A Break From Searching

[*Kymmi*]

Rendylwin noted Tal's expressions and his response. While listening to him talk, Rendylwin grabbed a fish and set it on his lap. From a belt pocket, he grabbed some spare spices he had kept for a while. He looked at the bottles and read the elvish lettering. He kept one that looked like brown and red sand mixed together. He put the other spices back and began to talk as he did so.

"Your apology is accepted. I figured you aren't the type of revealing guy. I only told you what has been passed around as gossip from ear to ear. The information you ask for are in locked up records and the minds of the elders. You may seek their aid, but there are several obstacles in your path..."Rendylwin began salting the next side of the fish."Such as, you would need me, or another from my village to translate, as most of the elders did not see importance in learning your language. Then their is also being allowed into the village. You would have to leave your weapons with the guards and allow them to temporarily seal up your magic abilities. I am sorry, but that's how we treat those who are non-residents." Rendylwin put away the seasoning. "We try to take precautions, for we do have enemies. You would also have to allow not only me, as the person who brought you there, but 3 other elven gaurds to accompany you. And I cannot guarantee the elders would disclose information or let you leave again after you have seen our village unless you can prove good intentions." Rendylwin sighed and stared at the fish, his mouth watering and stomach grumbling. "Then there's finding the village... I did not leave willingly and am unsure of where I am or where the village was...But if there's one person I knew that is still alive, I find it probable she left the village as well and could direct us back if we found her..." That is, if she hasn't forgotten or lost her map already and if she gained a sense of direction over time He thought.

And with that, he shut his mouth around the fish. The fish wasn't terrible, but would have been more bitter tasting if not for the spice added. The spice added it's own unique flavor that was kind of spicy. Rendylwin enjoyed this meal and almost smiled again. It returned to him his energy and renewed his hope for finding Anykae.

[Deirdre]

When Talwyn lowered his cowl Deirdre stared at him with some interest. Unable to resist the urge to touch such unusual skin, she reached over and ran a finger across his cheek, taking in the hard texture.

That explains his scent, Deirdre thought. As soon as she had got near him she had noticed his scent wasn’t totally human. In fact, it hadn’t been of something totally alive. Deirdre hadn’t bothered to dwell on it too much; she had encountered plenty of odd people and creatures, which meant having to realize she’d never identify every smell if she didn’t want to waste time. Now, looking at the stone and rock that seemed to be his skin, she was satisfied that she got to figure this one out. However, it also made her somewhat uneasy. While Talwyn seemed like he meant no harm, it was still not pleasant knowledge that if they were to fight her main weapons –tooth and claw- would be of no use. Even the dagger she carried wouldn’t really be of assistance.

No, she decided unhappily. Fighting him would not be smart at all. It’s fight or flee, and for once I’ll have to choose flee.

After making this decision Deirdre just listened to the conversation between Talwyn and Rendylwin as she ate her fish (which only took a few ravenous bites). The latter’s story of the chimera that attacked his village got her attention mainly because of the violence of it, but also because it reminded her slightly of herself. Deirdre scowled at the thought as memories started swooping in on her and she nearly snapped at them to change the subject, but luckily the conversation was moved on from the violence that occurred in Rendylwin’s village to the actual village itself.

As the elf spoke of being taken from his village, Deirdre felt a small pang of sympathy. She knew how it felt to be forced from the place you consider home, but at least she had gotten to make the choice. To go unwillingly, unable to go back for a reason other than cowardice, would truly be a terrible thing. She went to reach out and pat Rendylwin’s arm, but at the same moment he started to season and eat his fish, so Deirdre awkwardly withdrew her hand.

((Gah! Sorry I’ve been away so long, real life caught up with me. Also, sorry I didn’t give you guys anything to work with, my creativity levels are low. >.< ))

[Talwyn]

A slight scowl appeared on Talwyns face as Rendylwin described the precautions. "I'm fine with any amount of guards so long as I can study whatever information I can get in peace. However, giving up my sword is really necessary? I can live with having my magic sealed, temporarily anyway, but I won't part with my sword for it is quite valuable. So valuable that the only way to get this sword away from me is to pry it from my cold and dead fingers after my death. As for the no guarantee about being allowed to leave... well there is no guarantee about being able to leave ancient ruins either. That is a risk I am willing to take. As for the part about finding that friend of yours, that sounds like a fools errand. Sorry, but unless you have agreed a prior meeting place, it is folly to look for someone in a land as vast as Valear. Despite being turned into a chimera, I used to be a human being and thus have the life expectancy of one. You might live for several century's, but I most likely won't."

With that said, he kept silent for a bit and let Rendylwin eat his fish. Turning to Deirdre, whom he had almost forgotten about thanks to Rendylwin story, he noticed she had already finished her fish. "In case you're interested." he said in reference to her touching his skin earlier. "Yes, it really is rock. I was created from a regular human being, a varlg demon and a rock golem. Now... earlier you said you knew many places I described back at the lake. Did you remember them yet?"

((OOC: Its alright Deirde, that stuff happens )

[Deirdre]

“Now that really is interesting,” Deirdre murmured, her eyes travelling his rocky exterior again before smirking. “Demon and rock golem, eh? Well Talwyn, you’re certainly not the garden-variety of different.”

He knows what it’s like to be different in a bad way, she thought sadly. Although at least I’ve come to accept my difference. But I guess if someone else forced me to become what I am, I’d be pretty damn determined to change it. Shame you can’t fight your own blood…damn Talwyn, you might actually be the lucky one.

Leaning back, Deirdre huffed in amused annoyance at the male’s determination to get information. Closing her eyes and thinking hard, she collected everything her senses could remember.

“I can’t remember them all,” she said, smiling apologetically. “But I can remember some. There are many ruins scattered throughout Selkia Forest, only not many of them are of much significance. For the most part they’re just houses built my loners and the lost. There are at least two areas where small villages were, and those have buildings that seemed to hold some religious value, but they’re not special. However, there are also some ruins that seem to be a little more worth. Most just seemed like they were simple dwellings, but there is an air of magic surrounding them. Other places were clearly once grand temples, and the air of magic surrounding them is much thicker.”

Pausing to take a deep breath, Deirdre collected her thoughts again and quickly ran through what she had said, making sure she had Selkia Forest covered. Once she confirmed she had, Deirdre continued.

“I have never explored much of Ularian Ridge, so I only came across the ruins of a village that was tucked up against a cliff wall. That itself wasn’t very interesting, but a cave that was right in the cliff was. The cave wasn’t very big, but the walls were covered in paintings –very primitive ones, like cave paintings from olden times, only the town wasn’t that old- that showed what I figure was the downfall of the village. It showed a strange creature attacking people whose faces were confused and scared. After those drawings was one of the creature roaring, followed by a side-view of snow pouring off the cliff and over the town. The last image was of a person in a ball-like room, under a beam of light from a small crack in a wall, and painting. The last one was clearly of the artist, so my guess is that they ran into the cave for shelter from the avalanche and ended up getting snowed in.”

“Unfortunately for you,” Deirdre sighed sympathetically, "all these places seem to be the type you only find when you’re not looking. I know for me they were just somewhere to rest my head or wait out some bad weather.”

Deirdre shrugged apologetically for her vagueness. Scratching sharp nails across her scalp, she glanced over at Talwyn thoughtfully. She had heard rumours about Dermun Desert that were a bit more specific about location, and for a moment she was tempted to tell him. The only reason Deirdre chose to withhold the information was that it was only a rumour, and one that (especially if proven false) would likely do more harm than good.

I’ve got to be cruel to be kind, Deirdre decided.

[*Kymmi*]

Rendylwin sadly smirked at Talwyn's urgency. He probably feels the world against him too...though my top priority is still finding Anykae...I could come with him and search the forest...maybe they'll know the direction she left. Rendylwin swallowed the last bite of fish and licked his lips. Satisfied and in a slightly better mood, he uttered a small "thank you" to Talwyn, but did not say more.

He listened to Deirdre's story. With the details she explained, he created mental pictures and payed attention with small interest. some day i'll tell her. She'd be excited...And we could search for these things. Now that I'm in the outside world, returning to my home sounds less and less interesting, though I should say hi to my dear family. Eventually, his lack of interest with this took over and he spaced out. His thoughts traveling from this to that.

He pondered a bit more. He thought about what Tal said when he mentioned Rendylwin having centuries to live while he had but one at most. Then he wondered why Tal wanted change so badly. Surely it's not that bad to have people wondering about your skin. Then he also wondered if deep inside, Deirdre wanted to be human too. He wondered if she had been that way all her life, or just most of it.

Rendylwin retreated to his thoughts and let Deirdre and Tal continue their conversation. He snacked on a few of his berries he had within his pocket. They tasted sweeter and more satisfying now that he had eaten some meat. He wondered how other elven cultures prefered to be vegetarrians.

[Talwyn]

Chuckling slightly Talwyn shook his head at Deirde's comment about him not being of a 'garden-variety of different'. "That is one way of putting it. Though if it were up to me I wouldn't be ANY kind of different." He heard about the ruins of what where once grand temples that Deirde had found. That seemed like a promising lead for now and his interest showed in his expression. He almost interrupted her to ask more about the exact location, but decided not to as she didn't seem to be done yet.

As he heard her describe the place she had found in the Ularian Ridge he started nodding. He remembered that particular village and he said as much after she finished her story. "I know that place. My uhm... 'benefactor' had a hidden lab around there. I found it... let's see... a year ago? Yeah that sounds about right. I even found the creature depicted in the paintings."

His voice developed an undertone of sadness as he continued. "I believe it was no ordinary creature. In fact... I found evidence that it was created in that very lab. It also seemed to use the lab as its lair. Anyway, it tried to attack me so I killed it." He rubbed his side as he said that, and his eyes showed the battle had been more difficult then he just made it seem. "After that, I thoroughly checked the place but found nothing of interest. Of course, I destroyed the lab when I was done there. Just as much as to prevent anyone else from finding some of the more dangerous stuff kept there as to exact some manner of revenge."

He fell silent as he stared back at Deirde when she glanced thoughtfully at him. "You know of something else don't you? Didn't you hear what I told Rendylwin earlier? EVERY bit
of information, EVERY rumor on legendary or powerful magical items, EVERY single clue that leads to ancient and forgotten ruins is of the utmost importance to me Deirde. I am
willing to risk everything so please, do not hold back anything just because it could be dangerous. Whatever it is, I am not afraid of it. No... what I fear more than anything, is the thought that for the rest of my live I will look like some sort of monster."

Having sad that, he dropped his head and stared into the flames of the fire. "Only a few months ago, I saved a young girl that had wandered to far from her home in Selkia Forest... She was hurt and had trouble walking so I carried her... When we got to the village I gently lowered her to the ground. As I stood up... a sudden gust of wind blew my cowl back far enough to let the people see my face... The girl who only second before had been going on about how I was a hero ran away in terror. It took me two days to finally escape the group of brave volunteers that were sent after the 'demon'..."

[Deirdre]

Deirdre was slightly disappointed that Talwyn already knew of the village in Ularian Ridge. Between telling him what he already knew and a very fuzzy description of the forest, she hadn’t really helped much at all. Though she was also impressed when he revealed he defeated the creature in the picture and then the lab that created it. From the looks of it, no good had been -or could ever be- made in that place.

However, both those feelings were replaced by annoyance as he nagged her for more information, and she could feel a small rumble in her chest. The rumble grew as her annoyance did, becoming a very audible growl. By the time Talwyn had finished his story she was fuming, her fists clenched at her sides in anger (and to keep from breaking her knuckles on his hard skin). She furiously ignored the part of her mind that was saying go for the eyes, they’re not covered in rock!

Before her mind even registered that she was moving, Deirdre was on her feet and in front of Talwyn. Towering over his sitting form, she snarled, “It’s better to look like a monster than to be a monster! You can cover up what’s on the outside, but there’s no disguising what’s inside! And even if someone rejects you for how you look, there’s someone else who will accept you for how you are. But when you’re a monster you only have two choices. You either act on it, or you put on a disguise until your true self rips it off. Who cares if some strangers misunderstand you and chase you away? It’s better than getting close to people you care about and then waking up one day to find them brutally murdered and to realize you did it!”

By the time she was done her voice had raised from a snarl to a holler, and her chest was rising up and down rapidly from barely inhaling during her rant. Taking some deep breaths, Deirdre calmed down both her breathing and her temper, and sat down feeling emotionally worn out. Glaring at the ground as if her emotional outburst was its fault, Deirdre glanced up through her lashes at the two males, giving an awkward grin to Rendylwin; she wasn’t sure if she was trying to reassure him or herself that they were still safe being around her.

((@kymmi: When Rendylwin thought ‘some day I’ll tell her’ I thought you mean Deirdre, and I was like “but she already knows. ._.”… I’m so dumb sometimes. XD))

[*Kymmi*]

((haha...nice deirdre!! xDD Don't worry. I have those moments all the time! =P ))
Rendylwin jumped and felt his heart nearly stop at the story of a lost girl. He waited for Talwyn to finish and then opened his mouth. Once again, Deirdre spoke first. Rendylwin could feel the fury coming from her voice. He pondered on the two similar, but seperate pains they felt. Deirdre's outburst answered one of Rendylwin's silent question. He nodded in response to her smile and kindly smiled back a small smile. Then he spoke, his eyes shifting in between his two current companions.

"...I do not any of us would want to be enemies...and if we were to be....I'm sure it would be with regret..." Rendylwin said softly, but loud enough to keep their attention. His eyes focused on Tal again. "Please. Do you know the girl's name that you rescued? Perhaps what she looked like?"

"In my opinion..." Rendylwin spoke to both again. "Monsters, to me, are those with dark hearts, who will never cease to resist change for good....Neither of you fall into that category. Just thought I'd add." He added with a smirk at the end.

He patiently waited for Tal's response, though inside his heart raced. Maybe...just maybe...but I must not let my hopes rise.. Rendylwin's smirk transform into a small frown, feeling the doubt he'd find Anykae. If Tal was the kind of guy Rendylwin thought he was, he'd offer this small bit of information as thanks for Rendylwin's information, although...he already treated Rendylwin to the fish.

[Talwyn]

As Deirde jumped up Tal also reacted before he knew what he was doing. While he hadn't gotten up, by the time Deirde was ranting at him he had already placed his feet in such a position that would allow him to easily leap up and his right hand was already at the handle of his sword. Only seconds after he relaxed again, moving his hand slowly, almost carefully, back to his side.

As Deirde's scolding continued, his face grew into a mix of sympathy and rage. His hands were trembling and it seemed like he wanted to rail at her. And well, he did want to rail at her. He really did, but his sympathy prevented him from actually doing so. That, and the fact that he had no desire to turn either of these two strangers into enemy's. He couldn't quite place the feeling, but it was almost like he had met two kindred spirits. Although each had a different reason, all three of them where exiles.

He wondered why the elf was interested in the girl but he answered the question without hesitation, though not before nodding in appreciation when the elf said he considered neither Tal nor Deirde a monster. "Yes, I know her name, it's Ashlee. I estimated her to be about ten years old. Seemed like a cheerful little girl with her red, shoulder length hair and freckled face. Just out of curiosity though, why do you wish to know?

[*Kymmi*]

Rendylwin's eyes opened fully at hearing the "a" vowel sound at the beginning of Ashlee. He let Talwyn finish then let his eyes travel to his feet. Not the name, nor the description, matched Anykae at all. He sighed and felt somewhat anger towards himself having thought he could've had such luck. Like that could ever happen...I'm one of those outcasted...who won't ever fit in...who could not be allowed such a blessing... Rendylwin continued letting his thoughts thrash at himself while looking back at Talwyn. He figured he should tell the truth, as he doubted with a sad smile that Talwyn would accept a lie or only part of the truth.

"I...am looking for a certain person." He said softly. His eyes traveled to Deirdre, he smiled kindly to her, hoping it could make her feel more welcome in their united outcast group.

[Talwyn]

He smirked at Rendylwins reply. "A certain person eh? Very descriptive. It really gives people a good idea of what this person might look like. In any case, I am guessing this certain person is a girl and her name starts with an a. That is, if my interpretation of your curiosity about the girl I saved and your reaction to first vowel of her name, are correct."

He shook his head as he went on. "If she is an elf, I doubt I know her as I do not know many elves. But describe your certain person. It is doubtful, but not impossible that I know or have heard of this person."

[*Kymmi*]

Rendylwin faintly smiled. "She's half...probably would appear mostly as a talented human..Yes. I do doubt you would know...Anykae."

Rendylwin looked up at the sky and shrugged his shoulders in wonder. Then came back down to look Talwyn in the eyes. "Well, I guess there's no use continuing this subject. What do you two plan to do now?" He asked curiously, his eyes shifting between Deirdre and Talwyn. He couldn't help but feel a bit more relaxed around them. It could have been the food, too, though.

[Talwyn]

Tal let out a sigh. "Sorry, I do not know any half elves I'm afraid. As for what I plan to do... I still hope you can get me into that village of yours to be honest. If you can't... well then I'll probably continue what I have been doing for the past few weeks, searching these woods for bandit hideouts, troll lairs, goblin infested caves, that sort of thing. And with some luck I'll stumble on your little village on my own that way." He added jokingly. Taking another sip of water from his canteen he wondered if he could ever be that lucky. One did not simply stumble upon a hidden elven village.

[Deirdre]

As the two men talked, Deirdre stayed silent, thinking about Rendylwin’s soft words. One part of her was tearing his statement apart, doing its best to not let any of his words ring true. The other part was allowing a warm feeling to bubble up, making her have to hastily wipe away a few tears.

Ugh, Deirdre thought, this is why I should stay away from people. Making me emotional, how rude!

Watching them through her lashes (not wanting them to notice her glassy eyes), she felt a pang of sympathy when the elf’s hopes were rebuffed by the description of the wrong girl. Deirdre flipped through her mental list of names, but ‘Anykae’ was not to be found. Not that it meant much, since she rarely bothered to take names, or remember the ones she did. All Deirdre could do was hope this girl hadn’t crossed her path on a bad day, because then Rendylwin would be lucky if there was a body to find.

Accepting Rendylwin’s change of subject, she let Talwyn speak before her. Shrugging her shoulders when it was her go, Deirdre finally looked up at the men and said, “I never really have a plan besides ‘go.’ I just can’t stay in one place too long, you know? There are a few places where I’d be safer off not showing my face, but besides that I go wherever my feet take me.”

((Wow, it's been awhile! Sorry, rl got me again. Hopefully I'll be around more since it's summer, though I do have two weeks of summer school starting Monday. u 3u ))

[*Kymmi*]

((I is sorry too. >_< I've had to move and this and that. Blllllaaaaaah. haha good luck with summa school. >.O That sucks. You are a good roleplayer tho so I hope you continue to stick around.))
Rendylwin was already feeling comfortable with these two. They all seemed like true loners, though. He felt comforted to find some good interesting company. He wondered if they could get along together and considered possibilities. He smiled again after Deirdre finished her additional comment.
Rendylwin finally decided he was of traveling wherever. He didn't want to end up going crazy either being hopelessly alone. He knew this was probably the best chance he had to escape that. Traveling with a group also provided few bonuses and the fact that it could possibly increase his chance of finding home and/or Anykae. He did have to tell Talwyn the truth though without raising Tal's hopes. He turned his head and focused on Tal.
"Though it may be hard to understand, I never traveled far from my village. I know part of a small range in the forest surrounding the village. I never traveled far until a little over a year ago at least....but I do not know how I left and I may not have a chance of finding home." Unless someone cared enough to track me.[/] He added in his head. Looking back at Deirdre, he opened his mouth again. "However....I wonder how we could work as a team...a small group...one who is in search of some solution...one who is in search of a friend and home... and one who may not have a plan but could be helpful?"
Rendylwin chuckled under his breath, awkwardly trying to put things together as he spoke out loud.
"Just a suggestion I thought I might make..." Rendylwin added, trying as hard as possible to not come across as the leader type.