A villian.... or a hero?

[Xenoxice]

It was a rainy day... and cold too. It was late in the evening pushing past the point when most had already put in for the night when Zenithe walked into the dimly lit inn. Not many people were in there, only the few that usually stayed up late to get smashed with their favorite drinks and friends. Soaking wet although the outside of his clothes may have been, he was perfectly dry on the inside of them. His style of clothing stuck out like a sore thumb. But what stuck out even more, if one looked closely enough, was the last few inches of what seemed to be a black scaled tail sticking out from under the back of his cloak. it wasn't very thick, but it was slim and very agile, flicking rhythmically side to side. He simply propped himself up against the wall in a dark corner and gazed at the people around the inn that were sitting there. He's not here. Not yet. he thought to himself. Even in his own thoughts he was always calculating... observing... watching and learning. Every moment he existed he was studying anything and everything around him to make himself more efficient. Faster, stronger, better in every possible way he can.

Minutes seemed like hours on this night as nobody wanted to go anywhere and it was dark. Usually most mercenaries and thieves thrive in the dark, trying to utilize the cover it gives to carry out their deeds. But almost none can use the shadows as Zenithe can. He has learned the ways of the magic they hold and can counter with ease even some of the most ruthless killers that lurk in its wake. One of which, he was waiting to stumble into the inn to get drunk as he always did on this particular day of the week. His crimson eyes were watching the door intently... unblinking... waiting for the right moment to take down his target after they arrived and got settled.

A few of the patrons that were there kept turning and giving him odd looks. Not only his clothing but his demeanor was not something that was very commonly found even through the entire city itself. Most kept their distance from him or gave him odd and even dirty looks of distaste due to his rather... unique style. Others give him looks of fear when they notice the hilt of the blade that lies in its sheathe sticking out from his cloak. He never payed attention to the looks at all. He simply shrugged them off and thought nothing of their opinions. He had never cared about anyone's opinion after his parents had died. He had never found love or known someone who could even bring themselves to get remotely close to him.

[Relairah]

Home. It had been a long time since she had been back. Several years, in fact. The ship was just arriving in the Escavas port and she was soaking wet. Of course it would be raining, she thought to herself. She hated the rain... especially when it was so cold! Her wavy hair which usually held a significant amount of volume clung to her neck and her clothes clung to her skin, accentuating her figure. She was glad for the cloak draped around her shoulders and she leaped easily down to the docks as soon as the ship was stable. Her orange eyes, the one thing abnormal about her, shone and she moved swiftly through the streets, heading toward the nearest inn which she knew would still be open. Nothing ever changed here, it seemed.

Once inside, she was glad for the warmth and relief from the downpour of water from the sky. Flinging her cloak on the back of a chair, she plopped in the seat, shaking her hair much to the annoyance of the men sitting at the adjacent table. But they only gave her a look and shook their heads, getting back to their business.

She looked around, scanning the room and taking it in swiftly. She herself was used to having to notice all the details and think on her feet. But she felt no reason for caution here - though you really never know. She spotted the guy in the corner. Well he certainly stood out didn't he? Not spending too much time gazing at him so as not to draw unnecessary attention she found she was curious. She wondered what a guy like that was doing in here. Last time... she smirked to herself, remembering her first adventures. She supposed she'd just have to wait and see what happened.

A big man stood behind the counter, cleaning a few glasses with a white rag. He had looked up when she walked in, not really thinking anything of it, and gone back to his cleaning. But he looked up suddenly once again when the woman suddenly was standing right in front of him. He gave a brief start and then calmed. "Jolene!" he said, trying not to shout it. "Geez, you startled me. What are you doing here? It's been..."

"Yea, a few years, whatever. Give me something fizzy and strong. I'm exhausted and I would prefer if not everyone in this city was aware I'm back. Most of the vendors don't like me after all," she said with a faint grin. "Any open rooms?"

"Well yea..." he slid her a key. "You better pay me, girl. Up the stairs and to the left."

"Yea, yea," she said waving her hand and grabbed the glass he handed her, taking a sip. It was perfect. She slumped her chin into her palm, her elbow resting on the counter, appearing entirely relaxed. Instinctually, she was still aware of her surroundings, but her focus was definitely not in guard-mode. In fact, she was enjoying her drink and thinking about her recent travels. It did feel nice to be home for its familiarity.

[Xenoxice]

OOC: ((Rather than make a draconic language of my own or take one, I actually make it so you can know what he's saying, while making it sound legit Look carefully at his words!))

The near silence of the inn aside from the table of friends getting drunk and shooting him the occasional stare was soon broken by the door opening. Zenithe remained unmoving until he saw who it was. A rather plain looking woman aside from her eyes. He payed her almost no mind at all. as his eyes once again stared into the wall at the opposite end of the inn as though he were trying to bore a hole in it with his eyes. Silently standing in the shadows with his arms crossed and leaning against the wall. He wasn't sure of how much time had passed since he had stood there but he didn't care. He knew with who he was he would live almost infinitely further beyond the life expectancy of any normal human.... he had time. Plenty of it.... And he used it well.

The rain seemed to come down harder as the time passed as was noticed by the splashing outside the door. His eyes occasionally glancing a little to the right to stare at the innkeeper. His eyes may have seemed like they were angry or filled with hatred. But perhaps someone skilled enough to read other people or skilled in the ways of a mercenary themselves could see they were eyes filled with determination, focus and unwavering will. Even with the now bursting of the door flying open and hitting the wall, he was not startled. But rather glad because he knew that was the standard act of the man he was after. A regular drunk and what his client deemed as a 'cheap penniless scumbag' who never payed his dues and more importantly, rival. Zenithe didn't care who the person was so long as it wasn't a woman or child. Even as a mercenary he had standards. Watching the man as he barged in and headed to the counter to order a drink, not even bothering to shut the door until one of his little followers did it for him.

Zenithe's eyes were now glued to his target, who luckily enough happened to take his drinks and pick a seat at a table right next to the bar and on the way to the stairs that lead up to the rooms. He took step by step in stride. Each one was soft even for his size and one would think it were a child walking around with how little sound he made. Reaching the counter he asked the innkeeper for a room. His voice was soft and almost melodic. Comparable even to that of the best of singers. Upon receiving the key to a room he would mutter under his breath "Emit sti". As he walked past the man who already seemed smashed out of his mind, he muttered under his breath once more. "Eid ouy won". A sharp ring ran throughout the inn. It seemed to resonate and vibrate throughout the room for many seconds. If one weren't so startled by the sound, they could recognize it as the ring a blade makes when being drawn form its sheathe at a fast speed. And if one payed even more attention to his actions they would have caught a flick of his cape and see the last second of him sliding his sword back into its sheathe while the mans chair split clean in half from under him.

Walking up the stairs Zenithe muttered a third time. "Peels sseldne eht otni won pils". Without a care in the world he walked up to his room as the mans friends walked over to his motionless body. Shocked in horror as they see the pool of blood rapidly forming beneath his body and the thin line of blood that went straight up the middle of his body clean from split in his pants to the bottom of his neck.

[Relairah]

The time passed and she was still sitting there, not quite bringing herself to go to her room. Her drink had been finished and remained empty, her already having paid the innkeeper. She didn't move as the guy from the wall moved over, asking for a room key. The sound of his voice caught her attention, but she still didn't look. Well at least not right that moment. As he turned away she did, curious at the words he uttered. It was foreign, yet had a certain lull. His job was carried out within seconds, before anyone would have seen it coming or would have time to react.

Welcome home, Jolene.

She found it somewhat ironic that it was such an event that had caused her to leave in the first place, and such an event would be what welcomed her when she returned. Not really caring in particular about the dead drunk, or his buddies who were starting to get riled up, she did care about whatever after-effects this might cause - particularly since she knew the innkeeper.

Within seconds and in a fluid movement herself, she was after him, reaching him easily and reaching her hand out to grasp his shoulder, attempting to give a tug. If he bothered to turn, he would see her face quite close to his, eyes fiery. "What in the hell do you think you're doing?" she demanded, her voice soft.

[Xenoxice]

It wasn't long... not even half way up the steps before he felt a tug on his shoulder. Judging from the size of the hand he felt upon him he figured it was the woman's. Turning around to face her he smirked very very slightly underneath his hidden mouth. But her eyes for some reason caught his attention more than her words. His own crimson eyes starting to dilate and become much more catlike as he looked into hers. "You have passion in those eyes. I can see you're displeased with my actions and are more concerned about someone in that room than yourself if I were to judge from your response. If you didn't care at all, you wouldn't have come after me." Even though his words seemed a bit empty and once again, calculating, his tone was still as soft and melodic as before. "I don't care where my target is or what they've done to make someone want me to kill them. I don't even accept money for what I do. I do it to train myself. What else is one to do with more time on their hands than they care to admit to have? Do not worry for the innkeeper. I am well known throughout this city and they know what I do. I have far to distinct of a method for them to confuse me with someone else. If that is indeed who you're worried about, which I doubt it would be any of the drunks, then he will not have any repercussions taken upon him. The city guards will come, they will take the body away, question the innkeeper a little and ask if it was me again, and I will be gone before they get here. Now, if you want to know anything else, then at least allow me the luxury of my room first."

With his eyes still scanning over hers, he found himself captivated by them. Wondering how any 'normal' human could have them. From that alone, he deducted she was in fact, not normal. There was something special about her but it was well hidden from him at this point in time. With his last look into her eyes, he turned around and continued up the steps without a word. His steps as light as ever and his tail dragging behind him, painfully obvious to anyone who walked up the steps behind him. Upon reaching his assigned room, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. Not caring to see if the woman had followed him, but he left the door open. Removing the sheathe with his sword in it and placing it upon the bed. The sheer size of it reaching from the head of it and sticking out past the edge a few inches. Turning around, he then sat upon the bed himself.

[Relairah]

OoC: Sorreh I disappeared on ya XD 'Twas my hubby's birthday yesterday and was celebrating tonight n.n

iC:

She was once again finding herself also surprised as she caught a glimpse of his own eyes. Crimson in color, they had a look she had seen before, but it was harder, colder, perhaps. Things had certainly changed more than she thought around here if he was that well known. Perhaps she had been gone too long.

She listened as he spoke, and then gave a light smirk. Clearly, he was bent on getting to his room but being as he didn't shut her out, she followed him in, without any sort of thought about it. "You mistake me, mercenary. I do have a care for the innkeeper, yes, mostly because dead bodies piling up in his shop lead to less business - but moreso would be the riots and angry mobs which tend to follow." She paused, folding her arms across her chest. "However, if what you say is true and they know you so well - unable to catch you, then perhaps truly my worry is in vane. Mobs can't corner a ghost." She was speaking from experience on that one, having caused quite enough trouble in years past without ever getting caught - though the mobs actually did chase her. However she was glad it had never been with pitch forks or fire.

She had to admit: there was something about this guy that had most certainly caught her attention. Perhaps she was just curious. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, yet. She eyed, briefly, the sword which he laid across the bed. She had already figured out he wasn't entirely human - much like herself. The mere size of the sheath was a marvel and she did wonder what the sword itself looked like. It almost reminded her of December's sword... though it hadn't been quite as large. She guessed it had something to do with whatever part of this guy wasn't human.

Funny. Only moments before she had been exhausted, ready to sleep. Now, she was wide-awake. If this guy truly intended on being gone before the authorities arrived, she highly doubted he planned on sleeping much right now either. Her gaze was resting on him again, all of these thoughts in her mind happening in seconds after looking at the sword. "What's your sword's name?" she asked.

[Xenoxice]

OOC: ((It's quite alright XD. I figured you'd reply at some point =3. That and I'll be on all day tomorrow as well XD. But feel free to reply tonight if you have the time and I'll pick up again in the morning ^_^. Bedtime for me so I don't drag going to work lmao.))

Zenithe had watched as the woman followed him into his room. Listening to her words he smirked ever so slightly behind his cloak and hood. "Perhaps you're right. It does lead to less business. But it also leads to more. Those who are corrupt do not venture here very often anymore. But those who are innocent come here more than before because they feel safer in an inn they know bad things happen to bad people." With a small shrug of his shoulders and slight tilt of his head, his eyes remained dilated from before, still staring into hers. His voice unchanging from before. But if one payed enough attention, they could notice his tone was a bit more amused than before. "As far as mobs catching a ghost, you're almost right. In this case it would be like trying to capture a shadow."

His eyes seemed to follow her gaze until they lay upon his sword. He turns to look back at her and finally decides to answer her question. Both by picking up the sword, removing it from its sheathe and holding it by the blade for her to take hold of. "Be careful with it. It's a lot heavier than it looks." He held it out just to see if she would take the offer of holding it, something he has never let anyone do before ever since he crafted it himself. "As for it's name..... in my tongue it's known as 'wodahs lessdne'. In the more common tongue, 'endless shadow'. I made it myself from some of the rarest metals found on this planet. I followed rumor after rumor just to find out if the ore even existed. But I found both, and the sword is made of each one." He stared at her intently curious to see what she would do or how she would react to how he so openly and calmly offered her his sword. Almost as if he was testing her. "You might want to be quick by the way. The guards should be here in about ten minutes and I plan to leave in five."

If she were to take the sword into one hand, she would find it weighed about that of an average 3 year old child.

[Relairah]

He did have a good point; but she was stubborn and still felt her concerns were genuine and justified. Clearly the conversation moved past such, however, so she said nothing more on the matter. Instead, she found it odd that he so readily presented his sword before her, explaining its story. She glanced at him briefly, her eyes not questioning, but more assessing, before she grabbed hold of the hilt he offered, unsheathing the sword in a fluid motion. She had expected the thing to be heavy, so wasn't surprised when it didn't disappoint her. He would see she carried some swordsmanship skills - though perhaps not nearly equivalent to his own. She was definitely better with her knives and daggers. Still, it was a beautiful blade, and seemed rightfully named. She nodded, moving to place it back in its sheath, if he allowed.

She glanced briefly toward the doorway when he mentioned the guards once again before looking up at him with another small smirk. "I'm the last one you should worry about when it comes to evading guards, mercenary. But I'm not sure I'm done with you yet."

In fact, considering the circumstances of this entire conversation, she wondered why he would even be concerned with her being caught by the guards at all. Unless he planned to stall her and somehow pin the whole thing on her. Somehow, she doubted this was the case. When she said she wasn't done with him yet, she meant it, though. She intended to follow him when he left, whether he wanted it or not. At this point, she was just too caught up in the mystery behind this fellow and determined to learn more.

[Xenoxice]

Zenithe watched the woman as she took his sword in hand. The way she held it and handled it even for its size didn't surprise him. So she has some knowledge with a larger blade. Not bad. Still he held onto its sheathe and awaited for her to return it to its rightful place. Upon her doing so, he flipped the sword so it lay behind him once again. He glanced her over and smirked just a little behind his cloak once more. "You have knowledge of some swordsmanship. I doesn't surprise me." he had said with the same tone as ever while continuing on. "But if I were to judge from your size and build I would say you prefer agility with pinpoint and quick successive strikes over the broader sweeps of a sword. Your weapons if choice I assume would be knives, throwing knives or even large daggers at best. Your eyes suggest you aren't completely human and you have a secret to your history. Your demeanor and reactions showing that seeing killing isn't a new experience to you and have possibly even killed more than once yourself. A former mercenary perhaps? Maybe a thief? I don't peg you as a murderer. Your stature suggests otherwise. A murderer isn't so composed nor are they usually women."

With each word he spoke he continued to look her over, analyzing her from the inside out from everything he's seen about her so far. He had seen and done far too much to not be able to read people very thoroughly. After all.... his 'occupation' required him to do it very quickly. Zenithe stood and placed the sheathe back into its rightful place among his side. Turning to the window of the room which led only to a dark alley below, he began to stride over to it. he was slightly curious however, as to why the woman had no asked about his tail that she surely must have seen by now. Most are just too afraid to ask. But she wasn't even scared to touch him, so he doubted that was the case with her. "I will be going now. You said you weren't sure if you were done with me so you may want to decide quickly. But by all means if you indeed are not, follow as you please. I won't stop you... I actually find you rather.... interesting." His head tilted down as he turned it slightly so his ear would more point to the direction of the front door of the inn. His eyes actually suggested he was.... smiling.... for the first time in a long, long time. "Sooner than expected. If I were you, I wouldn't go out the front door. The rain has stopped but it's still cold. You may want to take the coat that's under the bed." How he would know there was a coat under the bed would be anyone's guess. But then again, he observed and noted everything... and it wasn't his first visit here either.

With a flash of pure black smoke, much like the kind created from a candle being blown out rather than a cloud, he seemed to have vanished from the room. But in fact he was only outside the window, beginning to walk down the alleyway. He smiled a bit more than before and wondered if the woman would indeed follow him.

[Relairah]

He was observant. It was a good quality - unnerving to some people she could think of that someone could note so much by only looking. But then, it also made sense. Still, she wondered why he told her so easily his observations. Of course, she wasn't a target of his and clearly he did not feel she was a threat to him. She smiled up at him slightly. "You would be correct." She paused, stepping back slightly to give somewhat of a bow, "Jolene, thief for hire at your service." Of course she was being somewhat sarcastic as she was not presenting her services for him. Rising, she watched him as he moved toward the window, not moving at first as he continued speaking. His pause caught her and then his words. Mmm... well she certainly wasn't your ordinary type of girl, perhaps. But still she found a faint pink touch her cheeks, though gone just after appearing. Bah, interesting meant so many things. Curious. Different. It didn't necessarily always mean attractive - and his meaning was entirely unclear at this point. It was obvious he had chosen that word purposefully.

Then, in a flash of smoke he was gone. Did he really think she was going to even try to walk through the front door? Even if she hadn't told him she was a thief, she had told him she could easily evade guards. Window climbing, building hopping, alley-way escapes - those were all too familiar to her - or at least had been frequent escapes in younger days. She was also quite familiar with the smoke trick, and she was right behind him in a swift motion, her body fitting through the window lithely. She landed on her feet, even if they were a story up, only a very faint 'thud' sounding but otherwise entirely inaudible. She followed behind him with ease and silently, only about an arms-length away. She did not speak right at that moment, but waited to see where he lead. Her curiosity remained strong.

[Xenoxice]

Taking a few more steps forward, he paused as he heard the light thud of her landing in the alleyway. Turning his head up to the right as if he was looking up at the top of the inn he smirked behind his cloak, then turning his head to face straight forward. "I wonder just how agile you really are. Let's do a little test shall we?" With those words he turned his head just enough so his right eyes could make contact with her own. "Try to follow me and see how close you can manage to stay.... or if you can.... manage to touch me." His eyes squinted a bit almost as if he was smiling... playfully? Something not seen come across his face since he was a child. "You may just be more impressive than I first thought. Let's find out!"

Leaning forward as though he was going to sprint away with a quick flash of the thin black smoke and a slight puffing sound, and he vanished from sight again. If one payed close enough attention, they would notice he left a very faint clue as to where he was going each time. The smoke seemed to trail in a straight line to where he appeared each time. Quite literally playing a game with her seeing how well she could follow him, or better yet, to test her sight in following a trail with her eyes in the pitch dark areas and limited light of the streets. The first trail seemed to flow straight upwards to the roof of the inn. Another slight puff and it could be tracked in the dim moonlight headed across to the roof of the adjacent building. If she actually manages to catch me.... I may have just found one interesting enough to hold my attention. She's not scared of me that's apparent. A very good quality. Perhaps... just maybe... she could be very special. Now.... let's see if I can't make this hard on her. Push her to show just what makes her so unique.

The closer she would get to him, the further the distance she would find Zenithe warping to from shadow to shadow. His intentions were clear. Push her to her limits until she has no choice but to push those limits beyond where they normally are. My parents always wanted me to find someone who can take care of themselves... but also at the same time be someone I can take care of. This is the perfect test. He smirked to himself. Careful observation however if it was noticed, he could only warp from shadows that are joined together in dark areas. Which is why he could never cross the street. Perhaps it could be used to corner him?

[Relairah]

The way he said it - it was almost amusing. On one hand, it was like a game, like dangling a ball of yarn before a cat and watching it dance around in attempts to catch it. But on the other hand, it was clearly more. He was trying to discover something... alright, she'd play. It had been a while since she'd had a true test given by someone else, and she was eager to test herself in a way.

Like many times in the past, she was grateful that her eyes allowed her to see in the dark with ease. Even with dim lighting from the street lamps she could see as clearly as if it were mid-day. Definitely an advantage. Also, when she focused, her hearing allowed her to distinguish the direction of any air flow created by movement. He was teleporting, so such movement was pretty much non-existent, though for split seconds, there was some. This was quite difficult, however, when she was moving as the rush of her own movements interfered. She could not teleport, but she could leap at rather impressive heights and Zenithe would find that she caught on to his movements rather quickly, her form leaping through the air impressively, even taking sharp turns at only an instant when he teleported the opposite direction from where she landed last.

This was fun - quite different from anything she had expected on returning to Escavas. It reminded her of younger days and she couldn't help the grin which was on her face with each time she became that much closer to catching him in her grasp. Not that she could actually catch and hold him - after all he was much stronger than she, but to grasp him would be achievable, she knew. With each teleport, he teleported farther, but she had momentum which carried her even farther in her leaps.

Then! She saw it... he teleported leaving the same hint behind and she anticipated it, leaping without even a pause from her last leap by pushing off of a slightly risen surface. He appeared in his next spot, not quite so far as the last time, or perhaps it was just that she was already closer. Furthermore, perhaps by some chance something had hindered him in her favor. She reached out, her fingers attempting to grasp his forearm. If she succeeded, she would grin, her breath light though not breaking a sweat especially since it was still cold, and say, "Caught you," her words only a soft murmur. If she were unsuccessful, then she would place her foot forward, preventing a stumble and leap again, watching for his next movement.

[Xenoxice]

Through the shadows he warped from one location to another. Looking back occasionally to monitor her progress. She's good... and gaining quickly... His thoughts lacked any form of pride at all. He had no ego and was more impressed and happy than he was anything else. She's definitely not normal. Those are almost.... cat-like reflexes and movements. It wasn't until he felt the brush of her fingers across his forearm even though not quite a grasp, that he stopped dead in his tracks. The shadowy smoke seemed to linger around him. If her hand was in range of the smoke, she would find it not even warm, but surprisingly hot in contrast to the cold air around them. He smiled widely behind his cloak while turning around. She would notice that his eyes seemed to glow and even look.... otherworldly. If his tail didn't make it apparent he was hardly human at all, his eyes would show it now as they were completely dilated as an angry cats would be with that strange glow.

"It seems I was right. I'm almost never wrong and yet.... I'm strangely glad I was correct about you." His words seemed softer than before. It wasn't as melodic but it rang. It was sharp and clear. Much deeper and yet at the same time... it had a strange strength behind it. If she interpreted it correctly, she could tell that he was very, very far from human. But rather a much larger... much more powerful creature. It would almost seem.... as though bit by bit he was revealing his true self... his true form to her. "You're definitely not normal. But it's something I quite enjoy. I thought you were interesting before. But now I can see you're indeed very special." His eyes maintained that same glow and nor did the shadow's smoke fade away from swirling slowly around him. "You're certainly one I would deem more than worthy of being in the company of." He was fairly sure she had noticed, but he had led her atop the highest roof in the city. The street lights seeming as little flames far below. "Speak freely here and tell me more of yourself." His composure showed he wasn't the least bit out of breath or tired. He had led her atop this particular roof for the possibility of further revealing his true form to her. And to do that, he needed room to do so..... and lots of it. But first he was curious to see what she would say and reveal about herself.

[Relairah]

What exactly was he correct about, she wondered? Had he guessed her other part? Or simply that she wasn't normal. Wasn't that pretty much obvious anyway? She wasn't too surprised at the warmth of the smoke.. as it typically was warm when smoke screens were used but then there was certainly something different about it. She didn't really put much thought into that though... rather she was more focused on his eyes and his voice as it changed.

Funny. When she had stopped him, she had hardly imagined it going this way. But now? She had to almost laugh. Maybe she just had weird luck when it came to mercenaries. He was making her even more curious - if that was even possible, and at the same time refusing to reveal the answers until she shared secrets of her own. That was a fair enough trade. Once again, a touch of blush came to her cheeks when he spoke of her... being worthy of his company? Was he arrogant? No it was something else. Something that very distinctly had to do with what he really was.

She stepped back slightly, "Very well," she stated. She looked around for a moment, enjoying the view of the city. She had come to this very rooftop before, though somehow it seemed different now. Maybe because she wasn't alone? Or maybe because she was somewhat different than then - older. "I'm not sure exactly what you've guessed, but quite bluntly, I am cat." She paused, realizing it was still a little strange to say it out loud even after several years. She hadn't told anyone specifically except for the companions of her very first adventure. Others only knew from witnessing it, and that number was quite small. "I only discovered it recently, about 8 years ago. Here in this city, actually. I grew up here. But I met some friends and ventured off, strengthening myself, controlling my abilities, and learning a bit of magic myself." She smiled slightly when she said this, proud of the fact. "And now I've returned, perhaps for curiosity, or perhaps by chance." She turned her gaze toward his face, "And that's pretty much it in a nutshell." She didn't go into all the details right then... not unless he asked for them, pressed her for more. It wasn't that she minded giving them. But she had always been the type to release information in increments, for her own reasons, and thus she did so out of habit now.

"Clearly, I've missed quite a bit while gone. What brought you here?" She paused, "And being as we are sharing information, I believe your name is still in order," she informed him expectantly, almost demanding.

[Xenoxice]

OOC: (( At the end, you can go along with it from knowing Zen's profile and reference what creature he is or not ))

Zenithe listened to her words carefully and his expression never changed. I thought so... he thought to himself. Her tone seemed neutral until the very end where it seemed she was more determined to know his name. He remained silent for a few moments after she had finished speaking before he spoke once again. His voice changing once more. It grew deeper, smoother, and more powerful in tone. Not out of anger, hatred, frustration or any other emotion, but rather out of its natural sound.

"My name is Zenithe Kodalis. As to what brought me here, nothing more than a job to keep me occupied in which I can hone my skills at the same time. It's more than obvious at this point I myself am not normal. However, I know what is not clear to you is exactly who.... or more accurately.... -what- I am." His words cut short as he stared into her eyes with his own. The glow in his eyes seemed to become more vibrant than ever.

In his silence as he looked at her he thought to himself once again. She most certainly is the type my parents would wish me to be with. And she is after all very intriguing to me... beautiful as well. After his own thoughts had passed he resumed his speaking. "Tell me, Jolene, have you ever heard stories of the ancient creatures nicknamed the Guardians of Night and exactly what they are?"

If she answered yes and had heard of them, he would proceed to ask in a quieter voice "Do you believe they ever existed?" If she had not, he would then educate her upon the stories and inform her just who and what they were.