Continuing An Adventure

[Moon_Song]

She saw something in his eyes, an animal instinct repressed by human conscious. On top of that was the light of recognition. She felt a pang in her heart. Someone finally had a new lead. How long had it been?

He relayed to her his experience with her sister. She was shocked to hear that she, too, ad transformed into a wolf, and that she had been with a male. Where was she now? Who was this male? What was she doing? A million and more questions raced through her mind in an instant, but she donned an exterior mask of indifference. She wanted to turn her feet north at that very moment. She felt that unless the earth or the goddess herself tied her down she would just start running. Unfortunately, she wasn't granted such a boon.


"...if she's even alive..."

Her blood turned icy. Of course the thought had crossed her mind before, but having someone else say so...I didn't feel good. She prayed that her masked had not cracked momentarily, but she couldn't be sure. She turned, without a word, and last last noise she heard from the bandit was the thud of dead weight on the ground. She though about praying for his soul, but decided against it. He was only a man, after all.

After cleaning the blood off of herself (at least it wasn't hers this time) they continued on, toward the city they had been trekking toward for so long now. The whole way, she felt eyes on her. She knew it was Joseph, for he had done so before. She was starting to become annoyed. Why would he keep staring at her like that? Did he have some dastardly idea in his head? She hoped he didn't. A strange thing for her, but this was one of the few times where she didn't want a conflict with a man. What was he thinking?

By the time they reached the end of the canon the sun was near the horizon and quickly falling below it.
They stopped at Jalen's motion to do so. Still trying to be the leader, he told them to rest until the hour of midnight. What would happen then only Jalen knew.

For the time being, she lied down on a clean spot and watched the sun dip lower and lower in the sky, until it fell completely out of sight. She took the time to relax her muscles and work out any knots left over from the previous battle. She knew not what was to come, but best to be prepared. They had not lit a fire in order to keep their location secret, keeping her from staying warm. She was not too cold, but it was not exactly comfortable. Then again, when was the last time she was really comfortable?



[/color]

[Relairah]

They had several hours to wait until Jalen would announce it was time. Jalen himself was off to the side, his arms folded and his body nestled against a large rock. His head was drooped and every now and then a snore came from his direction.

Joseph had also gone by himself, cleaning up some and pondering. He had left Nikita by herself, thinking she wanted it. His mind raced with questions, but he knew he would find no answers any time soon - at least concerning Nikita. He glanced in her direction, and maybe he was wrong but he could've sworn he saw her shiver. A brief sigh escaped his lips, and he stared at the sky for a few moments. He wasn't sure but she definitely seemed like the man-hater type. At least from what he'd seen of her so far. Still...

He rose quietly, moving toward her and knelt beside her, if she allowed him to. "Are you cold?" he questioned softly, hoping he hadn't startled her. "Because even if we have no fire, I can give you some warmth." He hoped she wouldn't take it the wrong way. He only meant that he could generate heat through his own abilities. With a bit of focus, he could warm the air surrounding her until it was a much more comfortable temperature.

He waited for her response patiently. Whatever it would be, a soft glow came to his eyes, only noticeable if one were to look closely into them. He would then attempt to do exactly that: warm the air around her. If nothing else, perhaps it would make her feel a bit more comfort, and he hoped she wouldn't become agitated about him doing so.

[Moon_Song]

She had heard the footfalls of approach. Recognizing them as Joseph's, she did not turn, but nonetheless stiffened as he drew near. His voice had not surprised her. His words did. He cared if she was cold? Then again, he seemed to be that rarity in the world who still had that...what was it called?...chivalry.

She remember that he, too, was a gifted individual, but she wondered how he planned to warm her. Had he tried to use his body to do so, he would surely lose a limb. But nothing of the sort happened. Instead she felt the very air around her begin to warm to a comfortable temperature.

For the first time since he drew near, she looked over to where he stood. She looked into his face, as if searching for something there. She saw the brightness of his eyes. Those strange eyes. She wondered briefly what those eyes had seen. What they had lived through.

She said nothing for a long time. She just looked into his face. It was so quiet. With out really thinking, her lips moved and she spoke. "Thank you." She closed her lips tightly after the words, as if hoping she could keep them from reaching anyones ears.

She might not have been comfortable saying it, but she was grateful for the warmth. She had been sincere. She hadn't realized how cold she really was until she began to feel the chill melt away.

Again, she was quiet for a while. Her brows furrowed, as if in deep thought when she spoke again, if he said nothing else, "Why?" She figured he would understand what she meant. Why help her? Why go with her on this quest? Why try to save her on that first meeting? What did he want?

[Relairah]

When she looked into his face, she would see it was calm, steady. He was clearly focused on keeping the air around her warm. He had to put some energy into it with how chilly it was. But he didn't mind. In effect, it was keeping him warm too and to him, it was worth it. "You're welcome," he said softly in return, mostly because he didn't want Jalen waking up and noticing anything. Not that he cared what the other jerk thought... he would just rather not deal with it for a bit of time.

Then she questioned him. It caught him a little off-guard. He was hardly prepared to answer, so he was silent a moment. "I couldn't let scum like him get away with whatever purposes he had in mind for you." He stated honestly. "And besides, helping someone is always something I do if I can. This just so happened to turn into a bit of excitement from my normally boring life." He smiled faintly at the last statement. "In all seriousness, though, I suppose initially, when I saw you, there was something different. It made me curious." Different like him. So far, he had met very few who were different like him. And she was the first he had been able to spend time with and get to know to any extent. Perhaps that was what made him want to know more.

[Moon_Song]

His face was rather calm, but you can never be sure with some people. A mask is not hard to make with practice. But then again, one crafter knows quality work of another when she sees it. She saw no falseness in his features.

She saw that she caught him off guard as well. Just a night full of fallen guards.

His answer seemed almost typical of a self-righteous do-gooder. He did, however, believe whole-heartedly in his answer. She was skeptical, as she always was. Her natural defensive state. On guard, never let anyone in. Damn...she was cold.

She wondered what about her had made him so curious. She was used to making other curious, but with him she wondered. "What is it you find so curious?" Was it her strange lineage? Her mysterious past? Her hidden abilities? Was it the usual reasons she had heard so many times?

Her face remained neutral. It was beginning to feel like a battle of the stone faces. At least to her it felt that way.

[Relairah]

"Your eyes," he said plainly. "Just like mine. I've met very few with similarities to myself. So I wondered..." He paused, gazing into her eyes, if she let him, with complete sincerity and smiled, ever so faintly. "I guess I was curious to if you were anything like me or not." He went back to his focus on keeping her warm. "Anyway, I guess in personality, we're quite different... but well, there is still much to learn." He paused once again. "For now... just get some rest. At least enjoy that you're warm for tonight, won't you?"

If she agreed, he would be glad, and would continue to keep her warm as she slept. If not, he would wait. For within a few hours, Jalen would awake.

The sun was still beneath the horizon, the moon still the main source of light. But dawn was not far, and even some of the stars were fading, the sky growing to a lighter blue on the farther edges. The morning air was cool, crisp, and fresh. Jalen stood easily, letting his dark eyes fall on the city before them. At last, he stood. Anticipation flooded his veins, but he waited, coiled. He would have to bide his time and play things just right.

He glanced toward Joseph and Nikita. Whether they had slept, and were still asleep, or not was of no matter to him. If they were, he would awake them, but if not, he would speak. "Let us be on our way." And with that, he would begin making his way toward the city gates.

After a bit more time, the gates were looming before them, and two guards stanced, pointing spears in the direction, their faces hard. "Who desires to enter the gates of Jappahj?" Jalen wondered if he would be able to pass... then again, he hadn't ever actually visited... they wouldn't know his face... he smirked, gesturing for Nikita to step forward. "Merely a gypsy dancer and her aids," he stated. "We come to bring some cheer and entertainment to the city. Perhaps even the castle Lord if he allows. But I'm getting ahead of myself," he bowed low. "We humbly ask to pass."

The guards glanced toward Nikita, waiting for confirmation of the truth of the words.

[Moon_Song]

Her...eyes? She wasn't sure if she should scoff or actually be impressed. That was a new one for her. Sure she had had comments about her eyes before, but not about them being a similarity to someone. They held each others gaze for a long while. She looked for something in his face...mostly for falsity or some sign of dishonesty, but there was none. What was with this person?

"You couldn't be more right," she said under her breath when he said they were very different in their their personalities. He was a seemingly warm-hearted, kind, caring individual. She was a cold, distant, wanderer. You couldn't get much more different. That is, except for between Joseph and Jalen, but that was a different story.

He urged her to get some rest, and as he did so she felt the air around her warm even more, to a very comfortable temperature. She would have felt drowsy had she not also been hungry. She didn't really want to rest while he was so near, though. She felt uncomfortable. Nonetheless, she was tired. Reluctantly, she laid her head down upon her headscarf-which she used as a pillow-and closed her eyes. She knew her limits, and she needed the rest. Before she drifted off to sleep, she wondered in expending such energy would weaken Joseph. She realized she didn't want that to happen.

~*~

I had been a short sleep indeed. Jalen awoke and, due to her tendency to sleep very lightly, Nikita awoke as well. The sky was still dark, but the sky was no longer black. It held the shades of the rising sun. She arose and put her headscarf back on, careful to hide as much of her hair as possible. City people didn't always take kindly to strange people. She was glad the wound on her arm was just about healed as well. She kept that shard of that arrow tucked away in a pouch made of the ripped fabric she had used to tie off the wound. A morbid little memento of a strange chapter in her life.

They were quick to be on their way that morning. Not too much later they found themselves at the city gate. The two rather unfriendly guards stopped then in their tracks. The city-Jappahj as the guards called it (was that name familiar or was it deja vu?)-was just at their finger tips. As was the end of this wretched trips.

Realizing Jalen's ideas, she stepped forward, ever so slightly adding a bit of the sensuality of her dance to the few steps and flashed the guards a sultry smile. She nodded as the guards looked to her and bowed as well. "We only wish to bring joy to the citizen of your fair city, as well as to your noble leader." She glanced at Jalen and Joseph before she rose. "Is there anyway you could permit a small band of performers like us to enter your city?" Nikita spoke in her most persuasive voice possible without using her gift. She wanted to gold off on that for as long as possible. She felt she might need it soon, but even without the magic, there was still power behind her words. She hoped the guards would be sufficiently mesmerized to let them pass.

[Relairah]

The guards fell for it completely, entirely caught up in Nikita. Yes, mesmerized. It was all they could do not to drool. Perhaps more what she was used to from men. It was only a moment after then before the group would be passing through the gates and seeing the city before them. In the distance stood the castle, Jalen's target. But around stood various homes and shops, the streets empty in the early morning. A few various things fluttered through the air, a paper or two, perhaps having drifted from the castle. One of them had a large "WANTED" sign with Laertes' face on it. Wouldn't they be glad to know he was dead?

Jalen moved through without casting anything a second glance, he knew his destination. But Joseph shifted to slow him down. "I suggest we play this correctly. If it's castle access you're wanting, we can't just march right in. We need to work our way there." Jalen's black eyes turned sharply on Joseph, condescending even. "You think I haven't thought this through? Every step has been carefully planned." And with that he pushed Joseph out of his way, continuing.

It wasn't long before they would reach the main square, a large fountain in the center with a large seraphic statue. It was poised as if ascending, stone cloth draped about its figure and from its hands spilled a never ending stream. About the fountain were various plants and flowers, some of which had scattered themselves between the cracks of the older brick pavement beneath their feet. And not far off from that stood a certain street, leading up to the castle's gates.

Jalen could feel the anticipation, the adrenaline rushing through his system. So close. Yet so far. He had to bide his time. So he moved toward the fountain, gazing upon it a long while and finally tossing a coin into its depths. He glanced at Nikita and Joseph. "We will draw attention in the square." He hoped this wouldn't take longer than a few more days. Within a bit more time, various people began moving into the square and filling the street, opening their booths and preparing for the day's activities.

Oh yes, it wouldn't be long now.

-------

Jalen would wait until later, when the crowds had been drawn, and then would climb on the edge of the fountain, raising his voice. "Come one, come all! To see a gypsy's performance! You won't see this often, so gather 'round!" Joseph sat upon the fountain's edge as well, though his focus was elsewhere, gazing around the area. His mind was in his own thoughts. Though if Nikita would oblige, beginning her performance, he would turn his gaze toward her, somewhat mesmerized himself. But more in wonder and a bit of respect than dirty thinking.

[Moon_Song]

Of course it had worked. Although now she dreaded that she would have to put up a cheery facade all the while until she knew Jalen's full plan. It had always served her well to act this way, so now should be no different.

She was a bit surprised to see that very few people were about, but then again, the sun had barely crested the horizon. They walked along the various homes that skirted the city. She had been to many places in her travels, and usually they tended to begin looking the same, but this one was different. Perhaps it was the situation, perhaps the atmosphere. Whatever it was, she was on alert. The WANTED poster almost made her laugh...almost.

She was not surprised when Joseph questioned Jalen, but she did have to admit, she had at least hoped Jalen had planned this far ahead and farther. If she knew they were going in with absolutely no plan, she would bail out right then and there. Not know the plan wasn't much better, but at least it was there.

As they approached the town square, she took notice of the fountain and the flowers. It created a rather pretty picture. She panned the area nonchalantly and noticed the road that lead to the castle gates. Would that be Jalen's entrance? It was likely, but she did not attempt to draw attention to it. Instead she turned to Jalen. "I will assume that your 'drawing of attention will involve me. In that case I will need a tambourine and I hope one of you plays."

With that she would walk off as soon as the shops began to open. She did not plan to go far, just to one of the shops that she noticed sold musical instruments. She had no money, but she was able to get a good tambourine and a sitar from a withering old man who enjoyed a good smile and choice words.

when she returned, she would hand the sitar to Jalen as soon as she returned. She did not care if he played it or not, but the look on her face clearly stated that someone had better, and for their own sake.

The square quickly filled with townspeople and merchants.
Children ran around the legs of their mother s and played tag with each other, or chased after stray animals. It would soon be time to perform again. Nikita closed her eyes and readied herself, practicing her breathing and focusing.

There it was. Jalen had become the peddler, loudly announcing her presence to the square as if she were some important person. From the reactions, you would know no differently. People crowded around -at a distance of course-to see what oddity there was to behold. Nikita stood perfectly still, her eyes still closed. When the crowed began to hush, whoever had the sitar would begin to play. Luckily the song the sitar player knew was one she, too, knew well.

Her features smoothed, then as she opened her fiery eyes-a few gasps as usual-her face adopted that seductive look she wore so well. She brought her tambourine up and played it to the tune. With each shimmy of the instrument, her hips did the same. The song was of a moderate speed, so ad-libbing was easy. she focused on no one in particular as she danced, but as she spun in one part, she could not help be catch a glimpse of Joseph's face, almost awe-struck it seemed.

Her body undulated and snaked along with the strumming of the sitar, but now the tambourine had been replaced with the outer-most layer of her skirts, which doubled as her veil in her dance. The tambourine began to fill with coins and other small goods as the movements and veil work became more and more complicated.

Though her expression never wavered from what was appropriate to her dancing, she wondered what it was Jalen was up to next. She leaped and danced around, widening her circle of free space as she neared the climax of the song, which gave her the room she needed for the one handed cart-wheel into splits she was about to perform.




((OoC: I don't know if there was anything you wanted to a before she finished her dance, so I'll leave it open for you. ))

[Relairah]

OoC: Nope XD But thanks though! Anyway, I hope you don't mind if I skip a bit...

iC:

Everyone, even those who hadn't gathered, seemed to at least be watching if not glancing Nikita's way, caught in awe as she danced with grace and ease. Such as a sight was certainly uncommon if not never-before-seen by these people and they enjoyed every moment. As her dance would come to an end, a cheer would rise with applause, some even calling for more and whistling. Oh any man would kill for a woman who could move like that. But Jalen and Jospeph were clearly not going to let anything like that happen... how ironic... and they kept their distance.

Several days would pass in a similar manner, Jalen managing to get a room for them in a friendly old woman's inn. Nikita was a bit of a celebrity among the inhabitants now and she didn't mind letting her stay free of charge as long as she was visiting the city. Every day in the later morning, the crowd would gather, and Jalen announce Nikita, the crowd eagerly cheering and caught up in the beauty of her dance.

Finally, those within the castle caught wind of this gypsy who could capture the soul with her dance, as the whispers went. Oh yes, the lord of the castle was curious. He wanted to see this gypsy girl's performance. He demanded it. And so the castle guards were sent to collect her. Jalen felt a smug smile come to his lips when he saw them approaching, though he quickly wiped it away. Ah, yes, just as planned.

The guards' leader stepped forward, the crowd dispersing to do their daily business. "The lord of the castle requests the presence of the gypsy dancer." Jalen stepped forward and bowed in a manner. "She would gladly oblige," he said, "I and this man are her aids for music and such."

The leader raised a brow, though finally nodded. "Very well. Follow." And with that he would nod toward his men, the others moving to surround Nikita, Joseph and Jalen, and proceed to escort them into the castle. It would not be long before they entered the great gates and began stepping through the halls until they reached a great room, the ceiling high and decorated with chandeliers. The walls had torches of light flickering and on the far side upon a platform reached with a set of stairs was a great throne, upon which sat a rugged yet somehow somewhat handsome man. It was uncertain of his exact age. Though his features appeared young, there was a look about him of someone significantly older. Either way, he looked up from something he was reading at the sound of the approach and gestured that they enter.

"So, you are the dancing girl I have heard ceaseless rumors of since you came to my city." He awaited her response, impatiently. If she would confirm it, he would smirk slightly. "If that is so, dance for me. And if I am pleased, I will grant you and your aids each a room for the remainder of your stay." Perhaps he might even keep her here, and find excuses for her to remain. But this thought remained hidden. Oh yes, she was a beauty. A rare jewel. How fortunate for him. If only he knew how unlikely his chances really were.

[Moon_Song]

The crowd loved it. They ate it up. Nikita smiled at the crowed and bowed. She glanced around, pausing momentarily on Jalen and Joseph. Once she had collected the offerings left by the spectators, they left.

Jalen secured them a place at an old inn run by a kind woman who made sure Nikita had what she needed, which included a room away from Jalen and Joseph. Days passed this way. Nikita would dance, people would cheer, and so on. She was becoming famous in this town. Not something she was exactly comfortable with. It seemed as though time was dragging on. All she cared about was getting this over with and finding her sister. She had to find her sister. She had a lead that was likely long cold, but she had to try it.

If her gut was right, which it usually was, it wouldn't be much longer now. Luckily she was right. The king himself had gotten wind of her skills and sent for them. They were in the market heading for the usual spot when a large group of men came towards them. She caught the smirk that spread on Jalen's face before it disappeared, indicating this as part of his master plan. Nikita was a bit rigid as they grew closer. The last group of guards they had encountered had left a faint scar on her arm. The shard from that wound lay tucked in a pouch she had tied to her skirt, just beside her sword that was well hidden.

One of the guards spoke, and before she could open her mouth, Jalen jumped ahead and spoke for her. She hated it when the troupe leaders did that, and this time was no different. She shot him a pricing glance, but did not hold it. She didn't think the guards would think it right for a woman to be so vicious toward her...what ever they thought he was to her.

Never the less, they accepted Jalen's words and moved to surround them. They moved like that through the streets as they set out for the castle. Many people stared and mumbled. They seemed to understand what was happening, and she couldn't help but notice the piteous glances of a few of the women, but when she caught their eyes, they looked away. When meeting a man of power, that was never a good sign.

It wasn't long before they reached their destination. The room they ended up in was ornately decorated and must have cost a huge sum of money. Nikita tried not to look around too much and instead focused on where they were going. She recorded every turn and door they went through, just in case.

Finally they reached a place where a man was sitting on a throne-she assumed he was the royalty that sent for them-reading something. He looked up as they entered. He was far from old, but he had a look of...something, she wasn't sure what, that only came with age, or experience. He spoke as they grew closer, and before Jalen could speak for her again, she answered, bowing as she did so, "I can only assume so, Your Grace, as I am the only dancing girl I know of in the area, granted I have not been here long."

She could here the smirk in his voice as he answered and, since he could not see her face, grimaced. He ordered her to dance, promising a room if she did well. She heard something underneath those words, and she didn't like it. A bad feeling tightened her stomach, but when she straightened herself, none of these things showed on her face. "Thank you, Your Grace, for your hospitality."

She glanced at Jalen and Joseph meaningfully. Nikita closed her eyes in her starting pose. Her arms crossed above her head, her left foot out in front of her and all her weight on her right. The hall grew silent in anticipation. She imagined the man in the chair was growing impatient, but she could care less. If the man were to try and speak out, just as he opened his mouth, the music would begin to play((who is playing the sitar?))Her eyes would snap open, her fiery golden eyes filled with a passion, exuding a seductive air. She was well practiced in this act, making it hard fo anyone to tell that it was, in fact, an act.

The tune started out slow, so she first brought down her left arm, undulating slowly to the beat. The right arm. A pick up in the tempo and her hips lifted and dropped in time. She went on with her dance, always selective of who she rested her eyes on. First it was the head guard. She danced in his direction, but before he could reach out for her, she cartwheeled away. She picked up her dancing veil from her skirt and continued on. She focused on a wiry looking guard nearest the man on the throne. He looked frozen-most likely from shyness-and as she drew close to him, she simply put a finger on his chest and he fell on his bottom.

Laughter arose from areas of the room, but she continued with a smile. Lastly she turned her attention to the man on the throne. Her body undulated to the beat in a sultry manner. Then she made her way quickly up the steps before anyone could stop her, her veil twirling around her. It came to a rest on her hips which bounced in time to the music. She landed gently on the arm rest of the man's chair. She ran a hand under his chin and brought her face close to his, her eyes burning.

But again she moved before anything could happen, she smiled deviously, pulled her veil around his neck, and back-flipped down the stairs. She finished her dance back by Jalen and Joseph. She was sure her performance had caused a bit of a stir, but then it always did. In one last gesture, she bowed again to the man and waited anything he would say.

((I hope that was ok.))

[Relairah]

OoC: Jalen is playing the sitar xD And you did awesome! Sorry for length in between replies DX Also.. I hope you don't mind me guiding it so much plot stuff <.<; if you wanna add anything at any point feel free lol

iC:

Of course the castle's lord was mesmerized - just like everyone else, though he watched closely, he was also reserved. He was a man good at hiding his thoughts and emotions. He didn't appreciate the way she toyed as she danced, though was captivated by the way she demanded attention. She was a woman to be reckoned with, that much was obvious. He wasn't one to enjoy a woman who liked to control and be too independent. But that could be dealt with in time - perhaps.

In any case, as she finished, he smiled and gave a brief applause. She had done well, and Jalen's black eyes glimmered. Oh he could almost feel the success. It was so close to his fingertips. But he knew he must continue to wait, baited. Everything was drawing so close, and each step had to be careful. The lord rose, "Thank you. I am impressed. You will have any room of your choosing. Your... accompaniment will have the room adjacent." He gestured and a woman hurried forward, indicating they should follow her.

She would then bow to the lord and lead them through the castle, gesturing with a sweeping arm toward each room, leaning through the doorway enough for Nikita to get a good glimpse and decide if she wanted to stay or not. This would continue only as long as Nikita wished, though Jalen hoped she let it continue as if deciding long enough to get a general idea of the layout of the castle. Not that he really needed it since he had a map-like view, though first-hand sight was always different.

As they walked the halls, he noticed one place in the wall that seemed slightly off and as they passed it by, it was clear it was a passageway, the beginning of a staircase right behind it. To be explored later, of course. But he knew it was not the one to lead him to his goal. It would hardly be that obvious. Not for the value of the treasure he sought.

Once Nikita chose a room he and Joseph would get settled next door, telling her if she needed anything to beckon them. More playing the act than anything - well, at least on Jalen's part. A few more days would pass, servants bringing them their meals when it was time and whatever they wished, and twice a day, the lord sent for Nikita, having her choose from an array of clothing and then to dance for him. If she so obliged of course. He was biding his time, offering her much. And finally, the time came.

Jalen knocked on Nikita's door in the early morning. Only the servants would be up, doing their duties and would pay little if any mind. Perhaps she had sent for him, they might think. In any case, he waited for her to accept him in - if she even did - and would stand away from the door, speaking to her. He had already told Joseph. Tonight would be the night. After everyone was asleep - probably at three hours after the moon was highest in the sky. And here was the plan. Now was the time for him to finally reveal the final secrets to her. At first, he had neglected to say anything - more because he didn't know how things would turn out and couldn't risk the liability. But now - now he might actually be able to get somewhere.

What he was after was a ring. It was kept in a secret chamber of the castle, inaccessible to anyone but those who knew how to get to it. Joseph would guard after entrance to keep anyone who may have seen them at bay. Once they opened the passageway, it would have a tunnel beneath the castle which would come to a five-way fork. All of them were dead-ends. Instead, there would be a secret compartment in the wall above the middle doorway which would have another tunnel in the wall and at the end she would come out above the chamber. He wasn't sure exactly what boobie-traps would mark the chamber itself, but he was certain it would somehow be protected. The ring would be on the far side and it must be acquired and placed in Jalen's hands safely. No one must know it was gone until after he possessed it.

He was certain it would be easy for her with her small frame and flexibility. So he knew she could do it. But it was the final test. Would she? After all this? Of course, she didn't know it's true value... or perhaps she might discover something when she saw the ring.

But Jalen wouldn't know that. He waited for her response.

OoC: So if you wanted you could say whatever she does after her response... like if she refuses and tries to escape maybe the guards and lord try to stop her and capture her or she has to use her magic... although I'm hoping she agrees in which case you could make up any boobie-traps or other things guarding said ring, beast, magic, whatever, and play out how/if she gets it etc. if you want XD It's all up to you!

[Moon_Song]

((OoC: No worries, I like where you are going with it, which is why I don't mind the guiding ^_^ as for the reply, do you want to do a play by play of the sequence where she goes after the ring, or just one long reply? I only ask because I was thinking that while she's in there, something could happen with Jalen outside, or something (or something with joseph) that happens at the same time, if that makes sense, and she hears what happens and has to make a decision whether to go back or not, or something odd like that lol. just throwing out ideas (: ))

[Relairah]

OoC: Hmmmmm.... decisions decisions... well I guess I was just imagining one long reply o.o; I thought to meself "it'll be the middle of the night so no one will suspect anything until she gets to the chamber and said guard of the ring makes noise but by the time the guards arrive it's too late cause she's already gone with the ring..." but perhaps we could do a play - by - play... mostly cause Joseph might start interrogating Jalen and make a raucous... I dunno.... on the other side, Joseph would probably have either asked Jalen in previous nights, or be waiting to see the answers to his questions himself...

Yea... sorry for the ramble DX perhaps just a long reply would work, unless you wanted the latter XD I'll just go with whatever you do ^-^

[Moon_Song]

Okie dokie. sorry it's taking me so long t write it. i've been working on it on the side. its getting really long haha