Author: Ramla, Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 5:34 AM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Ramla was surprised by the goddess' kindness when she tried to cheer her up. But she was right, the answers that she sought could only be found within her. With time she would know what to do. She noticed she had a few things in common with Angela, she too was a single mother most of the time. And men never stuck around, they either left her or were…well…eaten.

The ladies said their goodbye to the deity as she had to return to her duties, and it was getting late. Ramla needed all the energy she can get if she were to travel in the daylight with the girls. And then having the task to watch over the deity's daughter at the same time. The women had a long way to go but all of them were eager to reach Ataiyo as their next destination.

Author: Melianme, Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 10:22 AM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Aisling marveled at the baby within Angela's swollen belly. To manifest so much musical talent before birth, she had never heard of such things before. But this was soon to be the son of a goddess, and Aisling couldn't wait to hear what kind of music the wee babe would bring into the world. She looked up at Angela with surprise when she mentioned that the baby, Rohan, had yet to even move. That was definitely odd, even Aisling knew that, but if the baby was choosing to sing rather than to dance, so to speak, that showed a great amount of intelligence even for one so young. 

"Just imagine the nights when he begins to dance as well as sing," Aisling mused softly. "I've never heard of such things coming from the unborn. He will truly be a special child, won't he?" she asked the Goddess. She fell silent as Angela and Ramla had their exchange before she got up from where she was kneeling beside the goddess and moved over to Holly. 

"Do you know Rohan's father? Is he a bard too?" she asked Holly in hushed tones, not wanting to interrupt. She wondered if maybe the baby's father had excessive musical talent as well, and figured if he did, it might explain why the baby was so powerful even at such a stage of fetal development. 

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 8:49 AM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Holly tilted her head and smiled. “Lots have, mostly men and that’s how the majority of my siblings have happened. Women are different but my mother is an entirely different breed of woman. “ Thinking on the what Holly tilted her head and nodded. “Probably showing Ramla what she wants the most, something that has destroyed people in the past. Mother can conjure up exactly what it is you want most and then take it away. In lots of ways that’s worse than death.”

Angela seemed pleased with Ramla’s words. “I trust in you to do that. My Holly has been through much in her short life, despite what she will tell you she has only been on these grounds for sixteen years.” Timedeath had done something to her daughter and Angela did not like it.

Holly laughed at Ramla and nodded, “I don’t snore. I use to travel with a large trope so if I do I would know. They are very vocal about snoring.” She chuckled more and stared at her mother’s womb. Her belly was a little bit larger than it had been with Iva.

Angela thought on it for a bit and nodded. “Rohan has an exceptional skill already but he has yet to even move. He puts all of his energy into singing for us. Drae and I have laid awake many of night these past 5 months. We’re captivated by it all. It might be my energy feeding him.” The baby’s noise died down and Angela looked at Ramla. “I lost everything for the power I have. My daughter… my husband. Sometimes it takes rebuilding everything you once had. Do not be so sad Ramla, I am sure you will find the answers to the questions deep within your heart.”

Author: Ramla, Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 8:29 AM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Ramla arched her brow and in that moment as Angela cracked her knuckles she knew she had lost. She stood up from the window sill and let Angela guide her to wherever the deity was taking her. The temple was large but elegant, and the power that surged within this room was dense enough to cut it with a knife. Ramla took it all in, every thread of it. She observed the goddess as she warped the room into the past of another world. 

The emotions that Ramla felt were overwhelming. Joy, sadness, wonder, shame,…. It was all there. The palace, the people, her servants,… it was a feast in honor of their recent success in freeing a city from slavery. The goddess was right, Ramla wanted it all back. The power, the respect, the glory. Not hiding in Shadows anymore, she wanted her place in the world again, as a human. 

"Ironically, I owe it all to Nihr. This…glory, and power." She said with a small smile. If it weren't for him she would still be a small, scared slave. As the vision faded she nodded to herself and followed Angela. She had won. (This time) Ramla brushed the creases out her clothes and heard the Deity's warning. "Have no fear, Goddess. I never break my promises. Your child will be under my care for as long as she touches Parvporan soil." She looked from Angela to Holly, with a roll of her amethyst eyes and a sigh, "I hope you don't snore."

She sat back down on her wobbly chair. She chuckled when Angela appeared proud to have proven the Eldritch wrong. "Indeed you have. Gods in my world were impostors. Just mortals who were skilled in the arts of trickery." When the belly sang, she was hit with another wave of sadness. 

Author: Melianme, Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:50 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Aisling wasn't sure which astounded her more; Ramla's blatant disrespect for Angela, or the moxie she showed by demanding that Angela show her proof that she was a goddess. What surprised her more was that Angela seemed to take it in stride and a few moments later she and Ramla were vanishing from the room completely. Aisling looked at Holly in incredulity. 

"Dare I ask if anyone has ever spoken to her that way, and lived to say anything about it?" she asked, gray eyes wide. "What do you think they are doing?"

She fiddled with her braid almost nervously as she sat against the window sill again and just waited. Several minutes, Angela and Ramla reappeared, Angela looking satisfied, but the look on Ramla's face was one Aisling couldn't quite describe. Aisling did however, refocus her attention on Angela when a strange song-like sound emanated from her belly as she rubbed it. Angela explained with was Holly's soon to be baby brother. 

"You mean you baby already has the capability of singing, even from within the womb?" Aisling asked as she moved closer to the beautiful, pregnant redhead. "May I ask how far along you are?"

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 5:54 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Angela smiled at Aisling and nodded. “I love each and everyone of my children. No matter their ages, I will continue to take care of them well into their aged well selves.” She winked at Aisling. “That is a mother’s duty.”

Turning to Ramla she nodded. “No, it’s not a proof of being a deity. I was teleporting place to place way before I found myself at the Tree’s Mercy. As for healing I attended the healing academy in Arri for several years. I should know how to heal a simple cut with magic.” 

The deal that Ramla wanted would be simple enough. It was one of the things she could do outside of her shrine. She nodded a bit. “Alright, I accept.” She moved closely to Ramla. She was stretching her finger tips and preparing herself. There was a rather cruel look on her face. “I’ll do more than tell you.”

She grabbed Ramla, not forcefully. “We’ll be back.” She gated them to her temple. They stood in her temple. The power here was immense. “I need all of my power for what I am going to do to you.” She giggled a bit as she warped the room into Ramla’s world of old. “Let us begin.”

She walked the grounds of Ramla’s old home. “This is a point in your history… Over seven thousand years my dear Ramla. You must remember it well. It is something you yourself want so bad.” People rushed by them as they went to a younger Ramla. She was being celebrated by her people. “You were their freedom. Their chain breaker. This time represents a place where you are most happy. You want to return to this point. You want a time before Nihr. The glory. The wealth, even the power that goes with your title of Slave-Queen. You miss your children and you weren’t damned.”

The vision faded as Angela waved her hand and made it vanish. “Now, we can go back.” She grabbed Ramla once more and appeared back in front of the others. “You will take care of what’s precious to me. You defy that deal and you will regret it. I don’t make deals to have them broken.”

She took a giant sigh as she rubbed her pregnant belly and sat down. "That took a lot of energy out of me. At least the gating did but the visions did not. I have proved you wrong Ramla." A soft song came from her womb and Angela smirked.

"Mom… What is that?"

"Your brother has a talent like you do… but it is very strong." She rubbed her belly gently. "Whenever he is really happy he does it."

Author: Ramla, Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 5:26 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

"I am a weapon to use against my mother…" The more Holly spoke about her origins and her mother, the more Ramla tried to resist the urge to roll her eyes and groan in irritation. She began to question whether it was a good idea to invite these people to company her on her travels. "I'm not lying…." Ramla was about to say something when Aisling asked a question of her own, "Is it as far-fetched as coming from a different world?" She pointed to the fact that her own background seems extraordinary in itself. And perhaps she was right…She and Nihr were literally aliens in this world. Were aliens less credible than gods? Not that she would admit to the girls of course.

Ramla listened attentively to Holly's explanation about the Shrines of the Gods. The info wasn't as detailed as she would have hoped, but it was better than nothing. Ramla grew suspicious when Holly grabbed the sharp item. The girl didn't seem like a violent person but one must never learn a book by its cover. And as soon as Holly finished her sentence she sliced her palm, letting the blood drip on the floor.

Ramla never flinched when Aisling rushed to try and take the object away, nor when her mother suddenly appeared within the room. She observed the redhead for a long time, never saying a word. In truth Ramla was more or less 'assessing' the goddess. Teleportation is a hard thing to do but not uncommon, even Ramla could do it with the right circumstances. 

She smiled softly at Angela as she was fussing over her child, and chuckled briefly when she threw the sharp object out and through the window. But the small amount of affection quickly faded into envy and bitterness when Angela turned her body enough for her pregnant belly to show. Instinctively Ramla rubbed her hand over her own flat belly. The pregnant woman was a harsh reminder of how barren Ramla had truly become. She quickly pushed the memory from her mind when Holly introduced everyone to each other, and pulled herself more upright in her chair. Regally so, as if the wobbly wood were her throne. 

"I am Angela, Goddess who gifts Fertility and holds the Cornucopia…" Okay, it's official. Ramla hated the woman! Surely the deity would sense that she wasn't hiding her hostility towards her because Ramla's aura and own magical potency was swirling a vortex of her own. She watched how Aisling tended to the pregnant woman to make her more comfortable, and listened to the words that she spoke. "But in your defense, my lady, it was their own damn fault for bringing down the Parvpora World Tree. You can't take on the magical order of the world without severe consequences." Ramla recalled those whispering, gossips of old hags back in Tarishitar. There were Gods, they had Shrines, but there was also a sacred place that only gods could set foot. Ramla needed to know more about that tree, but that will be for another time.

"Teleportation and healing cuts are 'nifty' tricks. But that doesn't prove divinity." The dark haired woman spoke through clenched teeth. She slowly rose from her chair and sauntered over to the deity. Looking down at the belly and giving it a gentle rub, feeling the life inside… She took a deep breath and smiled at the redhead. At least trying to stay polite. "Just look at you, you're about to pop." She chuckled. But enough games, she wanted to get this nonsense over with. "Holly said that it's always a bad idea to make a deal with..a god. But how about this?" She said with a crooked grin, "If you can proof that you're really a Goddess, and doing a magic trick doesn't count. Anyone can heal or make things explode, or teleport." She said as she walked away to move towards the window, being careful with what kind of deal she could make. It had to be something that she could verify, something that wouldn't interfere with her future plans for this world.

Ramla pondered for a few seconds before turning around and facing the women again. "Where I come from people believed that gods could know your deepest desires. Your deepest secrets… Tell me, Angela Rose, what do I desire the most? Tell me something no one else knows about me?" She paused to gauge their reactions but before Angela could respond Ramla added one more thing. "IF you convince me, I'll keep Holly under my wing. Keep her safe from harm whenever she's on Parvporan soil. If you truly are a Goddess then you should be able to know what I mean. But if you fail to convince me then you owe me one favor." 

With that Ramla sat on the window sill and waited for Angela's answer. This should be interesting, she thought to herself. 

Author: Melianme, Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:39 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Aisling withheld a scowl as Ramla scoffed at the notion that Holly was the child of a deity. The girl had a right to her own opinions and beliefs, but Aisling was bugged that she would outright laught at the claims. She was about to scold her for laughing at Holly when she was called to remembrance that this exotic and very foreign woman was exactly that; a foreigner. 

"Is it as far-fetched as coming from a different world?" Aisling asked simply, drawing attention to the fact that Holly was not the only one who came with a less than credible background. She was not intending to start a fight or to be mean in any way, but wanting to bring attention to this little fact. She offered up her hands in a slight shrug to show it was just something to think about, but by this time Holly was continuing with her explanation. Holly's mother sounded like a woman well scorned by mortals, and Aisling felt genuinely sorry that so many had tried to take advantage of her. When Holly went to slice her hand, Aisling lunged for the object. 

Her shout of "Are you mad?!" came in sync with the shout and appearance of Mother Earth. She felt the power of the woman radiating off of her, and it was clear she was a very motherly type. Aisling physically ducked as Angela threw the item that Holly had used to cut herself out the window, the shattered glass fusing itself back together almost immediately. The gale of magic that surged through the room threatened to leave Aisling dizzy. Up to a few days ago it might not have affected her so badly, but she felt so much more attuned to such things now. 

When Holly introduced Angela, albeit a bit informally, Aisling did what she figured had to be the appropriate thing and bowed to the Goddess reverently, though the woman seemed more intent on scolding Holly more than the company that was in the room. Aisling watched the exchange between mother and daughter with mild amusement. She wondered if this kind of interaction was common among all mother-daughter relationships. It was something that she had lacked all her life. 

Aisling couldn't help but scoff slight at Angela's comment about people being vindictive. 

"But in your defense, my lady, it was their own damn fault for bringing down the Parvpora World Tree. You can't take on the magical order of the world without severe consequences," Aisling piped up as she moved to grab the chair that was at the small writing desk in the corner and slid it into position so the pregnant Goddess could sit down. 

"You truly must care about your children if you are willing to travel in your condition to tend to a daughter's cut…"

Author: Holly, Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2016 12:54 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Holly chewed on her lip a bit, “I’m a weapon to use against my mother. Most know that but over here, as long as I can hide who I am it’s fine. Parvpora still has people who want to bring down the gods even if they are from Canelux. I have to trend lightly. It is one of my favorite places to be after all. However, I needed to tell you because she has a habit of showing up whenever the hell she wants.” Goddesses, right?

Though she looked at Ramla and laughed at her. “I am not lying. I can actually call on her right now, though I imagine she will be pissed off.” It might be good to have her mother know she was with new people and not alone. “First I’ll answer your question.”

Holly took a seat and thought about it. “Different ways, some you have to find the gates to and others are like dreams. My mother’s temple has arches of roses around Revaliir that you can go through and end up in our realm. She has a fucked up sense of humor though, at least for the most part. Most cities in Canelux have shrines devoted to the current gods but they are not where one would find blessings. To make a deal with a god, no matter how good they appear, is not always the smart thing to do.”

Her mother was a good person but mortals had tried to get one over on her many times. “My mother is one of those people. Mortals have ruined her trust and so she goes through a great deal to outsmart those who visit her. They regard her as one of the beautiful woman to walk the planes. You can imagine the type of visits she gets. My father was one of them.”

Jumping up now, she grabbed something sharp. “You can say I was on house arrest for a while, but house arrest with my mother is everywhere the Earth touches. I can’t travel in the air and I can’t by sea or she freaks out. I made a mistake and now she worries a lot.” She took the sharp object and sliced her palm. “Watch this.”

It took a drop of her blood hitting the floor for shit to hit the fan. In a matter of moments the mighty red head was there looking around and grabbing her daughter’s hand. “Are you mad?” Angela’s voice was distraught but it took her a few moments to let the anger subside. Her pregnant belly was sticking out quite a bit now. The goddess fussed as she took the sharp object and quite literally broke the window with it. The window as if knowing fixed itself.

Even though the magic felt like a whirlpool in the room it was no where near as powerful as it would be on Canelux.

“Everyone my mother. Mother everyone.”

“I really wish you would have just written a letter.” The magic weaved in and out of the girl’s hand as the goddess healed it. “Yes, yes, hello.” She looked from Aisling to Ramla. “I thought you were in danger. I was having a nice spot of tea with a very interesting medicine woman…”

“Sorry Mother, I just wanted them to understand I wasn’t lying.”

“Write a letter next time. They can hate you until I get it.” Angela’s voice huffed and Holly chuckled a bit. “You are lucky I didn’t bring Iva with me. Would have her throw you in the mud. I am Angela, Goddess who Gifts Fertility and Holds the Cornucopia. You've met my daughter and I assure you she isn't lying. Parvpora can be a weird place even for children of the gods. People are still very vindictive over what happened and Mortals never learn to just let things go… Especially here."

Author: Ramla, Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:24 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

"If we are to travel together…There will be things you must know about me. Parvpora isn't the best place to discuss it so perhaps we can all share a room?" When Holly requested a room Ramla looked back and forth between the two girls. Aisling seemed eager to share a room, not having the coin to afford one at the moment. It didn't seem like Holly had a room either so she nodded to them and suggested her own. "We can take mine." With that Holly pushed herself off the table and asked that they go there so she could continue their conversation. Ramla finished her drink in one gulp before setting the mug back down. She got up and grabbed her satchel and the map off the table.

Up the stairs they went, with key in hand Ramla let the girls in her room. It was a bit cramped for 3 people as was expected when you choose the cheapest room but it was cozy enough. A queen sized bed that was shoved all the way in a corner with a nightstand next to it. A used candle sitting atop of it. A dresser that patrons could use to put their belongings in with a rounded mirror mounted on the wall. Another candle accompanying it. The floorboard creaked as did the door, and the window which could be opened to air out the room provided a view of the street and its many travelers that used it. And just behind the houses the lake shone brilliantly in the moonlight. You could easily spot the patrons getting in and out of the Inn.

"You girls can take the bed." She lifted her hand wanting no but's from them. "You two are muses who need their rest, especially a beauty sleep." She chuckled with a wink. Ramla set her satchel aside and pulled the chair that sat next to the dresser in the middle of the room, taking a seat as the other girls took theirs. Removing her red scarf freed her black mass of curls, hair that was long enough to reach her bum. She folded the fabric while listening to Holly's tale. 

Her purple gaze watched how the dark beauty hugged her floral friend, it seems to calm her nerves. However…Whereas Aisling readily believed and accepted Holly's story. Ramla did not. In fact she laughed at it. "I'm sorry but…You, a child of a Goddess?" There were…hushed whispers of old women in the restaurant she worked in that spoke of gods. Gods that died in Parvpora, and gods that still roam in Canelux. But she never believed in gods, they were figments of people's imaginations. A tool to use when you needed someone to blame for all the misery in the world or when the -yet- unexplained happen. 

"Gods…" She snorted with a shake of her head. She lit the dresser candle, "If you wanted to embellish your past then don't you think being a divine child is a bit out of reach for a dancer? Nobility would've been a better story." And something Ramla did not understand, why were gods taboo in Parvpora? Well, if she wanted to learn about Revaliir then why not start with the Creation Myths and Mythology. It's where everything begins, does it not?

She sat back down, listening to the girls and observing their reaction to her disbelief in deities. "Tell me more about the 'gods of Revaliir'. Where does one find their shrines or places of worship?"

Author: Melianme, Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 5:45 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Aisling quickly shared her agreement and thoughts about the three of them traveling together. She thought the idea was splendid, and while the purported route they were suggested to travel wasn't the most direct path to her intended destination, there was no reason to believe she might not attain the answers she sought while they traveled across the land from place to place. It would give her, and Holly a wonderful chance to make their mark in the bardic community, and would present the learning opportunities for all three of them. There was all that, and the simple fact that it sounded a whole lot more enjoyable than traveling on her own. 

Holly suddenly seemed a little more reserved, speaking much more low than she had been previously, and when it came down to the telling, she asked if they would be willing to share a room so that she could explain things about herself to them. Aisling agreed quite readily, not opposed to the idea of splitting the cost on a single room. She had absolutely no problem with sleeping on the floor, if necessary. 

Up to the room they went and Aisling found a comfortable spot sitting on the ledge of the window that overlooked the lake and dropped her pack rather unceremoniously on the floor by her feet, and listened intently to Holly's story. She admitted to them that her mother was Angela, the woman who created the Isle of Seasons, aka Mother Earth, and that she didn't know who her father was. Aisling listened to the story and nodded when appropriate. 

"I don't have any problems with who your mother is. In fact, I think it interesting that you and I have near polar opposite parental influence. Me, I was raised by my dad because my mother and her kin branded me a mistake and didn't want to have anything to do with me," Aisling chuckled. "Even if your mother is a Goddess, I don't see how it should effect you. It isn't like she is here, forcing anyone to bend to her will, and it isn't like you are going around proselyting for her either," the blonde half-elf pointed out. "I know for me, it doesn't phase me one bit. I don't have a problem traveling with you. In fact, I rather look forward to it," she said brightly. "I've never been one to really care for stigmas…"

Author: Holly, Posted: Fri Jul 1, 2016 5:41 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Sunny wiggled its leaves towards Aisling as it was greeted. Holly gave a warm smile as the sing song voice left it’s odd mouth. “That’s a good boy.” She reached over and scratched his sunny petals. “It might be hard to get one now that Rhea is gone.” It must have been odd hearing it without titles. She was Rhea’s cousin and that was the only reason she hadn’t given a title.

Taking the lute back she gave Aisling a smile and laughed. “The Isle of Seasons…” She took a moment to pause before realizing she had been asleep for the duration of her mother’s celebration. It made her sad as the smile left her face. “My mother made me one. She is very talented.”

She sprung into happiness and smiled. “Yes! I learned from the best bards that..” She trailed off for a moment and sighed. “If we are to travel together… There will be things you must know about me. Parvpora isn’t the best place to discuss it so perhaps we can all share a room?”

Looking to Ramla she felt bad that they went off on a tangent. “That sounds beautiful I would love to accompany.” Pushing up from the table she stared at them for a moment after Aisling agreed. “Let’s go up to the room so I can talk to you both.”

Once they got up to the room, she hugged Sunny to her who was bobbing happily. “I’m not just an ordinary thing. My mother is the one who created the Isle of Seasons. Angela is my mother but as far as I know I don’t know who my father is. There are rumors as to who it is, but like most of my siblings my father left when he didn’t get what he wanted from her. I love Parvpora but admitting who my mother is can be dangerous.” 

"My harp was made for me after I recovered from Eshari. I got stupid when I was young, Time Death aged me greatly but I'm stunted in my growth."

Author: Ramla, Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 5:13 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Timedeath…She heard mentions of that event before but never in full detail. Something about a war that ended badly with a result of portals opening up all around the world? Was their own portal the result of this event? Some kind of aftershock? It made her smile though, new knowledge. It's been forever since she learned something new. This world has so much to offer to them and it is a nice change to the Realm of Umbra. Ramla listened to Holly as she explained the meanings of their names in the Rosenite culture. She was surprised to hear the many siblings this woman had? Her mother sure gets a lot of male attention, it made her wonder what kind of woman she was…

Ramla smiled at both women, resting her chin in her hand watching them talk about instruments. Now that it was night time it was getting easier for her to see and it was only now that she noticed how beautiful both girls were. And how much Holly reminded her of someone. And it seems that Aisling also has musical talent. Ramla enjoyed the little tune she played on the lute.  The woman nodded at her when she introduced herself to them, another one that strayed from her troupe. Hmm…She supposed she could ask the girls if they wanted to accompany her on her travels. Her purple gaze drew to the bracelet. It was very pretty, pretty enough that Ramla wanted one of her own. Jewelry was a weakness, back in the day she would be covered in jewels and spend fortunes on them. She listened to Holly explaining again that she too was a dancer searching for a troupe. But when it was Ramla's turn to answer she lifted her chin from her palm and reached for her bag by the chair. 

Rummaging through it in search of a scroll which she took out and unrolled. "I am currently traveling across Parvpora. I seek to explore this land and learn from it." The scroll was a hand drawn map of the continent Parvpora. As she pointed on the map she explained where she started her explorations and where she aimed to end it. "I started from the Floating City, Tarishitar. I used to work as a cook there to finance this trip. I traveled by foot and by cart all the way to Jasumin Plains. My next move is to go across the Haza Savannah then to Ataiyo. I heard Ataiyo is a beautiful place to visit." She said with a smile, hoping for some touristic sightseeing when she reached that place. From the descriptions of her kitchen maids back in Tarishitar it sounded similar to the Asian cultures in her home-planet. "Then through the Menomori forest and over the Arazan Mountains making my way to Eldingarheim. And then Wyllmochvar and then Abed." She sighed contently, looking forward to her adventures. How she missed traveling like this, returning to her roots. "Well, that is if everything goes well of course. And who knows, maybe there might be detours." She looked at both girls, watching their reactions and listening to their questions. "Say, if you girls still need a troupe…How about joining me? I don't have many skills to offer to help finance all this other than sword skill and cooking though. But…perhaps with your musical talents to aid in this?" She asked trying to persuade them into joining her. Of course it was still their choice and they could also go their own way whenever they'd like. But it'd be nice to have some company and people to refer questions about Revaliir.

Author: Melianme, Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:32 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

The warm greeting from the two women and the invitation to sit made Aisling relax a little bit as she carefully hung her pack across the back of the chair that had been made available for her to sit in before she sat down and began swaying slightly to the music. When she was questioned about coin, Aisling waved her hand quickly. 

"Oh, please don't trouble yourself about me. I didn't set out on this little venture empty-handed," she reassured the strange foreign woman pleasantly, giving her a sweet smile. She did, however, wave down one of the servers and asked for a drink and something to eat. Her stomach was growling loud enough that she was certain that everyone in the entire tavern could hear it. Once the server had gone, Aisling found her eyes straying to the Lute that sat beside the dancer, and her fingers itched to touch its strings again. Her desire to touch the instrument must have been apparent, because in the next moment the lute was being offered to her, and the dancer was mentioning that she had a Harp of the Mother herself. Aisling glanced at the rose themed harp that protruded slightly from her backpack, and she smiled before accepting the Lute delicately. She marveled at the craftsmanship and the magic that wafted from the instrument, before looking back at the dancer as she introduced herself and the strange looking woman across from them. 

"Holly, Ramla, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," she said, her stormy gray eyes sparkling. "My name is Aisling," she said introducing herself. When the sunflower made its noise of indignation at being ignored and was subsequently introduce Aisling blinked in surprise. She had never seen a moving/talking flower before. She took it in stride, however, and greeted the flower warmly. 

The question arose if she was musically inclined, and Aisling couldn't help the slight smirk that came to her lips. Instead of answering verbally, she twisted the lute on her lap so that she was holding it in the proper position for playing and satisfied her fingers' need to strum the instrument. It was just a brief little riff on the strings, but it was still expertly done, and she deftly returned the Lute to Holly when she was done. 

"I absolutely love playing and singing. I grew up in a troupe that my father lead," she explained before she reached around and pulled her harp from her backpack. "He made this from me on the Isle of Seasons when I got accepted into the Bard College in Tarishtar," she explained and stroked the harp fondly. "I sing, I play multiple instruments, and I tell stories. I do enjoy dancing, but I am not very good at it," she added. "Thank you for letting me play your lute. It is a beautiful piece, and I would love to get my hands on my own someday," she said appreciatively. She replaced her harp in her backpack and turned back to the table and rested her arms upon it. Her heavy sleeves slipped down to about halfway down her forearms, leaving bare a intricately carved bracelet of opal and gold that she seemed to fidget with. 

"I'm going to take a shot in the dark here, Holly, that you too are a bard like I am?" she asked curiously. "What about you, Ramla?"

Author: Holly, Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 11:11 AM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Offering a smile and a nod at the mention of her race Holly was proud to hear it from someone else’s mouth. “Yes, we’re desert dwellers, well most of us.” For a moment the bard thought and she chuckled. “You sound like a lot of people we have been meeting lately. After Timedeath happened the portals led lots of people to the lands of Revaliir.” There was a gentle smile to Holly’s face as she thought about it. “Even my mother had her counterpart merge with her. Sort of exciting in a way. Though the situation in Sularia was dreadful.”

Listening to the woman’s story she nodded a bit and tried to draw connections to the rules of the Rosen.  “Most of us have names of the natural sort. Holly, Foxglove, Thyme, and I have a brother named after an ash tree. Some of our siblings are named after figures prominent to our parents lives. Aaryona, Nathaniel, Gissa. These names come from people who have influenced our lives. My mother’s name is Angela, named after someone who had been there during the delivery.”

Thinking on her other siblings she chuckled. “Then there are those born into the noble families of others. Like my twin siblings Nerezza and Lucian. Their names mean Darkness and Light.” After all the explanation she watched as the flower splashed about in his bowl.

“Mostly? I’m looking for a troupe to travel with. A bard is only as good as the company she keeps… Or so my sister Calanthe tells me.” It must sound weird hearing all about her siblings like that.

When their new friend appeared Holly laughed and patted the seat next to them just as Ramla answered. “We don’t bought.”  Seeing the girl look at the lute by her side the Rosenite lifted it up and offered it to the girl. “You can give it a whirl. I also have the Mother’s Harp, but that doesn’t really shock me much.” She had features of Angela and anyone who had met the Mother would have known who she was. “My name is Holly and this is Ramla!” The Sunflower made a noise and Holly laughed. “This is Sunny. I’m also curious if you play and sing!”

Author: Ramla, Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 10:13 AM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

[Character development update = Ramla's eyes are Amethyst colored instead of green due to giving her night vision based on the movie Riddick, for his eyesight. I had to tweak her and Nihr so their eyesight made more sense.][/font]

[hr]


[font=Georgia]Before Ramla could hear Holly's reason for visiting the Jasumin Lake a young woman approached them. She glanced at Holly briefly before smiling at the girl. "Take a seat." She said to her. Scooting over to make room for her to sit. "You have coin to order yourself food or drink? I'd offer some but I already bought her drinks and I need to keep some for a room soon." Ramla reminded herself to actually find an Inn for the night. She let the girl answer, listening to her. She noticed how the girl had an interest in Holly's lute. Wondering if she was as musically talented as her new friend was. "Do you dance as well? Or sing?"

Author: Melianme, Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2016 2:07 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

 “The Pact has been made. The Archfey now has his Warlock. I grant you powers in return for your servitude, Aisling Melianme. Only when the bargain has been fulfilled will you be freed…”


The road was bumpy as the farmer's cart bounced and jostled around, pulled by a large graying plow horse. The autumn night was chilly, and there was the hint of being able to see one's breath on the air. The lantern swung back and forth as the cart moved along, casting almost eerie shadows across the ground.  In the back of the cart, huddled up against the chill in the air, the girl snoozed restlessly, her mind tormented by the words that had been spoken to her some days before. Ever since she had visited the Hanging Gardens she had felt like there was a presence in the back of her mind; a shadow following her every step. It was not a sensation she particularly liked. Having admirer's was one thing, but having a stalker was something entirely different. 

The horse whinnied as the cart came to a lurching stop. The sudden lack of momentum forced Aisling into wakefullness and she pushed her golden blonde bangs out of her eyes to look around. 

"Last stop, young Miss. This is as far as I go," the cart driver told her. Aisling looked about again at the quaint little inn they had stopped at on the edge of Lake Jasumin and climbed down from the cart. 

"Thank you very much sir, for the ride," she said gratefully and grabbed her bag from the back of the wagon. 

"Only glad to be of service, Young Miss. I do wish you luck on your journey."

Aisling thanked him again and shouldered her bag and ventured into the inn. It was bright and cheerful, slightly crowded, and she couldn't help but grin as the exotic music met her slightly pointed ears. If there was anything she loved, it was good music, and this place was full of it. There were dancers too, and Aisling found herself looking on in envy. While she did enjoy the dance and liked to try her hand at it, she was far more adepts with her fingers upon strings an holes, and her tongue far more fluent in the language of song and story telling than her body was at the way of dance. She pushed further into the inn, looking to find a decent place to sit where she would have a good view of the dancers. 

The most ideal table was one that was already partially occupied by two young women, one of them strange and foreign looking, and the other dressed as a dancer with a large sunflower sitting in a bowl of water beside her. Aisling took great interest in the instrument that the dancer had on her. She had heard of the Lutes of Tranquility that had been bestowed upon those found worthy by the lost Goddess of Love, and her fingers itched to give it a strum.  Shaking her head, Aisling pushed her hood off her head and lightly tugged her long golden blonde braid out from under her cloak before she carefully moved to speak with the two women. 

"Excuse me… I do hope I am not interrupting…" she said politely with a pretty smile, her grey eyes bright and cheerful. "I was wondering if I might join you?"

Author: Ramla, Posted: Sun Jun 5, 2016 9:43 AM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Ramla nodded at Holly as she explained where the Sunflower came from. Apoy Island. So plants have a significant sentient life. She began to think about how it lives and what it needs to stay alive. And since it's a plant they most likely need sunlight and water. "Sunny." She said as she repeated the name with a smile. Gently reaching over to caress one of its petals, "It suits you." She said to him with a chuckle before turning to Holly again as she introduced herself.

Ramla was pleased that the girl enjoyed the drink. Figuring that since she asked to be seated here meant she hadn't ordered anything yet for herself. She was named after a plant, now where did Ramla hear this before. In Tarishitar she remembered hearing a conversation about humanoids called… What was it again. She lifted a finger and tried to remember their race name. "Oh, ehm…Rosenites? Is it not?" She should write it down before she forgets again. Yes, now she remembers. The Rosenites tend to be closer to the natural world than regular humans.

While the women waited for Sunny's bowl of water the attention of the conversation was turned onto her this time. She smiled after she finished taking a sip from her drink. Shaking her head at Holly, "No, it wouldn't be familiar. We are not from this planet." She quickly corrected herself when she realized that 'we' might be confusing. "With 'we' I mean Me and my companion, Nihr who is off enjoying his own adventures." She said with a slight irritation in her voice. "We come from another world named Earth, a … dire situation forced us to flee through a portal that led us near the farmlands of Tarishitar." She pointed towards the direction where the Floating City might be, give or take.

"My accent comes from a dead language that is no longer spoken." The Earth scholars who had expertise in Ancient Mesopotamia might have disagreed with her, but not all of mankind's history was known to man. There was a time where their race was meddled by outer forces. It's all in the past now, however. This was a new chapter in their lives now. "My name doesn't hold much meaning though. Half of it refers to rank, or chaste." She paused for a moment, observing the girl's reactions before mentioning. "La means Slave. My short name at least, the long one is Ra-Mh'ri-La. Which mean Ra, the Slave-Queen." It made her chuckle. The journey she made to earn that title and rank.

She cleared her throat, "So what brings you here in this Fishermen's village?"

Author: Holly, Posted: Sat Jun 4, 2016 7:25 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Her Arriese accent stuck out when not singing. It was heavy and she found it refreshing to be talking to another foreigner. “Why thank you! We do try our very best on every occasion to show off our talents.” Holly laughed a bit before looking down to Sunny. “They are beasts found on Apoy Island near the other continent. My mother got him for me to keep me company. His name is Sunny, I let my youngest sister name him.” She reached down and scratched one of Sunny’s petals. “He is a good boy.”

Sitting down finally she let out a breath before taking the drink in her hands. “Thank you so much Ram-La. My name is Holly, named after the plants like most of my people. Well we are mostly named after natural things.” Unless there was a good reason not to such as a tradition or naming a child after a person. That happened a lot as well.

Holly lifted the drink up to her lips and drank it in. After taking a moment to let her vocal chords calm down she called for a bowl of water for her dear Sunny. “He would like a bowl of water to soak in if that is alright?” The waitress nodded to him and Holly reached back over to scratch his petals once more. He was much more like a cat then she had expected.

“You are not from Parvpora, your accent isn’t familiar to me.” She gave the woman a smile.

Author: Ramla, Posted: Sat Jun 4, 2016 6:18 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Ramla was really enjoying her time away from Nihr. Away from the madness and the dangerous experiments. She continued to watch the entertaining dance until a waitress blocked her view to bring her her food. Thanking the woman she inhaled the inviting scent of a hearty stew. This world was so refreshing to her, so many new things to explore and  to learn from. Like the cuisine per example, the foods were similar to the ones on Earth. Same textures and flavors although quite a few ingredients had an interesting combination of both. 

She took several bites from her plate as she watched the dancing girl and her flower-companion. Whereas Holly had brown curls and silver eyes, hers were almost a deep green, emerald some would say. And her thick mass of curls were long, reaching mid-waist and black in color. Her ethnicity gave away her Egyptian-Sumerian heritage. However her skin was now pale due to her mutation; it was once a rich coffee color.

 Looking around the tavern, she smiled to herself. She could get used to this lifestyle. Being on the road again, never knowing what kind of people you'll meet, never knowing what kind of adventures you'd get yourself into. Her language had gotten better, she still bore that thick Eastern accent of course but at least she wasn't speaking in broken sentences anymore. So she was able to enjoy the songs about Parvpora, about faeries and mermaids. She clapped and cheered for the girl when she was done dancing. Ramla paused for a bit as it seems that the girl was heading her way. She listened to her request and nodded at her, scooting her chair over so she'd have more room."Of course, sit. Rest." She said as she moved her plate and drink aside. Waving her hand in the air to call the attention of the waitress again. "Two more drinks please!" Ordering one for Holly as well.

"You dance well." Ramla said to her before looking down at the sunflower. "And you, sing well." She paused for a bit as she stared at the flower…"How is it that plants can talk? And move on their own?" Ramla was curious to know this.On Earth plants didn't behave that way, not even if they used magic. The biggest glimpse of sentient life that they showed was the flesh-eating plant. And it only ever moved if fed. She looked back up at Holly, smiling before she chastised herself for being rude. "I'm sorry, we haven't introduced. I am Ram-La. What is your name?" She asked before accepting the drinks that arrived. Handing one cup to Holly and taking a sip from her own.

Author: Holly, Posted: Thu Jun 2, 2016 8:04 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

The Rosenite still had not found a troupe to travel with. It was a hard thing to do when rumors spread fast through song and dance. She had, after all, rejected the crude approach of the last man in her troupe. Well ex troupe. She told him to leave and barely had any strength, only to realize all the time she had wasted on Noata had wasted precious life. Even if she had seen their children, he said he didn’t want any with her. So be it. She danced and she sang across Canelux until she could take the first damn boat out of there.

So there she was, dancing to music of the oriental kind. She raised her lute of tranquility and let everyone feel its loving embrace. Watch her dance, hear her sing. That’s all that made her happy. Her long brown hair curled around her in a mass of curls. Those silver eyes determined. Holly was still wearing her red crop halter and slit red skirt. It was beautiful and etched in gold. Her sash hung off her hip and the strum of her lute matched the jingle of the coins on her sash.

Sunny was besides her singing along with the notes. She was singing of the Canelux spring. Typically over on Parvpora she avoided singing about the gods since that was still a tough cookie to crumble but they enjoyed the songs of warriors the most. She sang them more songs of the fey from Feeorin and the mermaids at the  bottom of the lake.

When she finally got tired, long after the other dancers, she came over to a woman’s table. “May I sit?” Her chest rose and fell heavily as she laughed. “I am afraid I might have over done myself.” Sunny followed behind her and Holly patted the sunflower softly. “You did really well tonight.”

Author: Ramla, Posted: Thu Jun 2, 2016 5:37 PM, Post Subject: Dancing with the Shadows [P - R]

Ramla had been on the road for a week now, luckily she managed to cut it short with the occasional friendly face offering her a spot in their cart. Like now per example. Dressed in her favorite black and red saree outfit, a heavy bag in her lap with some personal belongings, and a small pouch of coins around her belt. Watching the farmland scenery, as herbs and hops are grown for the infamous local brew. As the last rays of sunlight fade from the horizon she lowered her scarf from her head. Smiling up at the darkened sky, inhaling the fresh hops scented air and then sighing. 

Nihr had suddenly decided to become a mercenary. He grew bored of the floating city now that things have gotten quiet again. Both of them actually craved some action. They even began to take out their frustration on each other with constant fighting and whatnot. So she understood why he left, but she was still pissy at the fact that he didn't take her with him. So, what? She was supposed to just stay at the Inn, play housewife while he goes out adventuring? Ramla wasn't the housewife type, never was and never will be. So she packed her bag and with lots of effort and prayer, took the first airship to the mainland. 

When the cart stood still, the driver announced their arrival by the lake. A small fisher's town was their stop. Well his at least. Ramla still had a long ways to go but some rest was needed. So she followed the sounds of music and cheer, entering the tavern. It was filled with fisher's and farmers mostly, and the usually travelers who wished to see the beauty of the Jasumin lake in perpetual autumn. There were dancing girls entertaining the patrons, waitresses busy with taking orders for the thirsty. Pretty loud to be honest. 

Ramla ran a hand through her dark, curly locks and glanced around to find an empty seat. Pushing through the crowd she sat down down at a small table and ordered some drink and a warm meal. While waiting for the order she watched the dancers sway their hips and shimmy their bosoms to the sounds of rhythmic drums and snares. One such dancer was particularly talented, she certainly got the most attention in the tavern. Including Ramla's. Thanking the waitress she took her drink and took a couple of much needed swigs. "Refreshing." She said to herself in the Common Tongue as she licked her lips before resuming the spectacle. She clapped along with the crowd as the girl danced, and a sunflower sung.

"A singing flower. Interesting."