Completed A Bizarre day

[Durvekral Wormwood]

"A Riddle," Durvekral repeated aloud.

He was no longer interested in keeping the lie going. Besides, by all apperances, no one had fully believed it anyway. Sure, it had served his purpose in cloudying the murky waters of the truth. However, he did not see any strategic reason to further press the lie that he was a Listener.

"A nocturnal predator?" He thought to himself. "A hunter in the night?" Maybe Durv had accidentally guessed right. After this, he heard her quick reference to the words "tigress" and "snake."

"Kelvics?" He realized that he was dealing with no typical human but with two Kelvics, here. Seeing Samantha's teeth had confirmed, in Durvekral's mind, this fact.

"Yes, that is the riddle, isn't it?" Durvekral smiled with sarcastic sweetness. "You're not a human at all, you're a great big alley cat," he sauntered a step or two toward Samantha. He didn't dwell long. His attention turned to Svan. "And you, the snake, I presume?"

"The people of this town fear and respect me for a reason."

"Renown throughout Alvadas?" Durvekral incredulously asked. "Do they even know that you're a tiger? You're no more an Alvadas hero than I am an Alvadas peacekeeper," he nodded with a laughing smile.

He similarly chuckled at Svan's suggestion of a duel. "Oh, we'll meet up at the base of a mountain during a beautiful sunset and just have at it! How romantic!" He mocked the man. "If you're more interested in spilling blood than letting it, than I suggest you realize that the word 'honor' only belongs in an epitaph. It's a fool's notion that only allowed to persist through romanticized tales of the glorious dead.

I'm going to have to agree with our friend, the murderous tabby cat, and admit that if you want someone dead you simply kill them. You should know that just as well as she does...hiding in the grass and waiting to strike at your unsuspecting prey, right? No silly notions of "good death" or "the glory of battle."

Like the tigress, my blade is skilled and it is not cheap. I don't work for free and since neither of you are reaching for your purses, I have no interest in drawing my blade today. Although, I must admit that I came to the market today to see what I can find..."

His smile faded away into a flat grimace which almost seemed to bleed sarcasm. "And my heart is warmed by the fact that I stumbled across two heartless killers such as myself. Truly, this must be a beautiful city in which to live..."

[Samantha Grenth]

The air was tense around the trio. Annoyance waved off Samantha in waves, calm anger seemed to sliver from Svan, and from the vile creature Samantha coudln't stand was rolling in cautiousness but arrogance. It made Samantha want to twitch an just lash out. But she kept her cool.

Samantha put her eye's on Svan as he talked. A duel, Samantha liked the sound of that. She was already prepped for any trickery the other thing decided to pull and thought seeing it with it's throat lashed open would be a great site. When it had proclaimed that Samantha was a Kelvic by her riddle Samantha wanted to sit the thing down with a book and make it read. Samantha shook her head, and only just kept to herself when it called her a 'great big alley cat', "An alley cat. Never heard that before. But you're wrong. It's not referring to a race, but a person. Those who take too big of a bight of something they cannot handle and pay for it with their life. Are the people of this world becoming too dense? Tell me, have you ever read a book, one that didn't have pictures that is." Samantha was having fun playing with this creature. Thought it turned to be a racist annoyance she liked playing with her food.

"Why do you think they hire a woman to do a mercenaries work? To sit down and twiddle her thumbs for money? Not for being a human, but for being a Tigress. A great creature of deathly beauty." The creature seemed open to the duel until her mention money. Samantha wanted to lash out. Money for a duel? What was he? Does he not have the satisfaction of showing someone a lesson for their fear? Not all thing's involved killing. In stead of lashing out she waited for his continuous talk.

When he mentioned her being a tabby again she let out a warning growl. She would show him a 'tabby' if he kept it up. "...just as well as she does...hiding in the grass and waiting to strike at your unsuspecting prey, right? No silly notions of "good death" or "the glory of battle."" He spoke. Samantha rose an eyebrow at first and nodded but simply shook her head when he mention 'silly' in a way to describe fighting, " Then you must have never fought someone on or of equal ground. There is more pleasure in taking down, whether in their life or simply to spar, someone greater than you or even the same. A duel can be to the death, to the pin, or simply to the black out. Not everything ends in death."

"Heartless." Samantha snorted and moved closer to Svan, "I'd say not. I was very willing to help deary Svan without pay. And I was simply willing to spar with you." she paused and smiled a toothy grin at the boys, "In the last ray's of the sun even." she added a dramatic tone. She could feel Svan still tense and probably weary of Samantha so she didn't raise her arm to put around his shoulder as she would if she wanted to add more impact, "And I don't always have to to be fighting on a job." Samantha shrugged. She was still trying to control her feline instincts and being closer to Svan, who had better control than her it seemed, made her want to control herself better than him. Always a competition wasn't it? Be better than the rest in anything. It seemed to help a little, wanting to be in more control than him, while she waited for the boys to decide on their actions. She had her's set in her mind and was willing to bend them a little if their idea's peaked any interest.

[Licearsvansan]

"And you, the snake, I presume?"

Really? Again? Svan was beginning to grow tired of this game. Hiding his race, only to have it hinted at a few moments later. It never ended either. Once Svan down played one thing down, another was sure to pop up almost immediately. And people have the nerve to wonder why I'm antisocial. It was like trying to stomp out a forest fire. Something no sane man would try, let alone continue. Unfortunately, Svan was hardly "sane" by any measure. In fact he HAD once tried to stomp out a forest fire, only stopping when his shoes caught aflame. So it came as little suprise when Svan continued to uphold his charade.

Most people would have gone the obvious route and pretended to be a snake kelvic instead of a dhani. Svan however had been keeping this lie for a long time and knew the tricks of this game in and out. Just as the man pointed to Svan and refered to him as a snake, Svan looked back and gave a look of light confusion. The look was carefuly calculated to be subtle enough that it would inspire no inquiry as to why he seemed confused, but visible enough to be noticed and cast doubt on the idea that Svan was a snake. One might wonder why he would want someone to doubt that he was a kelvic snake. The reason was simple. Why have one lie when you can have two? Inside his closed mouth Svan worked his djed to flow into his eye teeth until they became light mockeries of his snake fangs. He took special care that the fangs wouldn't be too obvious lest the woman notice the inconsistencies. This served to strengthen the idea that Svan was a kelvic which was to serve as the first layer of the lie. It also gave Svan a reason to have the oh so subtle lisp that Samantha had heard. Perhaps best of all however, was the fact that it hid the notion that Svan was a dhani, since the dhani lack fangs in their human seeming. The second layer of Svans lie was hidden in his confounded gaze. By not entirely embracing the lie that he was a kelvic, Svan allowed himself the ability to say that his fangs were simply the product of his morphing abilities, and argue that his caution at revealing that truth was fear of being found to be a wizard. Inside his head Svan smiled at his own genius. It was perfect. Every bit of it. If asked to transform like a kelvic Svan could fall back to his morpher excuse, and since wizards weren't always beloved, he could easily shrug off any questions as to why he was so dodgey about the matter. Svan could almost hug himself.

Sadly this feeling came and went so fast that Svan nearly got whiplash. The man was now beating down the idea of a duel. That petch little- Svan thought to himself as he listened -and after I had made this perfect little plan to help him out Honestly the plan was purely out of his own selfish desire for vengence, but it helped Svan sleep at night when he told himself that these kinds of things were good deeds. Luckily as the man continued he noticed that the "tabby cat" was getting angrier. The dhani immediately began liking this guy better again. The two went back and forth and Svan watched carefully as the woman grew angrier. This was perfect. The angrier she grew the more likely she would want to kill this other person. The more she wanted to kill this man, the more likely Svan could use her rage to get what he wanted. Insults having ceased, Svan jumped in with tounge as silver as he could make it, "I'm very glad to hear that we have warmed your heartless heart" Svan teased at the irony of Durv's phrasing. "And I'll be honest. I've killed, and I've killed for no other reason than to watch a man die. I also enjoy watching a good fight.", Svan abandoned lies and spoke honestly and plainly to the man. "However, I've recently taken up an...oath of sorts with Caiyha, goddess of nature, that bares me from allowing uneccasary violence or chaos. That includes allowing a tiger lady to go all feral and maul some poor sod in the middle of a crowded market. Seeing as how she's makeing the same kinds of movements big cats do before attacking In the wild I'd say you are about a few moments away from being murdered by our heartless friend here." Svan bluffed his knowlage of big cats a bit, but typicly few people bothered to argue about nature with a follower of Caiyha. That and Samantha really did look about ready to snap. "Of course I doubt you would instigate a fight with a tiger unless you have some means of self defense. Unfortunately that would mean a struggle, and a stuggle means that more of these fine folk are put in danger" Svan waved a hand to the people around them. Some had even gathered to watch. "So poor ol Svan is left with two choices. Either we gather together at a later time for a proper fight, or I hold one of you down so that the other can finish the fight quickly and peacefully." Svan began to lean in close to Durv " And I'm afraid I can't quite restrain a tiger so well" This close to Durv, Svan could strike out and catch him with a burst of dhani speed, but that wasn't his goal at the moment. He had worked his way away from Samantha and had his back turned to her. Hidden from her view Svan made a "just roll with it" sign with his hands and mouthed out the words "play along". Turning back to Samantha Svqn continued "Of course even with my help a fight here would run the risk of hurting innocent people so I ask that you at least consider a duel. And as I have said before, if I fail to bring him before you to fight. Then I will take his place instead. In fact, I know of just the place. A small clearing outside of town to the west of the gaping maws. Though I personally prefer the time of high noon." Svan gave an almost friendly smile to the both of them.

[Durvekral Wormwood]

The snake was ready to go but not here, not in the market place. The chance of causing the man to lose his self control and lash out in anger was relatively lower. Durvekral realized this. He was testing his limits with the tiger, though. He knew this and he knew that further testing her wouldn't be a wise decision.


"Then you must have never fought someone on or of equal ground."

"I find that if you are starting your murder on equal ground, than you've already begun doing it wrong," Durvekral smugly responded to this point.

Later in the conversation, when Svan leaned in, Durv's body tensed up. Svan had made it abundantly clear that he wasn't looking for a fight here in the marketplace. Still, Durvekral didn't like the thought of having a threat this close to him. Despite the fact that it didn't seem consistent with the situation for Svan to suddenly attack, Durvekral mentally reassured himself of the location of his assassin's dagger while thinking about those three tiny blades, now hidden on the inside of the flexed fingers of his right fist.

The man had had some kind of annoyed reaction to the word snake. He couldn't get anything more specific but something was odd, here. He didn't know what it was and he didn't care, but there was some kind of peculiarity about the man and the idea of a snake.

"Oh how I love all the lies. I love the simple elegance of a good lie," Durv returned to that sickly smile that he had worn throughout the entire conversation. "You're lying, and I'm lying and she's lying and I can't quite figure out the truth but everyone is lying about everything!"

A moment later, the man had sent him some sort of bizarre signal. This was the most confusing moment of all. Durvekral didn't know whether to be worried, ambitious or wholly entertained or some combination of all three. Was this stranger serious? DId he truly expect for Durvekral to just play some sort of game with him? Here among dangerous strangers? Here in a house of glass ready to shatter with anger and violence?

Durvekral didn't hesitate for a moment. "Why do you grimace at me so? Why are your eyes twitching in such a strange manner?" He smiled and loudly responded with a feigned sense of ignorance. "Do you have something in your eye or has an idea suddenly come along and tickled your sense of humor?" He asked these questions as an obvious and transparent message to Samantha that Svan had tried to send some sort of message.

This was all simply more game to Durvekral. He made no effort to lie to Svan. There was no attempt to make it seem as though the signal went over his head. It was a simple decision, he immediately decided to betray whatever plan the man had for himself and Durvekral together.

Durvekral was no stranger to the idea that he was wearing thin his welcome. For the second time, his facial expression returned to that darker scowl. "But whatever untruthful daggers we spit at each other, there has been a lot of genuine talk of animal savagery." He leapt backwards, holding himself up about 6 inches on the wall of a nearby building.

The corners of his mouth were pulled downward, his eyes grave and purposeful. His voice was low and steady. It was almost as if he was trying to be downright threatening.

"The tiger may growl and posture in order to protect its hunting grounds and the snake will keep others at bay with the threat of danger and attack," he started slowly with very purposeful pauses at the end of his points. "But no mention has been made of the cunning spider."

The nature of his threat started to become clear as he described this animalistic behavior. "The spider never engages in territorial spats or shows of dominance. It flashes its fangs only because it is about to plunge them into its next meal. It has no need for intimidation or boasting. It is a patient, calculated, silent creature. It waits, undetected in the shadows. It studies its prey. Sometimes it even sets a carefully crafted trap for its unwitting, fool quarry. But when it strikes, it strikes with a confidence and with a finality worthy of just one single purpose. When it finally engages in combat it is only to irrevocably and undeterably obliterate life. Remember that."

And with that, Durvekral, turned on the wall and used his Symenestran skin and microscopic hairs to scurry up the wall, attempting to make a quick escape. He had gathered, from this interaction, all of the entertainment which he had meant to gather. He knew that no good would continue to come of this meeting.

[Samantha Grenth]

Samantha smiled a weak smile as the man described himself as a spider. She had been wrong that he hadn't read a book and she could except that. What she couldn't except was the fact that Svan had decided he wanted to toy with her. As the spider-man made his escape Samantha turned her attention to Svan.

Raising an eyebrow she glowered at him, "Have you ever heard what happens when you grab a tiger by the tail? I suggest before you decide to toy with the front of a tiger, you make sure you can handle just grabbing it's tail." Samantha still needed to get her fur jacket but she wasn't sure she wanted to travel north anymore. The creature up there could wait, maybe something on the coast would be better, or she could go visit her father.

"I had said I would help you get better clothing and I follow through with what I say...most of the time. Don't expect me to help you win a better bargain or even help you find the merchant with the best selection. Trickery for steel." Samantha had crossed her arms and kept a watchful eye on Svan. She could see the people who had gathered began to drift away but some still stood near.

"And if you still feel the need to toy with the tiger, we can spar. Though I would suggest you don't change your clothing until after if you wish you keep it as it is. Also, might want to buy some herbs, under a tiger's claws is tons of infections just waiting to happen." Samantha didn't want to kill the man, simply show him what happens when you mess with a tigress and think to get away with it.

[Licearsvansan]

Now Svan was confused. The man had done the exact opposite of what Svan had wanted and was now on the wall spewing nonsense about spiders. Its not that Svan had never heard of Symenestras in his travel, nor was Svan confused by the anger the tigeress now had against him. What confounded Svan was that it all went perfectly. The man had escaped and Svan could have his duel. The part that still left him puzzled was whether or not Durv had planned this. Had Svan been betrayed by the one he was trying to help, or was the symenestra so cunning that he had found a different way to "play along". Eager to keep his ego intact he simply assumed that it was all a part of Durv's clever plan to obey Svan while making it look like he was selling him out. After all, the mere idea that Svan's "incredible" persuasive abilities had diminished over the span of 15+ years of near isolation was preposterous.

The dhani could practicly leap for joy at a plan coming together so well. If only slightly differently than he had planned. He kept his composure however and turned away as if ashamed. "Very well", he said with a feigned hint of regret in his voice, "Seeing as how that spider has fled my grasp I suppose it is only fair that I keep my word" He turned back to the woman with a steeled look in his eyes. "I fight you, tommorrow in the clearing outside the Gaping Maw at the sun's highest point" Svan couldn't care less about the romantacism or drama of a noon time fight, he simple wanted it to be warm. "Would you like to add any rules yourself? If not then I'll be on my way. I'm fairly sure that I can manage to find a vendor or two on my own." the last word had a certain bite to it. If Svan was going to duel then he had no intention of doing it empty handed, and this was the best place to fight some new toys.

[Samantha Grenth]

Samantha did in fact have a couple rules of her own. Raising an eyebrow when her bite that he could do things on his own Samantha let out a sarcastic bow, "No one shall stop you."

Stand straight she smiled her well known predator smile, the one that is usually made before an attack, "Oh yes, there are rules. Small one of course." turning her voice innocent. "No weapons. The environment and your self. You have made no account to deny you are not a simple human so I will take the risk in saying you are an animal race or sorts. It is not to the death, I still have a many good years left till my time runs out and I have things I wish to do." Samantha gave no time for him to reply before she turned and stalked away.

Gone was the woman and in replace was a passing angry tigress. Her walking..or rather prowling away had those in her way parting quickly. Samantha didn't care whether or not Svan was looking as the people of this city made way for the dangerous predator, but only that he knew she was a threat to be taken seriously.

Samantha smiled one last time as she exited the Bazaar. An Ironic day, a bizarre day for the Bazaar.

[Daydream]

Congratulations! Here's your thread awards!

Licearsvansan

Awards :

Skill	XP
Socialization	2 Points
Intimidation	2 Points
Rhetoric	3 Points
Observation	3 Points

• Watch your money
• Drop The Act: No Shame In Oneself
• The Bazarre
• The Silencer's Will Act
• Samantha Grenth: The Tiger Kelvic
• Durvekral: The Synmenestra
• Arranging A Fight

Samantha Grenth

Awards :

Skill	XP
Socialization	2 Points
Observation	3 Points
Interrogation	2 Points
Rhetoric	2 Points
Intimidation	3 Points

• Fake Charades In The City Of Illusions
• A Small Altercation
• Svan: The Dhani
• Money for a duel?
• Durvekral: The Symenestra

Durvekral Wormwood

Awards :

Skill	XP
Socialization	2 Points
Observation	4 Points
Impersonation	1 Point
Interrogation	2 Points
Rhetoric	2 Points

• Observing the townsfolk
• Bringing Attention To A Situation
• Samantha Grenth: The Tiger Kelvic
• Not Everything Ends In Death
• Loving the lies

Comments

Great thread guys! However, I do have a few small things I'd like to go over.

Kelvics are strictly mammals, thus trying to put it off as Svan being a snake Kelvic would have failed.

Also, whenever you have large sections of text, try to split it up into a few paragraphs. This helps the flow of the text and is easier to read.

Otherwise, interesting thread! Nice job! Any questions, concerns, or if you would like to see something changed, please PM me to discuss.