I nap it is," he murmured to the walls. He drug him self up from the tub and slowly made his way to his bed, and once there collapsed into the mattress, buck-naked and sopping wet.
****
Drake awoke with a start. He had been in his little memory chamber again, going over all the visions again as if he could find some hidden message in one. It had been going as it always did, a slow and merciless decline into utter defeat, until he noticed an older memory that he couldn't recall watching before. So, upon selecting it he was forced to relive his attack in the Astral Plane. Seeing the face of the wicked being that had caused him so much turmoil had jarred him awake.
Now he sat in bed pondering all the possible meanings for that vision. Had he not seen that one before? Had he simply neglected to view it or had it only recently found its place in the web? He was just about to launch into one of his lengthy internal monologues when a thought hit him. "Win."
Drake ran, full tilt, down the streets of Marn, eliciting all sorts of stares. As he drew near the house he was looking for he slowed to a trot, and, without conscious thought, placed a hand over his jouncing scabbard to silence it. Behind the house he ducked low and jogged to the window. A quick peek inside told him that the other was still resting, albeit fitfully.
The man began to come to just as soon as Drake's feet found the sill. He sat there, like some great bird ready to swoop down on its prey, waiting for the other man to take notice. The body on the couch rolled over and shock-filled deep brown eyes fell on Drake. "Morning old friend. That's some little power you've got there. Care to explain were you got it?" The half-elf placed his palms on the sill and swung his legs into the room, turning the window into an effective seat. He continued to sit there, watching the other man with a look of mock-expectancy on his face.
“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 yawned and rubbed his eyes, then scratched his bare chest before he realized that he had company. He blinked, trying to see the object obstructing his window; the sunrise was at Drake's back and the mysterious man was now a mysterious silhouette. Win's eyes filled with shock when he finally figured out who it was, and he jumped with surprise. He sat up and stared at Drake.
"Morning old friend. That's some little power you've got there. Care to explain where you got it?"
Win couldn't believe his eyes. Realizing he was still half-naked, he launched up into the air and started dancing around the room, looking for his shirt. To him, it was embarassing to be seen in this way, even in front of another man. His hair was a tangled mess, and he was suddenly shivering because his bare chest was exposed to the cold morning air.
"You... WHAT IN BLAZES ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Win shouted as he snatched up his shirt and hastily buttoned it up. He was so flustered that he started on the wrong button and they were all misaligned. "How did you... SHIT!" He walked up to the half-elf and forcifully grabbed his arm. Before Drake could counterattack by drawing his blade, Win pulled him off the window sill and then slammed the window shut and drew the curtains. Then he spun around to face Drake, with a new emotion of calm anger across his face.
"Mr. Drake... now you listen here, pardner... you're gonna keep that big damn bazoo of yer's shut, ya hear?!"
"Morning old friend. That's some little power you've got there. Care to explain where you got it?"
Win couldn't believe his eyes. Realizing he was still half-naked, he launched up into the air and started dancing around the room, looking for his shirt. To him, it was embarassing to be seen in this way, even in front of another man. His hair was a tangled mess, and he was suddenly shivering because his bare chest was exposed to the cold morning air.
"You... WHAT IN BLAZES ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Win shouted as he snatched up his shirt and hastily buttoned it up. He was so flustered that he started on the wrong button and they were all misaligned. "How did you... SHIT!" He walked up to the half-elf and forcifully grabbed his arm. Before Drake could counterattack by drawing his blade, Win pulled him off the window sill and then slammed the window shut and drew the curtains. Then he spun around to face Drake, with a new emotion of calm anger across his face.
"Mr. Drake... now you listen here, pardner... you're gonna keep that big damn bazoo of yer's shut, ya hear?!"
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake watched with mild humor as Win rushed about the room in embarrassment. If he thought he looked bad because he was half naked, the man would have keeled over dead if he could see himself through Drake's eyes. As it was Drake was fighting back a laugh in order to allow Win to save some face.
In truth, Drake had never had much intention of drawing steel. He even allowed Win to pull him into the house, though he was a bit annoyed by the amount of force used to do so.
In truth, Drake had never had much intention of drawing steel. He even allowed Win to pull him into the house, though he was a bit annoyed by the amount of force used to do so.
He stared at the man in puzzlement, trying to work out the meaning withing the words. Taking a guess, he spoke, "Not a problem....pardner." Drake walked over to the couch that the man had just been occupying and collapsed into the cushions. "I never had any plans to run and tell, don't like being a hypocrite." The last was said with a conspiratory wink."Mr. Drake... now you listen here, pardner... you're gonna keep that big damn bazoo of yer's shut, ya hear?!"
“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 slumped onto a chair across from the couch and dropped his head in his hands, convinced his hide was tanned. He pulled his face away and looked up at Drake.
"I oughtta grab my sword and run it through ya, you dirty trespasser! Snitch! Creep," he mumbled. "That's what y'are, a good-for-nothin' creep. What the hell are ya doin' in my house? Shit..."
Win stood up and started to walk into the kitchen, but noticed his shirt was buttoned wrong. He stopped in the middle of the room and started to fix it while giving Drake a dirty look.
For some reason that Win couldn't explain, he trusted Drake. He had just met the scoundrel last night, but now that Drake knew the big dark secret that would ruin Win and get the Marn City Guard all over his back, he didn't seem so mysterious. For some reason, Win felt compelled to reveal his secret to the stranger, since he had never revealed it to anyone. Win just stared at the cloaked man in confusion, then walked over to the front door to make sure it was locked. He quickly checked to see that the other windows were locked, then he leaned against the wall next to a bookshelf full of old reference books like dictionaries that Win rarely used.
"Pardner, it's a long story, so I'll try to make it short and clear to you 'cause I'd hate to waste yer time. About three years ago I messed with the wrong kind of stranger on the road; he was a no-good-dirty warlock. He placed this damn curse on me and I've been like this ever since. Midnight to sunrise, I'm out there huntin' every night."
Win drummed his fingers on the wall, then walked over to the windows and peered out the curtains.
"And that it. There ain't nothing more to tell. Now, this is the part where'd I'd tell ya to get the hell out..." Win looked over his shoulder at Drake, who was comfortably relaxed in the couch, "But I locked the door. I don't know if I oughtta cut ya loose yet, pardner..."
"I oughtta grab my sword and run it through ya, you dirty trespasser! Snitch! Creep," he mumbled. "That's what y'are, a good-for-nothin' creep. What the hell are ya doin' in my house? Shit..."
Win stood up and started to walk into the kitchen, but noticed his shirt was buttoned wrong. He stopped in the middle of the room and started to fix it while giving Drake a dirty look.
For some reason that Win couldn't explain, he trusted Drake. He had just met the scoundrel last night, but now that Drake knew the big dark secret that would ruin Win and get the Marn City Guard all over his back, he didn't seem so mysterious. For some reason, Win felt compelled to reveal his secret to the stranger, since he had never revealed it to anyone. Win just stared at the cloaked man in confusion, then walked over to the front door to make sure it was locked. He quickly checked to see that the other windows were locked, then he leaned against the wall next to a bookshelf full of old reference books like dictionaries that Win rarely used.
"Pardner, it's a long story, so I'll try to make it short and clear to you 'cause I'd hate to waste yer time. About three years ago I messed with the wrong kind of stranger on the road; he was a no-good-dirty warlock. He placed this damn curse on me and I've been like this ever since. Midnight to sunrise, I'm out there huntin' every night."
Win drummed his fingers on the wall, then walked over to the windows and peered out the curtains.
"And that it. There ain't nothing more to tell. Now, this is the part where'd I'd tell ya to get the hell out..." Win looked over his shoulder at Drake, who was comfortably relaxed in the couch, "But I locked the door. I don't know if I oughtta cut ya loose yet, pardner..."
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake listened to Win's statement, casually accepting it for what it was. He wondered what the man had done to tempt the warlock's wrath, but now didn't seem the time to ask. Win seemed more intent on making sure Drake wasn't going to become a gossip overnight. So, figuring there was only one way to convince Win of his merit, he settled in for a little display of his own. He gave the other man a sly look as he began to concentrate on his goal.
"I don't think you have to worry about me running to the guard," he said as the shadows in the room began to grow thick, slowly at first and then more rapidly. Drake stood and walked to where the other man was standing, having ceased straightening his shirt. He couldn't tell if the look in Win's eyes was fear, panic, or some other emotion, but he decided that it was a good time to stop the theatrics. "I've got secrets of my own," he said with a clap to Win's shoulder, and the light returned full force.
He returned to his place on the couch. "As for why I'm in your house, can't old friends just drop in to say hello?" he asked mockingly. Sensing that cracking a joke may not have been the correct choice, "Look, I saw you run out of the tavern and thought something might have been wrong, so I followed you here and saw you change. It just didn't feel right not letting you know that I had discovered your secret."
"I don't think you have to worry about me running to the guard," he said as the shadows in the room began to grow thick, slowly at first and then more rapidly. Drake stood and walked to where the other man was standing, having ceased straightening his shirt. He couldn't tell if the look in Win's eyes was fear, panic, or some other emotion, but he decided that it was a good time to stop the theatrics. "I've got secrets of my own," he said with a clap to Win's shoulder, and the light returned full force.
He returned to his place on the couch. "As for why I'm in your house, can't old friends just drop in to say hello?" he asked mockingly. Sensing that cracking a joke may not have been the correct choice, "Look, I saw you run out of the tavern and thought something might have been wrong, so I followed you here and saw you change. It just didn't feel right not letting you know that I had discovered your secret."
“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 continued to stare at Drake, then finally closed his eyes and nodded to show that he accepted the situation.
"Well thank you for the concern, pardner, and thanks for bein' honest. I hate bigmouth blowhards more than anything, and you sure as heck ain't one."
Win went over to the door and unlocked it, and gestured for Drake to leave. However, as he swung the door open, a short unshaven man with rough facial features and messy clothing burst into the house. He pushed his way past Win and hastily tossed his bowler hat onto the rack, then spun around like a little round top to face the house's owner.
"Bad news, Win. Bad news! They came in the middle of the night!"
"What's all this?!" Win asked anxiously, trying to calm down the little man, who was already pacing across the rug. Win glanced at Drake, who just continued to sit there and did not bother to leave, then dashed after the little man. "Johnny, hold your horses! What's all this yammering?"
Johnny finally looked at Win, wide-eyed. "Your sisters... May and Sarah... kidnapped! Bandits!"
This took a moment to register in Win's mind, then he collapsed into the sofa next to Drake. Excellent... my secret exposed and my sisters captured, all in one morning...
"Bandits?!" cried Win.
Johnny went to the front door and made sure to lock it again. "I was out of town, all right... I heard Richie was a little embarassing last night. What a dummy... I was on the road on the way back and I saw an overturned carriage off the side of the road, in the ditch, about a quarter mile from the city limits. I checked inside, and there was nothing, you see. So I went to your aunts house straightaway, and I went to ask her, and I got there and there was a ransom note on the door. But your aunt wasn't there, so I took it." He dug into his black pockets and pulled out a strip of paper. He read it out loud to the shocked and dumbstruck Win.
Dear old which lady. If you ever want to see your to beautiful daghters again, send 600 bishani to Fain on the duble.
Hmm... the bandits must have found out where they lived and assumed my aunt was their mother, Win mused. "Witch lady... that's my aunt all right," he muttered, feeling a little guilty. She wasn't that bad at all. He had been relieved that his sisters were in her care, up until now.
He and Johnny read and re-read and inspected and re-inspected the note to search for clues, when suddenly Win looked up and spoke firmly to Drake.
"All right, unless you've got 600 bishani to spare, get the hell out of my house!"
"Well thank you for the concern, pardner, and thanks for bein' honest. I hate bigmouth blowhards more than anything, and you sure as heck ain't one."
Win went over to the door and unlocked it, and gestured for Drake to leave. However, as he swung the door open, a short unshaven man with rough facial features and messy clothing burst into the house. He pushed his way past Win and hastily tossed his bowler hat onto the rack, then spun around like a little round top to face the house's owner.
"Bad news, Win. Bad news! They came in the middle of the night!"
"What's all this?!" Win asked anxiously, trying to calm down the little man, who was already pacing across the rug. Win glanced at Drake, who just continued to sit there and did not bother to leave, then dashed after the little man. "Johnny, hold your horses! What's all this yammering?"
Johnny finally looked at Win, wide-eyed. "Your sisters... May and Sarah... kidnapped! Bandits!"
This took a moment to register in Win's mind, then he collapsed into the sofa next to Drake. Excellent... my secret exposed and my sisters captured, all in one morning...
"Bandits?!" cried Win.
Johnny went to the front door and made sure to lock it again. "I was out of town, all right... I heard Richie was a little embarassing last night. What a dummy... I was on the road on the way back and I saw an overturned carriage off the side of the road, in the ditch, about a quarter mile from the city limits. I checked inside, and there was nothing, you see. So I went to your aunts house straightaway, and I went to ask her, and I got there and there was a ransom note on the door. But your aunt wasn't there, so I took it." He dug into his black pockets and pulled out a strip of paper. He read it out loud to the shocked and dumbstruck Win.
Dear old which lady. If you ever want to see your to beautiful daghters again, send 600 bishani to Fain on the duble.
Hmm... the bandits must have found out where they lived and assumed my aunt was their mother, Win mused. "Witch lady... that's my aunt all right," he muttered, feeling a little guilty. She wasn't that bad at all. He had been relieved that his sisters were in her care, up until now.
He and Johnny read and re-read and inspected and re-inspected the note to search for clues, when suddenly Win looked up and spoke firmly to Drake.
"All right, unless you've got 600 bishani to spare, get the hell out of my house!"
Last edited by Win Sabre on Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
"Not a problem," he said, pleased that Win had accepted his false explanation. In truth, as anyone that knew Drake for long could tell you, it was his rampant curiosity that had made him follow Win home. This had been his reason for initially talking to WIn, it had been his reason for inspecting the man's home, and it had been his reason for returning to Win's. One of these days it was going to get him in trouble, but until then, he hadn't a care.
As he watched Win walk to the door and open it, Drake moved to leave while he was still welcome, but settled back down when the little man burst into the room. That curiosity reared its head again and held him in place with an intangible claw. The man was pacing frantically, an odd glimmer of fear in his eyes. Drake watched casually as WIn tried to calm the man, Johnny, down.
Drake sat off to the side as the two toiled over the note, reading it over Win's shoulder almost as many times as Win did. "600 bishani," Drake heard Win murmur as he went over it again. The man probably didn't even realize he had started reading aloud. Drake was just about to lean in for a closer look when Win turned to him.
As he watched Win walk to the door and open it, Drake moved to leave while he was still welcome, but settled back down when the little man burst into the room. That curiosity reared its head again and held him in place with an intangible claw. The man was pacing frantically, an odd glimmer of fear in his eyes. Drake watched casually as WIn tried to calm the man, Johnny, down.
At this Drake leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. He listened to the man's story. Odd as the tale was it still help plausibility. Drake was unsettled a bit as Win plopped down on the couch next to him."Your sisters... May and Sarah... kidnapped! Bandits!"
Drake sat off to the side as the two toiled over the note, reading it over Win's shoulder almost as many times as Win did. "600 bishani," Drake heard Win murmur as he went over it again. The man probably didn't even realize he had started reading aloud. Drake was just about to lean in for a closer look when Win turned to him.
Drake looked at him a little shocked, but that soon passed. He then looked at the man with a mix of pity and understanding and spoke. "I don't have nearly that much," he said as he stood, preparing to leave, but the beast hadn't let its claws out of him all the way yet. Not sure why he did he spoke again, his back turned to the two men, "If it's the bandits of Fain that you're dealing with though, you're going to need help. I might not be much, but I'm more than what you have now." He said this last jerking a thumb over his shoulder at Johnny. He waited a moment to see what Win's choice would be."All right, unless you've got 600 bishani to spare, get the hell out of my house!"
Last edited by Drake on Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
“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 looked up from the ransom note at Drake, and just stood there looking stupid with his mouth hanging open. Who else was there to ask? Win did not have any friends who were warriors. Johnny could give him financial support and Richie could probably give him moral support, but that was probably the extent of their abilities. But Drake, he was talented. He had figured out in one night what Win had been hiding for years, after all.
"Well, Mr. Drake, anything you could possibly do would be greatly 'preciated, I thank you kindly."
600... damn...
Win thought of the last time he had seen his two sisters... May was in her adorable pink dress, Sarah in a cute powder blue blouse. They had come to visit Win on his last birthday, and they brought little cakes with his name scribbled on them in icing. He could smell strawberries just by remembering his sweet sisters.
He frowned and pounded his fist against the wall, slowly turning to look from Johnny to Drake.
"I'm going to do anything and everything to save 'em from those scumbags!"
* * * * * * *
A cold wind threw sand into their eyes as Win, Johnny, and Drake stood on the dirt road on the lonely outskirts of town. Not a single passerby or caravan moved past them as they stared down into the ditch and saw the horse carriage lying on its side amongst the tall weeds and bushes, with the side doors hanging open. The horses were gone... stolen by the bandits.
"No offense to you, Johnny. But there's always clues. I don't exactly have a royal flush when it comes to brains, but I'm gonna get to investergatin'. There's always clues..."
"Well, Mr. Drake, anything you could possibly do would be greatly 'preciated, I thank you kindly."
600... damn...
Win thought of the last time he had seen his two sisters... May was in her adorable pink dress, Sarah in a cute powder blue blouse. They had come to visit Win on his last birthday, and they brought little cakes with his name scribbled on them in icing. He could smell strawberries just by remembering his sweet sisters.
He frowned and pounded his fist against the wall, slowly turning to look from Johnny to Drake.
"I'm going to do anything and everything to save 'em from those scumbags!"
* * * * * * *
A cold wind threw sand into their eyes as Win, Johnny, and Drake stood on the dirt road on the lonely outskirts of town. Not a single passerby or caravan moved past them as they stared down into the ditch and saw the horse carriage lying on its side amongst the tall weeds and bushes, with the side doors hanging open. The horses were gone... stolen by the bandits.
"No offense to you, Johnny. But there's always clues. I don't exactly have a royal flush when it comes to brains, but I'm gonna get to investergatin'. There's always clues..."
Last edited by Win Sabre on Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Drake turned around on the spot when Win accepted his proposal of aid. "Well, I'll be any help I can," he said, practically to himself as no one was paying him attention. Win seemed lost in thought and Johnny stared with blank eyes at the ransom note that hung loosely in Win's hand. Drake thought for a minute on what to do. The only people he knew in Marn were in the room, long gone, or victims of Drakes methods of survival. After a moment he spoke up.
"Perhaps we could find more help in the city. Look around for some alley bashers willing to take loot as pay." Win wasn't paying attention, but it seemed Johnny was. He continued talking, hoping that either Win would pick some of the suggestions up or Johnny would second them and get the ball rolling. "We might also ask around and see if anyone saw the kidnappers, maybe see what we're up against." Johnny nodded a bit, but Win was still in another world. A second later the man moved to smash a fist against the wall and spoke.
A half-hour or so later they stood outside the city on the side of a deserted road staring at the wagon. It was solid wood, not a bit of canvas used in its construction. Sky blue paint peeled away from the wooden sides as if some woman had tried to beautify the thing many years ago and gave up after many tries. The bottom half of a back wheel was broken off and a few arrows stuck out of the sides like barbs.
"Perhaps we could find more help in the city. Look around for some alley bashers willing to take loot as pay." Win wasn't paying attention, but it seemed Johnny was. He continued talking, hoping that either Win would pick some of the suggestions up or Johnny would second them and get the ball rolling. "We might also ask around and see if anyone saw the kidnappers, maybe see what we're up against." Johnny nodded a bit, but Win was still in another world. A second later the man moved to smash a fist against the wall and spoke.
Drake started to reiterate his suggestions, but before he could finish Win stated that they would be checking the wreckage of the carriage. Drake didn't see what help that would provide, but he went along with it. The three walked out of the house, Win locking the door behind him, and the started off with Johnny in the lead."I'm going to do anything and everything to save 'em from those scumbags!"
A half-hour or so later they stood outside the city on the side of a deserted road staring at the wagon. It was solid wood, not a bit of canvas used in its construction. Sky blue paint peeled away from the wooden sides as if some woman had tried to beautify the thing many years ago and gave up after many tries. The bottom half of a back wheel was broken off and a few arrows stuck out of the sides like barbs.
Drake heard the man speak and then saw him moving to the carriage. He honestly didn't know what they would find, though he had some ideas. None of those, however, would further their cause. He turned to Johnny, shrugging to indicate his ignorance, and followed Win."There's always clues..."
“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
After a couple of minutes, Win popped out of the overturned carriage. "You'll want to see this." He waved them over and they descended into the ditch to look around. Win crawled over the top of the carriage and asked them to follow. Crouching in some dry weeds, he pointed at the driver's seat, which was still occupied.
The driver lay lopsided in the upholstered cushions and was covered in blood. His jacket and tie had been stripped off and his mouth and eyes were hanging open.
"Damn..."
Win stood up and pulled an arrow out of the wooden panel on the interior of the carriage. He snapped the shaft of the arrow off and then inspected the head and the tail side by side. There were no distinctive marks on the arrowhead, but it was an unusual reddish color, so he pocketed it. He looked over the tail feathers and could not figure out their origin, despite his extensive knowledge of birds, so he pocketed them too.
It was at that moment that he noticed a man standing up on the road. He waved and called to him. Then he noticed the "Help Wanted" flyer in the man's hand.
"I'm Win Sabre! You here to answer my advertisement, cowpoke?"
The driver lay lopsided in the upholstered cushions and was covered in blood. His jacket and tie had been stripped off and his mouth and eyes were hanging open.
"Damn..."
Win stood up and pulled an arrow out of the wooden panel on the interior of the carriage. He snapped the shaft of the arrow off and then inspected the head and the tail side by side. There were no distinctive marks on the arrowhead, but it was an unusual reddish color, so he pocketed it. He looked over the tail feathers and could not figure out their origin, despite his extensive knowledge of birds, so he pocketed them too.
It was at that moment that he noticed a man standing up on the road. He waved and called to him. Then he noticed the "Help Wanted" flyer in the man's hand.
"I'm Win Sabre! You here to answer my advertisement, cowpoke?"