Shades of Grey... (Auer)

[Dego Mernoff]

6th of Cryxatum, (Early morning)
Season of Spring,
Era I of the Celestine Mandate,
Era XV Post Fractum

Spring, the thaw of the world had come; it melted away the frozen tears of winter. Warmth filled every corner of the nation and had begun to bring the lush colors of birth along with it. Joyous times were ahead and the goddess Carmelyia was abound in her blessings. It should have been all of these things that brought happiness to the half breed known as Dego Mernoff but alas, only sorrow resided in his heart. Diligence was back at the weapons smith, sound asleep, enjoying the warmth of his stall in the barn with the mules of the shopkeep. He could feel the Raslin peacefully enjoying his slumber his mind and heart at ease… it was good, for the creature always stood awake watching over the half elf when he took his slumber. They were friends, perhaps the only one either had in this world, and it was up to them to care for one another in their travels.

Now though, Dego sat with his heart troubled just outside of the ice gardens where winter was the only season ever known. He sat, lost in his sorrowful thoughts, pondering the nightmares of his latest slumber, a new one added to the lineup, on of a beautiful woman who the elf cut down in Zinn. One more nightmare, one more dark spot on his soul to tempt and torment his fragile balance of good and evil. The man knew that all creatures had this balance, but Dego sat so highly upon such a fragile edge that one false move would have sent him tumbling into the eternal darkness that waited below.

It was these times, when he awoke from all those painful memories that the darkness tempted him most. It offered him a comforting place to live, a place to punish all who crossed him. This was not who he was however, he was a follower of Ioannes, and while he broke the laws he strived to protect, it was always for the greater good. Evil had to pay for their sins, he knew that, and he also knew he would face judgment for all that he did, his only hope was that the god of gods took pity on him, recognized him for all that he had done and gave him mercy when he sat before the gods awaiting his eternity. There was no telling though, all the man could do for now was hope and continue his mission.

His head fell as he sat leaned against the wall, his blue grey eyes scanning the ground between his legs as other, darker, more devious arguments came to mind. Why did they all deserve to be saved anyway, most of them were not trying to make the world better, many of them had no honor left to save, why should the half breed damn himself for them. Why should he save those who did not wish to be saved? Why should he care?

His voice escaped his own lips, his dark thoughts growing in power as he began to mutter to himself. “Pitiful, every last one of them, heathens who don’t deserve the love of the gods. Why should I fight so hard, when they only care during their times of need.” He paused for a moment, his eyes coming back into focus at the sudden realization… “Because it is retribution for your sins…” A single tear broke from his eye, trailing along his cheek and hanging for a moment before falling to the stone he stared at, his head resting on his folded knees the long strands of raven hair cradling and hiding his face as he continued his deep pondering of the reasons man deserved to live…

[Auer]

Just as Auer had done in the city before Jaedaxia and likewise in the city before that, Auer and her one and only true companion, Zareh, began their day with a walk. The black Aelyrian Hunter walked protectively at his mistress' side. His golden eyes stared in every direction whilst his nose contentedly sniffed at the new season's air. The female on the other hand was not so easily satisfied. Ever since her encounter with the cult a few cycles past, Auer had walked away surprisingly relieved, perhaps even exhilarated that she had survived to live on to another day. But as the event faded into the past with the Winters chill, Auer responded to the suns' warm caress with the turning away of her pale cheek.

Auer did not particularly want to face death in the face again and yet the alluring female did not have that much to keep her walking through life's twisted paths. It could be seen as rather ironic, it was the cult who contributed to killing her hearts metaphoric existence and yet it was they who kept life's pulse beating inside there. Its soft rhythm whispered her vow to make each and every last cult member pay. She would not just stop there however. The female Elf was determined to bring the same torturous pain and suitable end to any male whom she deemed not fit for life. It proved to be a long and tiresome existence; each brightening brought forth new temptations accompanied with the female's same voiceless fears.

With each stranger her violet eyes sighted, the battle silently raged on between that of winters ice, and summer warmth; sadness and animosity; a pure delicate flower and its bloodthirsty thorns. The contrast did not just end with what internally lay unseen; the female's sensual physical form was a contrast consisting of long dark hair, blood red lips, unusual violet eyes and milky white skin; on this particular day her pale skin was clothed in a black silken dress that hugged tightly to her body accentuating Auer's feminine curves and now, as the female left the Ice gardens behind and continued walking on, the soft sway of her hips was revealed in each graceful step taken.

Auer and her dog paused whilst Auer contemplated what direction to follow. Her violet eyes crowned by a layer of long thick lashes solemnly gazed around until she continued walking alongside a wall. It was along this path that Auer heard a male's voice. Again she paused as she placed her milky white hands upon the wall. She leaned closer until her forehead rested against the walls cold surface. Upon hearing the intensity of this stranger's voice, Auer closed her eyes as she found herself become drawn into the depths of his words. "Pitiful, every last one of them, heathens who don’t deserve the love of the gods. Why should I fight so hard, when they only care during their times of need.” A pause held residence before he spoke again “Because it is retribution for your sins…” Before Auer could contemplate what she was doing, or more to the point why, the female had reached the walls end. Her violet eyes then fell upon the speaker and with graceful steps, she walked towards the man.

Upon seeing his precarious state at a closer distance, Auer halted in her step as she openly studied him. Auer let herself have a moment to consider whether to approach him or not. She expected the unwholesome side known for its cruel mannerisms and seductive nature to answer yes, whilst the female's sweet and true nature would whisper to just let him be; and yet surprisingly it was fragility's petals that glided and fell into her mind softly urging her on. When at his side, Zareh turned his golden eyes onto the man before he sat down by his feet. Auer replied to his first comment he spoke aloud in the assumption it was heard only by solace alone. Her silken timbre softly weaved through the air, "Sometimes it is the Gods who don't deserve our love. Sometimes it is only in one's greatest need that one realises they do care... that there are still things in life waiting to be experienced and tasted."

Auer's lashes shielded her violet irises as she averted her eyes. In one graceful motion she sat down next to him. Her pale hand swooped locks of her long dark hair out of her eyes before Auer met his gaze. It was at this point she saw the moistness upon his cheek where the lone tear had made its moist descent. Auer brought her hand out; she paused in a moment's display of hesitation, before her fingertips softly caressed the tear's moisture away. "In my experience retribution is given whether one has sinned or not." Auer then paused as her blood red lips pressed together. Finally she moved her hand away. "Please forgive my intrusion..."

[Dego Mernoff]

Fingertips slipping through his hair the young half breed slowly pulled at it the stinging pain helping him to realize he was still awake. Everything seemed a dream these days; he walked through the passing brightenings with half hearted hopes. The pain though it was real it made his blue grey eyes contract and focus as he lifted his pale face from the knees it rested on giving him sight to a large black dog with deep golden eyes staring at him. A slight confusion passed over his mind, the fog of indecision apparent in his eyes as they shared a short moment examining one another’s souls. Its heavy muzzle sat shut at the moment but Dego somehow pictured the creature lounging about by a fire, drool seeping from the boxy snout. His eyes were cunning, and though his ears hung, in a way it reminded the man of a wolf with its demeanor and bristly black fur. Slipping from his face, the slender white hand composed by his elven blood, slowly moved for the dog, his fingertips gently touching his muzzle letting the good sized beast breath in his scent to assure that he meant no ill will to the simple creature.

Then came the sweet voice its languid tones empty of the convictions Dego fought for. It was hollow, dark, somewhat disturbing to be caressing his ears in such a fluid manner. His hand pulled back from Zareh, as his head jerked to face Auer, his blue grey orbs focusing on her violet eyes. They were deep full of color, stained with sadness, it made his brow raise ever so slightly as he stared into them, watching as they shined against her snowy skin, perhaps only a shade or two darker then his own pure flesh. Her lips though, crimson like the spray of fresh blood pouring forth from a new wound, and accentuating her long dark strands of black silk dangling about the soft curves of her face. She was so familiar, beautiful, alluring to his senses it pushed a smile to his face as he suddenly realized who she reminded him of. The very woman he had dreamt of the brightening before had come back to haut him even in his awoken state. Oh how the gods enjoyed torturing his soul, tempting him, denying him the peace that all simple men yearned for.

Then came her touch, gentle like the spray of the sea, bitter chill at first but then complimented by an underlying warmth, the kind of feeling that made the mind drift into something sweet. Slowly his eyes shut as he imagined the kiss he had shared with this woman’s unknown sister. The fragrance of her flesh, the way her lips welcomed his so, it was a pure thought, one that make his smile grow a touch before it slowly faded away again with a few more blinks of his eyes to bring the world back into focus. “Thank-you” the word drifted from his lips before it even made it to his mind, a whisper on the air, not really meant for Auer but directed to her none the less. Ioannes had given him another chance to make right what he had failed to do before. To give forgiveness and understanding to a dark soul, dark by her own admittance as one of pure mind always offered up thanks to the gods.

“I politely disagree… the gods forever watch over our deeds, they plot and scheme and even when necessary guide our existence with there very hand. Even now, you kneel before and caress the face of a man you do not know. All out of the sake that you heard single words that were not meant to be spoken. It is often we, mere mortals who as long lived as we can be, that do not appreciate their love in all its forms. We turn our cheek when given gifts, even dark, painful gifts that shape who we are. They give us these dark experiences to prepare our minds, our bodies for the path ahead of us. I myself have been given such gifts to help prepare my body for the sins I have and will continue to commit to bring light to the lives of others. To protect the lives of those who do not recognize the ill around them and even within them. And if I succeed in destroying that darkness perhaps Ioannes with protect my eternal soul from the damnation I will face in the afterlife. What say you, are you familiar with the darkness of the world?”

[Auer]

From such a close distance to the Esh’lahier, Auer could truly appreciate his striking physical appearance. Her eyes discreetly gazed up and then down his body, noting first the pure white of his skin such as that of an ice berg. Auer would’ve thought it also shares in an ice berg’s coolness if it was not for her hand that had felt its warmth. His skin was illuminated by the difference in that of his black hair one would wish to run their hands through. A small smile showed before Auer’s eyes then lowered to take in his clothing. She could faintly make out his defined muscles clothed from the attention it was due. She flicked her tongue upon her lips and tried to move her mind away from such tantalising thoughts. Her eyes then rose to meet his breath-taking eyes and she found that her mind has suddenly gone blank as she was drawn into its depths.

The intensity she saw there proved to be too much. Auer looked away and inattentively watched the few strangers as they walked passed. They gazed at the two with soft smiles their thoughts becoming almost transparent and thus easily read; people were good at assuming too much or perhaps seeing only what they wanted to see, that of two lovers simply enjoying the pleasantness of the suns warmth together; both held physical appeal and like that of the night sky, the two both shared qualities of darkness and light; two stars they were, but if put together they would blaze. Auer looked down at her own milky white skin and her long dark locks of hair before she returned her attention back to her new companion; she supposed there was some merit to their thoughts but she doubted beyond physical appearances they would share similarity. Time would be the judge...and time was on her side for now...for now.

Upon hearing his brief words of gratitude, Auer graced Dego with a sincere smile filled of warmth. Her violet irises danced with elusive loveliness as she gazed upon him. It was the kind of reaction that did not appear often for the female, but when it did it was like the suns finally breaking through a winter’s compilation of ominous clouds. The beautiful expression did not last near long enough before it faded and sadness’ shadow took residence again. Dego then spoke and Auer attentively listened. Auer averted her eyes when Dego reached his second sentence. When it was obvious he expected her reply, Auer took her time in responding to him. Silence hovered between the two souls; it rode upon the soft sound of the wind as it leisurely beat its wings in the air. A slight frown showed upon Auer’s pale forehead temporarily corrupting its smooth texture.

The female contemplated his words and finally, ever so softly, she replied. “If that is the gods love that I have experienced then I would despise seeing what their hate consists of. But then I am not overly fond of love. It is like a sweet fruit, its nectar seems fit for the gods to feast upon themselves, but as one goes for another ravishing bite one sees that they have been fooled. It was not nectar one had tasted but the vile taste of poison. That poison consumes one’s self, corrupting all the beauty that once resided, killing all the love one used to hold in abundance until nothing resides within...nothing but death." Auer looked into the distance as memories threatened to spill forth bringing new pain to scars and past hurts. Her lips parted to respond to the next statement he had made but after a moment's thought she pressed her lips together and instead gave a soft sigh that carried a weight of heaviness. A silence took hold of the area again as she gathered words before letting them roll smoothly off her tongue. “Am I familiar with the darkness of the world? Yes painfully and intimately so.”

Auer’s back then turned away from the wall. She moved sideways to better view Dego before she crossed her legs under the folds of her dress. Her violet eyes widened slightly as she looked up at him. “So are you the hand of righteousness then? Are you of the pure, the noble, the good? What do you do when you cannot bring light into the darkness of others? What do you do with the souls that hold endless night and your light, no matter how bright it may be, simply cannot persevere? This darkness no longer knows nor dares to associate with love. The heart has become that of a casket; safe, dark, motionless, airless – it will not change; it will be broken; it has become unbreakable, impenetrable, unloving. This is a place where all other lights go out...” Auer looked away it proved to be easier. It held more of a chance for him to not see the tears that threatened to spill. In a broken whisper she asked him. “What do you do then?”

Her dog, upon noticing such a quick heartbreaking change of emotions in his mistress, got to his feet and walked to her side. She placed her hand affectionately upon his coat. And whilst still not daring to look into the strangers eyes, she spoke again in a strong tone; it was a demeanour she was skilled at conveying, although the detachment could not be helped appearing in the undertones of her silken words. “My dog seems to like you. He is like his mistress, he does not trust many and does not show his warmth to just anyone. You have been given his blessing and that holds a certain merit. But I am more of an untrusting soul than Zareh...and one would even say I am not the type of person you would want to associate with...”

[Dego Mernoff]

Dego’s eyes never left the woman as her own soft purple orbs dotted, skirted and shied to and from his features. He watched her with a calm intensity that could only be defined as confidence. The soft mixture of blue and grey blending together like the haze on the darkened sea, carefully studying her making small notes about her personality and even the way she observed him. Dego was a watcher, his eyes never faltered, careful to pick up all the small details of life, most likely thanks to his lonely childhood in the forest outside Nexus where often he would spend days observing the nature around him and the way it worked and flowed together. Nearly thirty ordinations worth of time had been spent in the manner and now with the lack of sleep he took in, the young half breed hand more then enough time.

When her ruby lips curled into a smile however it brought soft warmth to his heart, still watching and studying her, the way her eyes danced in the moment reminded him all the more of Dayna the poor woman he had tried to help. This one though, she was very much different then Dayna. It was obvious in the way her body softly shifted and the lack of confidence she seemed to carry about herself. None the less though, as she stared into his eyes with that simple look of appreciation the Esh could not help but be drawn to the soft purity that laid somewhere within her. The veil of sadness hung over her like a low cloud but with that simple pure gesture dego knew she had good within her heart and as such was worth something even through her corruption and distaste of the gods.

“Well if you pulled yourself up from that darkness then the Gods have blessed you with strength and perseverance. We who have seen the taint are often drawn back into it, and to deny it takes more then most men could bear.” He paused and lowered his head a bit, so that his eyes had returned to the ground, staring intently at the brick they sat upon. “That bleak hole, the one filled with hate and death, there is no bottom to it, and to fall into it means to continue plummeting until you are apart of the darkness itself and the light of the world fades to nothing. It is often easy to use that hate as a way of redemption, but it will eat you alive if you’re not careful… one should always have a rope to pull themselves back from that emptiness.”

Pulling his hands up from beside them he stared down at the slender white digits, watching them with intent. His mind wandered to distant thoughts as he watched and studied the scared flesh. Memories of all the harm they had caused flooded into his mind and before long it was if he were lost in thought completely. “No these hands are far from the righteous. They are just as bloodied and soiled as some of those that I have killed. If anything these hands lead the path of redemption. They are cleaned with the tears of my enemies, those who have turned their backs on good. I have no qualm with damming myself for the greater good.” He paused for a moment and raised his head looking the woman deep into her eyes, staring into the violet orbs, his own eyes loosing a bit of their luster as his lips parted, and a dark sadness filled his mind. “Those who are beyond redemption… Those select few who have let their hearts turn to stone and crumble away… Those souls I put an end to, I kill them, drain them of their life, and watch as the gleam in their eye fades to hollowness… Those who do not fear the god’s punishment must be given the final gift of death, sent on to meet their masters and pay for their sins.”

Dego stretched his hand out at her final comment and gently ran it over the dogs bristly black fur, scratching the beast behind the ear and then slowly petting it. With each stroke he worked and bit lower and closer to the animal until he sat looking it in the eye and softly rubbing the back of its neck. “I am glad that I have earned his trust, animals can read the soul of others and if he approves of me then we must be kindred spirits, guardians of something greater then ourselves.” The esh nodded a bit with a half smiled and turned to look into Auer’s eyes, waiting for a moment, thinking of his words as he stared deep into the reaches of her being. “Trust must always be earned, and I have seen your light, it rests in your soul even if you feel it has abandoned you. Never give up on your rope for it will be the thing that pulls you from the darkness. I know that darkness, I have spent much time associated with those types, and so you dear woman I have little fear of.”

[Auer]

Auer watched him pet her dog. She let his words flow through her; at times it seemed to have a soothing effect like the gentle lull of the tide washing upon her shore. And other times the gentle lull changed to stormed and choppy turbulence holding undercurrents of bitterness held in the solitary of inner truth. All the while her beautiful but tragic eyes continued to watch him. Auer was uncertain just how to take the handsome Esh'lahier Elf. At times throughout his speech they seemed worlds apart and other times she felt a connection, a similarity, an understanding. In these rare moments she though he could very well be someone she could let in. Every time the true Auer held brief reign she always thought the next encounter would be different. Somehow she still held hope and wished upon that distant star in her night sky. The curse revealed many things to Auer and other aspects the true Auer had already drawn her own painful conclusions to. Hope and love were two such concepts. They were often thought of as essential elements to life that held a face of beauty accompanied by kissable lips and open arms that bid to be embraced. But for Auer its beauty was a mask of deceit hiding its true ugly form. In truth ugliness existed in everyone and in everything but the true Auer believed there had to be some beauty hidden deep down somewhere. However this belief had died away along with love and hope, that distant star had vanished from her sky.

Like a temptress, fragments still remained seeking to cut her heart open again and bury itself there like a blood soaked thorn. They waited undetected in the shadows of her soul; they selected their moments well, then they would arise to threaten and overwhelm her. Upon hearing Dego say, “Those who are beyond redemption… Those select few who have let their hearts turn to stone and crumble away… Those souls I put an end to, I kill them, drain them of their life, and watch as the gleam in their eye fades to hollowness…” Auer frowned slightly and thought on his words. Auer knew if he looked deeper he would see she possessed many of the qualities that he had killed a person for having. Her heart was but a vacant room consumed by the very darkness he spoke of. The darkness hid the horrors that lurked there in her constant night. There was so much to Auer that was unwholesome; there was so much inside that still carried her tormented screams and its derranged effects. All she knew was that she was condemned either way and the condemned were never of the good.

The hope which had reared its ugly head gave way to the familiar bleakness once again. Disappointment washed through her riding upon his graceful words. In these moments Auer knew her afflicted times in the torture chamber was more preferable. The toll of their talk proved too much. The fallen Angel’s reign came to an end and she returned to her haunted chamber deep within where her screams could be ignored. Auer’s lashes fell and upon their rise the change of the mixed Elf’s nature was vividly apparent in her violet eyes. Mayhem and catastrophe danced and swirled. as her silken tone floated into the air. “Your mission sounds noble. I could say I am doing the same, killing the evil that exists but then that would be masking the truth of the matter. Stopping their reign of terror, sparing innocent female lives such as the innocence I once was – those are my noble reasons, but my ultimate reason is selfish, I am after retribution in the form of revenge and I shall take the highest pleasure in it. Reality has teeth and claws. And since that is true, wouldn’t you rather be one of the hunters than one of the hunted? I can tell you personally being hunted is not fun.”

Auer paused, ran her milky white hand through her hair and continued to speak words of unease in a soft sensual tone. “You say you see light in my soul? That’s Interesting. I have come to know the darkness rather intimately -.” Auer looked passed Dego as bleakness seeped from her pupils shaded night. She looked back at her new companion, “Those who fear the darkness have no idea what the light can do...” Pain reflected in her eyes and in her next eyelash flutter, chilly determination shone forth. Her words were spoken with truth; her darkest hour was not in the night, alas... It all began in the light of day when the future was filled with promise, back when hope and love hid their true form; it was then that her world became shattered. And soon after that, all internal lights became blacked out.

[Dego Mernoff]

“To invite death into your life is to become the darkness you wish to kill. Life is a powerful thing; you learn to cherish it when it is taken from you, pulled from your body…” Dego’s words tapered for a moment as his eyes drifted upward to the skies, watching the clouds pass overhead before the melodic tone returned to his lips once more. “My dear lady, I have been hunted, and I have walked into the den of my predators, I have looked death in the eye and let the beast have its way with me, tear the flesh from my bones and enjoy the taste of my blood. Do not be so quick to let your tongue speak assumptions that others have not shared drink with the dark lords.” His chide was momentary, the edge in his voice like that of a man well beyond the years reflected in the soft skin of the half elves face.

There was a brief sigh before his head lowered once more and he turned to face Auer. The man’s blue grey orbs locked with her own shades of purple as he studied her for a moment and then produced more languid phrases that spoke softly of hidden things within his own soul. “Let me ask something of you, have you ever suffered under the hands of mystic, felt their chill ethereal fingers slipping through your thoughts and plucking out whatever they desire, taking away all of your secrets, all of your hopes and dreams, not a matter of determination but rather the feeling of your mind being raped and pillaged as you watch helplessly. Let me tell you, if I had the choice I would gladly have my skin peeled from my body before I felt the whip of a mystics mind cutting at my own again.”

A final sigh escaped the man’s lips as he fell back lying out on the ground stealing another glance at the pale angel next to him. A Small smile curled his lips a bit before his eyes turned skyward once more, the curled lips turning into a soft chuckle. “Indeed the light is powerful, but then again so is the darkness. They roam hand in hand with one another, each unable to survive if one were to vanish. I would hate to see the day when darkness were at last gone because people would loose hope, they wouldn’t need to hold on to the light any more, their lives would grow dark, weak, powerless… and from all of that, we would plummet into chaos…” His words tapered off as the man waited for her response his eyes slowly drifting shut as he admired the puffy clouds lingering in the cool spring air.

[Auer]

Auer's eyes remained fixed on Dego's. She absorbed everything he said in silence. His words drew her in, their similarity was reason enough to stay put yet it was their difference that held her fascination. Upon hearing his chide she arched her brow and looked away. Auer looked back as he spoke again as if she did not have the will to deny the contact of his gaze. When his silence demanded her response Auer obliged with silken words that carried the weight of resonance.

"In my enslavement part of their treatment, part of their entertainment... part of their ritual was to torment through necromancy." A hauted look became prominent in her violet orbs. Her crown of long thick lashes fell as she averted her eyes unable to reveal the emotion of her words and the gravity they carried.

"Do you know what it is like to be denied from deaths dark gates? To be given hope, to think that the end - that peace - had finally come, to think the torment had ended only to be brought back... to always be brought back... so yes I agree I could put up with their physical abuse, I could put up with the rape but it is what they did to me here -" Auer brought her hand up to rest on her temples. Her eyes locked onto Dego's. Her last words came out in a whisper. "That was the worst." She chose not to mention anything of her heart, some aspects were still too raw to articulate. Auer chose to keep some of her internal doors firmly shut.

Auer gave a ghost of a smile. "But here we both are, against all odds we are both still alive. Lets not dwell on the past or share heavy hearted words no longer." Auer moved closer to Dego. Light and zeal danced in her eyes. "Tell me what brings you alive? What beauty exists for you?" Her fingertips ran over his pale hand as an enchanting smile showed upon the curve of her lips. Her next words were spoken softly with an element of sultry playfulness. "Together what fun can we find?"

[Dego Mernoff]

“… Even the thought of death would have been a welcome relief from those torments.” His voice was little more then a whisper as she recalled her own experience with magi. The half elf, still laying on his back with his eyes shut pondered her words and compared them to his own, the days he had spend under the eye of imperial intelligence and their interrogation units. Days Dego would never forget, no matter how much he wanted to, they were burned into his conscience, a dark brush stroke lashing out at a beautiful work of art. His eyes blinked open as she pointed to her head, signifying the mental duress she went through as well. The half breed knew nothing of slavery but imagined that she at least had an idea of the suffering he had endured, and likely the same went for himself of her.

At her shift in subject though he gave a soft nod and let his turquoise orbs drift shut once more. His soft melodic voice sounded once more for her as he spoke at little more then a loud whisper. “You are likely right; these heavy words are likely to bring the frosty remnants of winter to our eyes.” The sentence escaped his lips as his thoughts drifted from the short stay in capture, to the question she had presented him, and was punctuated with a soft hum to accentuate the ponderings. “Happiness eh? Well there is very little of such a thing in my life. You see, I am a wanderer, and for such a man the freedom to seek out whatever I may is the only satisfaction I often retain.” His smile returned at the musing, obviously impressed with his own answer.

Then came a curiosity, a gentle caress to his hand, and soft touch upon his body. For as cold as she seemed, the woman’s flesh exuded soft warmth. It brought a rise to his brow, and then a slow breaking of his eyelids, allowing light to feel the man’s eyes once more as he looked up to the dancing expression of Auer. How she reminded him of the woman he could not save, of that tender soul who only sought a release from this world. They were so similar yet so very different, perhaps this is what Dayna was like before she embraced her end, a confused being wrought with inner turmoil between her light and darkness. “I tell you though, there is one thing in this life that has brought me joy, more satisfaction in life, or as you put it, made me feel more alive then any other thing in this world…”

The movement was swift, it took less then a blink of the eye. With his left hand Dego drew his rapier from its sheath, flipping it about in his palm and holding the mirrored surface before the woman who now curled up near him. Slowly sitting up his eyes glanced to hers and then to the polished steel as his words flowed like those of a versed poet. “This blade has been my life for every era since it came to my hand. With it I have corrected many mistakes in this world and through it I have practiced two beautiful crafts, one of violence and the other of art. To wield this weapon is to dance with death, you must be light, elegant, and sharp, if you falter in the steps the world will be quick to remind you of your folly. When wielded properly though, there is not a more formidable creation then this art. However, no matter how you look at it, the form is something of darkness, evil, the power to steal life away.”

He paused and looked deep into the steel, slowly pulling his hand up and letting his fingers run along the carving of the outstretched dragon leaping down the blade. “With the second form though, I am able to give this instrument of death a new luster, one of beauty and admiration, something that can cause no harm. I take the raw steel and breathe new life into it, changing it from something heartless into a new form with meaning…” A wide devious smile crossed his face as he turned to look into the woman’s eyes. “...I doubt you would find much fun in playing with my sword though!” No more time had passed then the final word escaping his lips before Dego broke into laughter and set the blade beside him, just out of the woman’s reach from where she sat. Then, barring his body did not ache from a less then desirable physical retort, he offered her his empty hand. “My name is Dego Mernoff, of Arium.”

[Auer]

Auer nodded her head in assent and gave a soft smile. Her words began with brightness and ended with a blue sky overtaken by clouds of grey. “I am a wanderer too. Home exists wherever I set up a fire to cook my dinner and wherever my head rests underneath the darkening sky. Home does not exist within four walls. It never was and it never can be.” Sadness entered into her eyes threatening to consume her but before it did Auer shook her head and bid it away. She then focused upon the half Elf’s words again finding sanctuary in the distraction he offered. Slowly the light returned to dance in her violet irises.

Auer watched as Dego produced his sword. She admired its beauty but perhaps most of all, the beauty of the sword in the hand of its master; they were a powerful pair, an irresistible combo. Auer gave a coy smile as her violet orbs locked onto his own. In a playful tone she replied. “Do not be fooled, I am a white rose, perhaps a sight to gaze upon; and like a rose I have a sweet scent but I also have thorns." Auer's smile grew slightly. "Other than these similarities I do not fit well into a stereotype. While some females sit around gossiping, sewing and sipping tea I prefer to dance with this...“

In one swift graceful motion Auer’s tanto appeared in her hand. She twirled the double edged blade between and around her fingers before the blade drew to a halt. Slowly Auer uncurled her fingers to properly display her first weapon of choice. With a scandalous smile Auer intently watched Dego as her free hand moved in the folds of her black silken dress towards her inner thigh. Her hand appeared soon after; held between her index and middle finger a silver shuriken was visible. “And this is my second weapon along with its twin.” Auer continued to look deep into the half Elf’s eyes as she discreetly placed the shuriken back in its place.

“I agree with you, wielding a weapon is an art form. When you become one with your weapon, in-tune with the dance of death, when your weapon becomes a part of your being; to know that this -” Auer twirled her tanto again. “...is the instrument that can both save and defend life and at the same time bring about its end. There is beauty in steel, in its dance and in the flirtation it offers. I am curious about this other art you speak of; a new form with meaning...whatever do you mean? Will you show me?”

Auer’s eyes looked down to the sword he lay on the ground just out of reach. Upon seeing his extended hand her eyes looked first to his hand before returning to his eyes. A mesmerising smile displayed itself upon her blood red lips as her dainty hand made contact with his. “My name is Auer - Nothing less and nothing more. It is a pleasure Dego Mernoff of Arium...” Auer tilted her head slightly to the side exposing her pale neck. “Perhaps it could be more.” Her lips curved into an alluring smile before she flicked her tongue over her lips in a flirtatious manner.

[Dego Mernoff]

“A white rose you say? An interesting concept, very beautiful, but they freely show their defenses and are commonly found about the lands. I myself would say you are more of an Oleander. They stand proud, flourished with thick skin and beautiful white flowers, and a scent as sweet as any candy. Inside though they are poison, even a small amount can kill, causing first the heart and then the mind to go mad and then quit. Quite uncommon, and even less known, I think this would be your flower my dear.” He paused and nodded his head softly, contemplating his own words, and then continued. “Oleander is not without merit however. Some say that it can be a powerful anti venom, and others swear that it relieves the pain of dying men.” A soft chuckle escaped his lips and then was accentuated by a softer sigh as his eyes fell upon the pale beauty curled bout his side carefully brushing his flesh with her own.

As she displayed her weapon the half elf slowly extended his arm and let his fingers run along hers until they passed upon her flesh and wrapped loosely about the blade of the tanto. His lips were near her ear as his hand rested on her weapon and at little more then a whisper asked permission to inspect the tool with a brief “May I?” If she relinquished the blade the elf took care with it, carefully turning it over and over in his hand his eyes inspecting the equipment for flaws. He had spent some time in the master forge of Nexus Prime and through that time he had learned a thing or two about crafting and weapon quality from its dwarven smith. With a nod of approval Dego let his thumb slip down the edge of the blade, checking its sharpness before holding it up in the light and eyeing the edge. “She is a little dull, I can fix that…” His words hung in the air as his eyes caught glimpse of her dress slowly slipping up her form, the snowy skin of her inner thigh revealed for a moment before the weapon was produced. “A keen place to keep a thrown blade, good for hiding, not so good if needed in a hurry, and definitely an obvious draw.” He laughed a bit more before handing the dagger back to its proper owner and sheathing his own blade.

Holding her hand lightly as it met his words flowed sweetly from his lips, Dego spoke softly as their introductions concluded with his statement. “It is a pleasure Lady Auer, Ioannes blesses me with a new acquaintance this day.” The tension from his arm and shoulder faded away and his hand drifted back to his lap as he looked into her swirling violet eyes. Thoughts of stealing a kiss from her lush red lips tempted his mind but were quickly pushed away, while still a mortal man, Dego took great pride in controlling his urges and desires. In his life there was no room for mistakes that could be easily avoided. “And yes, if you would like I can show you first hand my trade skill, it isn’t much but I do own a property here within the walls. My tools are there and I would be happy to add a small flourish to that blade, and finish its edge in a proper manner for you. It is the least I can offer for the conversation you have given me.”

[Auer]

Auer twirled a lock of hair around her fingers as she listened to him describe the Oleander flower. Her violet orbs revealed surprise at just how accurately he had hit the mark, more so than he would have anticipated if only he had known. Her violet eyes then danced with amusement. She softly spoke a response in her silken tone. "And do you think I am more of the first, to kill the heart and then the mind...or of the second, to relieve pain?" Auer rested her chin on her hand as her blood red lips curved into sweet and somewhat innocent smile.

Auer watched as Dego's arm extended towards her tanto that rested in the palm of her outstretched hand. Upon the trail of his fingertips along hers, Auer's gaze lifted to his eyes. When his fingertips reached her blade her eyes averted again. A slight shiver stole down her spine when she felt his breath upon her ear as he sought permission to touch her weapon. Auer inclined her head in assent. Her empty hand returned to her lap as she observed him observing her blade. Her shuriken's return had been equally observed by him and with a seductive smile she responded. "Yes you are right a dress is not always the most appropriate attire for ease of their retrieval. There are other times, however, when they are far more readily...accessible. And during these times, while they are startling obvious, attention is usually turned elsewhere." Auer winked and took hold of her tanto again.

As the introductions concluded Auer offered Dego a small smile. "I do not know if Ioannes would be so inclined to agree." Upon the end of her sentence Auer's smile grew. Auer then moved on to accept his invitation. "A wanderer with a home? Why yes I would like to see your trade skills..." Auer's eyes roamed over his body. "And any other skills you have to offer..." Her gaze returned to his eyes. "You need not offer me anything; would not this Oleander just simply take?" Auer gave a coy smile and leaned in closer to Dego; so close that the aroma of her perfume, that of exotic wildflowers reaching unity with vanilla, became overpowering.

Soft words glided upon a soft whisper "Fear not, I deal not with poison and I shall not make either your heart or your mind mad enough to quit...more desirable