Negotiations...

[Lady Ashina Mal'orhe Kansior]

ashina_kansior ...intrepid orbs glanced at the surrounding foliage as the woman approached the castle. One raven brow cocked in question as to who, or what, resided within the confines of such a place. A bittersweet smile that offered no warmth or affection for any living creature within the vicinity. Head tilted slightly to the right, and digits carefully smoothed down the green velvet of the dress she had worn for this meeting. The dark folds complimented the color of her orbs to perfection, and then simplistic jewelry of silver that she wore only enhanced it. The raven tresses had been dressed atop her head for this occassion, slight curls falling to frame an ivory complexion that glowed with health. For one to look at her, it wouldn't be believed that she had recently spent 3 days...<broken>

ashina_kansior ...abed due to her own death and rebirth that she had called upon herself in order to visit the spirit world. Delicate lids lowered momentarily and dark crescent shaped lashes rested against the high cheekbones that brought together the structure of her face. She was a strong woman who rarely conformed to society's rules, but, for the time being she would put on the mask of insincerity that came with meetings such as these. Not a whisper of sound was heard as slippered feet started forth, headed toward the direction of the castle and it's owner. She must act the lady, lest some unruly guard decided to refuse her admittance into the Queen's chamber for an audience. Gracefully, the bottom of her skirt danced around her ankles, mimicking the movement of her feet. Rose hued...<broken>

ashina_kansior ...appendages were schooled into a smile of insincere pleasure and slender digits were meekly twined together against the front of her dress. Orbs were downcast in a show of meekness, and then she arrived at the drawbridge of the castle. Tentatively, she took a step forward, as if unsure of her reception, and the entire deception was complete. She appeared to be no more than a meek lady come to visit the Court of Lucemedia. This would, of course, change upon admittance to the Queen's Chambers, but until then she would be nothing out of the ordinary and would cause no need for alarm. She slowly walked past the guard stationed at the entrance to the courtyard, and then slowly made her way up the stairs to the castle entrance. One tentative knock and then the door was opened by..<broken>

ashina_kansior ...an unassuming man who Ashina correctly marked as the butler. "May I help you, My Lady?" The butler obviously recognized quality when it stood before him, and a slight shake of the head was given in an affirmative answer before meek tones laced with dulcet quality were aired, "I am Lady Ashina Kansior of the Kingdom of Ulster, come to meet with your Queen, if you please." She said nothing more, and nothing more need be said. With a wave of his hand the butler indicated that she should enter and she obeyed, each step small and measured to give off an air of innocence and charm. Gloved hands remained as they were, even as he ushered her into what appeared to be a drawing room reserved for guests to wait upon their audience with the Queen of this Kingdom. The butler then..<broken>

ashina_kansior ..offered refreshment, which Ashina politely declined, and went to seek his mistress. As he did so, Ashina gracefully sank down upon the plush seat that awaited her. It was a very refined chaise of gold velvet and from it's obvious richness, this place was in no need of funds. Hands folded in her lap, Ashina patiently waited for the butler's return. <fixed>

cleric_surreal: ~* Gale of light like a breeze opened up in an orbit of illuminating light that cascaded around the grassy ground floor. It opened up like a flower in bloom, pockets of pure radience that blanketed and wrapped around her wrists like firmly locked bracelets. The light faded, cleared as if neverbeen there, but the speckled residue still remained in her soft eyes as she felt more displaced recently than normal. She stepped away, the crackling of energy that snapped and was released from being grounded like a tether loop made her jump. her hands wrapped around in a tiny embrace, velvet hair that was like a whip coarsing and corroding the fondle of her back,a nd from there bare foot she set her eyes on the gates in front of her. it was all too properly laid out, and she knew it before she <c>

cleric_surreal: began advancing, seperating a great divide of area like it were a drawn out line on paper, but it was obsene to think that she would be able to keep moving on in this world without ever interacting. She wasn't strong enough to survive in the wild on her own, and she wasn't ambitious enough to take up profession with local merchants or taverns. So what was she to do with herself? The streets were already to narrow for her own liking, she liked more wide open spaces than any, but she could not adapt to them. Ironic. She could remember lazy days down by the old trampled pools that felt like a tundra of prickles when she stepped in, her friend had told her that she couldn't go on living so distant, that those with the greatest strength were held in potential and not present asset. Her <c>

grin985 "Sir!" a nervious elf guard said from behind Tony's armored back "A strange man..with a huge cat.. is walking through the town..it is disrupting the peace.." Tony didnt turn to look at the guard but began heading to the epicenter of the compotion "Well he hasent harmed any one..plus i have an idea of who it might be..so back to your post my friend. " The human began moving in Adam's general direction planing to greet his former savior and hopefully return a favor. He moved his limp no more, though he was slightly off balance now. He finally caught sight og Adam though he was several meters away but he finally let out a sharp wistle. Mainly to call his dog back to his side but to also get adam's attention. <C>

cleric_surreal: friend was a brave girl, much braver than she,and she had begun to wish that she were close by her now than any. Lonely,and still interaction felt like treason to her. Curious, she passed her fingers down the side trim of her dress,and at least tried to look optamistically. at least i fshe accomplished her slow crawl into the crevaces of society, she might make up for the loss she felt being far from familiar territory, and make up for the small shard of nothing she had become in such a few days.<end>

ashina_kansior ...Stifling a slight yawn behind her gloved hand, Ashina looked to the door as the butler returned, "I regret to inform you, madam, that our lady Queen is out attending to other matters at this time." Upset with this news, Ashina rose to her feet, dissappointment showing on every line of her facial features. "Oh....but...I really must speak with her. You see, I've come to ask....well, it doesn't matter. I really -must- speak with the Queen." Emerald orbs seemed to plead with the man, and he hesitated only a moment longer before, with a slight sigh, he gestured toward the door. "Well, there is someone that might possibly be able to help you. I'm not sure, however, where he is, other than somewhere in the streets of the city." A charming smile graced the lips..<broken>

ashina_kansior ...of Ashina, and, having gained the information she sought, she nodded to him and became an entirely different woman. Gone was the facade of a simpering maiden and in her place was a self-assured lady who would demand answers until she recieved the proper responses, "Well, then, kind sir, his name if you please." The butler was momentarily stunned into silence, but noticing the dark glint that lit the woman's orbs, he quickly came to his senses, "Er...Tony Martinez, milady." A satisfied nod, and then Ashina handed the man her bag of coins that was suspended from her wrist by a gold rope. Without second thought, she removed the white gloves that had covered her flesh and threw them onto a vacant table. She then pulled the pins that held her waist-length raven hair in place..<broken>

ashina_kansior ..from their various positions, and finger combed it from it's slightly disheveled state. Looking less the lady now, but feeling much better, she walked past the stunned butler. In Ulster, she would have remained in casual dress no matter who was present. However, she had come on matters of state to visit the Queen, and so, had bothered with all the pomp and glam that came with her position. But, now that she was not going to meet the queen, she saw no reason to remain so uncomfortable, especially if a walk through the city was to occur. That thought in mind, legs pumped in timely rhythum as she exited through the castle door. She stopped only momentarily at the castle gates to inquire as to the whereabouts of a certain Tony Martinez, and, with the guards direction, she...<broken>

[Lady Ashina Mal'orhe Kansior]

ashina_kansior ...headed toward the commotion in the city. A slight smile lighting her features, her lips formed an "o" that revealed the ivory perfection of her teeth as she whistled a merry tune that most in Ulster would recognize. <fixed>

grin985 He then makes haste in approaching adam his arms crossed over his metal chest his now shaved and clean face sporting a chosen scowl. After several seconds he stops just infront of Adam and hands out a small smug smile of gratitude and happyness to see the man and his friends. "Im suprized you made the journey here" he then gave a soft as Kilonia calmly trodded up behind Adam and his party. "You have met Kilonia, and im assuming you came to see her more then me" he said with a chuckle. HE then turns And begins calmly walking towards the castle gates "Please walk with me, he said reveiling the simple bandana that Adam had used to mend his leg only 2 nights ago" Suddenly a small girl(well dressed) inturrupts Tony's trip "Mr. Tny" hse said in a high pitched squeaky voice shifting <C>

grin985 - terrified glanced between Tony and the tiger that accompanyed Tony's newest guest. Tony looked and placed a hand on her soldier and said in his accented voice"What is it sweety?" it must be noted that Tony was not a member of royaltie so he often diddnt address the messangers and servents as such, he often thanked them and..played pranks on them. "Sir their is a woman..of royaltie claiming to be from Ulster...she requested an audience with Queen Kira..but the queen is resting..so we are sending her to you. Tony's eyes grow wide and his hand vanishes off the girls sholdier "Oh man why do i have to baby sit the blueblood today?!" he says turning back around facing Adam "They only treat me like scum and talk to me like im a moron because of my accent" Kilonia runs up and sits infront <C>

grin985 - infront of him panting, being pretty much enthusitiac that Adam had come to visit. She then turns her head to adam and tells the man "excuse him please.." for tony was now babbling swears and curses in english, unaware that Ashina had just walked up behind him.
grin985 <End>

maliseet_fox: *The fog, which was once a light blanket across the early morning ground, has now risen up into the late afternoon air, appearing to float effortlessly two feet above the ground. The small mock-clouds rest at their altitude with a calm demeanor, occasionally moving an inch in any direction due to the caressing winds. Through the wispy tongues of the gray, smoky matter emerges a tall, shadowy figure of a man dressed in a sea of robes. The man moves closer to the others and it becomes apparently that he is wearing a large black cloak which envelops his entire body save for his face, which is hidden behind a porcelain tribal mask that bears a few ritualistic markings. The creature's eyes move around behind the small slits cut out in his mask and once they peer at the sun the fog immediatelyc>

maliseet_fox: e>evaporates and a slight temperature increase can be felt for the moment, and then is gone. He pauses and looks for another member of the advisory council, or perhaps a high ranking official.*

angel_do_desespero: He had sent her out, cast her out again for his amusement, and the situation was beginning to grow a bit dull. Something in watching her ply her given trade in this hostile world amused Dlarhgon. Demeaning her was his favorite pastime. "Good for your health, and your ego," he would inform her cheerily at each such abandonment, stripping her tenderly of the feathering, flightless wings at her back and pulling the mass of hair that usually spiked into a pained-looking series of heavy points down her back in a smooth cascade of black. It wasn't pure black, of course -- he left a bit of its crookedness -- but a series of black strands seeped in maroon and purple, a heavy, gray-stormy-sky kind of color, a color that seemed a bit like a sick, Armageddon-ridden sky. The rags he had offered <C>

angel_do_desespero: her were the same sickly grayish purple, and clung to her form with a tenacity surprising for their apparent wear. For the most part they left little to the imagination, torn and tattered by the countless claws of necromancers, revenants, and demons Dlarhgon so pleasantly offered her services to. Not that he was all bad, of course, but to say he was "good" was a horrendous misconception. Wrapping some of the tatters more tightly around her chest, she struggled up off the dusty road and slunk down a nearby street, looking surprisingly like fine china wrapped in old dusting rags. Her eyes were almond-shaped, and the typical honey-brown of her Brazillian mother's; though her skin had paled to a light chestnut, it still held almost Spanish tinges of color, and her exotic looks lent weight <C>

angel_do_desespero: to her lack of clothing. Shivering ever so slightly, she pressed the back of her body against one of the buildings, staring out through the mist and fine rain towards the castle in the distance. It was most likely not the choice place to go, but....if she stayed here, she'd end up with broken ribs and a bleeding crotch, and she despised that. At least nobles showed some kind of tenderness.....a tear that was quickly brushed away touched the corner of her eye. Damn him. Damn him. <E>

adam_masou: *There were whispers and hushes as he moved through the crowd, stopping midway between the market stalls. He closed his eyes and tipped his chin up towards the air, as if to smell out where his quarry might be. Quite a feat for a mere human, if that is in fact what he was. It was how he appeared. The sash tight in his hand it might be theorized that perhaps he killed a man of the regimine or was holding them hostage from the city's keep. As the crowd whispered amongst themselves the tiger gave a low growl of disapproval. and even the hawk was shifting from being uncomfortable in this setting. As the tiger grumbled so the man looked down and returned the sentiment in the tiger's tongue, sending the crowd into gasps of shock and awe<c>*

[Lady Ashina Mal'orhe Kansior]

adam_masou: *<c> A beast man! Horrified and morbidly intrigued they parted still to make way for Tony as he approached the beast master. Masou became accutely aware of Kilona behind them and chuckled slighty, dipping his head down, dark tendrils of hair masking his eyes from all as he did so. A low growl came from him, a gutteral noise that human beings should not be able to make, but yet he did a perfect imitation. The dog, he was speaking to the dog. "You should know better than to sneak up on a tiger that way." Was all he said. The dog was an animal, but it was far more humanlike in nature than he would have preffered it to be. It had it's up points, however. No matter where an animal's loyalties were, so long as his command was not directly against their inherent nature<c>*

adam_masou: *<c> He could command them easily. One of the many secrets of the Maryuudo peoples he had learned when he was quite small. A whistle, a low one, emitted and the dog would trot to his side and open its mouth. The man reached down and allowed the dog to take the sash from his hand, then let the dog trot back to Tony's side. On his shoulder the hawk shifted this way and that, black eyes peering out at the people in every direction. Why had the beast master come here, to such an unsafe place, and a territory so far from home? Was food so scarce? The bird's fears were quieted as a hand rose from Adam's side and ran down its feathery head to calm it. The tiger, on the other hand, had a different approach to all of this<c>*

adam_masou: *<c> Prowling. It had already begun to slink around Tony in a stalking motion, but that was not the intented target, no... it was of course the royal woman moving to meet them. Untrusting was this beast who so many times had been tourtured and maimed inside the circus from which he had escaped, staring out at the refined women and well dressed men that came to see it in its mournful state for their own amusment. Circling, it did, around Ashina and Tony, its ears flattened against its head and lips partially pulled back into a wary and toothy grin. Adam did nothing for the moment about his furred companion but allowed it to survey its scene, knowing full well it would not attack unless provoked. Still, from the blood thirsty look in those golden eyes, the calculating swish<c>*

adam_masou: *<c> of its tail... not everyone would be as sure as Adam was of the animal's intentions. With what could be described as a slightly maniacle chuckle, Adam lifted his head just enough for those piercing slate colored eyes to be seen. "My friend seems to think you should talk to me first." His voice was deep, and at its reverberations the tiger's tail would lash as it continued to circle the Lady and the Knight as though they were prey. Noting the bandana, still spotted with blood as he had used it to dress Tony's leg, he was more than willing to allow the young knight to keep the nasty strip of cloth if he wanted it. Adam would get a new one. But that was not what he was here about. He would start his questioning subtley, allowing the tiger<c>*

adam_masou: *<c> to do what it felt necessary to allow him to have his conversation in peace. "What exactly were you doing in the forest that night?" They question seemed rather straight forward, but there was a reason for asking. From the tone and the way he had studied that seal so carefully, what could have been suspected was that Tony was not the first soldier from Lucemedia that the Western Woods had seen. Though Adam stayed himself near the falls most times, he had eyes and ears all over the forest, and very little slipped past his nets. <fin>*

[Lady Ashina Mal'orhe Kansior]

ashina_kansior ...Laughter floated throughout the atmosphere, the tones mingling with the curses and causing an unusual cacophany of sound that was not quite discordant, and yet, at the same time, didn't fit together. While, as in most cases, she was unable to understand what the man was saying, she did understand the expression that marked his features and the body language that he exuded. He was not pleased at her arrival, "You, I assume, are Tony Martinez?" An odd name to be sure, but, perhaps no more odd than her own which was foreign to the world of Ireland and the Kingdom of Ulster in general. She eyed the tiger, not the least afraid of the massive beast, and would have knelt there in the dirt to converse with it if more pressing matters weren't on her mind. She looked at Adam..<broken>

ashina_kansior ...a slight forward inclination of her head offered to him, acknowledging his prescence but not overly interested in that man, unless he turned out to be the one she sought. For the time being, her interest was directed toward Tony, and emerald orbs roamed the plane of his face, searching for the truth behind all of the bullshit that most would offer her at being caught within the confines of anger and embarrassment. One raven brow was tilted upward in question, digits reaching up to brush back the raven strands that had fallen forward into her face, and small nose, almost button-like, scrunched upward, as if a bad smell had rent the air surrounding her. Of course, it was a comical expression, one meant to show that she knew exactly what it was that he was complaining about..<broken>

ashina_kansior ..and the slight smile filled with humor remained firmly in place, the full lips no longer straining and pretending at something untrue and insincere. <broken>

ashina_kansior ...however, as the tiger continued it's instinctive dance of predatory grace, Ashina turned to glance at Adam, her eyes now relaying the question to him, "Am I to assume that you find a small woman such as I a danger to your friend here?" Such an idea would have caused other men to laugh at her, assuming it was a jest, however, something about this man told her that there was more to him than the eye revealed. She would find out later, but for the time being, there were things to be discussed and she, in her arrogance, saw no reason to dally with those in less positions of authority in this kingdom. Of course, there was the possability that she was being erroneous and if such was the case, such a hasty judgement could jeopardize her reason for coming this day. With a...<broken>

ashina_kansior ...sigh of resignition, she confronted both men, "Quite frankly, I'm confused as to who I should speak with. I am an ambassador from Ulster who's goal is to form an alliance betwixt our two kingdoms." Still, the tiger caused no fear to stir within the depths of her heart. A simple holding spell would have stopped whatever attack he could possibly offer, and she could even turn him against his master, although the tiger wouldn't realize it until it was too late, but, for the time being, she was not looking for fights or arguements, despite the rudeness that had been presented so far. <fixed>

grin985 He suddenly stopped cursing att he sound of the woman's voice and turned around "I am Tony Martinez.." he paused rather shocked bye the woman's appearance. Indeed, he had been expecting an old bearuecrat to pester him with silly questions and subtle insults. "And you are the lovleyest thing i have seen!" he says a smile spreading accross his face and his accent throughly breaking up his usage of commen. The Tiger began circling which made Tony slightly uncomfortable, but he was confident adam was showing a very unusual form of humor on him and his newest annoyance. Kilonia simply barked playfully at the tiger and Tony. Tony turns and says in english "Shut up" then looks up at adam answering the man's question "Its not the first time i went through the western forest, its the shortest<C>

grin985 - way to westenguard from Lucemedia, i was tryign to warn Queen Kira that westenguar needed our help, and we were under threat of invasion from a drow army.." He then inhales deeply and turns to Ashina "And what could a hot sexy creature such as your self want with a lowly...soldier such as my self?" he says smiling reveiling very well kept teeth(something rare in medievil/fantisy times)<End>

adam_masou: *His eyes met hers, but there was no compassion, nor patience in them. The color of steel, they were, much like his demeanor. There was no smile, simply an expression of the purly stoic nature. His eyes fixed on her, as though they were the barrels of guns training on their target. When he did speak his voice was quiet, even, and deep. Overall, serene and disturbing at the same time. Her question- was she a threat? "I don't know. Do you present a threat?" He asked with a slightly challenging tone to his voice. The tiger, despite being a creature supposedly beneath the humans on the food chain, was not ruled over by the beast master, though he had the ability to command it if he so wished. The story between the two, however, was more <c>*

adam_masou: *<c> complex than just that. This was not a master- beast relationship, but one built on mutual respect and a well fought battle. Adam used no spells, no tricky combinations... in fact, no weapons whatsoever. He used his hands and those alone. Perhaps that was why so many of the forest kin chose to follow him without the use of his beast whistle. He did not care for royalty and here he was getting not only uncomfortable with the masses of gaping people that were accumulating more and more by the minute, but annoyed that this woman who happened to be dressed better than him though that it gave her more right to conversation when he had clearly been talking to Tony already. His expression did not change as he addressed her again<c>*

adam_masou: *<c> His voice ever stable and unwavering in its deadly resolve. "Perhaps he thinks that you ought to wait your turn." He said, the edge on him cold. It was not her in particular. Humans in general invoked this kind of response from him. The hawk on his shoulder shifted once more and its eyes left the crowd to focus on Ashina as Adam turned his attention and penetrating eyes to Tony. Not the first time... not the first time. "You are not the first of the soldiers from this city to have stumbled off your path in the western wood." He remarked slowly, trying to keep down the true intention for his visit until he felt it necessary to. As Tony turned a leching eye over to the woman again, he growled, but not a normal growl, that which perhaps an angry tiger<c>*

adam_masou: *<c> might make. He did not venture far from the woods that often. This was a special trip and he would damn well see that it was made worth his while. Eyes would flash, though not in the metaphoric sense, literally the iris would contract, the pupil dilating for a short breath of a moment before he spoke again, words more harsh and demanding. "I've been made aware by ... friends... that there is a war going on, or might be going on." He said with slight bitterness to his tone. "I don't want it reaching into my borders. Keep your soldiers off my land. I did you a favor, and consider this a friendly warning. If any tree or creature in that forest is affected by your politics, next time I won't be so understanding." It was a harshly worded request<c>*

adam_masou: *<c> And perhaps even unwise to make to the captain of the guard, but his emphasis was not on his demands so much as the anger was directed at being shirked his attentions when he had travelled this far to keep his land and his followers safe. The last thing he needed was humans and their wars invading his simple forest and slaughtering the hope the creatures had for a peaceful and natural existance. It simply would not be tolerated, and after the life of the captain was spared, after all.<fin>*

ashina_kansior ...Ashina shrugged at his impolite words, bluntness not bothering her as much as the mask of serenity he maintaned when she knew his annoyance was at a breaking point. Perhaps her words were offered out of anger at his own inability to express emotions that should be no matter who was present. She held no tolerance for deception, and despite her own wiles of before, she knew that in the end, his reason for being would affect his departure as soon as the words were sent forward. She, however, did not dwell on the fact of turns or discourse of conversation. She had merely arrived, not with glamour or pomp or ceremony, and would gladly have waited her turn had her presence remained undetected but a moment longer. However, upon the arrival of anger from Tony, she saw no opening..<broken>

[Lady Ashina Mal'orhe Kansior]

ashina_kansior ...other than the ability to laugh and pretend that his callousness had not affected her. Such was the game of court she knew how to play. Again, she eyed Adam, with no clear malice reflecting in her orbs, and she offered no intention of threat or observation of arrogance. Instead she merely shrugged in response to his inaccurate question, "As I have stated before, I am no threat. I merely wish for an alliance. Why, in Gaia's name, would an applicant for alliance wish to harm a member of this kingdom?" She eyed him warily, wondering if he realized that he was more threat than she, but she refused to point out such a discrepancy. After all, twas not she who held herself and Tony within the circle of a hungry tiger. The grin never faltered as she then turned to address...<broken>

ashina_kansior ..the man whom she had come to see. "An old hag you say? Old yes, but I don't think I've achieved hag standards just yet." The common tounge that she spoke with was marked by a slightly gallic accent, but she ignored it, the honeyed words that fell from her lips resounding and blending with the beauty of the sounds around them in such a way that she perversely refused to acknowledge a such a slight weakness as the inability to converse without an accent. To show a weakness within the confines of this realm was to give permission for one to take the life which was granted by Gaia. She, therefore, showed only the strong front, never the fragile nature that existed beneath the cold or sunny demeanor, depending upon the situation. Of course, this was in direct conflict of what...<broken

ashina_kansior ..she thought Adam to do, but she wasn't Adam and was entitled to her own opinions of what others should do. In a way, perhaps she respected what he did, but his next angry words dashed all thoughts of respect from her mind as he harshly made demands to the Captain. Silent now, offering no show of arrogance or impatience as before, she waited to see how he would respond. The Captain could only control his men as well as he could control out of hand situations, and, if an alliance was the strength of the army would need to be superior. However, such a situation also called for diplomacy. She smiled a secret smile to herself as she awaited his course of action. <fixed>