View Full Version : Makin' A Name
The room screamed of tobacco, ale and intense emotion. Landen was in the same place as always. Near the tables placing bets and playing for keeps. Why would such a young man be in a place like this? Landen was in it for he rush he could say, but the truth of the matter was money. Just like all hustlers, Landen only has one rule “Don’t get caught up.” Simply put it means know which role your actually playing. Don’t mix being the hustler for being the hustled.
Landen had found his mark long ago that evening and was going to cash in. He wasn’t in the game tonight for a little bit of coin. He was in this for a score much larger. He was playing for an item that could turn any wall into a portal. This one item could give him access to anywhere in Althanas. He could be in any major city where gambling took place that he wanted. The room was set and the packed to the brim. From regulars to others many knew that hung out from time to time. The bets being placed for the two about to show down was crazy.
Landen took to a practice table like always before a match like this. Using a well refined cue stick of unknown wood type. The wood had dark cherry color with deep white lines that looked like veins running through warm and smooth pool stick. Warming up with a easy practice drills like connect the dots. Using the points on the table as he would hit the cue ball into the side rail to bounce off and come back to set point marked on the table. He stood over the table taking stoke after stroke. He would win this match without fail and even cheat if he needed to. You see cheating in this tavern was not frown upon, it was encouraged. The catch to cheating was simple. “Don’t get caught”, and Landen knew just when he was going to make his move if need.
Players take your positions. Here the first shooter was decided from respect as a player. Landen knew hands down he did not have quite juice his opponent did but that was no matter. Walking by the table off that table as all eyes on his opponent Landen would look over the felt. The multi colored felt looked brand new. This table was only used in games like ones being play like this evening. Landen’s opponent Wyatt "the" King who earned his nickname was more than just a little shady;his opponent took position for the break shot. It was time to play his ass off or Landen was going to lose his most prized possession.
“You F…..”, Landen mouthed as he watched his opponent take the opening break shot. Landen eyed the shooter. Using a tight down English to break would close the break to remain close together after sinking a ball or two from the rack. Wyatt had sunk the “Eleven”, making him high ball. This being no matter to Landen, the problem was the cluster his opponent left after sinking the his next ball and then missing the next shot on purpose. Leaving Landen in a bad starting point, but no worries he would come out on top one way or another. As he walked around the to the other side of the table he made his own quick mental notes as to what he should do. He had found his first shot to be in his favor. Landen took his position and bent over the bottom corner left pocket. Landen took his aim and set up his shot. By using a tilt in his arm Landen used the vantage point to help him make a high top English shot. This would help him to put the number three ball in the side and send a large portion of the rack of balls to shatter.
“SMMMMAAACCKKKKKK” the sound erupted from the table. Landen’s idea had work even more so than he thought it would. Not that he was complaining, but something felt off. Yet, with a step to his right and next position he would continue his shooting brushing off his own mental doubts. He took aim again this time for the five ball and fired. The shot once again was a success. Followed by six, two, and one ball before he missed the next shot Landen just hoped that his luck didn’t run out before due time.
Wyatt was up again and his actions were like a blur of shots. Landen couldn’t believe anyone was this good. Landen looked at the four balls left on the table. Two were his, one was Wyatt’s and the last was the eight ball. This game was going to end really soon and at this point Landen wasn’t sure if he was going to stand as the victor.
The crowd then of a sudden boohooed. Landen had not yet noticed the missed but had quickly spun around to see that his opponent had missed his most ended shot. Landen nearly ran over to take the shot and just before he got lined up to take the shot an elf bumped into him and whispered in his ear.
“Run boy”…..
The bright yellow eyed drow was laughing to himself when he spoke to the other male in such a tone. At the moment he was using a potion to make him seem older. In fact Salem was pretty sure he was the nearly the same age as the guy at the pool table. After the brief warning to the male he made sure his movements were nothing more than casual. The elder looking drow looked middle aged, slightly hunched over, and dark purplish skin that seemed heavy aged from bumps of various types. Salem had made his way to the side of table just in front of the viewers. He reached in his pocket and pulled forth Turk. A golem when disengaged from use looks like a common rock shaped figure barely two inches in height. Salem released the magic from his being and tossed the object just under the pool table.
This Salem knew would be hard to explain to the other male, but Salem knew what was going on. Even if the guy won everyone knows when and if your different. Salem was all too accustomed to that bit of knowledge. Salem knew they were going to kill the other guy. Normally he didn’t care, but he figured this would be a great way to get a flavor later on down the road which was always nice to have, Just being nice wasn’t in his nature.
So after throwing the rock figure that would spring to life the giant golem once it had reached its full height it would destroy that pool table and give a good freight. This would give more than enough time for him and his unknowing soon to be person in his debit. Salem grabbed other guy by his forarm and took off in a mad dash for the wall as he through a potion at the wall. Being a Alchemist for the group P.A.L.E had its uses. As Salem heard the wreckage of the room from his beast just as threw the other male through the portal that was growing on the wall from his potion. So far his plan or really just made up stream of ideas were paying off.
Really… Landen’s mind went through a hundred of different stories of which in his mind made more sense than what had just happened. His chances to have unlimited possibilities to gamble throughout the world whenever he wanted just got ruined. Just after he went through the portal and ended up in the middle of a forest Landen nearly lost mind, not to mention his temper.
Without any try to be polite Landen turned and yelled with all his might. “YOU DUMB ASS DROW… WHY AND IN WHAT CRAZY WORLD DO YOU LIVE IN WHERE YOU RUIN PEOPLES LIVES????”. And then after less than the time it took to regain his breath. “YOU CHILDISH OLD MAN WHY IS IT THAT YOU CAN’T JUST STAY AT HOME AND DO KNITTING OR WHATEVER IT IS YOU PEOPLE DOOOO”, Landen went on in a fit of rage.
Landen’s face was fire truck red. To say he was seeing double would be a fair description at the moment. He looked real close after not even a few minutes after his whole rant to the old looking nut job as he begun to shift and change in his appearance. The guy was suddenly started to look younger and younger. At which point Landen ran up and which all his might swung at the guy who he swore was nearly his same age.
Salem watched the boy throw a fit. Not that he didn’t understand the reasons for such dismay Salem just didn’t have the time for the games of why, what and how. The punch that followed the fits of rage was terrible sloppy. Without even much thought to the reaction he stepped to the side as he took his left hand came from the side shotting his left hand into the back of the guys elbow pushing the wild blow away. This created a massive opening in his stance, which was easier than he thought possible. Using the opened up chance to step in with a blurring speed and wrap his arm over the guy and with a hard twist to yank the males body as he stuck out his left closest to to the guy he would swipe his body over his leg in a takedown maneuver. The easy defense was done with a sense of ease.
Salem looked down to the male as Salem made no move to climb on him and beat him senseless. Which he would have done had he not knew this was all happening a bit fast. “Look they were going to KILL YOU BOY…” Taking a minutes to ease his temper. He spoke again, “ Look they were not going to give up that item and did you just happen miss the fact that the guy holding the items for the bet was sneaking out not even two shots in.” He said the words in a questionable tone but with a matter of a fact type of wording.
The Drow looked down to the other male “The name is Salem Astraga”. He reached out his arm to help the guy up. “ So what is your name?”, Salem asked.
Landen looked up from the ground furious. His face turned red. Once he heard the guy speak his name and do the whole hey how are you spill it made Landen even more so angrier. Looking up he reached out his hand and grasped the hand of the other male as he then pulled with all his might and kick out aiming for the guys shin. Knocking over Salem and yanking to the ground. Landen would jump up and look down saying, “The name is Landen, nice to meet you I guess.”
“So then what do you think we should do then?” Landen spoke as he looked down to at Salem, as he silent laughed to himself. The tables had turned or at least it felt like such anyway. Landen opened up his right hand and produced a flame. Playing with the fire ball of awesomeness while the wheels in his mind begun turning. Landen was going to burn the place to the ground. Yes, and while doing so he was going to steal the golden pool stick that is kept in a glass frame. The most prized procession of the pool he use to frequent as a player. Landen laughed out loud now. It was perfect. All he wanted was to play pool and that was taken from him so he was going to return the flavor.
Salem was stunned at the fact that his feeling was written all over his face and Landen didn’t see told him he was caught up in his own mind as he played with the fire ball. Salem jumped up from the ground and opened up his right hand. He released a ball fire just as Landen had done. With his left hand he grabbed Landen’s right arm and pulled it out. Landen pushed his flame to mix the other to create something much larger. As he turned up the heat and then looked at Landen and spoke, ”Turn your flame up”
As their fire mixed into a single ball they had created a massive burning inferno. The giant looking boulder of a fire ball was at least four feet in diameter. The blazing ball of destruction was raging. Salem knew that Landen felt the power they both controlled together. He knew they would need to practice this together. If the two fire users could be at peace with one another they could become a very power force.
“We have at least a day or two before we should attack and out here they will never find you anyway” Salem spoke. He eyed him as he spoke. It had to be obvious to what he was hinting toward. “We train together none stop for the next day and then rest before we take on the tavern."
He knew a day was not much time; however, it was all the time they would need and have.
So Landen did as Salem asked once he figured out the Salem was a fire bender as well. Together their magic had made something crazy, thrilling and massive. The flaming ball was huge. If he had to guess it was at least four foot in diameter. He looked over to the other guy. The heat radiating all over himself as tried to speak. Yet so far, Landen was unable to do such. He was caught up in the fact of what he and another could do together.
“We have at least a day or two before we should attack and out here they will never find you anyway” Landen heard Salem say. The only response he gave in return was a nod. All seemed like it would go together nicer than he thought possible.
Everything was too good to be true though. “We train together none stop for the next day and then rest before we take on the tavern." The next sentence that came from Salem nearly made Landen choke. Other than his own practicing which was mostly making fire balls and throwing at targets that was the most he had done. So he figured at this point his face which was a blank ohh damn type of look would surely give him away. “How do you really train using fire…” The question that was more of a sentence he directed to Salem made Landen feel better, but somehow he knew that was a dumb question.
Salem didn’t reply with words. He just started practicing as he did for hours. Showing the rhythm of his dance with flame Salem repeated a large series of steps. These movements of his body that all seemed to be on, even the fire. After only a few minutes he stop and looked to the Landen who looked like he was about to bust from having a million questions. No one would ever believe a Drow thought a human anything no way. So this would be no harm. “Now you get it?” Salem asked.
Salem stood alongside Landen for what were only a few hours and yet it seemed like forever. After all the huge scheming of how and what he found out Landen had never done any actual training from another person. This he knew would make things much harder. So for what was an everlasting nightmare he decided to teach Landen how to flow with his fire. Meaning the push and pull of his element and little bit of science behind the element.
Now moving together pushing their elements and bending its will both Salem and Landen mixed and then pulled their flames apart. Learning the strengths and weakness of each other to control the two as one acted almost like a dance as they spun in circles with their flames.
This leaving a few bruises on the two as well. It took nearly four hours after all was said and done. So with a break in mind Salem stopped and spoke.
“How is it that you never sought someone out to learn from them?”, he spoke. His voice firm and assertive as eyed the other guy. “Why would you not want to be able to control that aspect of yourself?” he continued. OF course there was even more questions that came to mind, but he had to face the fact that time was not on their said and he would limit this to what he felt was more important to ask.
Meanwhile as he a waited for an answer Salem even started wondering to himself while maybe he hasn’t really had a chance, but he had to learn to trust someone. This particular subject Salem was all to familiar with. He learned that even if he didn’t look the same the fire in him was similar to many fighters like himself.
At first he watched as the guy looked to just be dancing, but the more he watched it started to makes sense. Although, he felt like anyone doing this was crazy. There was one odd thing, no matter how much he wanted to make fun of the guy he seemed to move as if he always knew where the flame was going to move before it did.
So Landen did as Salem did. He moved with his flame. At first feeling clumsy about his steps and footing. Yet, as he kept repeating the movements over and over he felt at ease. He was starting to actually feel like the flame was more of an extension of himself than just another object. He didn’t really understand how he was able to mix his fire with the other person but he wasn’t about to complain either.
He had moved on to working more with Salem as a team after he had felt more at easy. The more he mixed and pulled apart his flame from Salem’s flame he could feel the difference in power and control. Although Landen couldn’t explain how he knew these things he just did.
Then the million dollar question came, “How is it that you never sought someone out to learn from them?” Salem’s words smacked him in the face.
Losing control of his flame he looked up and eyed the man before speaking any words. “I’m sure you can tell I’m not human.” And then he went on “ I can’t really explain what I am because I don’t know either. So trusting others when damn sure don’t trust me it really kills the whole ordeal when trying to make friends.”
Landen turned to leave.
‘Friends’ Salem mused. Although he knew that bit was just fluff, he couldn’t allow this to crumple. He needed the events set in motion to play out. Quickly he ran his hand into his pockets digging for potion of his own creation. With a hurry he drank the slimy concoction of nastiness, no potion ever tasted good. He ran over in front of Landen. His skin, hair and entire body for that matter had already begun to change. His body had looked as if he was human again. As he moved in front of Landen he yelled “LOOK AT ME” and with a pause allowed the image to really sink Landen’s mind. “This is who I was before I changed”, he then went on in much softer tone. “You think I prefer to be an alien in my own body?” The question he gave was surely one that he did not need to hear an answer for. “I’ve learned to live with the change of my life. You should do the time.” Salem had then paused once again before he said one more thing.
“And playing the I’m not human card is weak man, look around barely anyone in this world is human. You have to learn to accept whoever you might be.” A truth even Landen could see on his face as now begun to change when Landen had first met him. His silvery white hair along with other trade mark features of his kin.
Salem stepped to the side to let the guy pass. He would not make it seem like he was holding him, but in truth this tactic was cheap and used by nearly every adult on the planet. To look forgiving, trusting and try to remain looking that he wanted nothing but the best for said thing or person. This worked as Landen did not start to head away. “So are we ready to do this thing or we just giving up?”, the question would shake brain of the male back into focus of the mission that all the training of the past several hours was not for some dumb nor petty reason.
“If your still up for this thing I leave at sunset.”
He didn’t know what to say. The mind was in a race, maybe forever. The thoughts that pasted in his mind unsettled him more than anyone would know. Like a coward he hides from himself. This symptom caused him to run from himself, not a destiny or greatness. He ran from the adventure. He played it safe in an area he knew he couldn’t lose, or so he thought, Landen felt like he was child still trying to be popular.
No more would this happen. He would destroy the tavern and ones that was going to kill him. After, well he had no clue. There would be hell to pay for the deeds he was about to commit, either in this life or the next. Landen without a word just after his whole life ran through his brain he just nodded to Salem’s words as he eyed the male. Landen would wonder to strengthen his mind. His muscles were already ready if Landen didn’t know it to be true.
He thought to himself as he leaned against an old tree stump. “It was time to face life head on. He wouldn’t find his answers to life in a pool room.” His thoughts ran wild even past the statements of fortune cookie wisdom in his brain. After this chapter of his story was over he finally settled on a single idea. “I will travel the world as see what life was really like”, it was a kids dream, but honestly it couldn’t be worse than what he spent his last several years doing.
Ending the mental craze he laughed as pulled a smoke and a light from his pocket. The only words he had spoken in several minutes maybe even a hour now. “Or not…” he laughed as he lite the smoke and pulled on the cancer stick. When it was all said and done. I just didn’t matter. He blew out the smoke and he laid his head back.
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