PM to join Creatures Of The Night (Crypt)

[Kyra]

"Live and die..for a horse?" She asked him somewhat astonished. Blinking lightly, the young kelvic watched the tall man curiously before adding to her question. "I suppose that isn't the strangest thing I've ever heard of." In truth it likely wasn't though at the moment she couldn't think of anything. Some people of Ravok enjoyed the luxury of having a horse, but none saw them as more than mounts.

"These glass beast that you speak of..are they really so dangerous?" She asked him while glancing over his attire. The world over was dangerous as far as she knew, but the way he boasted about his land and the fierce predators there, gave her cause to wonder if he was being honest or just puffing himself up the way some frogs did. She had witnessed that display before, though she now understood that humans did it for other reasons..at least that is what she was told.

"You have..interesting clothing?" She said as she watched him basking in the nights air. The wind had only picked up for a few ticks, but it seemed enough to cause him some sort of pleasure. Kyra glanced off, her gaze falling upon the trees and the leaves that rustled with the passing breeze. It was nothing like it was in the wilds, and inside the city walls she felt somewhat trapped.

The mask that she had borrowed was interesting, but she had no intention of keeping it, nor did she even own one. She simply liked looking at them and trying them on if she felt like it. Once she had given it back to the man, she started to wander off a bit as he spoke. Of course she could still hear him, and she hadn't walked off any further than a few feet.

She listened as he spoke, learning that he was also new to the city and didn't know much about it. When he started talking about the knights, she rolled her eyes and turned back to face him. In the past days she had heard all she could take about the knights and would rather take them all out right then just to be rid of them. She didn't have anything personal against them but at the moment they were in the way. Although she was starting to get annoyed, her features soften when he spoke of Zith and Dhani. "Zith?...Dhani?" She asked innocently as she crossed back over to him.

[Crypt]

“We Drykas will not deviate from that creed. After the Valterrian, we sought shelter underground from the War. We brought our horses with us, and much have we sacrificed in order to ensure that they would be safe. I don't know whether you would understand it or not; to care for a being with all your soul, to be willing to bond with him until we understand each other perfectly? And to have him or her reciprocate that same feeling? We may not be brothers in blood, but our bonds are sturdier than most.” Crypt tapped on the tree trunk behind him, feeling the firm wood and rough bark. “They are at the head of the food chain. We have warred with them whenever we can, for they would otherwise consume our young, our horses and our poultry if given half a chance. They hunt in small packs, and they work together, having some semblance of sapience. Their beaks are extraordinarily sharp and tough, even though they appear to be translucent glass. Their talons are long, and they can run faster than a Cyphrus Strider.” Crypt looked into the distance, observing a small group of ravens, perched on a branch. “Thank you for your compliment, but why do you say so? Yours is certainly interesting too.” Crypt's mood brightened slightly as the breeze turned into wind. Lord Zulrav may not have been here in person, but even a little wind was still welcome after swimming in the oceans of people that were the denizens of Syliras. “Aye. Both of them. I've met two Zith, and they were more... civilised than the rest of their kind. Their wings are fascinating; how do they fly with such thin wings? The Dhani was a shapeshifter, a snake and a human. He was... polite enough to engage in a conversation with me, but he's already left Syliras.” Crypt abruptly turned his head towards Kyra, smiling gently. “But enough! You must be tired of my prattle. I believe in balance, so speak now, lassie. Tell me, who are you? And I don't just mean your name. Tell me about yourself as much as I have told you about myself and my experiences. I know that deep inside you lies something primal, perhaps a feline of some sort. You do not have a familiar, or I would have known it by now. Pray speak then, lass.” The tables had been turned.

[Kyra]

Kyra arched a brow towards the now mask-less man. Though most of his story was fine, some parts seemly a bit weird, she blinked at him and roll her eyes as he stated something, that he had no evidence to say one way or another. Of course she knew what it was like to care for a being with everything that she had. But did he know what it was like to lose them to chaos and violence? " Sturdier than most? However could you make such a claim. Surely you haven't met everyone.”

She waited for an answer, though she doubted it would make much since. Kyra had noticed the human's way of weaving a story around just about everything, and while doing so making their tale centered on themselves, at least in most cases. Still she listened on as the subject changed to that of the dangerous beast that he had fought. "Do you eat them, once you've killed them I mean?"

Kyra didn't think of danger the way humans did, nor did she find their stories anything more than amusing. It simply didn't matter to her, she was a survivor and she would claw and fight her way through any threat man, or beast. Once he started to speak about the others he had met, Kyra started to wonder off again, until he mentioned wings and shape-shifters. She couldn't tell if he was being serious or not. "You are very strange Crypt." The thought of the snake and human, reminded her of her own kind that could take both forms, and she could only assume that was what he was referring too, though he said it differently. "Those are other races you speak of?"

Then he said it, asking about her past. It was strange to hear as most humans were too busy talking about themselves to ask about anything else. But she would answer him, having no reason to hide everything about her past. " What would you like to know? About my family..how they were murdered in front of me?" She paused for a moment, watching the expression on his face and continued. "Or perhaps you would prefer something else..like why I'm in your city?"

[Crypt]

“Sturdier than most I've seen or heard of, so far. I do not make any claim to complete omniscience, lass.” Crypt noted her rolling of her eyes with some amusement. Apparently she was beginning to tire of the way he was deliberately weaving a tale into everything he spoke. Unfortunately, he was... rather attached to it, given that it was one of his favourite modes of speech, and as Wrenmae and Eridanus had deigned to speak with in much the same manner, though utilising poetry. “Some Drykas have expressed a distaste for their flavour, but others, like me, enjoy an occasional meal of glassbeak stew. Once you wash it well, coupled with some herbs and a dash of spice, it makes for quite a nice meal. Some say it tastes like chicken, but it has its own unique flavour.” “Strange, you say? That's not the worst description I've heard of myself, so thank you for that. Yes, I do not lie when I speak of them. I can offer you no direct proof that they exist right here and right now, unfortunately. The Dhani have three forms: One, their human form. Second, their full snake form. And third, a combination of both. They appear similar to the polar bear mounts of some Vantha I've met in that both can shapeshift, but the bears cannot have a hybrid form.” Crypt's face did not twitch as Kyra mentioned the death of her family almost casually. His calm expression was set in stone. “Curious. Both you and I have witnessed the deaths of family members. Apparently we are not so different. I do not wish to dwell on that tonight; this night is not for remembering the past, but for relishing the present. Speak then, lass. Why did you come here? Where did you come from?”

[Kyra]

Kyra stared harder at him, slowly lifting her arm and allowing her finger to lightly poke at his chest. "But you do, don't you?"

It had been in her experience that people said exactly what they meant, even if they weren't aware that they were doing so. It was the way of things, although social niceties was also a factor when dealing with some people. Human interactions were a strange thing, and just when she thought she had learned enough, she was surprised to know that she wasn't even close, at least in some situations.

"That sounds very tasty..." she said in response to the Glassbeak stew. It was an honest statement, though Kyra would eat mostly anything if she had too. "Perhaps you should catch one and we can share that meal?" she asked him in a somewhat teasing tone. She didn't imagine that he would be going hunting in the woods now that he was in the city, unless of course, if he were like her and did it for fun.

"You should be careful if you hunt, I hear tales of dangerous man-eating creatures in the forest." They were very close to the Wild Lands, and in many cases word did travel fast. Kyra wondered if he'd heard anything about that..anything about her.

"Have you traveled a lot?" She asked after he said more about the creatures/beings that he had encountered. It was a curious tale, though at the moment with nothing there to poke at, she wasn't impressed. She was more interested in the man in front of her, the one that wore a mask, climbed trees and sang to himself. "You must have so much to tell, so much to share with the world."

Nodding to him as he seemed to take the hint. Hers was not a tale of wonders and mystery, nothing a bard would sing happily about in a tavern. "I come from the city on the lake. The place I had known as my home. I came here on a search, I'm looking for someone, though I suppose you wouldn't know of him...Or do you? You just arrived, yes? Did you travel alone?"

[Crypt]

“Nay,” Crypt shook his head slowly, “It will be an eternity and a half before I even achieve a small part of the power required.” The conversation had started to shift back to focus on Crypt. Curious. Almost as if she didn't want to speak more about herself. Crypt had no problem with that; he had a flair for the dramatic and a love for poetry and storytelling. Crypt smiled as he heard her speak again. “Quite, quite. I can make such a stew, but my mother makes the best. If we're both near Endrykas, I'll see if I can't let you try some of that delectable cooking. We'll hunt one, but since they hunt in packs, well,” Crypt shrugged his shoulders, “We'll just take all three or four of them. 'Twould be an interesting, not to mention new, experience for you.” Crypt frowned slightly at those words, before allowing it to fade away from his face. “Thank you. I cannot very well use a longsword, nor do I remember the usage of the bow, for hunting deer or rabbit. I usually set snares - an adequate substitute, though I encounter trouble sometimes. Man-eating creatures? I met a dire wolf about three to four days' walking distance from Syliras when I was traveling here. Nasty bugger, that. But other than that, I have not heard of any others, nor have anyone I have spoken with.” Crypt rubbed his right arm, remembering the pain he experienced when the dire wolf had bitten him there. “Not as many years as others have, lass,” he said smoothly, “But still much for me.” “Tell? Share with the world? I enjoy telling a tale, or composing some poetry. Most of the time I go to the Rearing Stallion and earn a bit of coin by playing the part of a bard.” Crypt pondered her words for a moment. Was she speaking of Ravok? Yes, the City of the Lake. Fantastic architecture and design, but sadly his trip there was marred by an over-enthusiastic follower of Rhysol trying to convert him. It was amusing at first, but then as he stayed on, it became rather annoying. Every morning he woke up to the sound of “Have you ever let Rhysol into your heart?”. Granted, the man had kindly allowed him to stay in his small apartment for the duration of the stay but still, after so long, it had kind of grew on him. “Rhysol...” Crypt spoke slowly, contemplating the single word, then seemed to awaken from a trance. “Ravok it is, then? I've been there myself for a wee visit. Beautiful place, she is. I have been here for nigh on fourty days, lass, and I have traveled alone, save for the companions I mentioned earlier and some acquaintances on the road. If you could name and describe the person, I may be able to recognise him.”

[Kyra]

"So then it's power that you seek?" she asked him simply. Power was something that she knew of, something that many sought, and even those of the Ebonstryfe looked to gain more. In the world it seemed that having this power was the only way for one to survive, and just as well, it was what she needed too.

Kyra had never been one to speak much of herself. In the city of Ravok, she had been a non citizen, and there for wasn't under the protection of the Stryfe. It was important that she kept things about herself a secret, and away from those who might look to enslave her. While she once in her very few years, may have been too friendly and open, she had since learned that caution was better served.

"Your Mother?" She asked, watching him curiously as he started to go on about stew, and people she probably would never meet, and places she would never visit. "Well...I do enjoy experiencing things, and hunting I am good." Her eyes widen when she spoke, and her tongue slipped out just a bit from her parted lips.

It would appear that he hadn't heard anything about the leopards in the Wild Lands. Odd, being that the city was so close to it, but it was better that he hadn't. Some time had passed since those days in the wilds and she wondered if people had forgotten it. She hoped they had.

"A bard?" She asked, her voice rising a bit. Bards were many throughout Sylira, and even in Ravok. She herself wasn't a bard, but a performer in her own right. "Do you dance as well, or is singing the limit to your ability?" She curved her lips upward as she turned, walked around him and then a bit closer. "I used to be a performer." She added, reaching inside her cloak and pulling her dagger from her hip. "I used to dance, creature magic, and even throw daggers. I had gotten pretty good and could also hit my target every time." she finished by lifting her arm upward and angling it back as if she were going to toss her dagger at him.

She wondered about it as she stood there, being so long since she had last practiced, if she could really hit her target as she once had. She cleared her thoughts and put away her dagger when he mentioned Ravok. "So you've been?" It was an interesting turn of events, a man who had been to Ravok and now was in Syliras, such things didn't happen by stance. It was possible that he knew more than he was letting on, although she couldn't be sure.

With so much in common, so much leading her to believe that he could be, or know of the man she searched for. Still he claimed to have no knowlegde of what she spoke of. Sadly she couldn't answer his question. Kyra hadn't ever laid eyes on the person who murdered her friend which made things that much more difficult. "I'm afraid...it's not so easy."

[Crypt]

“Power...” Crypt mused. “Power, power, power. Aye, don't most of us seek it? But Power over others I seek not. Rather, I seek to achieve Power, Complete and utter Control over self. And to do that, I train myself in Personal Magic - though outside of Syliras, for the Knights dislike magic users not within their own ranks. I am only starting, however.” Crypt nodded in agreement with Kyra's next statement, smiling faintly as he observed what appeared to be a hint of excitement shown by the lady. “Bard. Nay, most of my skill is in weaving tales, and a little in poetry. My singing would only drive most that hear it to insanity or suicide. I... have never danced before, to be honest, though I'd say you'd be pretty good at it. Just don't throw a dagger at me, I'd be pretty sad if I died now, though I have to admit, dying at the hands of a nice, young lady would be less troublesome.” Crypt fiddled with his cloak clasp. “Yes.” he said simply. “Tell me everything you are willing to tell me, then. I may not have seen much but then again, I have seen some... interesting things in Ravok.”

[Kyra]

Kyra nodded to his statement, but decided to push even more. There was something about this man. Something that stood out, was he the man that she was looking for? She couldn't say for sure, but there was something. Perhaps it was her instincts kicking in, or the fact that she had no other suspects. Still he had been to Ravok, and was now in Syliras just like the note had said...was he the one?

She decided that she would keep him going, find out more, and see what came of it all. Maybe he would slip and tell her something useful, maybe he wouldn't, but she would see for herself. "But power can be used for good, yes?" It was an interesting thing, not long ago when someone spoke of using magic, she would be very interested to learn more, but now, with the many mages that she had met, it was just as normal as seeing a man with a sword. " Personal Magic?"

When he spoke of the Knights, Kyra wrinkled up her nose and her gaze wondered off again. She was none impressed with the big armor wearing, smelly men. More to the point she was even more bored with hearing about them. "I see..."

Luckily the subject had changed, and they were now talking about bards and dancing, subjects she rather enjoyed. She smiled when he asked her not to throw her dagger at him and even giggled a bit." Now why would I do that?" Once the dagger was hidden under her cloak again, Kyra started to wander around as she got bored. "Oh I'm sure that you could if you gave it a chance." A mischievous grin slipped across her lips as she moved further back and lightly stepped onto two of the grave stones littering the garden. Turning slightly with her arms stretched out, Kyra looked at him, while starting to walk backwards and held out her hand, "Dance with me.."

[Crypt]

“Power, my dear, is neither good nor bad. It depends on how it is used, and what it is used for. No one is good or bad; all of it is relative. The people of Ravok revere Rhysol, and think him good, yet Syliran Knights think him an abomination. I have no opinion on him, though I'm currently leaning towards Ravok. Have you not hic? It is where one uses only himself to conduct magic, as opposed to something like Summoning, where the mage calls upon otherworldly beings to do his bidding.” Crypt grinned as Kyra giggled. Hopefully she wouldn't actually do it. It was awfully hard to get the bloodstains out of his clothes. And then she asked him to dance. Crypt was taken aback following Kyra's teasing answer. Not one female had ever requested for him to dance with them or spend some time with them before, and this was rather startling. “Uhh...” Crypt most eloquently replied. He walked towards her andslowly took her hand, marvelling at its texture with what little parts of his mind were recovering from his frozen state of mind.