Turning Tables [Ignotus, Lunafang]

[Levi Athan]

Day 1 of Summer, AV 512

Levi's little camp wasn't far from Zeltiva, though Levi had taken precise caution to make sure his horses, cart, tent, and most importantly, his prize Lunafang, hidden from the common paths that led to Zeltiva. In fact, next to him and Lunafang, the only people that new where he was, are those few men that helped bring Lunafang to his camp and imprison her. Even allowing them to see where he was was risky, and he planned to move locations today, before anyone decided to snoop around. The last thing he wanted was curious people to put their noses in his business, his slavery business. "Zith, we're moving camp today." Levi stalked up to Luna's cage, a cramped little place, surely it was as uncomfortable as could be, but that was still better than death, which Levi both threatened on Luna, and saved her from thanks to the bloodthirst of the mob yesterday. Levi still thought it was a miracle that he managed to talk them down from tearing Lunafang apart. "I trust you won't bother escaping today. We've got a long ways to go, and it'd be a shame for you to start losing meals already." Levi paused for a moment, putting a finger to his lips to signal to Lunafang to silence herself (regardless of whether she was talking or not... or even awake for that matter). Levi could have sworn he heard something. A rustling in the bushes nearby. Probably a rabbit, squirrel, or some bird, but still, you could never be too careful. Levi reached down to his waist and pulled his axe from his belt, even now there was still flakes of reddened dried blood from the kill yesterday. "Who's there?" Levi spoke up as he took a few steps towards the direction of the rustling, hoping that his approaching presence would startle away some sort of wildlife that was causing the sounds. Yet, he couldn't shake the anxiety that there was someone here, someone that planned to save the Zith, to free her, and even possibly turn Levi in to someone who didn't quite take too kindly of slavery so close to Zeltiva. Levi didn't want to think about a fight to the death, but he would certainly fight if he thought the worst was going to happen. After a few moments of silence, Levi considered restating his question, hoping, again, not for any voice to answer. "I said, who is there?"

[Ignotus Everto]

"Come now, there's no need to pick up that barbaric thing..." replied a high, clear voice from the foliage. Ignotus didn't bother revealing himself just yet. A rapier would have been about as threatening to him as a wet noodle. A staff, slightly less so. An axe, however, would have no problem cleaving a head in two, and though he was hardy by mortal standards, unkillable, even, he thought with a trace of amusement, he did not want to risk getting his brains spilled on the grass.

Getting someone to disregard him was easy. Fighting was not. Besides, why spoil the eerie atmosphere? His lip curled as he said silkily "Surely, such a smart man as yourself wouldn't resort to such tactics..." If Luna could hear him, he wouldn't have sounded like much more than a rather self-satisfied merchant. To Levi, however, every vowel, every syllable uttered seemed off somehow. Almost as if something unnatural were trying to speak with a human's mouth. Uncanny was the word for it. Whatever was waiting for Levi within those bushes wasn't a fluffy Kelvic, that much was certain.

"And he would be right!" Ignotus thought with delight as he stared at the slaver through the branches with eyes unblinking, waiting to see how he'd react. "I simply wanted to commend you on that truly splendid show back in the city... Truly, it was something to make even Sagallius proud..." The voice didn't seem quite as threatening now, though it was certainly still unnerving.

[Lunafang]

Luna stared in fury at Levi. He was cold and cruel. His sidekick, more like another slave, stood by him, both of them staring at some sort of thing rustling around in a bush nearby. Petching Kelvics. Luna stretched, her arms outstretched, and wings as well, only to be pushed up against the cold metal bars that made up her home. She yawned, and looked at them both. "Hey Mr. Slaver, I need some food." she announced. Even if Luna did die, Levi would be hurt as well. She knew he was looking to sell her for money, and if he didn't have Luna, he wouldn't have money.

[Levi Athan]

OOCHey Luna, I think you're a bit mistaken. Ignotus was the sound Levi heard, and they aren't allies just yet. This is the thread where they meet and join forces. Levi felt a faint chill tease the hairs on the back of his neck as he was answered by another voice. It was as he feared, except it was worse because of the shear confidence that voice had. That hallow, teasing, intelligent voice. Levi felt like it was one like his own, which could have meant someone that felt like butting wits with Levi. Levi was fine doing such a thing, except when it was right here, where he could have been exposed for a slaver with relative ease. As suggested, Levi lowered the axe to his side, sliding the handle into the belt at his waist, and he opened his hands, palms up, to show he had nothing else to threaten him with. "It's dangerous sneaking up on a man in his own camp. Barbaric instincts tend to surface when you perceive your life to be in danger. How about you then? Reveal yourself, I'd like to see the face that sees me." Levi felt himself hold his breath for a moment when the man mentioned tactics. It wasn't often the use of an axe was thought of as tactic. No, he already said such a thing was barbaric. He must have meant something else that Levi had done. Which meant only a few possibilities, and the most likely was that this man had seen Levi, knew him for a bit more than he liked to be known for. Levi was already picturing the man's death. It was the best way to keep lips sealed after all. "You flatter me too much stranger. I do not claim, nor believe myself to be any wiser than most. I am curious as to why you suggest this though." Then, as Levi had predicted, the man revealed himself as one who was in the city yesterday. That was when and where Lunafang was framed, captured, brought here, caged up, bound and shackled. He must have been one in the mob, or a silent observer, someone who had slipped Levi's mind in that whirlwind of madness and deceit. Someone who suspected him of being more than a man wanting to bring back money to the city. Someone, like a slaver. Levi realized then that it was futile to deny his title, to refuse his plan, he was caught red-handed, and now he had to own up to it. That and possibly kill the accuser so that less would know. Levi turned to look at Lunafang. She called him by something else, rather than Levi. He shook his head slowly. It was one of his rules, you only called him by his name. She would eat when she learned. He continued to speak to Ignotus. "It wasn't too difficult. Humans in this city don't need to hear much to believe a murderous Zith plagues their streets. That's what they are known for after all. I just used the stories to suit my needs." He turned back to glance at Lunafang, his hand gently stroking his beard as he watched her. He wanted to gauge her reaction to the two men talking about her capture like some incredible feat, skillful plan, or well executed task. As if, her life wasn't really of value to them. Regardless of who this man was, Levi both liked him, and hated him with a passion. "Come out here, I tire of speaking to the trees.

[Ignotus Everto]

Ignotus laughed at that. "Well, I wouldn't want to put you out so early on, now would I?" he drawled genially. There was a faint crackling of twigs, and a slight figure shrouded in black stepped into the clearing, its arms held out slightly to its sides with palms facing Levi. The hood of his cloak was left down. For what Ignotus wanted, it was better to be a Nuit than a human. He tilted his head and torso to the side slightly as he started to step around Levi, and it was difficult to shake off the feeling that he was sizing him up somehow. "You're right, though... Humans really are such narrow minded creatures... Well, most of them, anyways." He said with a flattering smile.

What a rush this man was! It wasn't enough to just lay on the charm and watch him turn slack-jawed like the rest, oh no. Only time would tell if Levi was every bit as tricky as he seemed to be, but for the time being, he was a most pleasing puzzle. It wouldn't do to micro-manage like this for long, though. It might not be Reimancy, but it was still taxing. As it was, Ignotus seemed friendly enough for a dead person. "But enough with the pleasantries. I'm sure you've had enough of those... You wonder why I'm here... You wonder if I'm a threat..." He said as he straightened up and walked slowly towards Luna's cage.

"You wonder if I'm going to spring the lock on this cage here..." He smirked as he ran the tips of his fingers over the edge of the cage, then promptly wheeled around to face him. "You'd be wrong on most counts. One of them would depend largely on you... But I'm not one to spoil the fun of such a fine young specimen..." He grinned, and for a moment the corners of his mouth seemed to stretch up to his ears. But just as quickly, Ignotus was simply a cheery old corpse again. "So I'd like to indulge in it myself, just a little..."

[Lunafang]

Luna hissed at the sight of an intruder, and she ran up to the side, although, still crouching. The cage wasn't high enough for her to totally stand. Her eyes flashed and glared, and she stuck her palms out, thrashing her hands. She wanted to claw him to death, to rip his lungs out... He spoke some words Luna couldn't help but be impressed at. She stopped, and sat back down again with her arms around her knees. She looked at the two as they exchanged glances, and then began to bite her arm furiously, it itched terribly. She looked at Levi, curious to see his response. But she was interrupted, because the man started walking toward her. And not Levi, the strange man. She hissed again, alarmed and threatened, and she backed herself up against the back of the cage. She didn't want to be near of this man at all. When he approached her, there was an icy feeling, and Luna felt mysteriously strange. He was a different man, and Luna was not going to take any chances of being hurt. She hissed, but remained back. She hoped this would make her look threatening enough, even though she winced when he traced the side of her cage.

[Levi Athan]

Yes, sizing him up indeed. Levi was looking the now visible man up and down, searching desperately for concealed weaponry, but the man's cloak made that a futile attempt. He would merely have to stand his ground and keep his wits about him. Should he need to fight for his life, he always had his axe right there, dangling at his belt. Levi, though unable to see much about Ignotus, thus unable to pick up anything too strange, did pay attention to Luna's reaction. She seemed desperate to either tear Ignotus apart, or avoid him completely. She was, at the very least, uncomfortable with his presence and him watching her. That was interesting, because even to Levi, the man that framed her, captured her, and made it clear he was to trade her for coin, she wasn't quite so desperately violent towards. This peaked his interest, but he would have to let it slide for now. He was in no position to press matters. To be honest, he was almost at Ignotus's mercy. Such a terrible thought. "Perhaps they are narrow-minded. " Then, finally after several agonizing minutes, Ignotus offered to drop the facade of kindness, to end the pleasantries, to reveal the bitter intentions behind the sugar-coated words. Levi only nodded slowly. "Everyone wishes to know when danger is about. Surely even you should wonder if I'm desperate enough to keep my secret safe, even to the point of violence." Levi was offering just a little threat of his own to start everything off. He knew very well his skill with the sword, axe, or fist or severely lacking, but his words were sharp, precise, and loaned nothing but strength to his claim. "Speak quickly. I've got much work to do, possibly more thanks to a certain interruption, so tell me why you are here." 'And choose your words wisely.' Levi thought to himself as he watched the Nuit. Several times he stopped to look at Lunafang, and each time she recoiled or hissed or clawed or glared at him. It was so odd that it was driving him almost crazy, since he couldn't investigate at that moment. It wasn't until Ignotus started talking about Lunafang in such an odd way that Levi thought that, oddly enough, Ignotus could have been having sexual thoughts for the Zith. Levi refused the visible grimace as he continued to observe the Nuit (he still had no idea he wasn't human). Was Ignotus saying he wanted to petch with his merchandise to keep him quiet? Certainly not, this man was too smart, wicked, and intelligent to do something like that. He would know the dangers of a Zith, surely. He had to be hinting at something else. "Yes, she is quite the find. Tell me though, why does she interest you?" Levi grew tired of these games when he was the one backed into a corner. Should the tables have been turned, he would have enjoyed this conversation for hours. "Zith, keep yourself calm. You are not in danger." Levi wasn't sure about that, but he would say it just to get Lunafang to relax. The last thing he wanted right now was a violent and noisy slave, next to Ignotus being here of course.

[Ignotus Everto]

It took a decent amount of self control to stop himself from trying to teach Levi the sheer folly of his threat, but Ignotus still managed to keep his cool. It wouldn't do at all to kill him. Even if the body could be salvaged, what would he do afterwards? And that's assuming he succeeded. He certainly had contingencies, but revealing them would lead to problems later on, and if they failed... He didn't like to think about that. The Zith seemed to have picked up on Levi's discomfort as well. This too displeased him. "I assure you, I don't bite." he said with an amused glance at Luna.

Evidently, Ignotus's bluff had succeeded. For whatever reason, Levi wasn't ready to take an axe to him... Yet. Hopefully, he had already formed his own opinion of Ignotus, and wouldn't be jarred when he shifted focus. It was fun to watch him squirm, but he had larger prizes to strive towards. He clasped his hands behind his back as he started to pace around the camp. "She's a brave one. Strong, defiant. Perhaps even a little hot tempered?" He smiled wryly. Ignotus didn't seem quite so frightening now. Eerie, certainly, from the way he never seemed to blink, to the way he walked, but it was no longer at the forefront. To Luna especially, he seemed almost benevolent.He certainly didn't seem to have a low opinion of her.

Ignotus didn't let it show, of course, but in his heart he was beginning to worry. Should he press too hard, or move too quickly, one of them might begin to suspect something. That would be disastrous. Even more disastrous though, was the niggling worry at the back of his mind: He was using too much Djed. He could keep going for a while, certainly, but if the conversation didn't end soon he'd have to rely solely on his wits, or risk either overgiving, or losing one of his weapons for the time being. Considering the alternative, it was a risk he might have to take. "I admire these things, among others. I must confess, I've never seen a Zith before either... You wouldn't begrudge an old man a chance to sate his curiosity, would you?" He asked innocently.

He was still strange, certainly, but there was something about his voice now that suggested he wasn't altogether alien. Indeed, he almost sounded like he could be a friend. "What I want, is to join you for this little trip." He pointed lazily at Levi, smiling faintly. "And before you ask: no, I'm not interested in lightening your coin purse. Perhaps a dozen mizas or so for expenses at most, but I'm not interested in money." Ignotus stopped beside the cage again and turned to face him, waiting for a response.

[Lunafang]

Lunafang's eyes remained wide-eyed and flashed with horror. The man was crazy, the presence that emitted off of him was unbearable. Luna wanted to fly away, it was very alarming. She hissed, and gave off a warning, (In Zithanese so no one could understand), "No, no! Back away!" His smell wafted through her nose, and made her feel so weird. Different. It was like the man was alien. Now of course, Luna was so stubborn, the minute the word "Alien" popped in her pea-sized brain it made her mind think that was his name. She had never seen a unit before. "Alien, back away from my cage!" she said in common tongue.

[Levi Athan]

indentWhether it was the hypnotism, or just Levi's turn to be plagued with curiosity, he was more than intrigued (and that's all it was at this point, suspicious intrigue) to hear Ignotus out. "Forgive me if I seem a bit skeptical, but it's only because I feel it is too appropriate. You want nothing from me, except to travel with me, wherever I go, with the Zith?" It was in fact appropriate to be skeptical. It was just a little too strange of a request... assuming Ignotus was even requesting, rather than subtly demanding it. Yet, Levi was far from convinced that he even wanted Ignotus with him. A stranger who could expose him for who he was, and that was dangerous in a place like Zeltiva, where generally slavery is frowned upon. That was one of the few reasons he even considered keeping him close at all. indent"Before he continue with the Zith, why don't you tell me what interests you so much about me, my travels, and what I do? You don't want to expose me. You don't want my money. I can't think of many more reasons that would provoke anyone to bother themselves with someone like myself, that is unless they were hiding something." Levi, knowing this to be more likely than not, considered drawing the ax and charging the man and hope for the best, though feared too much the outcome to do it. "Why don't you be a bit more honest. Obviously, I am in no place to spin lies, all my secrets are right here. But, I'm not inclined to agree to your request, without truly knowing what it is you want." Levi, then, moved a few steps away from Ignotus to seat himself on a stump, once a base for a healthy tree victimized for the sake of furniture, or tools, or ships. indent"Zith, hush. Our friend has no intentions of harming you." indent'I hope.'