Founding a Facade

[Aylstra Illianniis]

"Ah! Thank the Goddess. I was afraid I'd ended up in Sshamath or some other horrid place. I've been wandering around out there for days- seems the dunce who gave me directions here was not very accurate...." he shakes his head, with a look of disgust. "Last time I trust a gnome's directions."

He looks around, noting that there are several guards with thir weapons all aimed at him, and looks puzzled for a moment, then remembers the blades in his hands. "Oh, Usstan shinilja whol tluin phor-cautious; I wasn't certain what sort of situation I'd be walking into here. Zhah gaer natha decent k'lar ulu v'dre lu'cal ghil?" He says, shrinking the blades back down to their dagger isze and slipping them into his boots.

[veraka]

The captain raised a hand to his men; the guards rested their weapons back to their regular positions.
"Xuat eszak, dos zhahen er'griff tluin cautious, saph udossa," the captain replied to the young drow.

He then slipped a hand behind his head at the next question, with an expression of fluster over his features; "I'm afraid that I'm not qualified to direct you to anyplace in particular in the city and the only one who actually knows the city that is among my command was just taken away by that old aasimar recruit of mine not to long ago; so I'm afraid I can't give you a decent answer, but I can provide you entrance to Lith My'athar, if you can provide with your name as I already know your reason for being here."

[Aylstra Illianniis]

"Lothir Usstdalharn E'Terrin'dar of Argonia," he answers formally, then shakes his head. "Excuse me, FORMERLY E'Terrin'dar. I've abandoned my House for saner pastures. Thank you anyway, though. I suppose I'll just have to find my own way around." He gives the commander a polite bow and begins to head into the city.

[veraka]

"Well then, welcome to the city, Lothir; a word of caution, be wary of the Lolthian's within the city. Though the Dark Dancers are now a major power in the city, there are still remnants of Lolth's follower's in the streets."

With that, the captain bade Lothir a farewell, and then resumed his duties.

[Aylstra Illianniis]

He nods as he leaves giving the guards a quick salute, and whistles as he strides into the city searching for an inn. Before long, he spots what appears to be an inn with a sign reading "The Dancer's Heart". With a grin, he nods approval to himself and opens the door to go inside...

[Arya Baenre]

Maryne took the proffered glass and raised it slightly in toast before bringing the glass near her eye. "Amber, hmmm? They have a fine taste for colours up there, I must say." Following T'risstree, she swirled the contents of her glass before taking a sip.

She held her hand over her mouth to stop a surprised splutter as the fiery liquid burned down her throat ... and the surprise at the strange turn the conversation had taken barely a few moments in that had caused her to inhale so suddenly. Who was this woman?

Hoping it was mistaken to be the drink, she deliberately placed the glass on the table and stared at it, "My, I have never seen the surface, but this certainly has the edge I've heard many say the ... sun has." She turned her dull red gaze on T'risstree, leaning back and crossing her legs as she feigned disinterest. Slipping one arm over her chair, she smiled lazily, "You are surprised? Despite what they are said to do, they are drow like us. Surely there is something we must all have in common. And," she grinned as she took another sip of the brandy, finding that she quite liked the taste, "I believe it is the Underdark the saying applies most to. I've heard up there, there is no struggle." She shot her companion a gauging look over the rim of her glass, but the look was gone the next moment as she put the glass down again.

[veraka]

Before he headed inside the inn, Veraka came up to Kalkyril and asked, "Do you have any place in particular that you'd wish to see? I'll take to any place if you so wish within the city if you want to."

[Talwyn Aureliano]

Grofsnuttle viewed outside of The Dancers Heart with a critical eye, as almost as if she was giving an impromptue quality inspection.

Seeing nothing obvious at fault, she nodded to herself and strode ahead of everyone imperiously, marching her way through the open doorway and into the large foyer of the Inn.

Her eyes widened in amazement and she gave a sharp intake of breath which she immediately covered by feigning a little cough as she was taken aback by the sheer opulence and beauty of the Inn. Polished darkly coloured wooden panels and furniture decorated the foyer which was illuminated by a large crystal chandelier in which a multitude of tiny Faerie fire lights danced and twinkled. Silken tapestries and plump soft cushions and throw pillows adorned the walls and furniture. The air was richly but subtly scented with exotic spices and incense and plush roathe wool carpets with elaborate designs covered the stone floor.

"This will do nicely," she said with a pleased nod.

Behind a small wooden counter stood achingly beautiful small Drow woman, simply dressed in a white and silver gown who smiled softly at the newly arrived guests reaction.

"Vendui and I bid you welcome to The Dancers Heart," she said in a soft melodious voice. "It is not often we have visitors from the surface," she smiled as her eyes traveled over Veraka, Talwyn and Grofsnuttle, " and our doors are always open to new comers and old friends, " she added with a gentle smile at Kalkryil and Zhan. "I am Sassandra, Matron of this Inn. I would ask that you sign our guest register and turn in your weapons to our warden. She will guard them, and if you wish, perform any minor repairs or sharpening on them." As she finished speak, a wooden panel in one of the walls slid aside and out stepped another extremely beautiful Drow woman dressed in black leathers who bowed her head in greetings to the guests.

"Talwyn, please check us in and give the warden my daggers," said Grofsnuttle as she handed over two ornately jewels daggers. "Matron Sassandra, my name is Grofsnuttle Haynesia and you must forgive my dishelved appearance. I beg of you to show me to your bath-house as I am in dire need of a cleansing. Also, do you by chance happen to know if there is a hair dresser available?" she asked.

"Of course Lady Grofsnuttle, our bath-house has attendants that can cater to your every need such as massage, hair styling, beauty treatments and other delights which you will no doubt wish to discover for yourself."

Sassandra pressed a small bell and another panel slide open. A drow girl, young and gorgeous, dress in a simple white robe, came out. Talwyn had been handing over his weapons and received a metal tag with a number on it from the warden. She smiled at him, her eyes staring at the handsome human male with a mixture of curiousity and interest.

"Yes mistress?" asked the young girl.

"Lythrana, please escort Lady Grofsnuttle to our Spa and attend to her needs."

"Yes mistress. Please Lady Grofsnuttle, if you follow me?" Grofsnuttle was off like a shot and the drow girl and the female gnome walked off towards the Bath-house.

"Well then, I would like to precure lodgings for this party, except for Squire Zhan who I believe has his own residence here in the city. I will say that we may be here for a few days, perhaps more and thus I will pay in advance for our accomodations," said Talwyn as he placed six small but perfected shaped pearls onto the counter.

Sassandra's eyes widened slightly as sea pearls were extremely rare in the Underdark.

"You are most generous my lord knight. By your symbol I see you follow Torm?" she inquired as he filled in the large registry book.

"Please Mistress Sassandra, call me Talwyn. And indeed I am a paladin of Torm. I would hazzard a guess that we are a rare sight here, much like those Pearls?" he replied as he finished his work on the registry.

"Yes you are my lor...Talwyn," she recovered with a musical giggle. "Please, if you would follow me, I will escort you to your rooms and show you the facilities we have available during your stay here." She gazed at the paladin for a long moment, and then she looked over Veraka. Mmm she thought, two excellent speciemins of males...and chivalrous noble ones at that. This should be a memorable few days she mused to herself.

"My thanks Mistress Sassandra," he replied with a charming smile as he began to follow her. "Lord Veraka, I believe this is indeed the best Inn I have come across in a long while. Once we are settled I would like to accompany you on your visit to that house you mentioned earlier," he added.

[Pheurazath]

(OOC: First off, sorry for being absent. Truth is I have left my laptop on, and logged into the site at all times. When AFK I just let it hibernate. IF the RP seems to be moving along quite far without me, please allow me a chance to catch up. AFK times will likely include hours of sleeping, or being at work. And now, please bear with me as I try to catch up.)

[T'risstree Helviiryn]

[OOC: boo to laptop issues hope you get it fixed soon ]

"No struggle on the surface?" T'risstree smiled briefly in bemusement. "I mean no offense Maryne but that is most naive and even one like you should know that all aspects to life are a struggle. It's one of the very few things that Lloth was right about," she answered with a rueful sigh.

"Truly you are unfamiliar in the way in which we Drow are viewed up there. In fact the surface world is more dangerous and unpredictable than the Underdark and almost always, the mere sight of a Drow will strike fear and loathing into the hearts of many surface dwellers, even if we are followers of the Dark Dancer. Their fear makes it so that they will simply seek to drive you away or kill you instinctively. Down here though, you know who your enemies are and which ones you can count on not to knife you in the back..until it suits them," she added with a flat sad tone before she added, "but up there, you are in an environment which if you haven't experienced it and are unfamiliar with the nuances and subtlies of the place, are likely to end up as food for worms faster than you'd have ever thought possible. Yet, paradoxically, is that there are surfacers, humans, our elf-kin and others, who look beyond the skin and not see us Drow as being psychopathic monsters bent of merciless slaughter in the name of Lloth. Some take us for who we are now, and don't give a dam about what we may have been or what darkness lays in our heritege and past deeds. And some may even show us...love..." she trailed off with a mixed look of both sadness and wistful memory on her face.

T'risstree took another sip of her brandy and reflected for a long moment, her golden amber colored eyes staring off into space. She looked back at Maryne.

"Embracing the message of Eilistraee and breaking free from the Spiderqueen is but the first step in our journey of metamorphisis from the darkness. And as you know...old habits and behaviors died hard." She paused momentarily, carefully considering her next words. "You know, someone very special to me taught me something very valuable in my early days on the surface, a lesson I impart to you: you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. The reason I would say this, as one sister in the faith to another, is that I am curious as to why you appear vexated towards that old male? Perhaps in the future, you may re-think your reactions and consider a more gentle approach into getting what it is you desire. After all, our goddess teaches us that kindness is the path in which we can set ourselves free."

She sipped her brandy again and watched as Maryne carefully thought on the words T'risstree had spoken.

[Pheurazath]

Pheurazath, privately having fun in her alternate identity of Kalkyril, as she continually notes Zhay's displays of what seems bashfulness, entices her to keep watching him all the more. Over-hearing Veraka's asessment of Zhay also increases her interest, a hint of predatory stare, behind unabashed flirtatious looks whenever those eyes drift back to hers. Her attention is stolen, briefly, by the introduction of House Helvighym, but realizing the others also might be focused on the sights of this guided tour, she discretely flashes a gesture to Zhay, in the Drow sign-language, suggesting he should visit her privately once she has lodging.

Then there is Grofsnuttle, and her, in Kalkyril's opinion, tactless pleading and wringing of Veraka's hand. The Aasimar's ability to take her insults in stride, and to boast being the mentor of Zhay, has won much respect from her, even if it doesn't show yet. It mildly disgusts her to see him accosted so, almost tempted to rescue him... fortunately he gets himself free, and saves her the trouble. Thinking to herself then, '[i:1y6thdcd]By Io, what is getting into me? Have I come upon a dangerous side-effect to remaining in humanoid form overly long?[/i:1y6thdcd]'

Silently agreed to staying with these companions for now, as they have seen fit to believe her tales and dismissed any question of their authenticity, thereby add credence to her claims. When asked of where she'd like to go outside the Dancer's Heart Inn, she gives an almost out of place fond, and thankful smile, "My dear Aasimar, once I have had time to rest, I would much like to visit the House you indicated earlier. If I will be permitted to stay in Lith My'athar, I should like to give rise to a new House, and perhaps... convert."

Once inside she is for the most part silent, the extravagance to the draconic sensibilities is quite pleasing, and so, some of the mild tension in her manner seems to melt away. It is a subtle thing really, but when it comes to signing her name to a register, there is a brief hesitation, the dragon knowing how to speak the language, but to write in it... her mind concocts then a convenient excuse, hoping it holds, and her name is written in the register, but in a language few may easily recognize, much less be able to read. For it is Draconic, her name is written in, and she carries on as if the signature were perfectly natural for her.

As she comes [i:1y6thdcd]apparently[/i:1y6thdcd] unarmed, her attention is directly to Talwyn, before any questions may be asked of her signature, insisting, more for good measure than believing it necessary, "I would have my own room. I've no intent of sharing with a room full of males, and I make no promises as to how long your 'Majestic Mage' and I could share a room... safely." Though grim, the ending of her request and statement, it is made to sound both matter-of-fact, and as delicately subtle as she can manage without being too cryptic.

[Talwyn Aureliano]

[OOC: @Pheurazath - No worries. In fact now is a good time to pause and let you, Alystra [Lothir] and Ayra catch up

edit: Pheurazath beat me to the punch and thus I'l carry on for this one last post for clarity & continuity]

Talwyn blinked for a moment in mild puzzlement at Kalkyril's last words.

"Ahh...you have misunderstood my intent milady. I have rented individual rooms for us all, is that not so Mistress Sassandra? If the amount I have paid is insufficient please do not hesitate to say so. And if there are only a limited number of premier suites then please give priority to the ladies first. I will be more than content for a smiple room if that is all that is available."

Sassandra nodded in agreement. "You have paid for four suites which are available. If you desire less...luxurious accomodations, that can be arranaged as well. We can also ensure that your room," she said speaking directly to Kalkyrin, "is not located near the gnome if you so desire?"

[veraka]

Though Zhay looked calm on the outside, he was in hurricane of confusion; first this unknown Kalkyril is interested in him, which his former tutor and mentor, Veraka says is perfectly ok and even encourages it; then she takes it up a notch by signing him in Drow-silent that he should visit her privately once they'd all settled down.
[i:2rhgu37v]What is it with me and getting flirtatious glances from her?[/i:2rhgu37v] he thought to himself. He wasn't sure if he should ask Veraka what to do about this little situation of his.

Zhay knew that he shouldn't turn down her [i:2rhgu37v]Maybe I could ask Talwyn, he's a paladin of Torm after all.[/i:2rhgu37v] However, after seeing the paladin and his reaction to Sassandra, he dismissed the thought.
When he lifted his head he was fortunate enough to see that Kalkyril had her attention focused on Sassandra for brief moment, he then decides a course of action.


Veraka sees the expression's given by Sassandra as she eyes Talwyn, then gives him a thorough lookover. He replies with a curt nod. A sharp impact in his side makes him turn his head, to see Zhay by his side, a coy smirk and a raised eyebrow on his face, both directed toward the warrior.

"What?" Veraka asks innocently to his former pupil.

"As if I should need to tell you, Veraka," Zhay responed, his grin becoming wider.

"Speak for yourself, young one," the aasimar retorts, his head indicating Kalkyril. Zhay turns his head away, his cheeks going a few shades deeper than the norm. This brought a chuckle from Veraka.

It was the Knight-Captain's comment to him him that gave him a palm to the face; "by Tyr's right buttock, Knight-Captain; do you have some magical charm in that armor of yours?" the aasimar asks Talwyn.

Veraka remembered Kalkyril's little response to his earlier question as he signed his name to the guest list; he did note that Kalykril's signature was of a different sort of language than drow.

[i:2rhgu37v]Odd,[/i:2rhgu37v] he thought to himself, turning to regard Kalkyril's retort of not sharing a room, and insisting upon having one of her own.
Remembering Talwyn's comment about joining him to House Helvighym, Veraka was about to tell Talwyn that he'd be glad for the company when Zhay elbowed him again.

"Who's that," he asks the aasimar, pointing at a newly arrived drow male. Veraka smiled; "that would be Lothir, a bard that seems to have stumbled into my company yet again."

[Pheurazath]

Kalkyril grins at Talwyn, as he corrects her, for in truth, she had expected this sort of honor, and propriety from a human of such noble behavior. Humans are a thing she knows of, from her late mentor, and her look into his eyes, and that confident grin, shows she does not stand corrected, but apparently anticipated his intent early on.

Her eyes shift to Sassandra, as she directs offers for the rooms, toward her, and answers with a pleasant purr,"That would be wonderful actually, thank you for understanding."

Also she looks aside to Talwyn, composing her next words, almost apologetically, "I hope your friend, takes not too much offense at my distrust, I am uneasy of gnomes, for many a reason." Tempted to say more on the matter, she decides against what more came to mind to say, sure that it might finally bring to bear suspicious probing into her claimed identity, and that simply would not do.

[veraka]

Veraka noticed Kalkyril give the Knight-Captain a near-on apology about his gnomish friend, Grofsnuttle. The aasimar was pleased that she had calmed somewhat; unnecessary violence was not something that he wanted.

Right then, the aasimar felt it stir, deep within the confines of his soul, the darkness that slept there waiting for the moment when it could come out again, biding it's time.
"Damn it all," Veraka seethed lowly through clenched teeth,bringing a balled fist up to his chest.

Zhay seemed to notice that his former mentor was in some sort of state of tension and anxiety.
"Veraka? What's wrong?" he asked his aasimar friend.

"Now's not the time, Zhay. If given the chance, I'll explain something to you later," Veraka responded, knowing that he would eventually have to tell them about his darker side, the berserker that rested below.