Topic: Shadows on the Mountain

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-07-27 18:18 EST
"Been slow?"

Kuori looks up from the smattering of papers on her desk to see Natalia Ramirez leaning against the frame of her office door. At first glance it can be easy to mistake Nat for a man with her small breasts, slender hips, and penchant for wearing her uniform shirt loose. The large knuckles on both of Nat's hands gently crack as she compresses them idly. "Too slow."

"I know, means we are too good, or they got the message." Kuori says, putting her papers aside. Most of them are copies to keep the details of each report fresh in her often wandering mind. "I'm going to use the slow period to take some time off, think you all can get by without me?" Kuori can feel the other woman's eyes upon her every move. Her massive frame moves from the desk to a filing cabinet where some of the more sensitive documents are kept.

"I won't speak for the others, but I'll miss seeing you around." Natalia says in tone that causes Kuori to look at her from over one muscular shoulder.

"That was a one time incident, Nat. I'm not Kitty." The larger woman takes her coat from off a peg by the door and stops in front of Ramirez. "We had fun...but, I don't want to complicate anything." Kuori puts her massive hand on the other woman's shoulder gently. "It was fun, but...I can't walk the same line as Kitty and so many others in this city."

Natalia gulps audibly, feeling an electric current travel down her spine at the softness one as big as Kuori is capable of generating in such a simple touch. "What are you going to do with your time away?" It's all she can ask.

"Taking a trip out of town." Kuori slides past her subordinate, tightly squeezing through the door and takes the turn to head out.

Behind her, Natalia shakes her head, but smiles warmly until she sees a crumpled piece of paper in the waste basket just inside the door to Kuori's office. Deft fingers snatch it up and delicately work to smooth out the parchment.

Job Postings 2/13 :

* The mountain town of Iverset, located in the shadow of the Millenia mountain range, is under siege by Ice Elementals, requests liberation aid. Arcanum recommends a five person team to minimize collateral damage.

Reward: 100,000 crowns See Guild Master for directions and further details. S-CLASS

"She's crazy...that's for sure." Ramirez shakes her head, but far from worried in the least. Crumbles the paper back up and drops it where she found it.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2014-07-28 16:34 EST
Clad in her suit of form-fitting, black, leather armor, Mint Darkwind wandered up to the second level of the Arcanum Guild Hall's bar. During her previous visit just a day before, she had noticed an extremely well-paying job on their S-Class job's board that had appeared to have been posted there for some time. When she had returned home to inform the vampiress she shared quarters with, Alex assured her that as a well-trained wizard she'd be able to handle any mystical elements of the job that Mint couldn't?Mint only knew a few nature spells that probably wouldn't be enough to stop the ice elementals on her own.

So now she was all geared up and ready to go, with Alex working on renting a horse-drawn carriage that could carry enough food and supplies for the long trip to the mountains, as well as a protective coffin for Alex to rest in during the day. It was when she reached the S-Class job's board that she began to rue not grabbing the posting when she had been here last. It was gone, with only a small strip of paper still attached to the tack where it had been.

But then, I wasn't sure Alex would have said yes and I wasn't ready to throw my life away, she thought consolingly to herself, but the excuse was just that, an excuse for her failure to act.

Immediately, she asked one of the bar patrons who had taken the job. The answer she got was unexpected.

"I dunno, some giant with huge teats and red hair," he replied, half-drunk on ale.

Mint cursed in her native tongue under her breath. Nevertheless, she knew where the village was, as well as it's name, as she had found Iverset on her map of the Rhy'Din Empire last night. If Alex was quick about renting that carriage, they could be on their way to the mountains immediately and beat their competition there. She hurried out of the bar and guild hall to look for her partner.

Alex Lightshadow

Date: 2014-07-29 17:31 EST
"You're going to wear that?" Mint asked in a hard tone of disbelief once she saw her wearing the tight, red, leather dress, black fishnets, and red high heels.

"And why not?" Alex replied with a sly, seductive smile. "It's non-restrictive and easy to move in."

"It also completely lacks any protection," Mint complained, loading the last trunk on the back of the carriage.

Alex rolled back her head and laughed. "Silly, silly Mint. I don't need protection." She flashed her fangs briefly. "Not much can hurt me, nope nope nope. In fact, I'd be more concerned about the ice elementals. A nice fireball in the face and they're done for. Besides, armor would just restrict my very delicate fingers." She peered down at her hands, suddenly finding them to be intensely fascinating.

"Right, whatever, get on," Mint muttered, walking to the front.

"Yes, sweety sweety," Alex replied in a sing-song tone and danced toward the carriage's front in her heeled shoes.

They both climbed into the driver's seat, and Mint pulled the reins to get the horses to start moving. As the carriage rolled along, Alex stared up at the moonlit night sky and began to whistle and hum an erratic tune while she counted each of the stars, picking up from earlier while she'd been waiting for Mint. She did sincerely hope she hadn't mistaken the star she had paused at earlier, as that would require her to start all over again!

Oh shit, I did....

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-07-29 20:00 EST
Preparing for the trip" "Think you're taking enough?" Zhu looks at the ordinance covered table and can only shake her head. She didn't recognize a lot of them, but the few amulets and rings were magical for sure.

"What is it that man, Bert, always says" "Better to need it and not have it, because when you need it and don't have it, you sing a different tune?"" Kuori laughs softly as she continues packing her bag. "With how long it has been since the request was posted" At this point the town is probably ruins and the people moved elsewhere, worse case. Best' They've managed to hang on long enough and I doubt I'm the only one taking the job. Who knows, may get there and someone has all ready done the work."

"Sure that you don't want some backup?" Delicate fingers take up a necklace that sticks out like a diamond among among the more tactical objects on the table. A silver chain holding five rubies of different sizes, Zhu holds each up to the light. "Feeling like being fashionable and dangerous?" Her free hand gestures to the two or three light grenades and the lone hand torch.

"Something like that, the necklace is magical. Each ruby can produce a thrown fireball of different size. The largest in the middle is sort of last resort." Kuori's thicker fingers brush over Zhu's, taking the necklace and raising it to undo the small clasp. A tilt of her head to keep hair from the back of her neck and the elegant jewelery hangs inticingly between her prodigious busom. The glittering red of the jewels contrasting grandly with the earthen shade of Kuori's skin. "As are the two rings"

From left to right her hands move to gather up pieces of equipment. She starts with a specially crafted signet ring bearing the depiction of a large horned ram. Instantly it grows in size to fit her right index finger. Kuori can feel the giant spirit tethered to the item, wanting to be released. The second ring glides easily onto her right hand, the cool metal putting an image in her mind of both star lights and flashes of lightning.

"What are the rings?" It's really all Zhu could keep doing, ask question after question. The modernized tools she recognized, however the esoteric items left her wondering.

"Ring of the Ram and Ring of Shooting Stars" Kuori says with a sassy wink making groping gestures with her hands. Thankfully summers on the Millenia mountains were similar to the Thunderkrag. At least this is her hope. She packs at least one heavy blanket as a contingency, plus the two thermal packs recommended by Zhu herself. Necklace and rings" Check. Fifty feet of rope is tethered against her hip where it woudln't interfere with drawing a weapon.

She slips a bandolier over her head to wear like a sash between her breasts; The holding pockets running along her tomach to her left hand. Three sunstones,a stack of shale tablets inscribed with healing runes, and two portable holes finish out the bandolier. Kuori twists and bends to get a feel for its positioning. Satisfied with the snug feel between her breasts, she takes up a dual knife belt and eases it onto her wide, shapely, hips and loops the ends together comfortably. A utilitarian hunting knife goes into one sheath, and a boning knife for delicately cutting meat as close to the bone as possible goes into the second. She feels Zhu watching her hands attach each piece in precise movements. The clinical eye of the smaller woman tracing every detail for something to correct, but she won't find them this time. Kuori knew what she needed for this trip.

The backpack holds most of her supplies, rope, and a bedroll set. She knows once on the mountain needs will be based on the environment. Deft movements slip it onto her shoulders then take up her shield. It's otherworldly metal still comes as something she can't fully understand but when shown a weapon crafted from the very rock of the stars, best not to question. Just accept. Normally a bright silver, in recent months Kuori paid to have it painted black and emblazoned with the Cat's eye symbol associated with Kitty's brand of Helston.

A vanity moment follows with Kuori looking herself over in a floor length mirror to make sure everything is in its place. Her heavy plate armor would stay on its mannequin for this trip as Kuori chose garments suited for both the task and region. A lot of deer went into making her hide breeches that hug almost every contour of her hips and legs, leaving plenty of room between her legs. The lacings tethered comfortably with only a small gap between breeches and curaiss. Enough space to show the taut abdoman beneath. The leggings tuck comfortably into fur trimmed boots made of more hide and overlapping straps.

The curaiss itself had been specially commissioned from Dimma Ulffur. Unlike other leather and hide armors that merely became boiled and then sewn and strapped together, this particular design comprised of overlapping weaves. The layers hug close to her body along the ribs, holding the padding beneath nice and tight. When she saw it, Kuori knew it was a design made by a fighter, for fighters. Self-compressing armor to mediate broken bones. The maker, Sylus Kurgen, knew his craft well. Mostly utilitarian, it came with one style point. A fur trimmed hood worked into the woven layers to pull up over her head in cases of wind, rain, or a need for shade.

"You look ready to kick ass and take names, K." Zhu grins impishly watching her lover. Wouldn't catch the goliathess going to battle in skimpy chainmail bikinis or other nonsense, no matter the magical "warding".

"Thanks.." comes the goliaths humble reply with a look of chagrin as she takes down her large morningstar. While the shield is her main weapon, she uses it as a last means.

The pair walk towards the door in a companionable silence. Once outside, Kuori points the Ram's ring out, materializing a ram the size of a warhorse. As the mount stampse a hoof, the goliathess turns and kisses Zhu soundly into a stunned silence and quickly moves away to get in the saddle. As she rides away, her keen hearing catches just one thing from the tiny woman.

"Thuliaga! You come back with your shield, or come back on it! But you better come back."

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2014-08-02 16:13 EST
Mint watched the trees and hills move past from her place on the driver's seat. Every now and then she'd pull at the reins to direct the horses to follow the contours of the road, but for the most part she could simply lean back and relax and let the animals do most of the work. The sun hung high in the sky and the world around her was filled with bird song.

During their journey, she enjoyed the days the most while Alex slumbered quietly in her coffin, safe from the rays of the sun. It's not that Alex was terrible company, far from it, but sometimes the vampire could be grating on the nerves when she was in one of her more manic states. There had even been a few nights where Mint was trying to sleep but was kept awake by Alex having rather spirited conversations with herself. In some way, she kind of pitied the vampire, as the loss of Vandel seemed to have affected her the most.

However, Mint was actually partially relieved at the wizardess' passing, even though it meant someone just as dangerous, if not more so, was on the loose now. She muttered to herself over that unpleasant fact.

Still, here she was, on the trail, much like old times, going after a bounty and this time she had a partner rather than going it alone. This new life of hers had seemed to have brought greater wisdom and greater benefits. She had to be thankful for that, even though years ago she wouldn't have even recognized herself. Strange changes indeed....

But things are about to get all the more stranger when we get to Iverset, she thought, considering the battle ahead. Ice elementals are not a typical bounty, but then, things in Rhy'Din are rarely typical aren't they?

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-08-04 21:40 EST
Sometime around mid-morning her enchanted mount wore off, promptly depositing a slumbering Kuori on her rump. Thankfully, no one was around to see it. Thank IceFang for small mercies. Brushing the dirt of the road from her backside, she stretches and gets a morning ration from her pack. Nothing fanciful, just herb dried beef tongue and cheese.

A consultation with her map to look at the route ahead, she keeps an ear to her surroundings. Never know when things could become interesting walking alone cross-country in the lands of Rhydin. That's when she heard it approaching. The twitching rustle of wagon wheels. Out of caution, she turns to look at the road behind her and spies a carriage approaching, one hand resting on her mace.

Watching the vessel near, she squints her eyes to look at the driver. At the distance she can make out little else beyond pale hair and a tall build from the hunched posture. Kuori remains calm and waits until it's closer to make a decision as to flag the driver down or not. It'd be another twelve hours before she could summon the ram again, needing to give the spirit a resting period.

Her pale eyes survey the horizon around the carriage, really is a beautiful day to be out on the road. She somewhat wonders if the driver would be up for carrying her part of the way, she had the coin to offer anyway. A large hand idly adjusts the bandolier strapped across her buxom chest.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2014-08-05 16:38 EST
When she caught sight of the tall, buxom woman with the red hair, her first instinct was to urge the horses to move faster, as after all she recognized her from the description she received in the guild hall bar. Nevertheless, the woman had a formidable look about her and Mint was frankly puzzled how she had come out this far without an apparent mount?if she'd been on foot this whole time, she should have passed her just a couple days ago. Something wasn't quite right here.

So, instead, she pulled the reigns in a way to let the the horses know that she wanted to come to a complete stop. She sized the woman up with her red eyes, trying to recall what race she was, as she remembered stumbling upon a tribe of similar people many years ago in what seemed now like a different life.

They were called "golaks" or something like that, she thought to herself.

"Well, you're most certainly an unexpected sight," she said finally to the tall woman, looking around at the lightly wooded, hilled terrain around them before settling her gaze finally on her. She didn't say anything further, fully indicating that she expected some kind of response or she'd just continue her way down the road and leave the giantess behind.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-08-06 20:43 EST
Even as she's sized up, Kuori does some inspection of her own once the carriage came to a stop. Slowly her hand leaves the weapon on her hip as she shrugs. "I'm a sight wherever I go, generally." A broad smile slips onto her full lips as she gestures to the road ahead.

"Might I ride with you for a bit' Been on the move for some time and would welcome the company." The monolithic redhead doesn't make a move towards the carriage, just waiting for a yes or no as she turns to a side profile to look up and down the road their own. Out in the open like this taught her to keep on the move. Could be bandits or any other manner of vagabond lying in wait to catch travelers unawares. Of course this area not having any open ground or natural outcroppings to stage an ambush set her at some ease.

Her chest rises fully with several deep breaths before Kuori turns her gaze back to the dark skinned beauty holding the reigns. She somewhat wonders if anyone is in the back of the carriage of if it's cargo. But she does have to ask?"You a trader?" This wasn't exactly a cargo wagon, that's for sure.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2014-08-07 16:36 EST
Her face was cold and impassive as she listened to the woman's request and inquiry. Stroking her chin, Mint contemplated over her response. Tell too much and things may turn ugly, she realized. Still, this woman was requesting a ride and to grant her such would be aiding a potential rival. How to attempt to turn it down without making this giantess suspicious of the reasons? Dilemmas, dilemmas....

"No, I'm not a trader," she replied truthfully. That much should have been obvious, the wagon was just big enough for two horses, and contained only a couple of locked trunks and what looked very much like a coffin.

"However," she went on, "if you want to ride with me, it'll cost you plenty. I don't give free rides to strangers, especially strangers that look like they could be trouble."

It was a fair statement that she could imagine any wary traveler making to such a request. If it turned out this large woman did have coin, she could either say it wasn't enough, or just enough and take the whole money pouch, depending on how much she had. Her impassive features masked this train of thought completely as she watched for the tall woman's reaction. A hand hovered over the hilt of one of her twin swords, just in case.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-08-08 16:42 EST
"What price are you asking?" She asks bluntly. Kuori expected some suspicion, it came with the course of things she'd experienced. Both because of her sheer size as well as the circumstances both find themselves in presently.

Eyes remain on the other woman, even as she starts to slide abag of coins forward on her belt. She knows how much coin is on her, it'd all come down to what price this other woman had in mind. No movement is made to advance on the carriage while she waits expectantly. Her broad shoulders rise and fall with every even breath. If the price is too high, she's still content to walk. The setback wouldn't be a welcome event, but she'd deal with it best she's able. One hand on her money bag, the other hooks a thumb into the front of her leggings, fingertips brushing lightly over the leather near her crotch. The stance in itself comes from a natural place, her framework leaning partially to one side.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2014-08-09 16:14 EST
Mint frowned momentarily at the question; she had a feeling the woman might ask such. Her eyes wandered over to the money pouch hanging from her belt, examining its size, shape and weight. A life of bounty hunting had made her practiced in the art of weighing coin by sight as well as its volume. She would be able to measure and estimate the contents of that bag in a few short moments.

Gold was heavy, twice the density of silver. Copper was only slightly lighter than silver. With these facts in mind, she studied how the bag hung. Despite the obvious strength of the woman who stood before her, gold would still betray its weight by the strain it would put on a money pouch. The pouch was large and filled with plenty of coin, but she didn't see the strain that a huge amount of gold coins would place on it, which meant that it had to be filled with mostly either silver or copper. Possibly only a fraction of gold floated in that bag.

Judging from the volume and size of the bag, there had to be an average of two thousand coins in it, packed tightly and give or take a few hundred. Given the woman's size and strength, such an amount clearly didn't hamper her movement much either. So, her estimate was roughly two-thousand coins, either silver or copper or a mix of both.

"Two-thousand silver," she said after what seemed like a small hesitation. "You look like the type who could bring a lot of trouble."

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-08-15 21:23 EST
Her lips purse at the total sum asked for. Two thousand gold really wouldn't be worth it to pay that much for a ride that potentially only went so far. Even a river trip never ran that high. "Awfully steep and you have my word I'd be no trouble to you. Would you, perhaps settle for half that much?"

The hope was a distant one as she looked to the other woman in earnest. If it was seeking a reason to merely decline the ride, the woman could have honestly said no. Asking for so much' Greedy dark skinned wench! Waiting for the woman's staunch refusal of anything less, or the means to negotiate being offered, Kuori once again looked at the cargo in the wagon. Truly this wasn't a merchant's carriage, which made her wonder a great many things. She feels her undershirt starting to twist and uncouthly, she reached into the side of her curaiss and lifted at the side of her breast enough to adjust the tit.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2014-08-16 16:54 EST
For a moment Mint was amused by the woman's apparent confusion, desperation and annoyance over the price that she asked. She had after all set the price deliberately high to be considered ridiculous. There was a hint of a smirk on her dark lips as the woman nervously adjusted her armor. Then she noted that the giantess was studying her wagon and saw the suspicion begin to build. Some further quick thinking was in order.

"Perhaps you're right, two-thousand silver pieces is a bit much," she said with a hint of mirth in her voice, betraying that she seemed to be enjoying this. Or maybe it was meant to infuriate the giantess. "Perhaps if I took two-hundred coins off that price and asked for eighteen hundred silver pieces?" She watched the expressions of her petitioner with even further amusement. "No' Well, just remember, you're the one who needs the ride...."

With a flourish of a hand, she began to draw the reins to get the horses moving again. She'd see just how desperate her rival was to get where she was going. Rule one of business, never make it easy for the competition.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-08-30 15:09 EST
She has the coin, and then some..but if she paid the fee there's no way to know how much she'd have to spend once near Iverset! Her face is a flurry of unhidden thoughts before she shakes her head. "Your price is too high, my legs are strong and can walk a bit further yet."

Just have to wait until my ring recharges Kuori thinks to herself before shaking her head and turns to continue on the path ahead. A parting wave given to the wagon driver.

No more than twenty feet away a large shadow flies over head, however when she looks up nothing is there. Just the receding beat of wings. She bites her lower lip in momentary worry, however doesn't break stride. Part of her really wants to know what the darting shadow belongs to. Though she does look back over her shoulder to the wagon and driver to see if they too had noticed. A means to gauge if she her mind merely plays tricks.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2014-09-06 16:26 EST
Mint was about to pull the reins to tell the horses to move when the shadow moved overhead. Like the giantess several yards ahead, she had seen a distinct shade of red and concern boiled in her gut. The horses were unsettled too and she had to hop down from the driver's seat to calm them. She whispered softly in their ears and patted them on their heads, all the while keeping an eye to the sky.

Nothing further so far, she thought to herself with a grimace.

This wasn't good. If that thing was what she thought it was, then they were all in serious danger here. That is, if it saw them. Hopefully it didn't and it had kept on moving to wherever else. She hoped it was far, far, far away by now because while dragons were a dime a plenty in many parts of the world and could be quite amiable on occasion, she knew that red was never a good sign to run into unless it was a certain drinking establishment.

Got to keep moving, she thought, keeping her eyes pinned to the sky as she climbed back into the driver's seat. It wouldn't do well to stay here for much longer.

She pulled the reins and the horses started moving again.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-09-06 20:00 EST
Unnerved by the passing shadow, the ever superstitious Kuori takes it as a sign not to be so minded on her coin. Hearing the spastic canter of the horses behind her, she turns to see the other woman dismounting to sooth them. Perhaps it wasn't just a shadow and her mind playing tricks after all. Kuori swallows her pride and walks back to the wagon, undoing her coin purse and takes out eighteen platinum pieces. She really didn't want to pay this much. "I'll take the offer at the price, if it's still on the table."

Even as she says this, she's glancing at the skies in full understanding they need to keep on the move else whatever flew overhead comes back. This close, the height difference is more noticeable than ever as the redhead looks down at her Elven counter-part. A lick of her lips, and she waits for the acceptance or rebuttal of the offer.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2014-09-20 16:17 EST
She was both amused and impressed by the presence of that many coins of platinum in the woman's money pouch as she brought the wagon to a halt again. That certainly spoke of an unexpected wealth (though that may have been most or all of them, as platinum was slightly heavier than gold). Weighing and counting the coins in her hand after accepting them, she nodded to herself and deposited them into her own smaller pouch.

"Well, get on quickly," she gestured to the empty spot beside on the driver's seat.

After the giantess climbed on, she felt that things were now firmly under her control. Another flourish of her hands to pull the reins and the horses began moving again. Mint's eyes immediately gave a quick survey of the sky again, yet the blue remained empty beyond a few bugs and small birds. Nothing large and red was to be seen, thankfully. Then she gave a sideway glance to her passenger, studying her composure. This one was a fighter indeed and her size would undeniably grant her great strength and advantage in battle. Presumably she thought she could take on the elementals all by herself.

She smirked and shook her head, finding the thought amusing. Elementals required more than brute strength to fight. That was, after all, why Mint was bringing her mystical backup sleeping in the coffin in the rear. She mused over the reaction of what her passenger's reaction might be when Alex popped out of that thing for the night.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-10-15 17:51 EST
The cursory glances do not go without notice as they continue on. The larger warrior shifts her weight now and then to keep comfortable. One boot draped over the front and her second hanging off to the side on the lone step up she strikes a less than feminine pose with arms crossed under her prodigious breasts. "Where do you travel to?" She asks after a long moment.

The question comes from a desire to pass the time as she looks upon her traveling companion. A genuine interest rests in her eyes awaiting the woman's reply. "I am, Kuori. By the way, Kuori Thuliaga." Offering an introduction to make any conversing easier on them both. Among other things. Granted, a name had not been asked for. Just her nature taking over. Sitting comfortably, she looks over at her counterpart for the duration of this little journey. The woman certainly appeared capable.

A few less than civilized thoughts are put away for later before settling in for the ride. Out of habit, she toys with the little dragon-tooth pendant hanging around her neck, idly turning it between large fingers.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2014-10-25 15:57 EST
The drow spared a sidelong glance to Kuori after her question and introduction. Of course she wasn't about to spill the beans on what she was about, so she kept her words guarded as she would with any stranger. Returning her eyes to the road, it was a brief moment before she allowed herself to answer.

"People call me Mint," she replied gruffly. "As for our destination, you'll see eventually."

Another glance was directed to the sky, Mint still watchful for any large, red shape that might make a reappearance. Every time she did, though, the sky remained clear. That was fortunate.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-11-12 01:39 EST
Occasionally she glances around watching the surrounding both as something to do and to scope for that flash of shadow from earlier. Really hoping it'd just been a trick of the light. Her traveling companion, Mint didn't strike her as much of a conversationalist from their introduction on the road. Then again, she couldn't blame the woman for that, it is an odd situation to say the least.

As her gaze sweeps the world around them, she lets her eyes make lingering passes over Mint, trying not to stare. But even she can appreciate the woman's exotic assets. Of course she can't place the small ice cube of uncertainty that's wheedled into the pit of her stomach. Something is off, but what?

Sitting up a bit straighter she contents herself with the road. For the time being they were going in the direction she needed to go, when that changed, they'd part ways. Easy as that in her mind. Hours tick by before she jerks upright thinking she felt a shadow pass over them.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2014-11-15 15:21 EST
Mint smirked at her large passenger's jerking movement as they passed underneath the thick canopy of firs as she steered the wagon off the road. Night was falling and the horses needed to rest. Eventually she brought the horses to a stop and leaped from the driver's seat to release the animals from the tongue and yoke. Then she led them near a tree with rich foliage surrounding it, securing their reins to the trunk.

"You dozed for quite a while," she commented absently before wandering off briefly to gather wood for the camp. When she returned, she started arranging the wood she'd collected into a circle and looked up at the sky through the trees briefly. "By the way, my partner should be joining us shortly."

As if on cue, the mysterious coffin in the back of the wagon began to rattle....

Alex Lightshadow

Date: 2014-11-15 16:03 EST
After the coffin bounced around for a bit, there was eventually the click of a latch and the lid swung up slowly. The short, pale redhead sat up and began mocking a person waking up in the morning, complete with stretches and a (very) fake and exaggerated yawn. Then a predatory, mischievous smile came to her ruby painted lips as she looked around to examine her surroundings.

"Oh, Miiinnnt, where are you?" she asked coyly. "I have some evening wood that has your name on"Oh!" She stopped and blinked suddenly as she caught sight of the goliath woman. "I see we have company."

She extended out a hand to the large woman. "My name is Alexandra Lightshadow. Who might you be?"

She tilted her head to the side, examining every inch of the goliath. Being as short as she was, Alex was extremely small in size in comparison to the huge woman. Nevertheless, that small stature was deceptive concerning her strengths.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2014-12-07 20:19 EST
The more the coffin bounced and shifted, the higher the tension in her shoulders rose. Kuori shifts her position to one that lets her see both Mint...and the emerging figure in the coffin. Even on the mountain there existed tails of creatures that slept during the day only to rise with the setting of the sun. Creatures once mortal, now darker and with strengths beyond comprehensions. Thankfully...Kuori knows one or two.

She looks between the two women. Certainly no aggression has been shown to her, she would not jump to any conclusions just yet. Kuori tries to visibly relax herself along with what little she knows. In truth the other woman might be just a normal mortal who enjoys odd sleeping quarters. With the introduction, the larger woman blinks for a second. "I am Kuori Thuliaga.."

She gives her name for the name given to herself, but refrains from taking the outstretched hand. Part of Alexandra's statements linger in the back of her mind, something she'll ponder on later. If there is a later. "Mint did not mention we had a third on this trip?" glancing over at the Drowess.

Alex Lightshadow

Date: 2014-12-11 16:25 EST
There was an amused, sidelong glance towards Mint followed by a low, demented chuckle.

"Ah, Mint....always keeping secrets," she said teasingly. "Always secrets, secrets, secrets, secrets....secrets secrets." Her gaze turned toward the large woman, eyes seeming to linger on her shape for a moment. "I bet she also didn't tell you where we're goooooing." She grinned manically then hopped off of the back of the wagon.

From the fire she was building, Mint merely rolled her eyes.

"Well, well, I'm quite famished," Alex announced suddenly. "I think I'll go look for some food." She licked her lips hungrily?was there sight of a pair of fangs briefly' She turned her gaze outward to the forest and listened briefly. Then she looked back to Mint and Kuori. "And don't worry, I'll bring something for the two of you as well...."

After that, she ran off into the dark.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2015-02-02 21:15 EST
That was, abrupt. She looks from the departing vampire back towards Mint. Certainly feels as if she's not going to be getting much sleep tonight. "Any more surprises?"

A simple question.

She settles cross-legged across from where Mint worked on the fire. "Certainly being kept on my toes?" she mumbles softly. "She's foraging, you gathered wood, guess that means I get first watch' Or will she," jerking a thumb after Alex "Be doing that?"

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2015-02-09 21:29 EST
"I suppose it depends on what you consider a surprise," Mint replied dryly. Once she finally got the fire up to a sufficient strength that satisfied her, she stepped back a bit before sitting back down, leaning back on her hands, legs lazily spread out.

"As for Alex," she went on with a shrug, "she'll be awake the entire night since she sleeps during the day. I don't really see an issue with giving her the full watch since she won't be doing anything else that's useful until we get to our destination. I will warn you; however, that if she comes on to you, and she probably will, don't let her bite you because even if she says her 'Kiss' will make the....activities feel better, she takes too much blood."

She stopped momentarily in thought, frowning. "...In fact, I recommend refusing any of her passes altogether."

Kuori Helston

Date: 2015-03-26 22:36 EST
"Dually noted..." she murmurs with a nod and settles down next to a tree. Off in the distance she can make out the shape of her destination. Seems they're going the same way still. Settling down against a tree, she crossed her arms under her breasts and shifted enough to be comfortable. It certainly looked like this would be a long night, and in strange company.

Kuori's sleep appears light, not allowing herself the pleasure of a true rest outside of her own comfortable quarters.

Taking Mints? words to heart, the three nights it took them to reach the base of the mountain were rather...strained, one could say.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2015-04-28 16:00 EST
Strained" Often awkward.

Mint often tried to ignore the obvious passes that Alex had been making toward Kuori during their journey. She was sure Kuori was trying to ignore them too. It seemed like that vampire had only one thing on her mind.

Still, the mountain's foothills were looming overhead as their wagon pulled into the village. A frown crossed her lips as she realized that it may have been quite a while since that job had been posted on the board, as she didn't see any signs of life. Not a soul stirred, and many of the shops and houses looked like they were frozen over.

She brought the wagon to a stop with a subtle jerk of the horses' reins in the village square and looked around with examining eyes. There didn't seem to be anyone in sight at all. Were they too late"

Cautiously, she climbed off of the driver's seat and began to explore the area, having a look around.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2015-05-16 19:36 EST
Looking over the dystopian village, Kuori frowns heavily and climbs down from the wagon. Her boots sink into the soft layer of snow, crunching the ice below. Every breath sends stream of fog out from her lips. The air is crisp, still even. Part of her feels like she's come home. Still, she knows this is wrong. The village should not look this way. Not this time of year. Higher up in the mountain" Perhaps, but not here.

"Are we too late?" She looks back to Mint.

Kuori keeps herself in a parallel course with her companion, between the two of them she feels confident to deal with a potential ambush. Then there's their hot blooded friend resting in her coffin. The last few nights have left her with an itch that won't go away. One she doesn't want to admit is in need of a deep scratching.

She moves her shield from right hand to her left...no need to draw the mace just yet. Her shield is more than enough for now.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2015-06-04 22:20 EST
She was just walking off down a road that was littered with debris and broken ice when she heard Kuori voice her thoughts. She wondered. The bounty had been posted some time ago, so it could have very well been possible. She didn't like that prospect, not just because of the loss of life but also because there might be no reward because of such. There'd still be the potential portal the the Para-elemental Plane of Ice though. That would need closing.

She looked up at the sky, noting that nightfall would be in about an hour or two. Perhaps once Alex was awake, she'd be able to help more thoroughly in the search for any survivors and plans on what to do with the ice para-elementals.

She wandered further off into the village, losing line of sight with Kuori. If there were indeed survivors, they would have likely chosen a place to hide in. But figuring that out was easier said than done; they'd literally have to search every nick and cranny of this frozen village. A grimace creased over her lips at the very thought.

"This is going to take a while," she muttered to herself.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2015-06-19 16:08 EST
"This is going to take a while," Kuori mutters to herself. Granted, the village isn't very large. Maybe a few dozen homes, probably a hundred villagers on a good day. However, all around her is a frozen wasteland. Houses once in rows now slowly swallowed whole by the drifting snow.

She kneels to look into the window of a small hut and breaths on the glass. Kuori watches the light layer of frost melt under the hot mist from her lips before wiping away the condensation. The interior is dark, but enough light comes through to let her see what might have been a dining room at one point. Chairs are toppled over. No doubt the former occupents left in a hurry.

House to house, she's met with similar images from her position as an outsider looking in. Her heart feels heavy with an acute sadness at this situation. She can sympathize with being driven from one's home by circumstance. Is there anyone even left here? Another shake of her head, Kuori turns a corner and stops in her tracks.

What must be close to the center of the village, she stands just off a central square. The open space is filled with vacated market stalls. Directly across from her is an overturned cart. She can see the frozen hooves of an animal sticking out from under a snow bank. If there is one place to have her shield ready, she definitely found it. Lots of open ground. Kuori knows a potential killing field when she sees one.

On the far side of the square looms a double story building. She can see it from her position and starts to forumlate an idea or five. That's the place to get the lay of the village. Just need to get back to Mint and let her know. That's where we'll want to hole up once night falls. Wouldn't surprise me if that's where we might get some answers.

A quick doubling back, Kuori goes to see where Mint's gotten off to.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2015-06-21 01:13 EST
Once she'd passed a set of frozen footprints, but they were pretty much useless as they both began and terminated into snow drifts. Shaking her head, she went on, still finding the village to be utterly devoid of life. Fortunately she had yet to see a body, so there might be some hope that the villagers were still alive somewhere. Then an urge hit her.

She stopped and idly looked around, cracking her gloved knuckles and grimaced as she started to dance back and forth on her mithral spike-heeled boots. Mint was standing in the middle of a frozen ruin in the mountainside and she suddenly needed to relieve herself. Perfect.

Well, at least no one was around to watch her.

Quickly she'd settled on a corner that kept two halves of a house on either side of her, unbuttoned her leather pants and went about the unpleasant duty. That was when she heard the footsteps and she promptly cursed her misfortune.

When Kuori found her, Mint was standing"yes, standing"in the corner in the familiar position of relieving herself. Obviously she'd heard the goliath approach, because she was hurriedly trying to adjust and fasten the front of her leather pants, cursing a number of drow curses that the larger woman probably didn't recognize.

The only fortune of the moment was the fact that Mint's skin was far too dark to blush.

Alex would have loved seeing this, she thought grimly.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2015-06-21 19:00 EST
Dumbstruck. Kuori stands there with her hands at her sides as her mind tries to piece together what she just witnessed. Did Mint have?" Was she?" Time stretches with her standing, and blinking stupidly before gently clearing her throat.

No denying what just happened. "Uhm, there's a two-story building far side of what I think is the market. All open ground. Thought I'd see..." She just trails off there while gesturing with her hands.

She tries not to make the situation any more awkward than it is while part of her wants to just undo the lacing of her pants and say 'see, I have one too!". The other part feels a bit of relief. As to what, she can't fully say at the moment. They're both warriors...and women. They can be practical about this. "This just happened, find a place to set up camp, do a show and tell somewhere safe??

A nod as if that sounds good to her and she turns away so Mint can collect herself.

Mint Darkwind

Date: 2015-06-22 23:30 EST
Mint was silent for a long moment, even as she stepped around Kuori and headed toward the direction that she said that the two-story building was. She stopped momentarily in her tracks and didn't look back, only speaking a brief, few words.

"It's probably the town hall," she'd said, then she started walking off again.

When she found the hall, she didn't care if Kuori followed her or not. She didn't want to think about that. Or what the larger woman had inadvertently discovered. Instead, she examined the taller building and nodded to herself. This was, indeed, what looked like a town hall, as it was larger than any other building in the area. Not even the few inns she'd seen had been this big. It would make for a perfect base of operations.

She returned to the wagon and climbed back onto the driver's and steered the horses to the building through the market. Bringing it to an abrupt stop in front of the doors, she got off again and tested them herself. The doors were unlocked. Nodding herself, she began unloading the equipment from the wagon and carried it inside. Only a small, angry thought remained on her mind.

Show and tell" What am I, a circus attraction"

Kuori Helston

Date: 2015-08-06 19:29 EST
"There aren't any protections on this, are there?" Kuori asks while motioning to Alex" coffin. Her gaze sweeps from Mint back to the coffin as the drow unloads more of the equipment. Not knowing how Mint feels about others touching her belonging's makes it an awkward moment.

"Or leave it be and grab something else?? She asks as an add-on, hovering near the wagon. Even as the large goliath speaks, her eyes are watching the surrounding buildings for...anything. The town is just so quiet. Dead quiet.

Kuori busies herself with helping Mint unload the other items, few as they are and take them into the building. Like the rest of the town, the house is vacant. Chairs have been kicked over, items on tables painting a dystopian weirdness. Looking beyond the shuttered windows, she can see the sun falling behind the mountain. "With nightfall, the temperature outside is going to drop dangerously low. Better find where the firepits are and make our camp for the night. If we're lucky...there's an indoor bath."

The words hold a hopefulness to them that surprises even her. So many days on the road, just be nice to sink inside a hot, rejuvenating, bath. A girl can dream. A girl can dream.

Kuori Helston

Date: 2016-05-09 23:07 EST
((The following post contains mature themes and situation and adult content. ))

She didn't respond as she carried the last few items into the building, looking at the taller woman only on occasion. Then she moved on to find the hearth, which didn't take too long as it was buried behind a couple of benches and eventually she had a fire started in what was once the town meeting hall.

A shrug of her massive shoulders and Kuori drops the subject altogether. While Mint works on starting a fire, Kuori begins to move around some of the furniture to clear away floor space for bedrolls as well as making the space a little more defensible. Just in case. With several rooms on the second floor and probably a cellar, Kuori understands they need fall back positions in case the night becomes harrowing.

After she finished with fixing up the fire, tossing in a few pieces of wood for good measure, she returned to the area that Kuori was making defensible. Sitting down, she pulled out a sword and began sharpening it with a whetstone.

Twisting, bending, and stacking some of the heavier pieces of furniture into choke points and places to take cover, Kuori occasionally glances at Mint in the extending silence. She feels an awkward tension and wants to just confront the what happened outside. However, she's not sure if Mint even wants to try and touch base - Kuori stops herself in that line of thought when she imagines how they could touch bases. Shaking her head, the large warrior continues to busy herself, listening to the shhhk, shkkk of Mint's whetstone on her sword.

She only looked up briefly to admire the defenses the other woman was placing up, but her attention remained on her sharpening. She never let that edge grow dull, not one bit.

Satisfied for the time being, Kuori allows herself a moment to relax and sits across from Mint. "Sorry for earlier. That was the wrong thing to say." She finally states. Better to just get it over with. "Just haven't come across anyone like..." she starts to say.

Looks up at her with bit of a frighteningly expressionless look. "Like me?"

"Us." Kuori admits. "Like us."

The drow arched a brow at her.

She points a thick finger at the drow's upticked brow. "This is why I said show and tell." Inhaling to steady her nerves, Kuori slowly moves to her feet. She doesn't step closer to stand over Mint, the red haired woman keeps her spacial position and undoes the lacings of her breeks. With the front flap loosened, her flaccid member falls free. Even in it's softened state, it's endowment is considerable and a hand and a half long. "I was born, different than the other women of my village."

Her eyes widen briefly but her stoicism quickly returns and she manages a few quick swipes at her blade with the whetstone. "I see. I guess you're still kind of unique then, because I wasn't exactly born the way I am now...."

"You're still the first I've met to share this...." Kuori's not even sure what to call it. "Gift' Attribute?" She takes in Mint's reactions and begins to tuck herself back into her pants with care.

Always at the most awkward moments, she manages to show up, or in this case, wake up. Outside, the sun finally set and the lid to her coffin quickly popped off. Rapidly Alex sat up and looked around, taking in her surroundings. When she saw Mint and Kuori, just as the latter was stuffing herself back in, she frowned. "Already starting without me" Call me hurt."

Stares at Alex with an ever suffering sigh.

She just stares at Alex. Not a hard thing to guess Alex knew about Mint's own gifts. "Not exactly..." she says somewhat defensively

She chuckled softly as she slipped out of her coffin and wandered over to Kuori. "Now, now, no need to fib. Mint and I have had plenty a delightful romp together." She reached out, trying to grab at Kuori's crotch. "Let's see, let's see....!"

Standing up from her spot, she glared at Alex. "Now stop that."

She stuck her tongue out at Mint.

More reflex than thought, Kuori twists to the side, putting her crotch just out of arms reach, but not the rest of her. "I'm not a side-show..."

Alex pouted at her and reached for her dress' hem, lifting it up as she tugged briefly at her nylons. "No, it's okay. I have one too!" She was slipping herself out, semi-hard and stroking her length, which was impressive for her diminutive height. "See, already reeeeady for you."

"Focus, Alex.....focus. This is a combat mission, not a brothel."

She gave Mint a raspberry. "I don't see any combat right now."

"Just because you don't see any doesn't mean it couldn't start at any moment." She ground her teeth. "Now put that away."

Kuori stares. Openly at the impressive meat in Alex's hand then looks to Mint. What are the odds" She thinks to herself. Actually she openly says it. "What are the odds...."

Looks at Kuori with a vague sigh and roll of her eyes. "Not as great as you might think, especially considering the woman we were....involved with was quite skilled with magic."

Alex rolled her shoulders and began strutting about with her dick hanging out to everyone's chagrin.

"I meant the three of coming together....like this..." her large hands motion to the three of them. "Coincidence as it may be..." she stares at Alex's shaft once more.

The dark elf spared a momentary glare at Alex before turning her attention back to Kuori. "That I couldn't tell you. Stranger things have happened in this realm, I'm sure."

She looks to Mint which pulls her focus away from what Alex is doing. "Agreed. Still an odd occurrence none the less."

She contemplated throwing something at Alex before sitting back down and sharpening her sword. "So what of it' It doesn't change the present situation; deserted mountain town and ice para-elementals out on the run somewhere."

She began sliding down her dress a bit to expose her breasts, wagging and bouncing her assets for both of them to see.

"You know, Alex....you could be more useful if you placed up some damn wards on the building."

"She's going to keep at it until she gets what she wants, isn't she?" Kuori asks of Mint.

She blinked. "Oh right, I can do magic stuff. Back in a flash!" Then she rushed out of the building—as is—and began working on some magical protections outside.

"More or less. Unless she gets distracted by something else."

"Like putting up those wards?" She says with a smirk.

She nodded. "Exactly. Then, hopefully she'll smell something delicious with blood in it and rush off after it and we'll have a moment of peace for a while."

She nods a little before biting her lip. "Though she wasn't entirely wrong, it was a long ride to get here. Perhaps while she's distracted we...?" The vampire certainly had gotten Kuori's mind thinking less about fighting and defense....