Yesterday (open)

[ninjaofdoom]

Riki waited for a minute, watching the sky through the leaves. She thought about it for that minute. "No," she said softly, still looking away. "Neither of us are normal, I guess," she said and looked down at him. Oh... she thought as she took in his appearance. He had dirt on his face, and looked like he had been stepped on a few times. His fingers were trembling slightly and his eyes had a frightened look to them.

"I'm sorry, Orion," she said and jumped down from her perch. She tousled his head a little and smiled sadly. "I didn't mean to scare you."

[orion]

"I was worried," he said quietly as he looked up at her. He wiggled his fingers a little, trying to stop their throbbing.

He wasn't exactly sure how he felt about not being normal. He thought... maybe it wasn't so bad as long as they were not normal together. But something in the back of his mind said...

Oh, to hell with what his mind said! It didn't make any sense anyway.

[ninjaofdoom]

"I'm sorry, then. For worrying you," she said, giving him a quick hug. "Come on, let's see if we can find another inn to stay at. I doubt he was highly respected, anyway," she said and started walking back toward the marketplace. She wasn't sure what to say about the whole 'abnormal' issue, though. It rarely bothered her, but that innkeeper was just disrespectful in every way and for every wrong reason. It really bothered her.

"By the way," she started, suddenly remembering something. She stopped suddenly and she knew she had caught Orion off guard when he walked right into her. She laughed a little, then continued, "What were you doing down in the marketplace? I didn't think you wanted to go down there..."

[orion]

He looked at her, unsure if he could actually describe what he was doing. There had been... something.

An impulse. There would be something there. Or something had happened there. Or something had happened in a place like it.

"I don't know," he said finally.

[ninjaofdoom]

"Well, maybe you'll remember later," she said and continued walking. She headed straight for the marketplace, walking lightly and happily. Who cared about any of these villagers, anyway? She couldn't help what she was, and they'd just have to deal with it. A few villagers stepped warily out of her way, and she noted a glare from the innkeeper as he 'explained' to a small crowd what had happened. Judging from the doubtful looks in his audience's faces, she doubted he'd be considered a credible source for a while.

She walked through the streets, scanning for another place for them to stay as she tossed the key to the other inn's room back at the innkeeper. There was a much smaller inn on the opposite side of the village. She could just see the rooftop from where she was. She walked toward it, ignoring the mixed emotions of the marketplace. Some were clearly thrilled that someone had finally put the old man in his place, and others were outraged that someone would insult the man's hospitality by throwing him out the window.

[orion]

Orion walked closely to Riki as they went back to the market place. He didn't cling to her, though, as he had before. He tried to absorb the atmosphere of indifference that she seemed to be emitting. He didn't want to care that people gave him odd looks. He didn't want to shrink into the background.

((sorry. My post is kinda blah. Rough day.))

[ninjaofdoom]

Riki walking into the small inn and pleased with how different it was from the previous one. The doors didn't jingle, showing visitors that the innkeeper was more trusting, and the entrance was a nice cozy lounge with bookshelves and tables with tea and coffee being served. It felt nice and homey. A middle aged man stood from a soft chair and came to stand at the counter, looking pleased with himself. "You're the one that shoved good ol' Jerub out the window, aren't you?" he asked inquisitively. "Well, good for you! The old liar needs someone to put him in his place," he said approvingly after she confirmed his assumption.

"Um, we'll be needing a room for the night," she said, deciding that the two were probably rivals. It seemed villagers had too much time to form hatred for each other in their small communities. She dug around in her pocket, reaching for some of her coins.

"Don't worry about it. The sight of Jerub flying into the marketplace was payment enough," the innkeeper said with a chuckle. Riki just shrugged and took the key that was being held out to her. "Down the hall, second one on the left," he directed her before she turned around.

She looked at the key as she walked, suddenly curious about whether the design on these keys would be just as opposite as the rest of either inn. She imagined more people would come here if there was more room, making her wonder if he had provided room for such competition purely as a way to amuse himself. These people were all crazy.

The room was just as nice as the entrance, the walls covered in a pastel colored wallpaper and the beds much higher off the ground than the previous ones with beautifully woven comforters and pillowcases. He must have a very accomplished wife, she thought as she examined it. The layout of the room was much the same, though. Two beds on either side of the room and one window on the back wall. The window provided a nice view into the village streets all the way down to the border of the village. Riki smiled and plopped down onto one of the beds and closed her eyes, enjoying the peaceful feel of this place.

((haha..it's okay. I haven't been much better..XD ))

[orion]

Orion looked around while Riki spoke with the innkeeper. He wasn't consciencely counting things anymore, but rather... he just knew, in an absent sort of way, what the numbers were.

Their room was the same as the last one -- except this one looked nicer. It looked more like a place a person would want to sleep in. He went to the window again, only glancing at Riki as she claimed her bed.

What he needed to do was decide if the thing in his head were left over from wherever he had been before, or if they were just him. His odd fear of people seemed like it should be from something else -- but on the other hand, he could be more abnormal than he thought. What if he was just naturally that frightened of everything?

Well, that would have to change, wouldn't it? It was really.... inconvenient.

[ninjaofdoom]

As time passed in silence, Riki couldn't help but to fall back asleep. After all, she had been so rudely awakened from her last nap. He body needed to catch up. She drifted off into that realm of half-consciousness, just faintly aware of Orion sitting by the window...and a small hammering at the door. How odd...who would need to interrupt them? "It's unlocked," she heard herself say absently to whoever was at the door.

The doorknob turned and a young boy, no older than 17, pushed the door open, peering in. He hoped he had the right room and was pleased when he spotted Riki, confirming his assumption that they had come here instead. He meant only to apologize for the trouble he had caused but was caught off guard when his gaze crossed over the boy sitting by the window who had wings protruding from his head. It was a most peculiar sight to him and he was growing more and more thankful with each passing minute that his mentor had kicked him out into the world. He stepped inside and before he could think twice about what he was saying, he blurted, "Well, I'll be! You have wings! In your head!" His voice was none other than astonished and inquisitive, but he knew that it was rude the second he thought it and starting mumbling his apologies.

Riki opened her eyes at the sound of the voice and looked the boy over. He was tall, maybe an inch or two taller than she was, but he was most definitely younger. His face was covered in freckles, though the underlying skin was pale. His dark hair was dusted over with a coppery color, showing that had been in the sun recently, though his attire would say otherwise. Who would wear so much? Large, loose fitting pants, and loose shirt, and a robe? She doubted he was very athletic. "Yeah, he does. What do you want?" she responded to the boy's outburst.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean-- I was just-- I've just never seen anything like it-- Err, I'm sorry. I have only studied so many things, and this is..well..new to me," he said, stumbling over his words, trying to find a way to sound more polite. "I just thought I'd apologize..."

Riki raised an eyebrow at the boy, curious. "Apologize for...? Surely you didn't come in here just say something rude and then apologize."

"No, no! I'm afraid...I'm the reason the innkeeper went after you. I'm sorry. I just get carried away sometimes. You see, I'm a student, and this is my first time really getting to experience the things I've only read about in books. So, when I saw you in the other inn, I just got really excited that you might be a were-cat. There are so few these days, and I've always enjoyed reading about them..." he said quickly, not pausing to catch his breath. His cheeks turned red from embarrassment and he bowed his head. "I'm sorry," he said again softly.

So this was the 'scholar' the innkeeper had mentioned? He was just a student! Well, she couldn't really hold it against him. It wasn't his fault he was just socially awkward. Besides, it seemed the kid knew his stuff. "When you said 'might be a were-cat', it sounded like you decided you were wrong," she said with a soft smile. This caused the boy to look up with a surprised look and a smile.

"Really??" he asked, receiving a nod from Riki. He turned to Orion again and, again, apologized.

((gah..sorry. Hopefully this'll give us something more to work with? XD ))

[orion]

Orion jumped slightly at the sound of knocking, and he turned to face the door. A man stepped in at Riki's word and -- Orion shrank back and pulled his wings in close the second this person started talking.

Yes. There were wings on his head, he found himself thinking bitterly even as apologies spilled from the man's mouth. He tried not to appear upset by this. It was a silly outburst of surprise, but it still made him feel like a freak or something.

Orion bit his tongue when the man turned his attention to Riki. Go to the desert you idiot. You'll either find more of me or die. The thought rang loudly through his head, but he didn't dare speak it out loud.

He gave a short smile to the man as he apologized again. It was a very halfhearted effort to be pleasant, and, as soon as it was over, he found himself scowling.

[ninjaofdoom]

He was slightly taken aback by the scowl on the boy's face, but knew he probably deserved it. After all, he had just been very rude. He wasn't sure how to behave around these people, though. There were no textbooks for that. He could only hold out his hand and say, "Er..my name's Brant."

Riki observed his move toward Orion with humor. She doubted the boy would have lasted even this long around her people. Maybe a few of them, but they had never taken well to people coming in and insulting them. And he wouldn't be allowed to leave very easily. "And I'm Riki," she said to Brant, making him turn his head and face her instead of Orion.

[orion]

Orion made no move to accept Brian's hand. He didn't even share his name. He just leaned grudgingly against the windowsill with his arms crossed.

He relaxed his wings a little, not holding them so close to himself anymore, and stared at Brant. The way he acted reminded him of someone... somehow. Someone else that he had taken an instant dislike to. Maybe someone at home (again, wherever that was) that just tended to blurt things out like that.

Oh my, they're-! They're what? What was he? His wings shouldn't be an oddity where he was from. Somehow he knew that. Somewhere in the desert there was a strange gathering of people with wings protruding from their heads. That, he could feel, was certain.

So what was odd about him?

[Silvarn]

Tamasha Village...a modestly wretched hive...as many parts good as bad, but perhaps leaning more towards the bad just a bit. There were plenty of damned souls here, souls that needed only guidance to begin the path to redemption.

Helion had spent nearly a week here, trying in vain to redeem the masses of Tamasha. These atheistic, apathetic, mindless bunglers were so fixated on their daily grinds and vices, they could not hear the glorious promises of radiant joy while they continued in this earthly existence.

Helion had become disheartened. Maybe being the Mouth of the Sun was not going to be as easy as he had first believed. He thought the Sun-God would actively participate and maybe, Helion hoped, would take him by the hand and lead him. But that was not to be so. Helion had begun to realize he needed to spread the wondrous word of the Sun-God on his own, with the aid of his devoted followers.

But not today. Today was the day of rest, relaxation, and renewal, by the Sun-God's command. Helion had sent his followers away early this morning. They reluctantly agreed, leaving Helion to his own devices. What should he do today? Aid the poor? Strike down a brothel? Denounce a crooked bureaucrat? Tour the city? No...only the last option had nothing to do with his goal, and would be the most restful.

Helion walked happily down the street, a radiant smile gracing his far features, as if remembering some humorous personal secret. In the dark midst of debauchery and sin, Helion stood out like a bright ray of sunshine, lighting up the streets with his smile and his soft blue eyes. Needless to say, he received many quizzical looks from the throng, wondering what in Blue Blazes this child had to be so happy about. The poor ignorant fools; would they ever be willing to understand the exhilaration of standing in the Sun-God's presence?

While musing about the glory of the Sun-God, he managed to get himself lost in the streets of Tamasha. He was alone, cut off from his supports he had relied on so heavily. A fanged beast of panic began gnawing its way down his spine. Where was he? Which way back down his inn? For a moment, indecisive paralysis gripped him. He could not think; he could only concentrate on the mindless fear eating at him. His eyes finally focused on a sign hanging out above the street: "The Golden Lark Inn" That sounded hopeful. Helion made haste to enter into the inn. These innkeepers had to maintain some contact with each other, yes?

The inn was rather surprisingly empty. A few early-morning regulars were milling about, the barmaid making sure her favorite customers were being well taken care of, and a young boy, no older than Helion, looking about frantically. Helion took it upon himself to introduce himself and talk to him. Who knew? Maybe he would make a new friend! One could never have too many friends.

"Good morning!" Helion announced with a little too much volume.

"Gah!" the boy exclaimed, leaping out of his chair and to his feet. "What's the big idea?"

"Oh, I am terribly sorry. I had no intentions of frightening you, honestly." Helion added with obvious chagrin.

"Well, that's alright. You didn't scare me anyway." the boy said.

"My name's Helion." the cleric put forth his hand, smiling with great warmth.

"I'm Brant." the boy answered, taking Helion's hand. "Wow...you have the most, er, I'm not sure how to say this...vibrant blue hair I've ever seen."

"Oh, well, umm...thank you?" Helion responded.

"I hate to cut this introduction short, but would you mind if I excused myself for a moment?" Brant began looking edgy again.

"Oh, of course. I'm not busy today." Helion informed with a smile.

"Oh, ok. I'll be back...soon." Brant stated vaguely, then dashed off to the upstairs.

What an interesting person. Helion mused. The other patrons of the inn were looking more than half-asleep. All except for the barmaid, who was staring strangely at Helion. Helion returned her gaze and smiled half-heartedly. The barmaid laid a hand to her breast, sighed, then swooned to the floor.

"She must be very tired." Helion said to himself. Maybe the other people could use a few more winks, too. Helion unslung his golden lyre from his back and began plucking the opalescent strings. A rich, hypnotic melody resonated in the lobby area, a sweet tune that made one remember the carefree days of infancy, the days where one's greatest pleasure came from hearing a mother's soft voice singing a lullaby.

When Helion had finished, the other people in the lobby were sound asleep. Helion smiled brightly, put his lyre in his lap, and waited patiently for Brant to return.Don't worry! This was just an introductory post. Not all of my posts are this long, I promise! -

[ninjaofdoom]

There was a moment where things had become silent. More of an awkward pause than people simply being at rest. It was starting to drive Riki insane and Brant looked a little edgy, too. "Well, Brant, if you don't mind, I would like to get some rest," she said, trying to convey that she wished him to leave.

"Oh, no, I don't mind!" he said, continuing to stand in place, eyes flitting back and forth between her and Orion. Riki raised an eyebrow, trying to figure out why this kid had no sense of manners or simply being able to understand underlying messages.

"Um, you should probably go now," she said, making it more clear what she wanted. Brant started and turned around.

"Oh, right. Right. I should go. Thank you. I'm terribly sorry. Again. I'll just be...going now," he said as he left the room, closing the door behind him.

Riki sighed and flopped back onto the bed, enjoying the soft pillows under her head. She closed her eyes for a few moments and took a deep breath. Then, she turned her face toward Orion, still standing by the window. "You okay?"

Brant walked briskly out of the inn, back toward the The Golden Lark Inn, trying to remember something. "Oh!" he exclaimed, picking up his pace. He slapped his forehead, shocked that he would forget something. Especially another person. When he walked in, he stopped by the door, frozen in place by the music. Looking around, he noticed the boy who had approached him earlier playing a lyre. The blue hair was still shocking to him, but it looked a little more natural now, after having seen him the first time. He waited for the song to end and exclaimed, "That was beautiful!"

[orion]

"Fine." Orion's voice rang with aggression, and he turned to look out the window again.

It could have been stress. After all, he was in an unfamiliar place full of people and he couldn't remember anything past the other day. But, then again, it could just be because he was a fourteen year old boy.

His mood had been all over the map, and he couldn't say he was a fan. Let it go. He didn't mean anything by it. Orion sighed, turning to look at Riki.

"Sorry," he said, quieting his tone.