14 replies to this topic

[Odon]

<OOC: Jump in. Do what you like. Don't take control of my character. I will stab you.>

Odon held his neck as he popped it noisely. Some people had told him it was bad, but it always seemed to loosen the tension in his tendons when he did it, so irregardless of the warnings, he continued to do it. With a little less effort he rolled his shoulder, trying to ease the tension out of them as well. It wasn't that he was nervous or anything, he just was tired, and being tired led to small feelings of dementia and paranoia.
He looked around. The dirt road he walked on was just as deserted as ever. The birds continued to sing their song in the forest beyond and the sun was burning his eyes as usual. He pulled the cowl he'd made of his cloak further down, shading his eyes again from the sun's punishing rays. Just another hour and he'd be in the woods where it was heavily shaded.
It'd been a few years since Odon had been in this particular part of the world. It wasn't that he didn't like it. . .his journeys had just led him elsewhere and were only now bringing him back to familliar faces and places.
Still. . . He thought to himself, trying to shake the feeling.Something doesn't feel right.

[Stars]

<!---I'd love to jump into this, Odon, but I need a little bit more explanation. Is this a fantasy RP, LotR-esque, or modern day, future, dystopia... I'd like a bit more detail before I can get truly into it.---/>

[Odon]

<OOC: It's fantasy. Sorry. It is rather non-descriptive isn't it?Kyaha. . .>

Odon stepped up the stairs and through the door into the tavern, pulling his cloak from around his shoulders as he did so. He was about halfway through the woods when he'd found himself admist a thriving lumberjack village. He didn't remember it on this road, but of course, it'd been nearly a hundred years since he'd been here. Things changed in a hundred years.
As he took a seat at one of the tables, a very jittery and nervous young waiter stood before him.
"Wha...wha...what will you be having tonight sir?"
The man was obviously in fear of his life, and Odon scratched his cheek. He was well aware of how his appearance was to most normal humans, what with the glimmering red eyes and dark violet skin. He figured most people expected demons to drop out of the sky when he spoke.
He smiled up at the young man who jumped back defensively.
"I'll take whatever soup you have cooking, a loaf of bread and if you have any meat about besides what's in that soup, just cook it for me and bring it out when it's done." he scratched his chin. "And a mug of milk."
The waiter, amazed not only that he was still alive but at the last part of the order, scurried away.
Odon's stomach growled and he laughed to himself. That soup DID smell good.

[Stars]

One at another table was keeping a keen eye upon this newcomer. What were demons doing abound this age? Clearly audacious, insane, or bored. No need to raise unnecessary alarm. Stay vigil, Simon. If he becomes violent, draw his ire and leave the premises. Better none fell to empower this beast before its demise could be wrought.

Simon motioned to the barkeep, a sturdy man with little in the way of table help, and asked for another piece of bread for his toast. Shorthanded though the tavern was for waiters, the cook was notably versed in the art. Likely the cook had time to spare pride to her creations today. Few the people were in the tavern, the demon was amongst the few to truly catch Simon's eye, aside from one particular maiden an hours past.

Stay vigil... The time is not yet.

[Odon]

The soup, bread and milk came and when he was nearly through, the meat arrived, along with a wedge of cheese, compliments of the cook. Odon smiled and thanked the boy again. He'd felt the eyes on him the whole time he was eating, but he was used to stares and the like. Many thought he was a demon, although he'd been mistaken for an elf before. (Of a darker heritage of course.)
But it had never ruined his meal before. Except that one time in a smaller town than this. One man hadn't enjoyed Odon's presence too much and he'd said so by sweeping Odon's food off the table and onto the floor. That hadn't sat well with the tavern owner OR Odon, and both had a hand in literally mopping the floor with the unruly guest.
Ah, the days.
Odon finished reminescing and went back to finishing his meal.

[Stars]

Sustaining on his simple bread, Simon kept a watchful eye out for sudden movement. He knew better than to stare too much. even occasional glances were risky, and had learned to 'see' with his ears. It was a skill well learned many a time.

Movement? No, not according to his hearing. Learning to depend upon such a sense often had benefits eyes couldn't hope to attain. Faster reaction to sound was possible, with more urgency to ones movements. Clearly hunting was meant to involve all senses, not the simplified 'battles' that humans partook in. There was honour, glory, and sometimes theatrics in battle, but none were present in the hunt. Only survival, to kill or perish. It was Simon's preferred theater, yet one he seldom sought.

His final bite resonating an urge for another, Simon withstood the urge. No, his pocket was small now, and his profession rare. Not often did demon's rise in this age, so his kind was short of work. Often Simon longed for a steadier job, but he would betray a thousand ancestors should he do so.

[Odon]

He scooted his chair back and stood in a smooth flowing motion. A few gold coins plinked onto the table and he strode away, aware of a set of eyes still on him. He was still tired and he chalked it up to paranoia.
But something still doesn't feel right. . .
It was dark out as he stepped out onto the porch of the tavern, a waxing moon, nearly full, shone down on him. He scratched his cheek, open mouthed as he stared at it in all its beauty. His jaw clacked shut as he heard foot steps crunching down the dirt road, his eyes flashing in their direction.
5 men. Armed and armored, ready to kill. One chewed on a piece of straw while the others, obviously tag-alongs, looked less confident.
Odon's left eyebrow rose as he looked down at them.
"May I help you gentlemen this night?" His deep voice resonated in the night, bringing after it complete silence.
The cicadas in the bushes ceased their chirping and the owl that roosted nearby had taken flight. The effect wasn't lost on the group with one tugging urgently on the leader's shirt tail.
The bulky leader shrugged off the smaller one and stepped forward in pure defiance.
"There ain't no helping yer gonna be doin' 'round here." he sneered. "Don't wantchur kinda dirtyin' up our town."
Odon smiled now, raising both his hands in innocence.
"Now. I've done no dirtying to the quaintness of your town. I've simply had a full meal, which I payed for quite well I might add."
The big one took a step forward.
"You think I'm lying?" Odon asked, both eyebrows arching this time. He turned his head back towards the inn.
"Oh barkeep!?"
A shuffling of feet came from inside as the innkeeper and the serving boy burst out and onto the porch, questioning looks on their faces, which melted into expressions of dread as their eyes fell upon the brute and his crew.
"Ra...ram." the innkeeper stuttered. "W...what're you here for?"
Ram, the brute, looked up at the innkeep. "Brun, you and yer kid get back inside while we take care of this. I'll deal with you later."
The innkeeper swallowed.
"B..but he hasn't done anything. . he was just leaving. . . weren't you stranger?"
"Well I WAS going to look for a place to sleep." Odon conceded. "But since the locale apparently doesn't take to my liking. . ."
He dropped into a sweeping bow.
"I shall take my leave, and shall trouble you no more."
Putting one hand on the railing, he lept over it and dissapeared into the darkness of the surrounding woods.
Ram looked up at the innkeeper.
"So we're servin' demon scum now are we, Brun?"
He spat his grass into the dirt and started up the stairs.
"That ain't sittin' well with me."

[Xteven Xavier]

branches snaped and Lyzander spun around with his bow drawn and saw a figure running through the woods, He did not let loose because his eyes told him it was human in apearence. At a second glance He could see that is was not but by then it was too late because the beast was out of sight, "oh well," he muttered upon himself, "just a stanger passing by."

He let his bow slack nd continued to the tavern. Upon arriving he saw that the door was torn off the hinge and he walked inside to a wrecked bar with noone inside except for Ram and his cronies and a beaten barkeep. Ram spun around "Zander, What are you doing here," he said with a sneer on his face, "I thought you ran off to join the Queens guard."

"I'm not gone yet Ram," Zander said flatly, " I see you've been raising hell as usual, This isn't about that stranger in the woods, Is it?" Ram stared Zander eye to eye trying to meet his glare but looked away. "I think you should pay the good barkeep the money to reair this place Ram.

"Why should I it was that beast of a man who did it," Ram sneered. It was obviously a lie but Zander was off to see the world tomarrow and didn't want to be stuck here trying to fix this, "is it true?" he said simply to the bartender who eyed Ram nervously, the bloody lout beat the light out of the Bartender, "Don't let me catch you alone Ram, So help me you'll be dead!"

"To afraid to fight me here," Ram snickered and his fellows laughed, they were all big men but ram was the biggest by far, Not fat per say you could tell he held alot of muscle underneath the way he carried imself was that of a brawler. "Your Just One big chicken"
the next moment without thinking Zander had an arrow knocked and drawn,

"You wanna try me?" he stared Ram down

"Whatever," Ram said and made way for the door the arrow on him his whole way out. Zander let it slack and put it back in his quiver.

"You okay Brun?" Zander Asked as he extended a hand in offer to help him up, just then Brun opened his mouth and blood poored out, Blood and Ashes the man resorted to murder, It was only a matter of time before death anyway, his tounge cut out of his mouth. No Bran wouldn't do this, even he's not that cold-blooded."don't worry, brun, I'll get him, I'll get him." He then let his feet take him where they would not surprised to see himself moving toward the woods he came out of.

[lazlo falconi]

Iædrvs, a tall man of Roman descent, who's parents had marked him with a name that didn't make sense with the new English alphabet, "Jædrus" or Jæd for short, walked through the quiet town. His bulky cloak hung over him, keeping prying eyes from any weapons on his body, but his cowl was down. He didn't want to rouse suspicions yet, certain he was closing in on his prey. The fiend had managed to stay two steps ahead of him all the way from the alum mines in Llekhnöff. But he was determined to seek this out. He knew he was close. He had a sense for this type of prey. Almost a bond of sorts.

The logical place to look was the nearest inn, but after wandering the streets he had only managed to find a tavern. "The Flea's Knees? Place looks like a flea trap..." This wasn't the normal sort of place Iædrvs would go into, but this wasn't his normal sort of dance.

The inside was worse than the out. The dump had only one person in it, presumably the barkeep, but he didn't look like he wanted to talk. Iædrvs stepped over the body toward the bar and reached for some ale. 'Gotta keep the blood flowing.' He mused, pouring the mug into his folded flask. On his way out he spotted a young boy huddled in the corner, weeping. "Boy, was this," He kicked the body, "Your father?" The boy nodded. "Do you have any family?" The child sobbed and shook his head. Iædrvs grabbed a haypenny from his purse and tossed it to the floor. "Guess you've inherited your dad's inn. That's for the ale."

As he walked out, he couldn't help but feel a pain. His father had been killed by the same beast. Outside the tavern, he glanced around, and reached out with his mind, sensing for his prey, and ran in the direction he knew was right. It was only a matter of patience. His prey had taught him that long ago.

[Odon]

Odon sighed, looking up at the stars. He hadn't been expecting but HAD been hoping that he'd have a bed under his weary back tonight. The ground was a familliar friend, almost too familliar.
Another sigh escaped his lips again as he thought about the thug at the inn. He knew he should have confronted the lout then and there, but also knew that a show of destructive force would just scare the townspeople.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
He rolled over on his side, thinking about the events that had so far unfolded, and wondered what would come next.
Anything was possible, and Odon was always ready for anything.

- - - -

The boy looked at the coin, the stranger's words sinking in. He lept to his feet, the coin forgotten as he ran inside his father's inn, his eyes darting around the room, taking in the damage and finally settling on his father's corpse.
A new well of tears sprung into his eyes as he collapsed to his knees, gripping his father to him and calling his fathers name into the dead man's unmoving chest.
Footsteps thumped outside and metal rang in the streets quietly. The boy scambled to stand, panicking. Had Ram come back? Was he going to kill him as well. . . ?
The thought stirred anger inside the boy's heart. That bully had taken everything from him, and he wasn't just a bully now. He was a murderer.
The boy snatched a long bread knife off the table, and started to the door on unwilling legs and red rage ringing his vision.
Revenge would be his or his name wasn't Varyl Oathson.

[Xteven Xavier]

Zander's tracking was paying off, Halfway through the night He found the sleeping Odon and nocked his bow with an arrow. He walked to be standing right over odon and said contemptuosly, "Why did you do it?" loud enough to wake the man.

[Odon]

Odon rolled over lazely.
"Do what?" he asked, eyeing the man in the darkness of the night.
He wasn't afraid of the arrow, or the man. He could see clearly in the night, his red eyes reading the heat coming from the man's natural
body processes, and the darkness surrounding, even the dying embers of the cold campfire burned as bright as day here. The advantage
was clearly his.
Odon blinked at the man standing over him, clearly come to kill him with some sort of grudge that Odon had no idea of.
"If you're going to attempt to kill me, at least explain your argument. You obviously don't have full facts that I did whatever you might have
thought I did or didn't do, even if I did do it, or you wouldn't be asking me why I did it."
He paused, bemused by the rhythm in his own statement.
"Does that make sense?"

[Xteven Xavier]

"Of coarse it makes sence," Zander said getting angrier by the slight smile that apeared on the other mans face, He obviously thought this was some huge joke which Zander saw no piunchline to. "Why did you kill Bran?" Zander left it that to see if it sparked recognition in the other mans face.

"He had a Kid, A boy not old enough to take care of himself," Tears tried to well up in Zanders eyes but he pushed them back. "You left that boy an orphan, or did you kill him too?" Rage overcame the void he was trying to keep, he ehld onto that arrow only to hear the explanation this man could give for such an offence

"Be careful How you answer."

[Odon]

Odon sat up.
" The innkeeper?"
He shoved the bow and arrow out of his face and started gathering his tinderbox and other materials.
"I didn't kill him or his boy. I simply stopped in for a bowl of stew and some bread." he looked over his shoulder, not surprised to find the arrow still trained on him. "Don't believe me if you want to but I don't kill without reason."
A thought crossed his mind and he burst out laughing.
"Oh I get it! You think I'm actually a demon!" he laughed again. "Sir, if I were a demon would I even bother trying to explain myself to you? And why didn't I raze the town instead of just killing one single man? And why am I sleeping on the material plane? Demons need no rest here."
He shrugged again, this time raising his hands in resignation.
"I am sorry for the loss of your friend, and I promise I will assist you in finding his killer, but I am not the one who did this deed."

[Xteven Xavier]

'He thinks I thought him a demon' Zander thought, 'how gullible does he think I am'. "Well if you don't mind, I will accompany you until you prove to me that your not the killer. And if you accidentally prove the opposite Then your life will be mine." Zander said, he then added without waiting for the answer, "Lead the way."