FE: A Reason to Fear the Dark

[Moonlight]

(OOC: This is simply to test a few characters in my pending FE Fannovel; Scourge of Yggdra. Feel free to take part, though this is an original continent.)

The lilac haired man placed another gold coin on the counter top, a faint clink audible. Amusement slipping into his blue eyes upon noticing the barkeep's brow raise, a small smirk curving the pale mage's lips. His waved and longish tresses were mostly drawn into a ponytail at the nape of his throat, though a few locks that weren't long enough simply hung in his face. His hand played in the sturdy leather of the coin purse tied to his belt, twirling the fourth gold coin between his fingers. "My information?"

It was clear that the tavern keeper was hardly expecting such a demand for information, but made no move to turn down the offer after testing the gold to assure it was real. Watching the violet cloaked mage almost curiously, noting the dark cloak seemed to be far brighter underneath, contrasting with his violet tunic. Nodding after a moment, though. "Fair enough," he returned shortly, before lowering his voice. Almost causing the mage to chuckle, highly amused. If the man had anyone to worry about, it was him. King Laurus would soon hold reign over the entire continent. And those under direct employ of him held sway.

But he soon walked out of the tavern not long after the information was obtained, reversing the double sided cloak to hide the ominous shade. Revealing a much brighter color, a silvery-white now. The heels of his boots clicked along the flagstone path as he walked, ever unassuming.

[Zorayda]

Elssandra twiddled the feathers of her freshly carved arrow, setting them into neat and straight lines. She sat on a barstool at the tavern, a golden and bubbly ale sitting half-empty in front of her. She tossed her chestnut hair impatiently, working the ponytail out of the snags of her leather jerkin. There was almost no work to be found lately, and she was running steadily lower on money.

Her hazel eyes were drawn suddenly to a man on the other side of the bar. The barkeep had walked over to the man, who, Elssa noted, had pale lilac hair and a mage's cloak. It wasn't too often that one saw a mage, so of course, she became instantly curious. She watched him, carefully trying to look disinterested. She nursed the ale, taking sips and using those moments to watch the man across from her.

She saw a glint of gold flash by and her eyes narrowed. The barkeep seemed to be talking to the mage about something. Elssa's alarms raised in her head, but she didn't show signs of being nervous or tense. Her eyes followed the pale man as he walked out, and a few moments later, she left a few coins up on the bar, silently following the man and keeping out of sight.

[Moonlight]

The mage adapted a much smoother facade over the cold and somewhat stoney one as he walked, appearing quite timid and wary. Jumping as a hand landed on his shoulder, before breathing an apparent sigh of relief as familiar amber eyes met his own. "Ah ... Kendra, I did not notice you," the mage breathed, startled.

She smiled slightly, shaking her head. Long cobalt locks hung loosely about her face, although the long fringe at least prevented some of it from getting in her eyes. "We've been looking for you, Phobos. What happened?" the myrmidon queried, concern touching her voice.

He flushed, sheepish. "... I got lost." The lilac tressed mage rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away from her.

Kendra chuckled kindly, though he noticed her nodding out of the corner of his eye. "That's all right. I used to get lost looking for my sense of direction as well. But perhaps we should return before someone starts looking for both of us?" the feminine warrior returned, arching a brow in suggestion.

"Mmm. It would be a good idea."

[Zorayda]

The archer woman remained a safe distance away from the pale mage, her soft moccasins making no sound upon the hard ground. Any small sounds she might have made were covered by the man's clicking boots. Her slim body was virtually invisible in shadows and in small crevices along the way.

After a bit of walking, he stopped, and Elssa remained hidden a safe distance away. Another woman, beautiful and with long, cobalt hair, stopped the mage, and they began talking. Elssa's brows knitted together in confusion. Was it just her imagination, or did the man's demeanor change? His stance and body language gave out the impression of a stumbling, shy, or inept person who lacked confidence. A few minutes earlier, he had seemed so sure of himself and very strong when he spoke to that barkeep...

Elssa shook her head. What was she doing, following someone on the slightest suspicion that they might be doing something wrong? She really was getting paranoid. She gave the pair one last glance, and she realized that these two looked like adventurers. The blue-haired woman was dressed in clothing that said she was someone who fought, and the man was obviously a mage... Perhaps it was a good thing she'd followed the lilac-haired mage out here. Elssa touched her bow once out of habit and decided that she would watch them for a short while longer before deciding whether or not to introduce herself.

[Moonlight]

Kendra glanced over at Phobos as they walked, noticing how ashamed the mage seemed about getting lost a second time in two visits. She offered a small smile, hoping to cheer him some. "You do not have to worry about getting lost, Phobos. It is something we all do at some point," the blue haired myrmidon assured him, lightly clasping his shoulder in a brief but comforting motion.

Phobos glanced over at her prompting, crimson tinging his pale facade. Both at the gesture and her apparent concern. "Heh ... I appreciate the thought, but I do hate to keep dragging your troop down. I mean ... I wouldn't even be alive if you hadn't intervened a few moons ago," the mage admitted sheepishly, showing a weak spark of lightening magic in his palm as example. Flickering once or twice, before going out. "I am hardly powerful."

Kendra shook her head after a moment, pausing briefly. "You shouldn't worry about that ... You do still pull your own weight, whether you realize it or not. Besides ... Unless you truly feel the need to pull back, remember that our troop is like you family. We wouldn't send you away simply because of lack of practice," she assured him, smiling, before nodding towards inn. "Come. The others are waiting still."

[Zorayda]

Elssandra followed the pair, wondering what 'others' the cobalt-haired woman was talking about. There were more of them? Adventurers? The idea made the corners of her full lips turn up slightly. If they let her join them... her eyes sparkled in an excitement she hadn't felt in months.

On the other hand, she needed to be cautious. If these people didn't take kindly to her, things could take a turn for the worse. She would need to observe them and see what kind of people they all were before marching in and asking to join... So far, the woman seemed nice enough, talking to the mage in soothing tones. She did still wonder about that man, though...something about him seemed off, and his sudden change in behavior alarmed Elssa. Perhaps he was trying to appeal to the woman? She shrugged and watched them closely as they led her to the nearest inn. If she couldn't get information about them by following them, then perhaps she could ask the innkeeper what kind of people they all were.

[Moonlight]

Warmth flooded the cool and dark street as she pulled the sturdy oaken door open, firelight dancing across the warm wooden floors. Their boots clicked upon the polished surface, a log cracking as a shower of sparks burst into the hearth. Nodding to the innkeeper as they headed towards the stairwell, receiving a small acknowledgment in passing, Kendra paused upon noticing whom was leaning against the upper floor railing.

A long brown cloak gathered against the simple wood, hanging loosely about a familiar frame. Ruby eyes straying towards them upon the sounds, his arms folded across his chest in a seemingly uncaring manner. Simply exasperated. "It took long enough, I do believe."

The young woman offered a small smile, shaking her head as she and Phobos mounted the steps. Joining the fleet footed thief atop the area, stopping not far from him. "My apologies, Ezra. I did not think it would be so difficult to find Phobos," Kendra said softly, inclining her head towards the brown haired man.

His shoulder length tresses hung loosely about his face, a long fringe across his forehead acting as a visual shield. Keeping his chiseled features where one had to truly look to pick out unique traits, allowing the everto to blend where he wished. But there was little patience in his eyes at the moment. "Your liege was about to send me to search for the both of you. Less than a quarter of an hour, according to the hourglass he'd set last time I looked."

Kendra's brow arched at the mention of Damien, although in all honesty could not be truly surprised at her milk brother's protective gesture. "I suppose I'd best tell him we've returned, then ... Again, apologies for the inconvenience," the young woman added softly, starting off. Glancing back at him for a moment, half turning. Starting to say something, before sighing and continuing on. Hoping that Ezra would at least try to open up a little, sooner or later.

His race held no reasoning for people to detest him so.

[Zorayda]

She followed them until they slipped into their room, staying around the corner. So far, there wasn't anyone who had noticed her snooping about or following the pair of travellers. When they got to the room, she heard more voices join them. Elssa's heart beat rapidly with fear and excitement. What would she find in these people? What was it that she desired from them? She desperately hoped that they would give her an adventure, something to keep her living and breathing. She needed it.

Elssandra stopped at the door, hesitating for a moment. Was this going to end badly? There was no way to know. Holding her breath, she raised a hand up...and knocked at the door.

[Moonlight]

Damien's relief had been clear, though he simply shook his head with a wry smile at her words. However, their conversation was interrupted by the knock on their door. Ezra glanced up from his place by the window, ruby eyes nearly emotionless. The umber tressed thief looking away, uncaring as Phobos stood.

The violet tressed mage opening the door politely, one hand resting against the smooth frame. "Ah, hello ..." he said after a moment, arching a brow in confusion at the sudden - and late night - appearance of a total stranger. "Is there anything you've need of?" the young man queried after a moment, though he could hear the others behind him.

Cassandra had rested her mending on her lap, although it was painfully obvious that Serafina's attempt to sew had been going badly. The stitches on the tunic she'd been mending were long and crooked, as compared to Cassandra's small and orderly ones. The tunic was beginning to steam from the fire mage's frustration, even. Liam chuckled softly, before taking it from her hands before it burst into flame. The curly, green haired monk setting it aside, before gesturing both of the hazel eyed blondes to the doorway to signify they had company.

Damien nodded after a moment, gesturing for Phobos to allow the young woman in. The cobalt tressed noble quietly setting his lance down on one of the long benches in the room, as to show no threat. But where he could grab it in an instant if need be.

The redhead seated to his left continued running the blade of his carving knife over a piece of wood, the shavings falling on his lap. Fletching new arrows to refill the empty section of his quiver, arrows lost in those that had attacked them. Dark green eyes moving with his liege's sapphire-like ones, settling on the arrival.

[Zorayda]

Elssandra's breath quickened when the door opened, the mage she'd been following now giving her his direct attention. It was funny...when she was finally confronted by the person who didn't even know she were there before, it felt like she was being exposed...

She cleared her throat. "My name is Elssandra," she said, her voice naturally quiet. "I..." Her brown eyes dropped to look at his chin--she wasn't able to look into his eyes. "I followed you here."

She glanced once around the room, flicking her ponytail out of the way. She saw several people, all who looked somewhat hardened and tough. She also noted the weapons and armor lying about, and her eyes sparkled. I knew it.

"I imagine you'll want to know why..." she said, smiling slightly. "It's silly, really. I recognized you as a mage," she stated, looking back into the man's eyes. "And now that I'm here, I can see that all of you have the look of travelers and fighters about you. And I want to join you in...whatever it is you're doing. I can't stay here, idle, any longer..."

She pulled out her bow slowly, not wanting to alarm them into thinking that she was going to attack.

"I am quite skilled with a bow, and I can be silent if I need to," she said, glancing almost guiltily at the mage and the cobalt-haired woman. "I don't really have anywhere else I can be right now...but I understand if you want me to leave."