RPG Harlequin,Raiha and a cask of amontillado

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo][I]Ilmiwyrth stretched his shoulders, and muttered to himself.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: You do a wonderful job of making it sound like a threatening incentive.

[I]He gathered what few items he had with him and left, easily finding his way to the door he was looking for. He debated the merits of a few different tactics to open it, but decided that, all things considered, mainly the fact that he was unlikely to return, the direct approach would be best.

He leant back, and kicked the latch one. Then the door. It splintered rather than fell, so he kick the top half and then axed his foot down, effectively clearing it. He walked in.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: Sorry to interrupt, but apparently it's high time we....

[I]He looked around the room, eyebrows raised. [/I]

Ilmiwyrth:...wow...

[I]He looked at a rather irritated Vichante, muttered something about Lifé being north of here, and left. He wasn't quite sure what exactly had happened in there, but it certainly must have taken a while, and was probably very, very strange.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Shalistrae looked at the demolished door, then roused herself and stood. She stretched backwards, smiling at Vichante, then sat down again.[/i]

Vichante: Shall we?

Shalistrae: Is that an invitation?

Vichante: If you're willing.

[i]She snatched up a few items, then kicked open the window. He smiled, then latched onto her. She took off, bidding farewell to her only home.

Lifé waved at them from far below, and she landed. Ilmiwyrth appeared a few seconds later and the four looked at the Dragouret city.[/i]

Lifé: It was fun.[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo][I]Ilmiwyrth turned to Vichante, cutting off whatever he was going to say.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: Don't say it.

Shalistrae: A little jealous?

[I]Ilmiwyth tossed a wry raised eyebrow at Lifé, and retorted in good humour.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: What makes you think I have reason to be?

Vichante: You're still standing.

Ilmiwyrth: .....Point.

Lifé: Besides, Shalistrae knows very well that I have better taste.

[I]Profoundly outgunned, for once, Ilmiwyrth sighed, and turned away. [/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She chuckled and slid her arms around his neck from behind.[/i]

Lifé: Just kidding dear.

Shalistrae: Run for it Ilmiwyrth. Save yourself while you can.

Ilmiwyrth: Oh gods....

Vichante: This is going to be an interesting trip. Where are we going again?

Lifé: Sorta northwestish...south...I don't know.

Shalistrae: There's a good tavern not too far from here.

Vichante: How far?

Shalistrae/Lifé: Two days walk.

Ilmiwyrth: Oh yay. I'll have to put up with you all for that long?[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo]Lifé: It certainly wasn't my idea.

Ilmiwyrth: That's been quite well established. Since the directions you mentioned encompassed north, south and west, I assume this tavern is east?

Lifé: Well, actually not. It is north of here.

Ilmiwyrth: Contrary natured fiends...

Vichante: You seem to be taking it surprisingly well.

Ilmiwyrth: Doesn't mean I have to like it.

Vichante: Isn't that kind of inherent though?

Ilmwiyrth: ....

[i]After that long moment's silence, Ilmwiyrth simply started walking. There wasn't really much else he could do this time around.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé chuckled and caught up with Ilmiwyrth. She gave him a look and he stopped stewing for a few minutes. Shalistrae and Vichante walked behind them, arm in arm, and rather happy. Strangely enough.[/i]

Ilmiwyrth: Does this mean what I think it means?

Lifé: Only if you want it to.

Ilmiwyrth: Choices choices.[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo]Lifé: Pity you're so predictable in them.

Ilmiwyrth:I would have thought you'd prefer it that way.

Lifé: That would make it far less interesting. Besides, I don't need to know what choice you'd make in a given situation to be able to control you.

Ilmiwyrth: I have this strange, haunting feeling that that is disconcertingly true.

[I]Behind him, Vichante sniggered.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: Why me?

Lifé: If you'd given in earlier, it would have been easier for you.

Ilmiwyrth: With the myriad ways I could construe that statement, I'll take the safe path and ignore it.[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé tickled his ear with the tip of her talon and smiled sweetly at him. He brushed her hand away carelessly.[/i]

Ilmiwyrth: Ee...

Shalistrae: Come on Ilmiwyrth. You've got a woman who's fascinated with you and two people behind you.....

Vicante: That will be making love more than once on this trip.

Lifé: If it's not now, it's later.

Ilmiwyrth: Later.

[i]He gave her another one of those looks.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo][I]Ilmiwyrth, rather theatrically, tripped. And turned his ankle. He lay only a moment before dragging himself to his feet, testing his ankle, and announcing quite happily he could hobble along perfectly fine.

Vichante gave him a look of pure amusement, and kept walking. Ilmiwyrth gratefully fell to the rear of the column, where he could easily keep an eye on everyone. He wasn't sure he trusted Vichante and Shalistrae behind him anymore. Or Lifé. But that was more of a "anywhere near him" basis, rather than just behind him,

It occured to him at that point to wonder they trusted him behind them. No matter. They'd live. Whether he would was debatable.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé and Shalistrae gave eachother a look akin to disgust, then the two women pointed their hands at his ankle, whispering the same healing spell, then continued walking. Neither had looked at him, neither had paused. Ilmiwyrth slapped himself in the forehead and the two women giggled.[/i]

Ilmiwyrth: It's a conspiracy. They're gonna get me.

Lifé: At least you're resigned to your fate.

Ilmiwyrth: Vichante...help me!

Shalistrae: Do it, and you'll be sleeping on the couch for a month.

Lifé: Because that's how long you can go without sex.[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo][I]Ilmiwyrth groaned. This really was falling apart around him.[/I]

Ilmiwryth: I think I'll just tie myself to at tree...

Lifé: Please, be my guest.

Ilmiwyrth: I didn't mean it like.....damn it! Now you've got me thinking in innuendos.

Lifé: As I remember, that's not very different from before.

Ilmiwyrth: Yeah,but this time they're more personal.

Lifé/Shalistrae: Do tell.

Ilmiwyrth: Alright, fine. I will from now on not resists all your strange, assuredly perverted fantasies.

Lifé: That's nothing to do with what we asked.

Ilmiyrth: I know that. I was hoping false capitulation would off-balance you enough for me to make a quick escape.

Lifé: Then [i]I'd[/I] tie you to a tree.[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Vichante: So wrong...so twisted.

Ilmiwyrth: And you're last night wasn't?

Shalistrae: No, we admitted it. You're wallowing in self denial.

Lifé/Ilmiwyrth: Denial?

Vichante: Now they're talking in pairs.

Lifé: Oh gods...

[i]She rubbed her eyes.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo]Ilmiwyrth: This is going to be very, very painful.

Shalistrae: Isn't that the idea?

Ilmiwyrth: I hereby renounce my ability to speak.

Lifé: But not to make other noises right?

Ilmiwyrth: GOD DAMN IT!

[i]He started running. Rather fast. Not that anyone had trouble keeping up, but it was certainly an increase in pace. The only question was whether Ilmiwyrth was in a hurry to get to the tavern...for whatever reason....or just trying to escape.The grim look on his face wasn't doing a lot to make it clearer.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]They continued running well into the night, Shalistrae flying low, Lifé relying on her second wind. Eventually, they burst onto a clearing. The clearing was the dancing lawn of Fauns, Nymphs, and Dryas, but currently not in use. The only creature present was a huge male cenutar. Ilmiwyrth screeched to a halt, but Lifé ran right up to him and knelt.[/i]

Lifé: Hail Chiron. King of Equine.

Chiron: Hail Lifé Sevenstar. Princess of Turn.

Vichante/Ilmiwyrth: Princess?!!?!?

Shalistrae: Of course.

[i]The cenutar dipped his head in tribute, then lifted her up with a large hand. She smiled sweetly. He lifted her onto his back and she whispered a few well chosen words into his ears. He nodded then walked off stately. Northwards.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo]Ilmiwyrth: I don't suppose you also happen to be with various mafias?

[I]She didn't stop. Or hear him apparently. Ilmiwyrth wasn't inclined to press the point. Asiding to get someone to send lawyers, weapons and money....But he doubted that would be enough.

Ilmiwyrth followed along, basically disconsolate, partially morose, somewhat downtrodden, and more than a little confused. But that seemed to be life these days, and at least this way he didn't have to worry about getting lost. Or anything else. Just having to walk, and do nothing remotely intelligent, suddenly had a lot of upsides.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]They stopped on a long tall ridge. She slipped off Chiron's back lightly, and stroked his shoulders. He whickered at her, then turned and walked away. Lifé stared down into the village below. It looked the same. Shalistrae peered down closer...hawk-like eyes focusing on the people. She shuddered under her wings, then they dissapeared. The same went for her claws and her horns. The ears didn't matter, elves weren't exactly a minority.[/i]

Vichante: Why the disguise?

Shalistrae: We're not supposed to be existing. If they knew we lived, they'd plague us to no end.

Lifé: I'm thankful I look slightly normal.

Vichante: Slightly?

[i]She tossed a swift roundhouse in his direction, which was blocked easily. She rolled her eyes and put on her cloak. Ilmiwyrth was still wearing the morose expression. She walked over to his personal space and slipped an arm into his.

"Look like we're a couple. I'm tired of men hitting on me wherever I go."

"What do I get in return?"

"I'll let you phsically assult me."[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo][I]Ilmwiyrth, for what had to be the hundredth time today, sighed deeply. His next sally, strangely enough though, was addressed to Shalistrae.[/i]

Ilmiwyrth: Is she ticklish anywhere?

Shalistrae: How would I know?

Ilmiwyrth: Oh, now you're hedging.

[I]His raised eyebrow didn't leave a lot of room for interpretation.[/I]

Vichante: What are you implying?

[I]Now all three of them were glowering at him. Ilmiwyrth gave a burst of rakish laughter, about time the balance restorted itself. He did mak for the village quite quickly though.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]As soon as they entered, they were greeted by two old women. One was masked, the other hooded. The only part of them visible were glowing blue eyes. Lifé shuddered. The blast of cold magic was impossible to ignore. Shalistrae, through her layer of fur, felt it as well. The older of the two bowed slightly, the women curtsyed and the men gave what could've been a bow.[/i]

"Welcome."

"....will you be staying here for long?"

"No. We are servants of the Angelorum. We are just passing through."

"Good."[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo]Ilmiwyrth: The sheer inimical nature is refreshing.

[I]As usual, his remark to no one in particular was left to that audience, and only payed attention to by that audience. Ilmiwyrth sighed, and studied the village. It wasn't exactly remarkable. He heard a bit of further conversation in the background, and ignored it until he felt a tug on his arm.[/I]

Lifé: Do you randomly go into dazes a lot?

Ilmiwyrth: If I say yes, will it help me get away?

Lifé: No.

Ilmwiyrth: Alright then. Yes. So anyway, how long [I]are[/i] we staying here for? Five minutes? Ten?[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Shalistrae rolled her eyes, as did Lifé, and the dragged their men to the nearest tavern. They were greeted by a tall burly male. He gave them a sneering glance, then turned away. Blue eyes, the same cold blast of air. Lifé's brows furrowed, and she could feel her teeth grinding together. Ilmiwyrth shoved her. Her eyes were starting to glitter.[/i]

Ilmiwyrth: Stop it.

Lifé: They're all posessed.

Vichante: Which god?

Lifé: I wouldn't say it was a god or a greater demon of sorts.

Shalistrae:......this is all seeming....

[i]The two women exchanged a glance, then a thought.

"Tirakindadro."

They could feel growls rising in their throats, stifled them, and instantly turned to leave.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo][I]Ilmiwyrth's eyes narrowed, his facade as a downtrodden jester no longer in evidence. He flexed his fingers like talons, and waited until the other three had left before turning himself. He gave the tavern a last once over, smiled tightly in respone to the glares. And let himself out.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: I think we have about five minutes before we're followed.

Lifé: You give it that long?

Ilmiwyrth: No, I can make it that long.

[I]Ilmiwyrth turned back to the tavern, stilled a second, and promptly replaced the wooden door which a much thicker granite one. The windows followed.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: They can either knock down the walls or simply try and force the door. Either way, it'll take them a while.

Lifé: I thought you didn't like doing that?

Ilmiwyrth: So? Shall we leave, or would you prefer to get jumped? Or don't tell me you have the insane idea of actually doing something about this place.[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé took off at a headlong run, dragging him along. Shalistrae swiftly grew back her former features and took off, picking Vichante up roughly. The two women didn't stop until they were several miles away. Panting slightly, Lifé undid her belt and took out her slingblade. She dipped it in the pouch she had taken from Kryas.

Golden laburnum coated it thickly, hiding the silver with its glow.[/i]

Vicante: What is going on?

Shalistrae/Lifé: Tirakindaro has been awakened.

Ilmiwyrth: And he is...?

Shalistrae: A cross between a ghost and an Incubus.

Lifé: Able to control mortal man with one look into their eyes. Demonoic in nature, heavenly in appearance.

Shalistrae: He was banished by General Seraphim Tai Alujah over 2,000 years ago...

Lifé: But the scuffles between the goddesses and gods likely led to this happening.[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo]Ilmiwyrth: I suppose they'll want to take it out on me?

Lifé: I imagine most of us would.

Ilmiwyrth: Ah well. What can you do.

Lifé: You can start by being a little more helpful.

Ilmiwyrth: I could, but most of my knowledge lies in the area of extra planar beings, not celestial, infernals and their ilk.

Lifé: Then shut up.

[I]Ilmiwyrth rolled his eyes. He purposely failed to mention there was a damn good reason he knew a lot about outsiders. It probably wouldn't help, all things considered. Even if infernals were still subject to an imposed reality, which he tended to be able to impose any way he liked... He had a strange feeling that it probably wouldn't work this time though. Just because nothing was ever easy.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: So I assume this is where we run off on some sacred quest to destroy and or banish him?[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Shalistrae: We don't have to run. He'll come to us. In the form of one of the posessed. When he does...

[i]The other female present brandished her blade, spun it between her fingers, then made a gesture with her arm.[/i]

Lifé: I kill his minion. Then he'll appear...for a breif moment. Say....25 seconds. One of us has to do a spell to stop him in his tracks. Tell me you can do that Ilmiwyrth.

Ilmiwyrth: ....well.....

Shalistrae: Then we banish him...but that takes over two minutes, and requires a dance along with the incantation. So....

Vichante: You want us to hold him at bay while you two dance and sing a pretty song?

Lifé: It won't be pretty, and you can't hold an immaterial being. But yeah. That's sorta it.

Ilmiwyrth: Oh gods and demons...[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo]Vichante: What's your problem now?

Ilmiwyrth: Quite simple. One. I have, in no way, shape or from, any difficulty in holding a being, immaterial or otherwise, in place, for as long as I want it to stay there. 25 seconds, two minutes, or a few centuries, it won't particularly matter to me. Secondly, I have to watch people dance?

Vichante: I know which is more pressing...

Ilmiwyrth: Couldn't be a hard decision.

Lifé: Don't you want to watch me dance?

Ilmiwyrth: Please don't pout at me, and please don't make suggestions like that until I'm reconciled to the idea.

Lifé: I thought you were.

Ilmiwyrth: I probably lied a lot. So, why don't we go find ourselves a rather dispensible minion?[/font][/color]