Scorpians dance

[Reiko]

Ki had to leave the kits at home, for Treyncë was no place for children. Thankfully Ai or Seth would be more than happy to watch the twins while she was off on adventures. Nothing would stop Doji from having an adventure for the sake of helping people.

And this one brought her into Black desert and the City of Night’s Pleasure: Treyncë. It was a sleepy place in the day when the sun cooked anything and everything. Staying indoors where the shade and elfin magic would keep things comfortable for anyone. There was a still a bit of gambling to be had but not as much but when the sun fell then the town sprung to life, drunks, mages, whores, mercenaries, tough guys and blade singers. All kinds of elves lived and worked and played in the city as it sat in the desert’s quiet night.

And this nine tailed girl, whose sophistication was only related in the way of the sword, was in the middle of it all trying to learn something. The fox girl was trying her best to look just like an exotic attraction, a strange yet very pretty girl serving drinks. The vixen smiled and nodded. “Ok we have a dragon’s brew, Eluriand wine, Salvar Ale and a fox tail.” That last one ordered was an elfin sell sword that had taken a liking to Ki, lust at first site. The dress wasn’t helping being the Raiaeran version of scandalous clothing and Ki could see why it was considered scandalous. It was made of a special silk that had a similar property to fogged glass, being a pristine white but where it touched the girl’s body it took a few shades toward the color of her skin, helping the imagination.

“Thank you my lovely.” The one that ordered the fox tail spoke and moved his hand down Ki’s shoulder. “Nice to see something new here. The usual girls are as cold as ice. But I guess your fur must keep you warm.”

Doji smiled politely. “Yes of coarse, the fur really does help.” She giggled a bit. Best they think her an airhead for the time being. But the last move made her yelp as he moved his hand to a place that only herself, her lover and her kits should have a right to touch. “Sir, I’m terribly sorry but I’m working. These games will have to wait.” Doji turned away and sighed a little. These men probably wouldn’t teach her anything.

“Well then maybe after work we could have much more fun?” The elf suggested and Ki gnawed her lip a little.

“Maybe.” Ki answered as she delivered some more drinks though she probably would have answered with a no and a slap to the face and perhaps a duel to the death. Not that the man was bad looking, he was an elf and had the usual elfin qualities, sharp features that were near perfection to those that liked their men thin as twigs but that seemed to be like most elves, they must kill any baby that had the slightest chance of being ugly or something. Damn why couldn’t anyone have any info. But then Ki caught something in her ear.

“Looks like another merchant died in his bed.”

“Well bed a scorpion and you know you’ll get stung.” The one man laughed at the bad news. He was the kind of elf that didn’t look good but he would have if he didn’t get into whatever fights scarred his face. Ki decided to take note of this person, something was telling her in her gut that he might have something to do with it. The girl needed a lead to find whoever smuggled the deadly orange scorpions into the city. This was better than nothing.

(open to one active person. doesn't matter what level. As for how to join you can order a drink from Ki, chase away someone getting on her tail or anything that comes to mind, I just want them to meet.)

[Feed The Machine]

The nightly activities of Treyncë were routine like always. Drugged up men scurried sloppily in the streets either harassing every women their precarious eyes set upon, or running from the Bladesingers that chased them throughout the city. Casinos had their doors opened, ready to swindle those that truly believed that they could win enough money to change their lives substantially. And as victims of this sly form of business sulked while they left the casinos, the bars welcomed them lovingly, as they sought to drown their sorrows in alcohol and enter a world of intoxication. All of it had become humdrum to Galyl. Under orders from General Oronra of the Bladesinger's Guild, he'd spent the last month in the rowdy metropolis, trying to find out who'd assaulted the noblemen Elridor Unaralith during his public speech here some time ago. However, upon finding out who the culprits were, he'd fallen into a slump, lacking the energy to really do much; the only thing that helped him was wandering.

So, Galoriand found himself at a bar in the heart of the city. He wasn't worried about the riffraff that hooligans of Treyncë often caused, since by now people knew his face and recognized that he was a Bladesinger trainee who was very familiar with a blade. Earlier on, ruffians tried their luck against the odd looking elf, but fell hard when battle commenced. Never one to take a life so casually though, Galyl always let his opponents go if if he'd rendered them defenseless in any way. Some of his superiors warned him about his tendency to do that, but he was in no mood to listen to anybody and their so called, "pearls of wisdom".

"Excuse me kind lady could I have a tall glass of the finest ale that you have?" The young elf was trying to get the attention of an exotic, yet very good looking bartender but it seemed that she was preoccupied with dealing with a rude noble, who felt compelled to harass her. "Excuse me kind bartender, may I--" Yet his call fell on deaf ears once again, as the noble still had the bartender distracted with his smooth talking nonsense. "It is just like them to behave in such a barbaric way." Galyl thought, sighing in disappointment.

Tired of trying, the elf was about to make his leave, figuring that he'd stop by another bar to get what he wanted. But within the moment of deciding to exit the tavern and glancing back at the beautiful bartender, he witnessed the noble elf touch her in an inappropriate way. The next few moments were but a blur. Stools were toppled, glasses were shattered, and blood was on his blade. "Argh!! What the hell is wrong with you!?" The noble screamed, clutching his arm in a pitiful attempt to stop the blood that flowed freely from his wound. Galoriand blinked several times, amazed at what he'd just done. He was quick to suppress his shock at what he'd done however, not wishing anyone to know that he acted completely on impulse in that instance. Rather, Galyl looked down at the disrespectful elf. "Just because you're a noble, doesn't mean that you can have everything as your possession." The noble was wise not to respond, knowing that Galyl was amongst the Bladesingers. Instead, he simply got up off the floor and ran out of the bar. Those that'd stopped eating their meal due to the ruckus had resumed once they saw that everything was back under control.

The elf's eyes were now on the bartender again. She was an oddity, having nine tails that never seemed to get in her way, but instead move gracefully. Her very presence comforted Galyl since he was a strange individual in his own right. "I apologize for the trouble I've caused," The young elf said, embarrassed by his actions. "I'll be sure to clean this mess up right away."

[Reiko]

Ki was rather stunned from the showing that the odd elf made. He was a fine swordsman having come so quickly and wounded the elfin slime ball that groped her. It was rather embarrassing to have someone save her like that and Doji was at a loss how to act to prevent blowing her cover. Not like this little deal of serving drinks and getting ogled was getting her any closer to find out who was behind the scorpions being found in the beds of important and wealthy merchants. All she heard was rumors, at least this young elf gave a change and no one would try to touch inappropriate places with him watching over her.

“Umm, thank you.” Ki said shyly, resisting the urge to claim she could handle herself or was better with the blade; hubris wasn’t going to help her any. “I’ll get you a towel.” Ki scampered off towards the bar and the head keep smiled at her.

“Hey, he’s a bladesinger trainee. I’m sure he’s taken a liking to you, so give him some special treatment. Being on their good side makes business easier for me.” He whispered and handed her a towel and a tall glass of golden ale. Ki wasn’t sure what kind it was but it was probably the finest there. “Take this to him and offer to clean it yourself.” He handed her a towel. “Oh and maybe flaunt yourself a little. You’re so uptight.” He laughed and sent Ki off with a playful slap on her back.

“Oh! Uh ok.” Ki answered and went back to the odd elf and they locked eyes again. He definitely wasn’t the usual elf, must be part dryad or something like that since he had some plant life growing out of him. Doji swished her tails nervously and placed down the drink. “It’s on the house, I’m so sorry for not getting to you quickly and thank you for helping me out with the gentleman who wasn’t acting like one.” Doji bowed a little as a blush ran to her cheeks. He probably thought her helpless but she just had to hold the act.

“I’ll clean up the mess, as thanks as well.” The vixen took the towel to the small blotches of blood and wiped them down and even pick up some of the larger glass shards as well as right the stools. Once done she smiled at the blade signer again. “I’m Doji Ki, thanks again. Figured you might as well know my name for helping me.”

Ki sat in the stool, she pretty much was done as a waitress now that this has happened and the bar owner actually wanted her to speak with the young and strange bladesinger trainee. Probably to flirt with him and go to his room for carnal pleasures but Ki had something else on her mind. She has a boyfriend and wouldn’t betray him like that but Doji could use a friend and a blade singer could be helpful. What she was looking for was going to be dangerous and she needed another tactic and a second head would be useful. “Not bad with the sword, he didn’t even see it coming.” Doji started, trying to start a conversation.

[Feed The Machine]

Galyl smiled scratching his head nervously. He wasn't one to boast about his ability like many of the other soldiers that he was forced to deal with everyday, but rather he allowed his skill to speak volumes. "Well thank you for the compliment. Truth is though, I really had no intention of striking the man. But when I saw him behavior to be less than what a gentlemen's behavior should be, I lost my composure and attacked." Galoriand paused, kneeling down to pick up remnant shards of glass that Doji Ki had mistakenly missed. He had set them on the counter, but in the process locked eyes with the nine-tailed woman's eyes. He had only heard awful tales of furries, and how violent and horrid they were. But of course, these stories were coming from the perspective of men who believed that all races were beneath the feet of the elves.

Blinking several times, the Obsidian Spire resident snapped himself out of his daze. "I'm...I'm sorry,"Quickly, Galyl turned his focus to an empty table. Trying to think of something to say that would curb his embarrassment. Initially nothing came to mind, even though his mind was racing rapidly. Feeling the pressure of silence however, he suddenly spoke.

"So, what is a gorgeous woman like yourself doing in such a dangerous city?" The Galoriand froze as those words left his mouth. "Did I really just say that!?" He wanted to take back everything that he'd just said, not because he didn't feel that way, but because he felt that to acknowledge a woman's eye-catching appearance so bluntly was greatly out of place. However, not another word escaped his mouth, as he couldn't find the right words to apologize with. "Galyl, just sit here and relax! Give her a chance to answer your question!" The young elf didn't have any experience dealing with women since he hadn't been around any nearly his entire life. Yet in this scenario, he attempted to play it cool, brushing his cloak as if lint were stuck to it.

[Reiko]

Doji couldn’t help but blush as the blade singer tried to be smooth with her. “Ummm… thank you for the flattery.” She stammered out not sure if she should shoo this one away.” But the vixen decided against it sense this man was just trying to be nice and just ended up sounding over eager. “Well as you can tell I’m trying to make some money. Came into a little bit of debt last night. I was playing a game and well I’m not very used to elfin tongue and customs so with a little drink I accidentally bet all the money I had on me. I wanted to be a little responsible but language barrier left me broke.” Ki lied as she smiled at him.

In reality she was hoping to find information on why dangerous scorpions were finding themselves in the beds of people that had some power in the city. But posing as a bar maid just wasn’t cutting it, the elves were way too cautious people to let their lips slip so any assassin wasn’t going to reveal his plot to any barmaid no matter how pretty. So she was at a dead end.

“Umm you don’t suppose you could escort me to my room, maybe even stay the night, I kinda need some protection with debt seems to make me open for some of the nastier fellows and my boyfriends back in Corone so he can’t help.” Doji had to mention her boyfriend so this man would know he wasn’t coming to get in her strange elfin dress. He probably would refuse but that might ruin her plan. Doji was figuring to make her or the blade singer a target and have the assassins with the scorpions come after one of them and then Ki could get an idea of who’s up to this and she needed someone else to keep watch alternatively, so there would be no dozing and waking up with a fatal arachnid in bed with her.

“So you think you could help a girl out, I just don’t feel safe right now?” Ki swished her tails hoping that he would agree and maybe when she was sure she could trust him then she could give the real reason.

[Feed The Machine]

A wave of excitement captured the youngster's heart as the breathtaking bartender had invited him back to her room. He'd heard the stories of many soldiers back at the Bladesinger's Guild of how they'd seduced a woman and bypassed the barrier that was their under garments. Some even spoke of how they kept such lacy items as souvenirs of their accomplishments! But Galyl wasn't like that, opting to behave more as a gentlemen than some of his cohorts. However, he couldn't shake this wonderful feeling that he had! "She speaks of a so called boyfriend back in Corone, but she could just be tossing up that invisible shield to make sure that I don't try anything on her," Galoriand let the idea roll around in his mind before getting a hold of his thoughts once again. "What am I thinking!? I'm not like that!! I'm an upstanding Bladesinger gentlemen!! There is a certain code of conduct that I must abide by!!" Turning his attention to the bartender who was still awaiting an answer from him, he smiled innocently and nodded.

"Don't worry uh......ma'am, I'll offer you protection," Galyl uttered, remembering that he still did not know the name of this woman. "As a Bladesinger trainee, I, Galyl Galoriand will do my duty to protect you and keep you safe." The young soldier stood up from his stool and stretched his hand out, seeking to walk the bartender to her room. He was astonished at how bold he was to do this, seeing how several moments ago, he could barely put a smooth sentence together. However, since her protection was tightly wrapped in his duties as a Bladesinger soldier, he found that he was able to relax more. But despite all of that, there was something that bothered Galyl.

Gazing at the bartender's face, he knew that something about her story was not quite right, for it was clear that there was something that she was not telling him. He didn't want to be too forward in his assessment, but he also didn't want to feint ignorance of his observations either.

"I know this probably isn't any of my business ma'am, but if there is something else that you want to say.....something that maybe you....haven't told me, please know that you can trust me. Sure we just met, but my duty is to protect you, and if you don't fully trust me, I can't effectively do my job." Galyl spoke all of this at a volume slightly above a whisper, so as to not tune other ears into his words. He didn't know if this would break any remaining barriers that the bartender had up, but it didn't matter. He'd said what he had to say and it was the beautiful woman's choice whether or not to confide in him.

[Reiko]

A caveat, Ki had the blade singer being willing to help but he had seen though her lies and knew something was up. It was probably for the better, for it meant he had some brains in his lithe head. Doji still felt her face flush for being such a bad liar. She was supposed to be one of the most clever beings on Althanas but she wasn't even very clever on human standards.

"You're right, there's more to this." Ki smiled as if it was a joke, maybe to throw people off with the truth told as if a lie. Ki wagged her tails a little as she whispered in his ear. "We'll talk in my room. I don't want to say too much out here."

The fox girl wondered if he'd come now and she would tell him everything in private. It's just here wasn't wise, if they knew that she was really hunting down the assassins that would put deadly arachnids in people's bed and have them die of natural causes and have people whisper that the victims should have checked the covers more carefully, Even the deadly scorpions of the black desert were not that small.

"Well I'm going, you'll have to come if you want to trust me." Ki said as she walked out the door to lead to her room in the tavern, thankfully she got room and board for the waitress job as well as a little spending money but it was to wear some weird elfin dress that was made for titillation was rather hard work when it did it's job.

Ki went to her room and unlocked the door and sat down on the bed to wait for her knight to come in. "Alright I'll tell you, I'm really hunting assassins. I need some one to watch my back." The room was sparce yet comfortable, good enough for an elf that didn't have much money but elves had high standards even if almost broke.

Ki wondered if he believed her since she did nothing to show that she was a great swordswoman and capable of hunting assassins in this place.

[Feed The Machine]

"I thought it was strange that you were as calm as you were when those men were harrassing you," Galyl sighed as he leaned against the wall of the room, realizing that he hadn't impressed the beautiful bartender in anyway, yet only prevented her from getting her own hands dirty. "And here I thought I was the knight in shining armor...." Aside from that however, Galoriand's countenance grew solemn, mulling over the woman's supposed purpose for being in Treynce. He wasn't entirely sold on her brief explanation, but due to the fact that she'd been willing to divulge this information within the confinements of her room led the young Bladesinger to somewhat accept her claims.

"I see....." The Red Forest resident rubbed his chin as he slowly paced around the room. "Your intention is to keep a low profile so that you may catch these assassins. But you're still holding back," Galyl bluntly stated, gazing sternly at the warrior woman. "To simply be hunting assassins without a purpose or motive is foolhardy. Surely there is a reason behind all of this. Nevertheless, I'm fully in this. I will protect your six. But........." The young elf had now approached the woman with unexpected boldness, now standing about three feet away from her, surely entering her comfort zone.

"I would still like to know your name." Grinning, he slowly turned around, making it seem as if he'd set his eyes on the nearby wooden chair to sit down. But upon quickly drawing his wooden sword from his chest, he swung it at the nine-tailed female's head. The sudden attack was without warning, but Galyl had to be cautious and make sure that this woman wasn't some sort of spy that'd been hired by an enemy nation of Raiaera to kill Tel Aglarim soldiers and Bladesingers. If she was really a warrior without ulterior motives, then she would be able to easily parry the attack, or evade it. But if not, then it would be an easy matter to clean and cover up the mess.