The Gardens.. (now open..)

[Skafloc]

Skafloc led the girl back through the kitchens of the manor. The faster he could lead her away from that group on people in the reception room, without seeming like they were fleeing, the better.

She really was used to being spoiled and speaking her mind, thought Skafloc. That will need to be curbed, should she remain here in the employ of the Immortalis and house Nex'Cruor.

As they passed through the kitchens, he grabbed a basket and placed some delicate cheeses and some mana bread inside. He also grabbed a bottle of DeStrazsa Estate Special Reserve.

"Come, this way my sweet. The gardens are quite nice this time of year. Yes, many of the flowers are not yet in full bloom, but the evergreens are warming and the rare plants section is very interesting. We have specimens Mistress Clys brought home from places like Un'Goro Crater and Stranglethorne Vale. Even some strange luminous mushrooms from some caves in the Hinterlands."

He opened the back entrance and led Hellista outside and towards the iron bar archway that marked the opening of the Nex'Cruor gardens.

"Oh, and I should also mention that in the far back of the gardens is a seperate little annex, the Nex'Cruor cemetary, where generations of Nex'Cruor, some DeStraszas and DeFafnyrs and even my own Ran'Deaus lie."

[Hellista]

"The cemetery," Hellista replied inquisitively. "I don't know if that is a good idea. With my gifts, I am sometimes in danger of being overwhelmed..."

The girl shyly bowed her head. "But I am your guest, and I will follow wherever you take me. I hope I didn't anger your master too much, but I knew the second I walked into that place there was trouble. I sense much death there, and was explicitely warned by a spirit to be careful."

As they walked, Hellista marveled at the layout of the place. This house obviously had more wealth than house Lok'tharis. But more wealth and larger size usually meant more to hide.....

[Skafloc]

He led her around the circular walkway in a clockwise fashion. The gardens were laid out in an oval shape with the pathways of polished pebbles curving around and curling in on themselves at their apex, reminiscent of the two headed snake symbol of the Immortalis. Radiating outward were smaller paths that split up the various beds and plantings. There were 3 paths leading inwards towards a statue situated in the middle of the garden. Skafloc turned in to take the westermost of those paths. Around this statue, a weathered figure of some ancient Sindorei in a crested helm and wielding a long ornate staff, were the benches Skafloc led Hellista towards.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/toxctii/garden.jpg

He took a seat and motioned to her to sit beside him. " Yes, indeed truth be told, I led you out here as you were in a very real way putting yourself at risk. Of course a manor as old and storied as this would hold many secrets.. if your talents are indeed as you say, much you might learn from the dead spectres of this place." Skafloc took her tiny hand in hers.

" But to mention that fact as boldy as you did, in front of strangers who's intentions and motives are unknown to us, was.. well.. a little rash. Baron Morgauth would not like the thought of someone else knowing some of the secrets of this place, or knowing that there is one who could be enticed by his enemies to reveal them."

Skafloc gently massaged her hand and he spoke, warming it. " You mentioned being warned by a spirit, did this spirit have a name? What was the warning exactly? You see, this house is one in which you must tread softly. Too much attention might attract the wolves."[/img]

[Hellista]

Hellista shook her head slowly. "I got no name. It was a woman's voice, though. She told me I'd better be careful here, and warned me that this place was dangerous. I suppose I should have kept my mouth shut, but it seemed like fun to make the Baron nervous."

Hellista broke out into a giggle. "I doubt he'll really do anything to me. After all, he was interested enough to bring me here, so if he wants my gifts, he has to keep me alive. Besides, I meant no real harm to him, and I think he knows that."

Suddenly Hellista turned her head to the right as if listening. She nodded for a moment and smiled. "Yes," she said with a slight huff. "I know...."

Turning her head back toward Skafloc, Hellista said "Elmore, my friend from beyond, seems to think I'm in more danger than I assume. He agrees with you. Very well then....I'll take your advice, Skafloc. I'll be good for now...."

[Skafloc]

"Your 'friend' is wise. It may not be from the Baron that the threat comes from. There were others in that room who were there to 'play the game' of Houses. Any priviledged information that might give them the idea they can influence, manipulate or even blackmail the Baron would be valuable. It is from such as those that we must guard our tongues and deny them anything they might use."

Skafloc reached into the basket and took out some bread, broke a hunk off and with a silver knife slathered some of the soft cheese onto it. He offered the piece to Hellista. " But enough of that. You will have plenty of time to adjust to the surroundings. The main thing is to be mindful, and to demonstrate your loyalties. Here, this cheese is quite exquisite." Skafloc handed her the bread and cheese and opened the wine. He poured two glasses of the mana infused ruby red vintage and handed one to Hellista.

" As the head of the estate staff, I will be the one that will be working with you most often. It is best we get to know each other, I would love to hear your tale Hellista. "

[Danyxandra]

((Woooowww...love the garden, Skaffie, Wooteth!))

[Skafloc]

((Woooowww...love the garden, Skaffie, Wooteth!))

(( Hehe.. thanks.. I didn't spend too much time on it, or it would be more elaborate. I used Landscape 3D, my gardening landscape software. Thats an aerial shot. I can also do an eye level walkthrough, which reveals much more detail, like the smaller annuals and perrenials.

Note the iron gate at the top between those two tall trees. Thats the entrance to the family cemetary. ))

[Hellista]

"My tale," Hellista giggled.

"My tale is a little complicated. I am the youngest of four sisters, and the most ignored as a small child. I've heard the voices as long as I can remember, sometimes speaking softly, othertimes yelling at me in anguish. I thought I was going to go mad, until one of the voices actually began to stay with me, explaining things to me, and helping me. His name was Elmore, and he became my friend.
With Elmore's guidance, I can control my gift a little bit more, and can drown some of the voices out. He takes care of me.
Anyway, when mother found out about my gifts, she began to rent me to the wealthy houses and made a living off my gifts. I spoke to the dead, and told the families of those houses what they wanted to hear, even if I never actually heard a voice. Mother said it was fine...that they wanted to give us the money regardless."

Hellista chuckled a bit. "Enough about me....Although I am fun. What of you?"

[Morgauth]

Smurch appeared suddenly in the garden, seemingly from out of nowhere, standing far enough away from Skafloc and Hellista that he could not easily hear what was being said, yet close enough to be noticed. His angular face betrayed no emotion whatsoever as he stood there, motionless.

[Shadowspeak]

((- I had to point out the little D&D miniature figurine in the middle.. thats awsome. -))

[Skafloc]

Skafloc noticed the tall figure of Smurch standing impassively a little ways off. " Hmm.. so much for having the afternoon off I suppose." thought Skafloc. Smurch's presence could only mean one thing, the master was looking for him. Well, a few moments longer wouldn't hurt. If there was a real urgency Smurch would have been more insistent. Once again Skafloc was struck by how much the man reminded him of a plainstrider.

" Well, my story is fairly simple really. I am a Ran'Deau, a family that has been in the employ of the Nex'Cruor for generations. I can't tell you exactly when or how that arrangement was started. Perhaps that is something you might learn while here? I would certainly like to know that detail should some ancestor of mine decide to flirt with you." Skafloc grinned. " I had some rather colorful ancestors.."

" Up until a short while ago I was managing the affairs of the estates, while Mistress Clys and her paramour Danlily were adventuring and researching throughout the world. The twins were not yet called up to take their positions as heads of their branches of the Triumvirate. Once Danlily and Clys returned however I resumed my traditional role as majordomo of the Nex'Cruor estates. I run the household and manage the staff, as well as see to the day to day business affairs."

Skafloc could see that Smurch was starting to shuffle his feet slightly. For Smurch that amounted to agitation. Skafloc sighed. He took Hellista's hand in his and kissed the palm again.

" That is as much as I have time to talk about for now I'm afraid. I see that the master is looking for me. Please my dear, feel free to relax here for a bit, enjoy the sun and the wine. We will call for you when the master wishes to talk."

With that he rose, bowed to Hellista and walked over to Smurch. " Alright, l'm coming. No need to get in a tizzy..."

[Hellista]

Hellista nodded and sat on a bench as she watched Skafloc walk away. She was alone now, although she could feel eyes upon her....Perhaps Smurch was still here, watching her...Or perhaps it was one of the family.

Instinct told Hellista that she might want to flee this place. There was danger here. But Hellista ignored both the instinct, and the voice of Elmore, who was now also expressing his desire to leave. Hellista crossed her legs and leaned back on the bench, supporting her small frame with her hands. She began to listen....

"Don't be a fool," a voice said from nearby. This voice was not Elmore's nor the one she had heard in the house. This voice was male, and sounded as though the throat making the voice had been torn open. It echoed with a gravelly sound and unnerved the young Sin'Dori quite a bit. "You would be well advised to leave this place, lest you suffer my fate."

Hellista looked around, careful to see if anyone was watching. She replied quietly. "Who are you, that I should listen to you, spirit? And what fate do you speak of?"

The spirit answered, "I am one of those who have passed the halls of this house before. Here you will find madness and murder."

Hellista giggled. "I find madness and murder everywhere....I'm a deadtalker. Lots of people died, and many were murdered. Its not a big deal."

The voice responded angrily "Insolent whelp!!! You had better learn respect for the dead before you find yourself at their mercy. Not all are as helpless as I!!!"

The voice echoed through Hellista, actually frightening her. The spirit then paused for a moment, as if collecting itself, and continued to talk to the young Sin'Dori. "I am helpless in death as I was in life. Can you imagine the shame of your own kin being greedy enough that they wall you up in your own home? I lived for nearly two weeks in there, begging for my life, as my own family cavorted just inches away from me, ignoring my pleas....And these people who now live in the house are not much better....They will use you, child....and then you will be walled up as well...One way or another..."

With that, the spirit wailed in a horrific tone that sent shivers running through Hellista's body. She listened for several minutes after that, but the spirit made no more effort to talk with her. The spirits words still rang in her ears, however. These people were not to be trusted.

Hellista giggled for a moment, cackling loudly, and then sipped on her wine. She spoke one last line to the spirit, not sure if it was listening or not. "Well, at least now you aren't stuck in that wall."

[Danyxandra]

((*cackles*))

[Daala]

Her hips gently sway and her skirts would fly one way or the other with the wind had they not been so tightly snugged against her thighs and calves and ankles. Oh, the red-head with the "gifts." The one that Elmore had whispered to her to protect. Might as well. Let her make the first move.

And so she enjoys the rose thorns and the poison ivy. They are, after all, Clys' favorites.

[Skafloc]

(( For Daala... Poison Ivy in foreground, Ruby Rosebush in middle, Poison Sumac in the rear. Enjoy! ))

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/toxctii/poisonplants.jpg

[Daala]

((Hehe, thank you!))

[Daala]

The lass has yet to take a whit of notice of her, so she speaks, voice just raised enough to be clearly audible. A pondering, not ponderous, inflection.

"You're the lass Elmore spoke to me of."

[Hellista]

Hellista gasped. She turned, looking at the woman who had just spoken. Elmore had spoken to this woman? But....Elmore was a ghost, unable to be heard by anyone but Hellista herself. She couldn't believe it....

"Elmore," Hellista said nervously. "He....Talked to you?"

[Daala]

"Well, he certainly didn't write to me, as I'm sure you can understand why."

She delicately takes one crimson rose, still on the bush, between her thumb, index, and middle finger, taking her own ebon flower, a gift from a few months ago, and places them side by side, studiously comparing.

"More than talked to me. He asked me to protect you. When I asked why he should ask me to do something like that, he then told me that we're to be 'close' at some point in the future. I saw no reason to refuse him. So then..."

Leaning down, she brushes a rose against each cheek.

"Are you willing to hear out some preliminary advice? I might have extremely scarce amount of time to give it, so you'll have to can any surprise, any bewilderment, for the minute or so it'd take me to tell you. Time's short, I'll tell you, and you can accept or reject it as your choose, that will be your answer."

Peeling a fat, swollen, mushy petal free from the more scarlet, she crushes the thing between her palms, gazing at the 'bloody' slime of crush and mash oozing about. Casting the thing aside, she steps with strident pace, keeping her hands at her sides as she leans in, her lips very close to Hellista's ear, and speaks, very softly.

"I'm an old and close friend of Clys Nex'cruor, but I know nothing of Morgauth. The family is lovely but they will use what they choose and particularly unique tools, - have you ever heard of another such as yourself? - shall be used with impunity. It's like quicksand, the more you struggle, the tighter they'll squeeze. So don't struggle. Allow yourself to be used, and find a way so that it works to your benefit. Tell all your ghosts that you are not to be spoken to if your will is not entirely your own. Do you hear me? You must do that immediately. They might go so far as to place some fetter upon you, maybe even a geas, so you must tell your ghosts that you are not to be trusted if your will is not your own. Tell Elmore to chase them away if that is the case, because that's the only way they'll remove the shackles. And for your God's sakes, don't speak when you should shut up. Every little remark, no matter how innocuous you think it be, before you speak it ask yourself if it could possibly be construed as dangerous to Morgauth's interests. We know you could find out damning information here. You don't have to remind people of that, it puts them on edge. If you seem potentially threatening then you'll be reined in or silenced.

Above all else remember that you're in a very politically strained house, here. Nex'cruor can handle the Sin'dorei nobility but this house is not the most popular by far. If anybody of this house or household acts unduly friendly to you, then be at first suspicious. Skafloc obeys authority, so he'll be an extension of Morgauth's will, which is presently uncertain. I believe that I have enough influence here to protect you for the duration of my stay because Clys and I are so close, and Morgauth can't afford to act too radically until his position is further cemented. Please, be careful. Never hold back when you're asked to use your abilities, but don't speak too freely. Show as much concern for your well-being as I'm showing now, because if you don't, then you're not worth mine. Be careful, and you'll end up in a much better position than that you're in now."

She steps back, running her fingers through her hair, peering with half-lidded eyes.

[Hellista]

Hellista blinked. Suddenly it dawned on her that she may have walked into a situation where her gifts wouldn't make her invincible. She listened carefully to the words spoken by the woman with the roses, and Elmore's voice echoed some of those words.

Hellista suddenly gathered her wits and looked about. She became a bit frightened, like an animal cornered at the back of a cave. She turned and began to walk away briskly, not running, but not quite walking either. Perhaps she could escape this place and not even have to worry about what the woman had said.

"No, not that way," a disembodied voice called out.

"Here! Over here," another voice echoed throughout the garden.

Several more voices filled her head, until finally Hellista spun and lost her balance, catching a bench to keep from falling. She covered her ears, but the voices kept screaming. They grew louder and larger in quantity, all screaming at her to run...to get away....

Hellista fought for a moment to catch her breath....

[Daala]

She steps quickly, laying a ginger hand upon the woman's shoulder, kneeling down at her side. Snapping her free hand, A felhunter wriggles its quills. "Traashon, jatha'la thac'zil elgg bran faer gulen morfeth suust. (Traashon, erect a dampening field.) I don't know if this will work, but it might quiet your voices..."

Glancing down, she fishes a hand into one of her burnished cups, grasping a tiny violet crystalline capsule in her entire hand.

"Now, listen. This is something that I developed in my youth. It's a long story, but my dreams have been invaded recently, and I've been holding onto this in case anybody else gets involved, but I think you need it just as sorely. If you drink this, then a psychic process will begin within your mind. Beginning with the innermost regions, the process will radiate outwards for about three and a half minutes until about one fourth of your mind is affected. What this does is it first erects walls, so that you may keep outsiders out. Then, it installs locked doors, with the only key inextricably within your hands, so that the sealed off areas, your most precious prioritized, remain a redoubtable haven for you, a sanctum and sanctuary that nobody else can touch. It's literally a safe room against dominations and psychic invasions. Think of your mind as a sort of library. The outermost portions consist of periodicals, cheap pulp, pornography, things that could be discarded without any due fuss. The innermost are ancient copies of first publications, precious things that could never be replaced. But, if you need, you can move things. Something typically inhabiting the outer three-fourths, the unprotected regions, can be moved within the safe ring if you choose. The more you move within, though, the more cramped it will become, so you must prioritize. At the outermost perimeter of the protected zones, there is a scrying pool that you may use to contact me.

This is an invention of mine, and every counter I could create, I created a counter counter and incorporated it into this more finalized solution. But that isn't to say that it's invincible. If you accept this, then you must use it judiciously, keep it secret. If somebody tries to control you, then they'll of course realize that they have less authority than they should, but the beauty is that nobody knows the nature of your gifts, it would be natural to ascribe a domination difficulty to this unique trait.

You won't find a better shield. Not running, this is better than running, because if you show yourself to be a runner, and if they ever catch you, they'll hold on all the tighter. If you are dominated, the inner ring may be used as a base of operations to retake the rest of your rightful territory. Do it the right way, and you might be able to protect a larger portion than one-fourth in the process, I don't know.

You have to decide quickly, because time is suspect. It will be reminiscent of an ice-cream headache, only a bit stiffer."

Gently prying Hellista's hand open, she presses the capsule into the other's palm.

"Swallow it whole, if you accept it."

[Hellista]

Hellista took the pill and stared into Daala's eyes. She held the pill in her hand....closing her little fingers around it. As Daala spoke, Hellista caught snippets of what she said....Of what the pill could do. Should she take this? What would it do to her? Would it actually help her, or would it make things even more difficult than they already were?

Already She had a power, and didn't have control over it....What would this pill do, and could she trust this woman?

"I.....I don't know. I should never have come here......But I don't know about taking this thing....."

[Daala]

"Then you're smart, and you're listening to me already when I told you not to readily trust the people you'll meet here. So, if I were you, I'd ask Elmore what he thinks. Perhaps he'll tell you more about why we have to be linked than what he told me about it. And I'm not going to say anything more to try to convince you. I don't know you, I don't know why I'm supposed to care about you. But I don't like seeing people used up, and a man that nobody could see told me to. Ask Elmore, because while you rightly shouldn't trust me, I don't believe he's steered you wrong yet."

[Daala]

Traashon rapidly jiggles his torso, reminiscent of a dog tossing off droplets of water. Daala glances at him, and closes her eyes, tilting her head up, just for a moment, before returning her glance to the other.

"Somebody's observing us. It is my belief that if they're going to try to leash you, it will be within immediate moments. Decide now."

[Hellista]

Hellista tore away from Daala, pill still in her hand, and broke into a sprint. She ran from the garden into the house, attempting to run through the halls and toward the front door. She didn't know who to trust. This woman who had given her the pill had said many things that seemed to ring true, but she was also forsaken. Morgauth, as charming as he was, was also hiding something.

This house was full of so many secrets, and although the evil of the house didn't bother Hellista, she didn't know what the best course of action could be. She didn't trust anyone here. Daala seemed to be nice, but she wasn't about to take a pill given to her by an undead stranger.

Elmore began to yell at her. "Take the pill," he screamed. "Take it! Take it now!!"

Hellista was nearly to the front door when Elmore materialized. She had never seen him do this before. He appeared to be a decaying human, with a jaw that barely hung in place below his battered face. He had no eyes, and no glow in the empty sockets like most undead she had seen. He howled at her. "Take the pill!!!!"

Elmore then vanished as she reached the front door. She panted for breath as she tried to open it to get to safety.....

[Morgauth]

((continued from here http://tn.yzeens.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4009&start=120 ))

Looking out the window, Morgauth saw Hellista rise and run back into the house.

"Stop her, Skafloc!" he cried.

Without waiting for Skafloc to obey, Morgauth sped out of his study and bounded down the stairs toward Clys' room. He found her just entering it, coming from the outer lab.

"Mother, something is amiss. That diabolist friend of yours, Daala, was in the garden just now, speaking to a young warlock that Skafloc had brought here at my request. This young woman, Hellista is her name, has abilities we need to control, if only to keep others from controlling them. She can speak to the dead. I am in the midst of ensuring that her loyalty is to House Nex'Cruor, but after speaking to Daala I saw Hellista get up and run back into the house, apparently full of fear. I do not know what was said between them, but their body language suggested that Daala was giving Hellista a warning. Perhaps, against us."

[clys]

"There must be some mistake," said Clys. "Daala would not place herself in opposition to one of our goals, even such a simple one. Come, then, we'll speak to Daala and straighten this all out."

The two of them went quickly out into the garden, and approached Daala.

"Daala?" said Clys. "Morgauth seems to think that you are interfering in one of our acquisitions. I told him it was a silly thought. Perhaps you can clear things up?"

Clys and Morgauth stood side by side, awaiting Daala's response.

[Daala]

She gently tilts her head to the side.

"Hardly. I had been approached in regards to young Hellista and accepted the charge of defending her interests. I advised her to cooperate with you all, so that everybody would benefit, so that nobody would feel compelled to do anything drastic. She seems to have run, likely due to some sort of paranoia. Apparitions, in my experience, are entirely hysterical folk.

Besides, she hasn't done anything to warrant anything...drastic. In this, I am in her same position in that I am a guest of this house that has performed no slight. A dramatic precedent against her could very well be set against me, and that thought gives me some discomfort.

I don't appreciate the notion of automatic enslavement. Even Lovely had the choice to swear herself, and only after extensive encounters between her and yourself. To merely snatch somebody up? That would be something entirely new, and something that has hardly been necessary in the past. Finesse, a subtle hand. Because if automatic enslavement is a new policy, then I could be snatched up. My daughter, her new vessel growing in the lab, she could be snatched up before her spirit's even transferred. That puts me on a rather extreme edge, being an alumni of the Tranquil Way. But I'm digressing.

I positively advised her to cooperate readily, to under no circumstances spurt out harmful insights. When she seemed to wish to run, I advised her against it. The only capacity in which I could, *could*, have interfered is in the provision of automatic enslavement, of which I have voiced my sentiments."

[Morgauth]

Morgauth sighed deeply, and turned to Clys.

"In other words, she doesn't trust us," he said. "You deal with this, I need to check on things inside."

Shaking his head and muttering something to himself, he headed back inside.

((back to http://tn.yzeens.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4009 ))

[clys]

Clys just nodded to Morgauth as he left, and turned her eyeless gaze upon Daala.

"I did think we had passed the point of distrust, but it would seem not. I'm disappointed, but I guess not surprised. Rather than discuss this with me, rather than ask my intentions, you take action to prevent certain courses, just in case I might mean to do something YOU don't like? Whether or not I intended 'automatic enslavement', as you put it, the proper course would have been to consult with me, explain your misgivings, and see what I said. Even then, if I DID want to enslave someone... well, I guess we see where things stand. You are, still and always, unwilling to be subordinate to me. You really do not trust me, in the end. A shame. Truly a shame. I actually thought time had changed things between us."

Clys sighed and dropped her hands to her sides.

"Don't worry, I will not reneg on my gift to you. Your daughter will have her new body, and it will be clear and free of any restraints or ownership on my part. It will be all hers."

Clys waved an arm distractedly.

"This is all so fucked up. Here I was, considering entrusting you with overseeing some part of the estate!"

[Daala]

She sighs, and closes her eyes, running her fingers through her hair.

"That's me running with it, again. The notion of leashing occurred to me when I saw her, and I was gripped with this sense of urgency. It was sealed when Traashon, my Felhunter, had the sort of reaction that means I was under observation. Quite the hasty reaction. I was under the impression that it was Morgauth's doing, that you were uninvolved, and I do not trust him yet. I do trust you.

For what it's worth, I behaved under the notion of urgency, that whatever happened would unfold within the proverbial fifteen seconds. And I would not have gotten involved if the concern of leashing weren't something that I truly stand against with all my character. I've been on edge since I saw that 'son' of yours. Something about him resonates in a familiar way, but I haven't met him as a Forsaken, so it must've been as Scourge, or as Low Elf. He is not Low Elven, so if I met him as Low Elf, then he was somebody I feared.

This is very fucked up, and I am sorry."

[clys]

Clys relaxed somewhat at Daala's words.

"I've called him son and placed him in charge of the House. Although it may appear I am not watching, I am. I am not so addled as that, yet," she said.

Clys regarded Daala with more than her usual intensity before continuing.

"I admit I do not know Morgauth's origins, although I have my suspicions. But there are a few things I do know, and these I will share with you. He is Nex'Cruor, and has always been. He has lived more than once, possibly many times, in different physical bodies. He is not to be underestimated or trifled with, despite what sometimes seem odd behaviors on his part. And lastly, although I will not speak the reasons just yet, he has my complete trust."

[Daala]

Her eyes close again, and she gently scratches the side of her nose, her upper body gently shaking in a huffing sort of grim silent laugh.

"Would that we had this conversation before I left the lab. That's my fault for not asking, and I'm sorry for that as well."

A half-lidded gaze, more subdued than usual.

"I haven't underestimated him yet. I think he's one of the most dangerous men I've ever met. If you completely trust him, then I will try to trust him. I can't guarantee the best job, you know how suspicious I am, but I'm going to actively try."

[clys]

Clys chuckled.

"Well what good would he be if he weren't dangerous, hmm?"

Plucking a leave of poison ivy from the nearby bush, Clys stuck the stem in her mouth and chewed on it thoughtfully.

"Well, anyway. See you in um... 11 hours at the vat, I guess. "

[Daala]

"Clys? I don't mean for any bad blood to be between us. Please give me a chance to make this up to you. I can't pretend the notion of leashing isn't against my character, but I did mangle this from a misbegotten sense of independence, and some ill-made presumptions, and I don't like that one bit."

[clys]

"You want to make it up to me, eh? Ok, here. Put on this leash..."

A sly grin spread across Clys' face.

[Daala]

She gently giggles. "Only in the bedroom. Or...sex...room."

[clys]

"Kinky. You give pony rides too?" said Clys, shaking a bony finger at Daala. "No, nevermind, best you keep all that a secret. Anyway, I should go check on a few things. You find any more damsels in distress in the house, you come find me, will you? Otherwise, I'll meet you later to inspect the progress of your daughter."

[Daala]

"Right right, I'll be keeping myself out of trouble."

Interesting that Morgauth came to Clys before resolving the situation himself. That he does not trust his own authority? That he would prefer to consult somebody who knows me better than he? Something conspicuous, but best just lodged away for now.

[Morgauth]

A quiet footstep sounding behind Daala signaled the return of Morgauth to the garden.

"Mother's gone?" he said, eyebrows raised questioningly.

[Daala]

Turning on her heel, her neck twisted so that her visage leads the motion, she raises a hand in greeting. The palm is still smeared with garnet roseblood.

"To my understanding, though I don't know precisely what she's doing."

[Morgauth]

Morgauth nodded, smiling broadly. He took a step closer, looking at her reddened palm.

"Patty-cake?" he said. "You enjoy games, do you? I have a nice gaming room. Darts, pool, fencing... If you're bored, that is."

[Daala]

She smiles softly, a petite hawk on perch of pouting lips. Her eyes remain half-lidded.

"I might take you up on that, if not at this moment, then in one soon to follow. Not bored though, never bored."

[Morgauth]

"One moment follows the next," Morgauth replied, his eyes half-closing as if to mimic hers. "But there are many games one can play. Xun dos kampi'un nindol?"

[Daala]

She is quiet for a moment, and closes her eyes, rubbing her right temple with her index and middle finger.

"Dos brorn uns'aa. Nindel zhah henotep neitar rin'ov rin'ov sha'nalt."

[Morgauth]

Morgauth clapped his hands together, a wide smile splitting his face.

"Surprise is the spice of life! And I love being right. I thought I recognized your aura. It's been a very long time."

[Daala]

She gently tilts her head.

"Too long for me then, I fear. You feel familiar, but I can't place you. And Kirtar was the only whitey to care to learn Low Elven fluently."

[Morgauth]

Morgauth nodded, becoming more serious, tossing his long black hair out of his face. "I am not Kirtar. Didn't know him, or her. Our meeting was long before any of that, I think. Perhaps lives before that. Some patterns tend to re-emerge as we go on, I'm sure you've seen it happen. Cycles, languages, swirls of life and death, friendship and hatred. It was long enough ago that I'm afraid I've lost the details of it myself. I don't even recall why Low Elven seemed appropriate. Odd what the mind forgets. But a soul doesn't forget a true friend. Maybe if we focus on it, one of us will recall the circumstances under which we became friends. Maybe family? But I don't think it matters, really."

He stood there, green eyes glowing with apparent satisfaction.

[Daala]

"Mmm. Hellista might be the key. Clever clever.

I've never known any heritage of any legacy or tradition, but it seems the process would be an enriching one.

What doesn't matter, really? The circumstances by which we became friends, family? Or the distinction between friends, family?"

[Morgauth]

Morgauth shook his head.

"I meant that it doesn't matter when old fogies forget the details, as long as they remember the essence. And you are quite right. The little red riding warlock, Hellista, may be able to reveal something for us. But even if she doesn't, it won't change what I already know. Dos ph' tlu khalessev. You are to be trusted. That is why I got Mother to confront you. You see? It had to be revealed."

[Daala]

"Dosst acraba d' nindol ooble' lu' ussta tejmook'cinkjuu xukuth wund mamulen naut siltrin morfeth uns'aa satiir mzilt wun dosst nezcau'bol. Usstan orn khaless dos. Vel'bol nin?"

[Mortica]

((ok, you need to link your interpreter if you y'all are gonna keep that up :P ))

[Daala]

((Hehe!

http://www.grey-company.org/Maerdyn/resources/translator/

))

[Morgauth]

"What now? A game of darts! A drink! And when Mistress needs you, you can tell her we've talked and all is well."

Morgauth raised his hands over his head, snapping his fingers and dancing lightly on the pavement.

[Daala]

"Mmm. You'll have to lead the way, then. Unless you'd rather dance here?"

[Skafloc]

And you are quite right. The little red riding warlock, Hellista, may be able to reveal something for us.

(( Haha! That made me LOL on a few different levels.. :lol: ))

[Morgauth]

"Actually, we'll have to dance another time, Daala, "said Morgauth. "I should really check up on Skafloc's...progress. But the gaming room is easy to find, feel free to wander there. I may return there in a bit. Otherwise, I'm sure I'll see you soon enough."