<center><font face="Times New Roman"><font size=5><font color=darkgray>A Mourning Star</font></font>

<font color=silver>"Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream."</font>

<font color=darkgray>Excerpt from "A Dream Within A Dream"
Edgar Allan Poe</font>

<font color=DDDDDD>...They have spent years wandering this world, seeking their destiny or trying to avoid it. Now it draws near. Each of them is different, emerging from the tangles of their past to be seen and judged by all the others. Some will hide their scars, others will inflict new ones. Some will know and others will hope. Eyes will flicker like flame across their trials, their surroundings, and their company...
They will live. They will die. They will find their fate.</font>

</center><font color=darkgray>[*]This game is invitation only.[*]This game is utterly free-form.[*]This game is going to rock.

Let's do it!</font></font>

<font color=white>As she made her way through the crowded streets of Athklata, she could sense the curious eyes of the passers-by drilling holes into her back.

It's only to be expected.

Her long white robes swept the ground as she turned around, catching the surprised looks on her little audience ~ Teacher would have just grunted and walked off. ~ The thought brought a tiny smile to her small lips ~ And he would grunt at you too, if you continued to keep thinking of him the way you do...

A strong breeze sent her flowing black hair swishing, save for the tiny braids twirled with long white ribbons ~ Now where did we go, the last time... the One-Eyed Wolf, wasn't it?

Abruptly, she turned again and began to scrutinise the shop names one by one, at a leisurely pace...</font>

<font color=darkgray>Irinisayn gave a quick tug to the edges of her cloak, keeping the garment protectively tight to her shoulders. Every eye that washed over her felt like an icy needle to her mind. She readjusted her hood as well, hiding the small horns atop her head. This was Athkatla, a greatly tolerant city... For anybody with coin. She shot a short glance to the near empty pouch on her hip. At this rate she'd barely be able to afford a meal, much less acceptance.

I will have to find someplace to duck into. These streets set my flesh afire.

So her eyes began grazing the signs on either side of the street, seeking a temporary haven. Any old tavern should do.</font>

[ 01-10-2004, 12:32 PM: Message edited by: Killing Spree ]

<font color=white>It had been so many years since they last came, that after a while, she began to have doubts ~ A city as rich and bustling as this... surely there is more than a slim chance of shops being torn down, and new ones springing up all over the place. ~ The whisperings behind her continued, but she steadfastly advanced, darting glances about to check out the landmarks.

The little bridge... ~ Here, she stopped briefly, to peer down at the brightly hued fish ~ ... Temple of Mystra... ~ Her heart was thumping faster now, for some strange - nay, silly reason ~ Yes, there it is! ~ Her lips parted in a rapturous smile, then pressed together as she took a deep breath to recompose herself.

But to everyone that she brushed against, as she made her way towards the rustic tavern, it was obvious that she had found her little heaven within this prosperous, yet treacherous city.</font>

http://server5.uploadit.org/files2/070104-XLN.bmp

[ 01-10-2004, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

<font color=darkgray>The unfamiliar sensations of the city flew past as she weaved her way carefully through the crowds, making a point not to touch anything or anybody. As she quickened the pace her two-bladed sword thumped against her back, reminding her of its presence. It was somehow very comforting.

She continued to navigate, ignoring the multitude of things she knew she'd see again. She didn't even bother taking note of the streets she chose, she just wanted out. Needles pricked the back of her neck and an inaudible hiss seethed forth from her throat. Frustrating, idiot humans. The desire to kill every breathing thing she saw began to claw at her heart. She persisted toward her goal, she could hear the bustle of a tavern nearby.

Her eyes shot to the sign above the doorway. The One-Eyed Wolf, how quaint. At this point she didn't care. She swooped through the door and found the nearest alienated seat. She was slightly out of breath as she tried to reclaim the missing shards of her control.</font>

<font color=white>As she tucked her skirts neatly behind and seated herself at a corner of the tavern, she eyed the barkeeper somewhat suspiciously as he plopped a large mug of ale in front of her.

"This... isn't the Moondog Grog, is it?" ~ Her clear, stern tone brought a rush of colour to the man as he began to protest, stammering a little.

"Good." ~ And she smiled her dismissal, turning her attention to the sudden arrival in the tavern.

A hooded character, seemingly restless and a little out of its humour, probably ~ Better to keep a distance for now.</font>

<font color=darkgray>As she was regaining the last of her composure, Irinisayn was approached by a handsome young half-elf. He bit his lower lip as he came closer, uncertaintly apparent in his aquamarine eyes. She inhaled deeply and watched him from underneath the shadows of her hood. She could feel the muscles in her shoulders slacken and the corners of her lips twitch upward. Well isn't he cute.

The half-elf was Zared Tahl'las Leafblade, youngest son of the owners of the tavern. He was barely sixteen, tall like his father, and gangly, with whisps of facial hair and big dark eyes. He stammered when he reached her side, a slight squeak to his voice as he began his sentence.

"C-can I get you something, ma'am?"

Quite amused, Irinisayn pulled off her gold pouch and emptied its contents into her palm. She divided out out a small fraction of the currency with her fingers and held it out to the boy.

"What can this get me?"

Zared examined the money and replied, "Uhhh, well... Any drink you like, really, ma'am."

She gave a small chuckle of approval as she handed him the gold, saying, "Get me whatever you like to drink."

The boy nodded hurredly and dashed off toward the bar, the wood floor squeaking under his boots. Irinisayn winced.</font>

[ 01-10-2004, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Killing Spree ]

<font color=skyblue>Markul

A man walked into the bar named the One-Eyed Wolf, and took a seat alone at a table. He waited for an attendant to see to his wishes, and then lazily surveyed the room and the people found within. He was an average-looking guy..not one that would draw attention with his looks, and seemed to be of common-folk standing.

He had the air of the sea with him, which betrayed his route in coming here, for the docks were but a carriage ride away of about 20 minutes, and a ship had been docked in the harbor for less than an hour from the Western countries. Yet Markul did not have the appearance nor the accent of a Westernese. In fact...it proved difficult for anyone that had been taking survey of him when he entered of exactly where he was from. He just seemed to be a normal guy of no consequence nor bother to anybody. He smiled politely at the waitress as she brought him a huge meal that seemed a bit more costly than this man looked like he would have the ability to pay for. Yet this did not hinder his appetite, and he began eating with a surprising vigor.</font>

</font>

<font color=darkgray>Zared returned with her drink shortly and she thanked him warmly, though her nod was a bit stiff. He stepped back and watched her take her first sip, which she savored before cracking a small smile. Apple cider, what a little pinprick.

"Very good, that will be all for now."

The half-elf then left her to her drink and she took the opportunity to survey the tavern. A couple of other half-elves she was sure were related to her waiter were scampering around, as well as some hired staff. The establishment was relatively busy, but nothing in comparison to the wretched enovironment of the streets. A shiver tweaked down her spine as she took another sip. She'd overexposed herself today, gotten too close to snapping and letting her demonic side loose. And that certainly wouldn't be good...

She then eyed the room for more interesting inhabitants. She spied a beautiful robed woman at the bar, a plain looking man gorging himself at a lonely table, and a small, sleek black wolf nipping playfully at her waiter's heels. The boy cried, "Bah, Maverick, leave me alone! It's not dinner time yet!"</font>

<font color=skyblue>Markul

Markul ate in a hurry. He was also very thirsty from his voyage in the salty air, and had reordered drinks thrice. Always fruit-based sweet drinks, made with milk. His meal was done yet this meager fellow seemed to still have room for dessert. It was ordered, with a look of astonishment from the waitress who had never seen a human engorge so much, and keep it all down.
Finally, and to the expectancy of the onlookers that had begun taking bets on this guy...the common-looking human stood up and found the bathroom. </font>

<font color=white>The cry of the boy diverted her attention and she glanced in his direction to see a spritely young wolf tormenting its prey ~ What a lovely creature... I... ~ Eyes blinking, lips parting, she almost stood up... then sat herself down again, reluctantly.</font>

<font color=darkgray>Sayn watched bemusedly as the half-elf literally hopped over the bar to escape the wolf. The creature looked dissapointed for a moment, then yawned mightily and began padding around and aggrivating other employees.

The tiefling finished her drink then lay the cup down on the wooden table. She felt fairly relaxed by now, the stress of being surrounded by so many warm, pulsating veins had subsided. A new problem faced her: she was still thirsty! She looked around for her friendly young waiter, spotting him attending to the kegs.

With a heave she lifted herself to her feet, took her empty mug in hand, and headed to an empty seat at the bar in hopes of getting a refill on her cider.</font>

[ 01-10-2004, 06:56 PM: Message edited by: Killing Spree ]

<font color=white>The slight rustle on the right now caught her attention and she shot a quick glimpse in that direction, to see the steady, unhurried movement of the hooded figure towards the bar.

How very odd... here this person is, obviously heated up and needing several drinks to quench its thirst... and yet it stays hooded...

More and more interesting. Eyes firmly fixed on the intriguing figure, she watched the barkeeper refill its mug.</font>

<font color=darkgray>Irinisayn sat quietly atop one of the barstools, her tail coiling around the leg of it beneath the cover of her robes. She exhaled heavily after the first sip of her refilled drink, reaching for her dwindling money supply yet again. The half-elf behind the bar only smiled and said, "No no, ma'am, refills are free on the cider." A slight smile was apparent beneath the shadows of the hood. She continued to sip, not paying any attention to anything but her cup until the drink was half gone. Her dark eyes then began shifting to those close to her, examining them silently.</font>

<font color=white>Eh?... Refills are free on the cider? ~ Her right hand subconsciously reached into her left sleeve, fingering a tiny bulge, then exited swiftly.

No harm trying that then, if it helps to save some coin...

"May I have some cider as well, please?" ~ Slightly wincing as her accent reinforced once more the fact that she was a foreigner to these parts of the world.</font>

[ 01-10-2004, 07:25 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

<font color=darkgray>Sayn casually examined the source of a unique voice, taking another decisive sip of her drink. Her eyes quickly darted to the half-elf as he poured the stranger a mug and set it in front of her.

Interesting creature there; she's obviously not from around here. You'd think she'd be more careful...

The tiefling scratched her neck, then returned her attention to her own cup of cider, keeping one eye focused on the other woman.</font>

[ 01-10-2004, 07:31 PM: Message edited by: Killing Spree ]

<font color=white>Things are so different when one is alone... ~ She sighed inwardly, returning her gaze to her own mug, feeling the tingling sensation upon her skin.

You'll get used to it with time. ~ She folded her palms across her lap, looking around, this time avoiding a visual contact with the hooded creature. </font>

<font color=skyblue>

A tall, and very attractive man left the privacy of the rest room, rubbing his belly and smiling. He walked up to the bar and sat atop one of the stools there, spun it around to face the tables in the tavern, and began to hum a tune to himself. After about halfway through the humming...he stopped with a confused look on his face, sang a word or two to himself as if he were trying to remember the next line, then moaned when it appeared that he had given up trying to remember the ending. He resorted to tapping a beat on his knees.</font>

[ 01-10-2004, 07:45 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=darkgray>Irinisayn watched and winced as the noisy human sat down near her. Damn perky berks and all their annoying sounds...

She tried hard to ignore him, taking a large swig of her cider, but every beat of fist against thigh was like the drums of the blood war pulsing in her veins, calling her to kill. Fearing the outcome of the encounter, she quietly muttered, "Please stop, sir, my..." She paused, taking aquick sip of her cider and a moment to think, then finished, "My head rather hurts."</font>

[ 01-10-2004, 07:53 PM: Message edited by: Killing Spree ]

<font color=skyblue>

"My apologies, I did not realize this bothered you."

The man looked at her for a second, as though trying to discern the type of person hidden within the cloth...

"Shall I move, that my human stench not offend you either?"

He stood up and waited her reply.</font>

<font color=white>The conflict has been inevitable, and the scene looked potentially explosive.

I must try, at least, to be some credit to Teacher... ~ And so, she continued to look down the bartop, never directly at anyone in particular, but keeping her ears widely open to listen to the encounter.</font>

<font color=darkgray>Sayn stiffened at this comment from the man, her tail quickly slithering up under her knees. She forced her countenance to remain steady, however. If she ignored what had happened, maybe it would go away.

"Not at all, good sir, I merely have a headache. This is a noisy city and my ears are a little sharper than those of your kind."

Good, maybe now he'll think I'm elven... Berks aren't known for their brains.</font>

<font color=skyblue>The man bowed silently at the hooded lady (at least it sounded feminine), and moved to another bar stool further away. </font>

=================================================

The waitress came running up to her boss ( [img]tongue.gif[/img] ), frantic and nearly out of breath. "The gentleman...he is gone! The one that ate so much...he went to the bathroom but is not there now! I have sent people searching for him and he is nowhere! He sneaked out somehow! What can we do?"

The Head Waitress shrugged her shoulders and sighed. "Nothing. It will be taken on our loss. The man must be an accomplished thief to be able to sneak away so stealthly...and we don't need trouble on our hands from the likes of him or his kind. Now get back to work."

[ 01-10-2004, 08:20 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=white>It was no use. Every fibre in her body protested, but to no avail.

I am never going to be what Teacher wanted... ~ Then a thought struck her ~ He never wanted anything out of me... ~ Her hands uncrossed and she got up ~ He was just himself, and the best thing I could do was to be myself. ~ The burden in her heart was lightening as she made her way towards the robed figure.

"Excuse me, miss, but may I help you?" ~ She spoke somewhat hesitantly when actually upfront and personal with the shrouded creature ~ "... with your headache, I mean?"</font>

[ 01-10-2004, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

<font color=darkgray>Sayn listened to the waitresses predicament but shrugged. She didn't care what happened to them.

She was then approached by another berk, this time the robed woman she'd been watching before. Her lips parted and she sighed softly, wondering what she'd got herself into with one set of deceptions. She smiled weakly at the woman.

"Oh, don't trouble yourself over me, I'll be all right. I just didn't want it to peak up again, you know. Thank you for the concern though, it's not often you find people with compassion these days."</font>

<font color=white>"I see... I..." ~ She swallowed a gulp before continuing ~ "... it just seems rather strange to me, that you would wrap yourself up further, if you are feeling uncomfortable, miss." ~ Yes, keep it soothing and genial... ~ "I know I would feel more suffocated if I were having a headache and still covering myself up."

Tentatively, she darted a quick glance into the shadows provided by the overhanging hood, not that she expected to discover anything much there.</font>

<font color=skyblue>

The man watched with a silly interest, the hooded lady that had now been approached by another lady. He knew that hooded people had something to hide or were really insecure about their looks,,,but he had a suspicion she was the type to be mysterious. He was so bored and looking for trouble anyway, so why not? He stood up and entered the restroom.

A moment later, screams and panic from the people in the tavern erupted. A half-orc brute had come into the tavern and was overturning tables and shouting profanities at anyone in his way. He kicked over one table that became airborne and flew through the air to land several feet away.

"Me want drink now! Me kill for drink!"</font>

<font color=darkgray>Zared hopped over the bar again with a longsword in hand, seeing the failed attempts of many men to stifle the rage of the half-orc. Sayn sighed. She smiled apologetically at the woman and said, "Excuse me." Maybe if I'm good I'll get a free room.

She stood up and took a few steps toward the center of the room, then began weaving strands of magic in the air with her hands. She muttered a few cryptic words, then spread her hands in a clawlike formation in the direction of the half-orc, sending a stream of red in his direction. The energy wrapped itself around the brute's arms and torso like a rope. A hold spell was always handy in barfights.

She then drew out her two-bladed sword and strode forward, pressing the curved tip of one end to his muscular throat. She then growled.

"I never even saw you come in to get this raving drunk, scum... Care to explain that?"</font>

[ 01-10-2004, 09:25 PM: Message edited by: Killing Spree ]

<font color=white>Hand gripping the jade flute tightly, she peered at the features of the half-orc, marvelling at its strong and large build ~ My first encounter... well, almost. ~ All the while marvelling at the swiftness with which the apparently sick lady had reacted.

All calm, all poise, and turning the tables so deftly upon the brash barbarian.

Well, she obviously is more than capable of handling herself. ~ And her cheeks flushed with shame as she remembered her earlier offer of assistance.</font>

<font color=skyblue>The brute smiled and said...

"Me drunk at other bar and they throw me out...me find here and me want drink. Me sorry if offend you lady...me no hurt anyone now...me go away like good lady want. You elven mage? Me like elfs."</font>

<font color=darkgray>Sayn glared, processing the words of the foppish oaf. Her eyes then widened, and she turned to Zared.

"Check the bathroom for that man I was talking to before."

The boy looked puzzled, but did as he was told, he returned a moment later, looking baffled as ever.

"He dissapeared! Nowhere to be found!"

Sayn smirked and pulled the blade away from the throat of the half-orc.

"Now how do you intend to explain that, good sir?"</font>

Larry's character response:

<font color=skyblue>"Me have to here? In front of everyone? Be good elf and let me talk in other room away from people who fear me...please..."

The half-orc looked at her shadowy form then onward to find the other lady that had been speaking to this one earlier, also watching with keen interest as this drama unfolded.

This was turning into a rather fun-filled day.
</font>

[ 01-11-2004, 06:33 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=white>It had begun as a game, but the years had melded it into a habit, a pearl of wisdom from her elderly mentor.

Looking at the brute, she remained silent, the clouds in her eyes dissipating, then gathering ~ Watch. ~ And so she would.

Her gaze began to shift between the victim and the lady who had bested him.</font>

<font color=darkgray>"Now you're trying my patience, sir."

With a dark smile she held up a hand, muttered a few infernal words and a searing white orb formed above her hand, hovering in waiting.

"You explain or I will."</font>

Larry's character response:

<font color=skyblue>"Very well...but you are ruining my fun.

The Orc spoke in the voice that the previous attractive man had used. He closed his eyes and his skin began to melt from his body in a most grotesque scene. His body jerked about in the bonds and they became looser, finally falling to the floor. Everyone suddenly realized that where an orc-man stood before, a young boy of maybe 10 years old stood now.

"Please...I only wanted to know the secret behind the mask, lady. I promise not to hurt anyone again!"

The young lad began to cry and he hid his face in his hands.</font>

[ 01-11-2004, 06:33 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=white>The deception before her eyes caused her a momentary blankout of her mind; she stood gaping, again gripping her flute as if to lose it would be to her sense of the reality.

How... ~ She shook her head disbelievingly, only to hear the continued whimperings of the pathetic child and his helpless form ~ No... I mustn't... not yet... not until I'm sure.

She steeled herself against this cry of distress, knowing that a false step could not only send herself, but everyone else into a state of vulnerability.</font>

<font color=darkgray>The globe dissapated. "Don't be a fool!"

The tiefling was about to begin casting another spell when a middle-aged half-elven man, the co-owner of the tavern, came barreling down the stairs two steps at a time.

"What in all the Hells is going on here?!"

Sayn cringed and turned toward him, calmly replying, "You've got a thief of a shifter in your bar, sir. I was about to dispose of him."</font>

[ 01-10-2004, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: Killing Spree ]

<font color=skyblue>Markul

The little boy spoke up, no longer feigning his tears...yet he kept his boyish voice.

"Sir! Pardon me, but this dangerous and hooded lady attacked me with powerful spells and threatens to slay me here in your tavern where people were eating and enjoying themselves! If I have broken a law, take me to your jail...but please save me from this crazy elf!"</font>

<font color=darkgray>Zared spoke up now.

"Dad, the lady's right. This guy was a half-orc a minute ago!" People around the tavern nodded, watching the shifter with uneasy eyes.

Deiter rubbed his sinuses and muttered, "D'oh..."

He then made his way down the rest of the stairs. "There's no need for that." He looked down at the 'little boy.' "Why don't you go ahead and tell the truth then?"</font>

<font color=white>She surveyed the room, her nerves calmer than before with the appearance of the elder half-elf and his willingness to give the trickster the benefit of the doubt.

No doubt, all will be explained in good time. ~ She moved slightly closer to the hooded figure, her eyes fixed upon the naughty prankster.</font>