Completed Paces of the Night (Vaas, Aela)

[Alori Sai]

Aela continued to dance, her arms above her head, or limp at her sides, with her hips always swaying. The adrenaline rush was still strong within her, motivating her to dance harder and completely let go of herself. If not for her closed eyes, and if she could see herself moving, she might have wondered if it could be called dancing at all. Small beads of sweat began to appear on her fair skin as the heat around her grew to new heights. It was then that she felt gentle, soft hands touching her hips. Aela opened her eyes and was a bit surprised to see the mysterious Sira standing before her. There was a beauty about this woman, one she noticed the moment she saw her. From her flowing red hair, to her skin that held a subtle glow, and those eyes. Golden brown eyes, they were intense, and held a confidence Aela could only hope to achieve. She danced more, emerald green focused into seductive gold. It was almost hypnotizing, as if by her very stare Sira could control Aela's movements. The little Avora was on fire now as the alcohol fueled adrenaline rush engulfed her, and she couldn't tell if she was still standing on her feet. Aela moved a bit closer, her inhibitions thrown to the wind and replaced with the excitement of the moment. She was completely lost in the energy surrounding them, and it wasn't until Sira turned away that she was released from it's spell. Aela moved her fingers through her hair, a sudden dizziness started to take her. She looked ahead, seeing that Sira was talking to someone but couldn't see who it was. Moving closer she saw that Euthisa had appeared and was also talking to the woman. The only person who wasn't with them was Vaas. Aela looked around to see where he was, and just as she turned back she saw Euthisa hurrying off with Sira and the other woman. "What the petch is going on?" She stood there for a bit, wondering if she should follow them or not, and decided to go and find Vaas so that he would know what was going on. Aela moved through the crowd as she looked around for him. She started to call for him but wasn't sure if he would hear her over the roar of the music. A few steps further and she finally saw her friend, who seemed to be dancing with a fairy attractive woman. She slipped through the crowd as best as she could and took his hand when she was close enough. Once she had him, she leaned closer, placing an arm around his neck as she leaned closer and yelled in his ear. "Somethings up, let's go!" With his hand in hers, Aela lead Vaas back through the crowd. She didn't think to ask how he had gotten off away from them, but with the sudden change in the moment her mind was else where. She paused when Euthisa appeared again and told them that she and Sira would be back. "What? Wait!" Aela said loudly, but Euthisa had already made her exit. From where they stood, she could see Sira with the woman they had left with and pulled Vaas along. "Come on, let's see what they are doing!"

[Neris]

Not one but two Inarta women were suddenly in her company, Neris felt safer already. When the first Inarta asked what was wrong she was about the speak, but the second Inarta pulled them away to a quieter space. Neris would be able to speak to them without having to shout. What's more she was able to distance herself from the gang that was after her, hopefully they didn't see her at any point.

Neris smiled at the two, "Thank you so much for pulling me away. I'm not quite alright, actually I'm in a bit of situation. An Inarta boy named Spear and his gang are the local bullies around here. And for whatever reason they decided to chase me several blocks until I diverted my direction in here."

Glancing out towards where she left the crowd she returned her attention to the women in front of her, "Right now I need to get out of here without catching their attention. There are five of them including Spear, so if you know a back way I can slip out from that would be much appreciated."

Despite her even toned explanation, Neris couldn't help but feel slightly nervous. Sure she could get out of the club, but it wouldn't be long before the boys noticed her gone and go out to look for her again. They lived up to their 'bird of prey' nature, as they so called it. They remained focused on a target until the game becomes boring, and by Neris running the game would keep going until she was out of their reach. Or they cornered her and had to face their unjustified cruelty. The bookworm Inarta was indeed in some kind of trouble.

[Vaas]

Somehow Vaas made it out into the middle of the dance floor. It wasn't his original plan, but the music, energy, and the smell of humanity is all around him seemed to drawn him away from his friends. Suddenly, his hands are grabbed and placed on the hips of a tall young woman smelling of lavender. She reaches up, wraps her hands around his neck, and moves closer to him. He can smell the soft scent of alcohol as she whispers in his ear, “Make me forget everything...”Vaas eyes widen in realization that she must be gone on something more than alcohol. He thinks to himself about all the drugs either being passed legally or illegally through the nightclub. He smiles to himself and leans down and whispers into her ear, “It all depends on what your trying to forget.” She laughs out loud and presses up against him, pulls down his head, and whispers again in his ear, “Silly Vaas, I already said way.. to much already.” Vaas eyes widen as she said his name, and all of sudden he remembers the name that went with this voice, and he laughs out loud, “By the light of Priskil, Miri where have you ran off too.” Miri tilts her head and says loudly over the sound of the music, “Here... and there Vaas.” She says again to him with a pout on her face and in her voice, she looks up into his cloudy eyes, “Now less talking and more dancing...Your talking is killing my high, Vaas.”

Vaas smiles impishly to himself and does as he is command. While is dancing, Miri runs her finger tips down his back and around his waist. Vaas feels her twist around once Miri places his hands on her swaying hips. Shocked at how well this night is turning out for him, Vaas notices the lavender scent is much stronger in her hair. Curiously, he notices she is wearing a silk bryda and vanati because last time, he remember talking to her. She was wearing the dek normal attire of a lontev. He is starts to wonder how she change her status. His train of thought is derailed when she wraps his arms around her waist and hold him close as they sway to the music. The fire dancer finally hit him, and time seemed to slow. All that mattered to him was the music, dancing, and the young woman dancing in front of him. Minutes seemed like hours, and in the finally of the song, Miri lets go of his hands and spins around to face him. She wraps her hands around his neck, leans forward, and gives him a gentle kiss. She eye catches a pretty young woman making her way to her dance partner. Before the other woman arrives she leans forward and whispers in his ear, “Thank you for the dance, Vaas.” She lets him go disappearing into the crowd of people.

Vaas standing their with his eyes close trying to wrap his head around what just happened. Second time this summer Vaas as been kiss by women he barely knows. Regaining his wits, Vaas hand is suddenly grabbed once again by a random woman. However, he recognizes her voice as Aela. She places her hand on his neck and yells in his ear. Vaas raises his eyebrow and by the tone of her voice something is wrong. He gives her a nod and yells back, “Lead the way, Aela.” Aela yells wait to somebody and tilts his head to Aela in utter confusion. She hints to him that whatever the situation is involves Euthisa and Sira with a hint of concern in his voice, he ask Aela loudly, “What is happening Aela? Is someone harassing any of you three?”

Being pulled to the group Vaas hears another girl start telling her story of a gang of thugs chasing her down the street. Vaas shakes his head and inwardly growls to himself. Thinking the girl talking is dek being harassed by people of the upper castes. This is not the city, he remembered growing up. Vaas says out to himself in frustration, “There should be laws concerning this sort of situation!” Remembering his days being bullied as a youth, he steps forward as asks as calmly as he can muster, “Is this Spear outside? If they are, I going to have some words with them. Just let me get my staff from the bouncer.” It might be the alcohol talking, but Vaas' normal gentle and happy face is replace by a face totally uncharacteristic of him.

OOCOh I know Miri is random, but she is personal NPC of mine. I am trying to bring into Vaas' storyline. Eventually she will be on my CS. Oh I figured out the BBC code only took me four mouths.

[Sira]

Sira frowned. Normally she wouldn't step into a dispute between lower castes, at least not the kind that this girl was describing. It wasn't that she didn't care, it wasn't that she thought it was alright, but it was simply that she couldn't help everybody. If she helped one person being bullied, she had to help them all, and Sira had a city to feed! She had enough on her plate as an Endal, she didn't have time to deal with petty squabbles. That was what the Valintar was for. But... Sira was drunk. She was among new friends, all who were of lower caste. Sira didn't know what castes they were, that wasn't really important to her, but she knew they weren't Endal. She could recognize an Endal easily enough, they all tended to know each other at least somewhat, and all of them knew of Sira the Wind Eagle kelvic. But then there was the fact that Sira didn't want them to know she was an Endal, at least not right then. As an Endal, she could easily order the boys to stop harassing the girl, and had the authority to enforce it, but letting people know what she was changed things. They would treat her differently, and she didn't want that. When Sira came to places like the Inclement Weather she did so to escape responsibility, as did most Endal who came to the place. In the club she was just a woman, not Sira the Endal, Sira the Wind Eagle kelvic. She was just Sira. She was about to reveal her identity, though, because what would her friends think of her if she just let the girl continue to get harassed. She had no choice, because they would find out eventually. But Vaas spoke up first. The blind man offered to help, offered to get his staff, and Sira became curious. What could Vaas, a man who couldn't even see, do to a group of thugs? Sira could always step in if things got out of hand, but she was truly curious to see what Vaas could do. Of course Vaas would probably be the most annoyed when he found out who she was. He said there should be laws.. well there were. The law was whatever Sira, or any other Endal, said it was at the time. All Sira had to do was speak, and she could stop it. But instead, she kept silent, wanting to see what the blind man could do. OOCI think I was next.. if not, sorry. My post didn't really get in the way of anything though, so hopefully no harm done

[Alori Sai]

Aela stood there as straight as possible, although she felt as if she were leaning, or maybe even rocking a bit. One thing she had learned that night was that she didn't have the stomach for alcohol. She was starting to feel light-headed and reached out for Vaas's shoulder to try and brace herself. The room seemed different suddenly, and she wondered if she should sit down. Instead she decided to stand, wanting to know what was going on and why the woman looked so frightened. "Is she ok?" Aela moved a bit closer, hoping that she could stay up. Tumbling over on them all wouldn't be good, and then she would have to gather the strength to try and stand up again. She listened to the woman speak and learned of what had happened to her. Aela was infuriated, and her blurry vision suddenly became clear again. She clinched her fists tightly, her emerald green eyes narrowed as her fiery temper boiled over. It was a cruel thing to do to anyone and Aela wouldn't stand for it. One day, she hoped to become an Endal, and if a situation like this were to happen, she would have to be ready and step in and set things right. She turned to look at Vaas once he spoke up. It wasn't surprising that he wanted to help, but the tone and the look on his face was unlike him. Aela was impressed and agreed with him completely. She knew that Euthisa wasn't a fighter, and although the mysterious Sira looked as if she could handle herself, Aela couldn't be sure of this. "I'm with you Vaas, this is going to stop now." She wasn't ever bullied in a physical sense, but people had always looked down on her, and even laughed at her anytime she set out to hunt alone. This wasn't her fight, and she didn't know the woman at all, but she couldn't just let something like that go. She was ready to help, she only wished that she had her bow with her, or even her hunting knife to make sure that things went their way. We're just posting!I think the order broke up a while ago, so now we're just posting.

[Euthisa]

The whole group was with the girl now, concerned expressions and voices filled with determination and justice. Everyone wanted to confront this Spear guy and his group and put an end to this girl's torment, but Euthisa was no fighter. It was true, yes, that she had done some personal training at home for situations like this, but she was no expert for sure. No one even knew she fiddled with blade fighting in her spare time, so she certainly had never sparred with someone. She could get herself killed. However, to her knowledge, there was no back way out of the club. They had to go out the front, and if this bully and his gang were indeed hanging out there, they'd have no choice but to confront them. She was conflicted and confused. She wanted to help the girl, as they all did, and she would never abandon her friends either, but she really didn't want to go out and face them. New situations, and particularly ones in the dangerous context this situation was in, intimidated Euthisa. Frightened her. A passing thought crossed the back of her mind though, that if she ever wanted to rise in caste among her people, and one day be an Endal, she'd have to get over petty things like this. They faced much bigger problems and scarier circumstances with pride, dignity, confidence, and certainly without fear driving them away. She'd need to step it up one day. Might as well be today. "Alright guys. I know I certainly don't know any Endals to call upon to handle this, so it looks like we'll have to. I'm telling everyone right now though, I'm no fighter if this decides it's not going to end nicely. I'm only a librarian after all. But let's go." Placing a friendly hand upon the girl's shoulder, Euthisa's next statements were directed specifically to her. "My name is Euthisa. These are my friends, Aela, Vaas, and Sira." She pointed out each person as she introduced them. "We'll help you."

[Neris]

There was a conflict of emotions running through her: worry, gratitude, concern, fear, and anxiety churning her insides. She was incredibly happy that they were willing to help her in a time of need, but this...this was too much. Even if they shook him off, there was no way Neris would be safe enough to roam again freely. Spear would make her a constant target.

"I really appreciate it everyone, but you don't have to do this. Even if you do beat him, that will just make him and his gang more angry. And very much more likely to take it out on their victims." Neris spoke with a slight shake in her voice.

OCC: Sorry it took so long, started college this week.

[Vaas]

Vaas listens to everyone's reaction to his outburst of anger. Surprised at Aela enthusiasm for taking on this Spear. He thought she would try to talk him out of his foolish idea of taking on Spear and his gang. He is happy to have her by his side, but a part of him worries for her safety too. He hides his concern for her safety. He really surprised at Euthisa willingness to help because she not really the fighting type, but Selia told him once that people had a tendency to surprise people in the strangest situations. Maybe Euthisa will hit one of the gang members with a book or something. The thought of that inner visual made him smile to himself for just a second. He doesn't hear Sira jump to the notion of battle. Understandable, it wasn't her fight to get involved in the first place. Vaas won't fault her for that it wasn't her foolish idea to facing down Spear in the first place. Vaas just hopes his friends and new friends know a good healer after this is all said and done.

Vaas listens to the frighten young lady, and realizes she has a point. Will this fight make it worse for their next victim. She got lucky she ran into the club when she did. No telling what they had planned for the girl. Vaas remembers from school that bullies always went after easy targets because deep down they are cowards. Also he doesn't know what caste this guy is a part of. What if he is a Avora or Endal? Vaas will definitely have repercussions if they are higher castes than him.

Vaas thinks about all this while Euthisa is talking, and when she is finished Vaas looks towards the sound of the girls voice and disagrees in a gentle voice, “I know your scared. I can hear it in your voice, but they will not stop bullying until somebody stands up them. I was bullied all the time when I was Yasi, and what I learned from those experiences that bullies are basically cowards, and this Spear is a the biggest petching coward of them all. If he needs five other people with him to pick on one person.” He takes a deep breath and calms down a bit and tries to think rationally, “I have a plan. I am going to give them a new target to go after instead of you, and the target will be me.” He rolls his eyes at the stupidity of his plan, but he continues and he flashes the frighten girl a confident grin and says with a laugh, “I am going to appeal to his Inartan pride, and I figuring he has a lot of pride if he a leader of a gang. Hopefully, if he has any semblance of honor he will take my challenge. More than likely this will cause a stir and somebody of authority will step in to break up the fight. Honesty, I might spend a night in one of the Valintar's cells for fighting or community services shoveling Priskil knows what, but the real goal is for this Spear to pick a new target other than you.” Before she can protest he sticks up his hand and says to her, “I handled these situations all the time when I was younger, so don't worry I am pretty resourceful. However, I think you should stay in the club till its over. I don't want them coming after you for revenge if I am trying to steer them away from you in the first place.”

Vaas looks at the Sira, Aela, Euthisa and says to them with a grin, “Well I thank you all for you enthusiasm for this fight. It might be the Fire Dancer talking right now, but I feel like I can take on the world!” He starts walking away, and stops and turns with a playful grin, “Their is no need for you three to get hurt, but it would be very appreciative if you see one of his buddies jump in take them out. I recommend a swift kick to the balls! Also if my plan is complete failure. Fight dirty and stay alive!” He laughs out loud to or at himself and make his way to the bouncer for his staff.

OOCNeris can I control Spear during the fight? I wanted to ask since it your NPC.

[Sira]

Sira listened quietly as each one of her new friends bravely offered to help, and her heart swelled with pride. Not one of them were Endal, yet they were all ready to jump to the defense of one of their people as if they were one. True, many Endal were bullies themselves, but their duty was to protect the people of Wind Reach. Sira had always tried her best to do so, and she was proud that even those of lower caste were willing to protect one another. Vaas especially impressed Sira. Being a creature with eyesight far superior to any Inarta's, Vaas was technically the weakest in her mind with his blindness, but he was the bravest of them all. Aela and Euthisa too were both willing to put themselves in harm’s way for the girl. When Vass made his final speech, Sira could only smile. "We'll watch your back, Vaas. Don't worry." Sira turned to the girl, Neris, and placed a hand on her shoulder. She bend down and looked her right in the eyes, "Don't worry. I promise you, Spear will never harm you or anyone else again." Even if the blind man's plan didn't work, Sira was ready to ensure that the boy named Spear would be punished. In a time when tensions were high, people like him were the worst sort of all, and he needed to be dealt with. Sira followed Vaas as they left the club, ready to jump to his or the girl's defense at a moment's notice.

[Euthisa]

Euthisa was still worried about all of this. She desperately wanted to help the girl, but she was scared for her friends and herself. She'd certainly never faced a situation like this before, and while she couldn't speak for her friends, she didn't think they had either. Euthisa had a feeling that the only way to help was going to be creating a diversion or escaping with the girl while her friends held Spear's attention. Neither option allowed her to lend a real helping hand, and if she jumped into a fight, she'd surely be the one losing. She couldn't back out now though. Swallowing her worry, she threw an arm around Aela and Sira and turned them to face the entrance to the club. "Well girls, we wanted this night to be one we couldn't forget. I think we got our wish!" Turning to the frightened girl, she nodded her head towards the door and the direction Vaas had disappeared to. "Come on. It'll be ok. Let's go see if we can fix this little problem. We got your back." She sent her a confident smile, at least a smile she hoped came off much more confident than she felt. The last thing she needed to do was worry the poor girl more than she already was. The night certainly would be one to remember. Euthisa just hoped they weren't going to be memories she'd wish to forget. OOCSorry it's so short :/ I was kind of stuck on this one. And I have no idea where all this is going so someone please help us/me out with plot here?