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| Vigilance | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 25 2011, 04:17 AM (267 Views) | |
| Shadryn Kyros Aurion | Jan 25 2011, 04:17 AM Post #1 |
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A soft lump of snow tumbled from its precarious perch on a tree branch and fell with a quit plod upon an upraised root, breaking into pieces and scattering over the snow blanketing the ground. Just after, the snow next to the root sighed with its powdery groan as a leather boot sank into it and held fast. Its owner had stopped beneath the tree, taking a moment to run his golden gaze over its jagged boughs over his head, which were draped in white like the silky folds of a woman’s dress hanging from her arms as she danced with arms outstretched. The snow rose to the traveller’s ankles, but thinned past the tree and gave way to tan granite in which was set the nearest of the four Sondosia Hot Springs, which sat placidly with steam rising in wispy rivulets from its surface in stark contrast to the perpetual winter all around. The springs were deserted; their only company at this time of night (or, more appropriately, early morning) was the great crescent of Luna, who cast her pale, unwavering gaze over the land amidst a few faint clouds and such a brilliant a prolific expanse of stars that it appeared every firefly in the world had ensnared itself in the velvet tar of the night sky. Shadryn Kyros Aurion took several more meandering steps, bringing his weathered boots out of the snow and onto the hard rock. In his wingless human form for the moment, he was clad in a relatively unassuming traveller’s attire, predominantly brown leather with a sleeveless tunic over matching trousers bound at the waste with a gold-buckled belt that was creased and cracked from years of use.. Around his neck and grazed by his long, wavy auburn hair was a dark brown scarf, the ragged tails of which stretched full to his ankles and fluttered in the slight nighttime breeze. Perhaps the only conspicuous thing about him was his bare arms, devoid of any mar from shoulder to fingertip. Despite his inadequate clothing, the Nephillim seemed completely indifferent to the mountain chill. The Angel’ohim had always been an adventurer and predisposed toward keeping his own company, but lately he had found himself leaving the legendary beauty and luxury of Solaris Sphaera and wandering the mortal world with even greater frequency. He was fully aware that this irked the First Choir quite a bit—the Seraphim in particular—but they would have to content themselves with the knowledge that his purposes were his own and he would act as he saw fit to work for the good of Eolyn. And if that meant divesting himself of the trappings of his divine ichor and the subtle murmurs of destiny for a short time, then he was all-to happy to oblige. The Angelus’s slow but graceful gait brought him to the edge of the nearest hot spring. Shadryn sank down onto onto his haunches and gingerly dipped the tips of his first two fingers into the water, testing its temperature. After a few moments, he withdrew his hand and shook it out absently to dry his fingers a bit and then straightened to his full height. The Angel’ohim wasn’t one for seeking out hot springs purely for pleasure, especially not so well-traveled a set as these. However, as it happened he had been in the area on some rather significant business and he had some time to kill, and he had figured that no Eirlys would be looking for a bath at this unearthly time of night. The mountain forest was as quiet as Solaris Sphaera, thrust high into the breathless atmospheric heights, and it had a soothing effect on the Angel’ohim’s troubled soul. Thus, he determined that a brief wash would do him good, as he had not bathed in several days and soon would be returning to Eolyn when his business was concluded. With that in mind, Shadryn began to disrobe beginning with his scarf, which fell onto the rock in careless, tangled folds. As he worked, the Nephillim brooded silently behind those golden eyes over the world, both as it was and as he feared it might become. He mused over an increasingly unruly Seraph, who had obtained a nasty habit of challenging his authority subtly whenever he saw an opportunity, over Indira Ves’enthe, who was leading her Siaraian vampires increasingly aggressively, and over the potential mortal danger should the Eolyn leadership fall into disarray and the vampires stormed over Enthesia unchecked. The life of a leader was not a simple one, so it was important to enjoy the simple pleasures, such as that of a serene hot spring bath in a deserted mountain forest. Edited by Shadryn Kyros Aurion, Jan 27 2011, 12:39 AM.
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| Unixian | Jun 2 2011, 10:40 PM Post #2 |
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The night watch – it was a duty Unixian had never quite enjoyed. She had been spared for quite a long time – no need for the Battlemaidens to keep watch in times of low threat. But much had changed in Himani Lixue as of late. It had been rumored that the Blood Drinkers were amassing, and preparing to strike. Such whispers had started some time before, though worries were only cemented when a group of Druids made the long trek from Ewynd, verifying the information and declaring an official alliance with the Eirlys. These times were far more dangerous, and the Elders has resorted to keeping a twenty four hour watch, half of the top warriors staying within their clans while half traveled and surveyed the lands at all times. They had to be prepared to receive an attack at a moment’s notice – and especially at night. And so the pair made their rounds, Abraxxus just as unhappy with the task as his rider. Time and again he would huff, a fog billowing from his maw as on he flew when he’d so much rather slumber. Unixian couldn’t argue the thought, her own eyes weary, heavy though she kept watch quite well – ready to tangle in battle at a moment’s notice. Draconen remained clutched in one hand, quiver strung about her shoulder. Idly Isis flew almost in sync with them, lending another pair of eyes to the watch. All Eirlys had been given strict orders – inspect everything – even if it was assumed to be nothing but fellow clanmembers or approved travelers. Every soul seen could be a threat. The rumors of Blood Drinkers with the ability to almost flawlessly disguise themselves as the majestic snow elves had been spreading like wildfire – and Unixian would be damned if she would let one of them slip into her home. And so she was forced to slow, to descended near the Springs, the shadow of a figure standing out as clear as day from where she was looking. Her expression darkened – how she didn’t want to deal with this tonight. But alas, it was her duty and she would not fail the Elders, would not disappoint her people. Abraxxus descended slowly, landing with a thud in the snow. Unixian slipped from the reigns with ease, Isis taking her place upon the mighty Dragon’s back. ”What brings you to Himani, traveler? These are dark times, you should go back.” She called out, voice resolute and strong as her form approached him. The Eirlys had little care that he was not clothed, little concern over his bare form. She cared only for what and who he was, and his business within her home. No chances could be taken. And it was an incredibly odd time for a bath. |
| Shadryn Kyros Aurion | Jun 20 2011, 04:31 AM Post #3 |
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Shadryn had just begun to unbuckle his belt when his ears caught the distant murmur of large flapping wings in the skies above. Such a sound could only be made by a very large flying creature, such as a dragon. Upon turning, the Angel’ohim cast his eyes skyward in time to see a great, dark, winged shape approaching rapidly. The mists of the mountains swirled around its black wings as it dropped into a shallow dive, clearly heading straight for him. Hmmm. It isn’t so common for dragons to hunt sentients. They generally prefer easier prey such as livestock. His hands rebuckled his belt calmly as his eyes searched the back of the dragon for a rider, and indeed, his eagle-like vision found the humanoid shape of a female with frosty white skin astride the great lizard’s spine. Though they were still at a considerable distance, Shadryn quickly decided that he must have attracted the attention of an Eirlys on night patrol, and one of some clout judging from her fire-breathing steed. Only a Battlemaiden was given such a gift. It appeared that Eolyn was not the only force in Enthesia that was quite aware of the danger swelling in Siaraia. To have such an obviously respected warrior on patrol was a sign of the Eirlys’ significantly heightened vigilance. Far from feeling intimidated, Shadryn actually saw this as an unexpected windfall. If I approach this the right way, I may be able to negotiate an alliance with the Eirlys here and now. This woman appears to obviously carry some gravity among her people, and having them on Eolyn’s side would certainly be a boon. For this reason, Shadryn made no move to leap to arms, not even so much as casting a glance towards where he had lain Soltia and Lunaras, glistering in their magical luminescence, at the foot of a nearby lodgepole pine. Rather he merely watched, naked from the waist up but still fully booted and clothed from there on down, as the dragon flared its mighty wings, flapping vigorously to slow its descent before settling into the snow with a thud that was rather nimble considering the beast’s size. The battlemaiden slipped from the creature’s back, even as an Excel settled tamely upon the dragon’s back in her place, casting her raptor’s gaze upon him suspiciously. ”What brings you to Himani, traveler? These are dark times; you should go back.” The Eirlys were a reclusive people, normally preferring to avoid outsiders. Thus, the more sociable races often found them fearsome and difficult to relate to when they did come into contact. Up close, Shadryn could understand why this was the case. The woman rose to merely a few inches shy of his own height, and seemed the embodiment of the sky itself with skin as white as summer clouds and hair and eyes that shone a bright blue in the moonlight. The eyes had no discernible iris, which was perhaps her most unnerving feature. Despite this, Shadryn found that the Battlemaiden was extremely attractive in her own, erie way. Perhaps if the circumstances were different, he would feel a bit more self-conscious to be meeting such a woman while only half-clothed. “Then it is fortunate for you and your people that in these times of shadow, I am the bearer of the light.” Shadryn ran a hand over his forehead and through his hair, pulling the unruly auburn bangs from his eyes and giving her a full view of his face. His fame stretched all through Enthesia and rightly so, as he had once been the hero upon which its entire fate had rested. There was scarcely a soul alive that did not know the X-shaped scar over his right eye upon sight, and even if they somehow did not recognize it, the twin blades that he alone could wield were unmistakeable. To avoid appearing too arrogant, he offered a genial grin as he folded his arms over his slender but quite well-defined chest. “The Eirlys are not the only ones on patrol this night, fair Battlemaiden.” He carried immense authority throughout the planet, but it was not his intent to brandish it threateningly by revealing his identity. Rather, he merely meant to instill confidence in the Battlemaiden that not only did he mean her people no harm, but that she may actually want him in her territory. For Shadryn went nowhere without a reason, and this night was no exception. Edited by Shadryn Kyros Aurion, Jun 27 2011, 03:02 PM.
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| Unixian | Jun 30 2011, 12:06 PM Post #4 |
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Unixian hardly knew what to expect as she approached, and she awaited an answer and was met with one shortly. Indeed it was...fortunate that it was an Angelus, and not a beast of the Under. However, neither would have made much a difference. Unixian was not one for conversation, no matter who decided to frequent Himani. "Shadryn." She spoke the single word, her cataract gaze narrowing as she did indeed recognize who he was. The arrogant fool. "Have you not a slew of Angeli waiting in Eolyn? Have you not a gaggle of women prepared to wait on your beck and call?" She'd heard stories of Eolyn, of course. Since a child she'd sat and listened to tales of all the races beyond their snowy mountains. The stories of the Angeli never quite match her accusations, but still they hadn't been her favorite. And looking upon the Angel'ohim now, she understood why. "Can Himani help you, Angelus?" She asked, no measure of respect in her voice. It wasn't the Eirlys way to lend respect where it wasn't quite due. Rumors had been spreading of the Seraphim's dislike of their current ruler. Finding him were was indeed a welcome...treat. The last thing Himani Lixue needed was the Angeli's conflict brought to their doorstep. |
| Shadryn Kyros Aurion | Jul 5 2011, 12:19 AM Post #5 |
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Believe it or not, it was actually a bit refreshing to hear something of condescension radiating from the Eirlys. Her icy tone was like a cool, refreshing breeze on a hot day, which one takes the time to savor and wipe the sweat from one's eyes. It brought a bit of a grin to Shadryn's lips, if only a shadow of an actual smile. He liked this one already. Her no-nonsense attitude was a deeply relieving contrast from the horrid, rigid politeness with which many in Eolyn associated with him. They were obligated to, by law. Some didn't like it, particularly in the higher ranks. Many of the higher ranking Angeli were Old Ones that had survived the Great Purge, and were used to the old ways, including the Rite of Aegis. Shadryn had implemented many new, radical policies that were quite controversial, but as the Angel'ohim, his word was absolute law. It was difficult to encourage a free exchange of opinions in such a rigid society as Eolyn, and wherever else he went people tended to treat him in similar ways. It was actually quite invigorating to meet someone who called it like she saw it regardless of who he was. "I shall admit that I know naught of these women you speak of. As I am sure you know from the stories, Angeli are not terribly sexual creatures, and when we do indulge, it is purely for reproduction rather than pleasure." That little jab had mildly surprised him, and it showed on his face through slightly raised eyebrows and a bit of a frown. The Angeli were perhaps the most learned of all races and understood the very workings of the universe on a fundamental level, but in the areas of love and sex, most of them were but children. They partook in the act purely out of necessity rather than any real desire for it. He was among that number, though due to his...uncommon parentage, he had to admit that he had never taken a mate. At least not since Rayne... "As for the Angeli, they have long since grown accustomed to carrying on optimally in my absence. I prefer to deal with many matters regarding the mortal world myself, and so--quite controversially I might add--I tend to spend much of my time looking up at the clouds rather than staring down from them." The wind had shifted, sending waves of steam across the snow to envelop Shadryn's lithe form. This might have raised beads of sweat to slick across a human's skin, but that of an Angelus remained completely unperturbed. The heat beneath the Nephillim's skin far exceeded that in the hot tub, which was why his skin was so tough to compensate. His flesh still felt warm or even hot to the touch. Angeli were as stars incarnate, and had the power and majesty to match. They could also have the arrogance to match as well, as the Nephillim knew only too well. Shadryn ran his hand through his now slightly damp hair, hooking the longer bangs behind his ear before folding his arms over his chest. He paid no mind to her blatant disrespect, acting as normally as if she had posed a simple question without the insolent tone. "I think, more accurately, that our people might be able to help each other." Shadryn kept his eyes on those of Unixian and his tone perfectly even; diplomatic. Of course she did not have the authority to formally bind their two races in an alliance, but as evidenced by her dragon, she was high enough in the ranks of the Eirlys to put in a good word. He wanted to have her support, if possible. "Clearly you are a Battlemaiden of some status among your people, yet you are sent on a humdrum night patrol? Your people very obviously fear a threat that would come in the night, which tells me they are somewhat aware of the threat from Siaraia. This is not purely an Angeli conflict; this is a conflict that concerns the entire continent. If Indira takes control of the surface, she will take control of you. You must understand this." Shadryn kept his voice calm and serene in tone, curious if she would reciprocate or continue to treat him with thinly-veiled hostility. Not that her obvious irritation bothered him; it would just help to have her on his side if such a thing was possible. |
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3:29 AM Jul 11
