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Post by Jaiden on Dec 17, 2006 18:47:26 GMT -5
"Oh, don't worry. I won't keep you. Besides, it's fairly busy in here. I give your order at least another five minutes... at least." Jaiden flashed a welcoming smile. "If your superior says anything, I'll take full responsibility. Now, I can see that you're rather unacquainted with the art of conversation, so let's see if we can't conjure up a distraction? Something to 'break the ice,' so to say." The young man rummaged through his pack for a moment, retrieving a deck of over-sized cards. "This should suffice. I'm not about to give you a full reading for free - adorable and charming as you are - but I can give you a taste. This'll probably be more exciting than anything you've ever experienced in this dump."
Jaiden was certainly convincing with cards in hand. He could shuffle and manipulate them like a seasoned professional, even if he couldn't discern what they meant - if they meant anything at all. After he was through showing off, he laid down two rows of cards, ten in each one before setting the rest of the deck aside. "Now... we aren't really doing this properly, are we? I know you probably can't contain yourself, but we can take a moment for introductions, yes?" The tender set the blue-haired boy's juice on the bar, looking suspiciously at them both. The Diviner paid him no mind. "I'm Jaiden, the Far-Seeing. Remember the name... you'll be hearing it a lot some day. Tell me who you are, dear heart, and then pick a card. Your name is a small price to pay for the future."
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Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
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Post by Aubrey on Dec 17, 2006 18:56:52 GMT -5
As much as Aubrey was afraid of people, he had to admit- this Jaiden fellow was really something different. He remained his shy self, though he watched with wonder and curiosity blatant in his eyes as the man shuffled and manipulated the cards, and it seemed as if he was caught up in the actions enough to somehow forget his shy nature, if even for a moment.
He offered Jaiden a soft smile, still a bit shy, but seeming to get over it. At least the other hadn't tried to touch him.. That was always a plus.
"Aubrey," he said, still smiling. He was a cute kid, and chances were that he would retain that innocent beauty long into old age. "Uhmm.. that one." He pointed to the card in question, enjoying this 'distraction' very much. He'd never met anyone quite so.. so.. eccentric as Jaiden before.. It was certainly refreshing.
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Post by Jaiden on Dec 17, 2006 19:16:41 GMT -5
"Aubrey. Of course. I didn't really need to ask, you know. I can read your soul like an open book, but there's formalities, even for the gifted like myself." He probably could've sounded more pompous if he really wanted to, but that was good enough for now. The boy seemed to be opening up to him, and as such, Jaiden was beginning to lapse back into old routines as well. His eyes lit up when Aubrey had made his decision, snatching up the card with long, delicate fingers whose nails had been painted in strange designs and colors.
"Ah, yes. The Quest." He laid the card down in front of the boy, which depicted several fellows setting off towards a distant horizon. The quality of the art was fine - his parents didn't spare any expense on them. After all, their son needed to make them look good. "Maybe you've got a bit of adventurer in your blood. That would certainly beat serving tables, don't you think? Mmhmm. Time will tell... you can take one more, if you like, but any more than that and I'll have to start charging you."
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Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
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Post by Aubrey on Dec 17, 2006 19:26:05 GMT -5
Somehow, Aubrey did not see Jaiden as being pompous, but rather, silly and somewhat entertaining. He hid a smile behind his hand as 'the Far-Seeing' spoke, eyes alight with intrigue and what had to be an alien happiness he had not felt since his father had been alive.
"Really? I can pick another one?" he asked, surprised. Had he been rich, he'd have been the perfect prey for Jaiden to live off of. Yet, he was not, but apparently, the prospect of being able to pick another card was enough to make him perk up as it were. He looked down at the cards, biting his lip in thought as he tried to decide which. They all looked the same, which was the point, and finally, he pointed to one more. "Uhmm.. That one!"
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Post by Jaiden on Dec 17, 2006 19:50:23 GMT -5
Not every con was for Ka - in fact, could one even really call it such when the purpose was to make someone happy? He supposed you could. It was still a lie, but the intention was mostly pure. Of course, Jaiden was enjoying the attention, and despite his best efforts, he didn't usually get to spend his time among gentle and attractive folk. There was enough in this for him as there was for Aubrey.
"Well, I usually only give peeks when I'm feeling charitable, but I like you. A glimpse will do." He sat back, sipped at his juice for just a moment, and took the indicated card. A grin spread across his pale lips. Here was the easy one; the one that people loved to draw. "The Lovers," he proclaimed, setting it down in front of the boy. Who wouldn't like the idea of romance in their future? It was easily the best received card in the deck, at least in his experience... but there was a complication in Aubrey that he didn't really think about. The boy was attractive, but feminine... timid yet he seemed to be personable when you could get him talking. Where did that put him, then? Well... it was probably best to just be safe. "There's a lovely woman in your future... or maybe... a dashing man?" He arched a brow. "The vision is a little hazy. I... didn't get much sleep last night."
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Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
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Post by Aubrey on Dec 17, 2006 20:09:23 GMT -5
Again, Aubrey hid a smile behind his hand, laughing silently as his cheeks colored. Love in his future.. That was definitely a plus. For him, it could be either a lovely woman or a dashing man, depending on the personality and whether or not it was meant to happen. Love was a funny thing, really..
"That's okay," he said with a small laugh. He really did like Jaiden's company, and actually gave a small frown as his order finally came up. Biting his lip, he stood hesitantly, seeming now opposed to leaving the other's company. "Uhmm.. Could.. Could I come back?"
His question was directed towards Jaiden, and he seemed less nervous in the other's company now. "I still have rounds to do, but, maybe, i-if it's okay with you, that is.. I could come back during orders?"
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Post by Jaiden on Dec 17, 2006 20:15:52 GMT -5
The divining cards disappeared under Jaiden's quick hands, offering a smile to the boy's request. "I'm not going anywhere. My feet are tired... and I'm sure there are others in this place that will become lost without my guidance. Paying customers." He tipped his glass towards the young servant, resisting the urge to ruffle his hair. The kid was soooo adorable. "You're more than welcome to come back. Just don't expect any more free readings. I'd be happy to talk about something else... but don't dawdle anymore. I'm sure someone has been waiting impatiently for that."
He smirked, nodding at the platter the boy held before giving him a wink and turning back to the bar.
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Aubrey
Initiate
.:Look, but don't touch:.
Posts: 215
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Post by Aubrey on Dec 17, 2006 20:53:52 GMT -5
Aubrey nodded, smiling that soft, almost shy smile of his, yet there was a bit more confidence in them now. Had he..? Yes, he was fairly certain that he'd just made a friend all on his own.. It was nice, and he found that he was absolutely fascinated by Jaiden, even as he walked away with tray in hand. Yes.. Jaiden was an interesting fellow..
"Sorry for the wait, miss," he said as he approached Qhai again, this time with her order. He set it down in front of her, a grace in his movements that the spiced ale didn't even faulter or spill. It showed in his face and the fact that both eyes were visible now that something had happened to cheer him up, and he seemed less nervous, even with the crowd, though he did still keep his eyes down for the most part out of respect. "Is there anything else I can get you?"
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Post by Nicolae on Dec 17, 2006 21:02:06 GMT -5
Nicolae turned back to the bar, wondering if that fascinating woman had even noticed him. Probably for the best if she didn't...but still...it would be nice.
As Nicolae cradled his drink he noticed a young man sitting next to him, with a unique hairstyle, combination of blond and blue! How unique! The young man didn't notice Nicolae, he was too busy talking sweetly to the serving boy. A very shy serving boy it seemed. Nicolae heard the man, who appeared to be some kind of seer, trying to charm this boy! How amusing! What did he think was going to happen with that shy boy?
Then Nicolae considered what could happen, and he knew he should forget it and mind his own business, but Nicolae felt the need to speak. He knew shy types and felt oddly protective of them.
"Excuse me," Nicolae said to the young seer. "I hope you don't think me too far out of line, but you should be careful with that one, he's obviously pretty fragile, and, despite what you 'predicted', I don't think he has too much adventure in him."
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Post by Jaiden on Dec 17, 2006 21:22:56 GMT -5
"What?" Jaiden turned towards the young man with the elven features, long nails tapping on the bar. "Too out of line? Maybe, but I'm not one to usually mind. I agree that he's fragile, but don't do him any injustice. He's capable of more. I know it... and many other things." He raised his eyebrows playfully before sipping from his glass. "Just having some harmless fun. I'm not sure why you're so... interested in him, but I assure you, no harm will come to him on my part."
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Post by Nicolae on Dec 17, 2006 21:50:57 GMT -5
Nicolae held up his hands in a gesture of peace.
"I didn't mean to insult you," Nicolae amended. "But I have known shy types like him before, just be careful with a shy heart. I certainly didn't mean to imply you were...unsavory in any way. You just seem...more experienced than him." Nicolae considered for a moment. "And don't con him for too much of his money, I doubt he makes much."
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Post by Jaiden on Dec 17, 2006 22:11:37 GMT -5
"Experienced? I'm not sure how you mean." What the stranger meant could've been interpreted in quite a few ways, but judging by the smile on Jaiden's face, the "seer" had something in mind. His expression grew more serious after a second or two, and he shrugged one shoulder. "I was just trying to cheer him up. I won't lay a finger on the boy... thought never crossed my mind. Promise."
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Syn
Novice
Devilsbane
Posts: 75
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Post by Syn on Dec 17, 2006 23:22:33 GMT -5
As always, Syn was watching those around her, that dangerously cool air about her animalistic in nature, probably because she was an animal at heart. Always listening, always calculating, always plotting.
With a smirk, she took her newly filled wineskin and approached the table where Raivont, Sevian, and Eldarion sat, a feline-like grace in her movements; like a panther. Keen crimson eyes landed on the three and she smiled a sinfully pleased smile, as if something horribly evil had just happened.
Silently, she stalked up behind Raivont, before lifting her leg so that her foot rested on the top of the back of his chair, and yanked him back so that the chair leaned on two legs, and she was eye-to-eye with him.
"Why, Raivont.. Such a pleasure to see you again," she said with a smirk as she peered down at him. Such a pose could almost be considered sexy in nature, however, her intentions were anything but.
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Anoúlk
Novice
Blade of the desert
Posts: 7
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Post by Anoúlk on Dec 18, 2006 12:14:49 GMT -5
Out of the alley, a small-ish, shadowy form appeared. The form peeked this way and that, more out of habit than necessity. The stone wall it was pressing itself again was delightfully warm against it's back. Taking another quick look around, the form proceeded to enter the tavern door.
No sooner did that happen than Anoúlk Sahra, an Assassin with ten years' training, entered the building known as the Gryphon's Claw Inn. Her shoes, light and obviously not made for walking large distances, fell almost silently as she stepped across the floorboards. Watchful eyes the color of a dull emerald scanned the surroundings from under the cover of a few loose strands of thick dark hair.
It was crowded. Good. The tavern was filled with people and animals and more people. Adjusting her scarf to partially cover her mouth, Anoúlk found the nearest available chair, one at the bar, and dropped a few clear Ka onto the surface. She asked for water and casted a quick glance over her shoulder, this way and that. They said he frequented this place often. Today could be different, however. Nontheless, she had little choice but to remain in wait of her target, at least for now.
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Kashan
Novice
You Can't Fix a Life.
Posts: 61
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Post by Kashan on Dec 18, 2006 14:02:16 GMT -5
Thirsty. Kashan pulled at her collar and adjusted her hat. She found herself, more often than not, feeling just a bit overheated. You would think after so many years of wearing the thick black coat and wide-brimmed hat, a person would get used to the temperature, but it was not the case, especially not today.
Nanai was with her, circling about her ankles and mewling in protest. The cat too, just barely out of kitten-hood, also wanted something to drink. Seeing a group of horses outside the door of her favorite tavern almost made her change her mind, but the tavern across the way had just as many, and the loud, unsavory sounds coming from that one made her think twice on that.
She bent and lifted the cat into her arm, lightly scratching under its chin, careful not to use too much strength in any gesture when she had her pet in hand. She may not be a full dracon, but she was still stronger than most large men for the dracon blood in her, and it just wouldn't do to go accidentally crushing her only friend in the world.
Nanai purred, and Kashan took a soft breath, frowning softly at the horses and trying to move past them quickly without rushing inside. This particular deus rather disliked horses--and that was probably an understatement. She would have liked to like them, but there was just something so sinister about them that she couldn't get around it. The beady little eyes, those huge flat teeth, the way that every vocalization they made sounded as if they were laughing at you, and lauging evilly at that. No, horses were the henchmen of Sorth, she was rather sure of it. She was also sure, as she entered the tavern and repressed a sigh of relief and a slight shiver of fear, that that entire mental tirade had been completely ridiculous and it was a childish fear, but fear isn't really required to be sensible.
Agh! It was so crowded! The dark-haired woman realized again why she so disliked Meridian. Everywhere you went there were too many people. She tilted her hat down a bit more. It appeared to any onlooker as if it might be a nervous habit, but she really didn't want anyone to notice she wasn't quite, wholly and entirely, human. Mainlanders always thought of the dracon as monsters. Though she'd never been to Xsenzar, she became a monster herself by virtue of genetics whenever someone found her out.
The tables were all full it seemed so Kashan settled for a seat at the end of the bar and fumbled in her pouch a moment before pulling out a few ka. "a cup of cold tea," she said in a voice low enough that the bartender didn't hear her and she had to raise her voice--twice. "A cup of cold tea, and a bowl of water for my cat," she said again, head tilted down towards the counter until the bartender finally heard her.
Kashan had a naturally low voice. She was the type you might not hear speaking unless you knew to listen for her. The fact that she rarely lifted her head up made the projection of sound even worse.
Alone now, she reached into her pocket for something to do--nervous habit, and found her compass. She'd been musing for a few days now as to how one might improve upon a compass and wondered if she might manage a way to make it smaller and perhaps build it into the end of a walking stick. She could call it...ah...a travelers cane, or somesuch. So it was that as she waited she dismantled the item for the third time to examine it. Oddly she found each time she put it back together again, she had more extra pieces than the last. A slight pout pulled at her lips as she tinkered to kill the time. Occassionally, she would give Nanai a light swat as the cat tried to acquire one of the pieces to play with as she sat on the bar beside her owner.
After the fourth swat she told Nanai "Stop." The cat started purring and rubbing against her arm as if asking 'c'moooon please?'
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