Stop hitching the monster man It was a bad plan, but I had to get to town Unbitten, but the way I found it was a hand came down And pow, I got illuminated Soul Coughing - Monster man

Growling again Daugolozan watched from his place near the hearth. "Verbose, obtuse, and trying to mate. So much a simian." The soft words accompanied by the typical sneer as he watched. The smirk faded slightly, as the particular aura was...familiar" Yessss around that mongrel Maerissa the night previous.

Standing up straight now, Nathanios grinned, his eyes clouding a tiny bit. "Well then, In that case.....I wish you the best of luck....You may need many, many more children." He said with a sly grin.

With a pressing of gloved hands on the counter and Cieara was pulling herself up with decided ease and just swung up to the bar top and down the other side with liquid grace and muttered under a breath as she took up her glass again. "Arse." She muttered as she moved away.

Jewell playfully pouted as he stood but it turned back into her full-blown teasing grin. "Is that an offer to help?"

His grin bleared teeth with it. Leaning down on the bar, resting his elbows there. Nathanios looked to her and spoke. "My kind does not offer.....We fulfill."

Wandering her way towards Jewel Cieara raised her glass to the lady in a salute and the smile was amused as it grew on her elegant features.

Lord Veighn lifted his glass in a toasting gesture to the departing harpy, a knowing smile forming his lips behind the dark of Shar'Vae Shades. He then brought it to his lips once more, a long draught gifted. He turned his upper torso, reaching for the ladle to refill his bronze goblet once more.

"Ah, dear Nathanios. I am a woman of too many needs for you to fulfill, I think." Again she was playful, Jewell's tone holding no bite to it. She raised her glass of whiskey in a mirror to Cie's greeting.

Nathanios was only too intrigued by this conversation. "Your needs...are my treasure to pursue ...However...You did say...You had children...Which indeed means...You are no single woman." He said, he was rather intelligent for his type.

Sliding into a seat near Jewel with a whispering hiss of leather with the crossing of long legs Cieara let her back rest against the edge of the bar and took a sip of the green fairy and let it play over her senses, while listening to Jewel and the male with her.

"Any man would treasure to pursue them." Jewell could barely keep up the false lack of modesty. "Alas, I am not. My husband abandoned my children and I, however, so I killed him. Drank his blood to make myself stronger and have now attached myself to a man more suited to myself."

Peripherally, Veighn caught the seating of his former irritation seating her self near one of an older variety. Smirking, he muttered. "Figures as much..."

Nathanios smirked, he grinned deeply, having been correct. "So I assumed correctly." A slight dark laughter was given. "My...I do rather enjoy this."

"Most do rather enjoy me." Winking, Jewell's eyes dancing with laughter one more. She too was obviously enjoying this.

Lips twitched again as Cie listened to Jewel, but sharp pointed ears did hear that muttering and she slanted a look that way, eyes gleaming catlike with the reflection of lamps and candles in the inn and gave an almost believable innocent smile to Veighn.

Nathanios leaned down, licking more of the blood from his armor, enjoying it. Then looked back up to her. "My, my. How playful bantering can be the highlight of ones night."

Veighn missed the smile from Cieara as his attentions were more focused on the Shadowcat and her exchange with Cor.

"Are you trying to show me how skillful you can be with your tongue?" Smirking as he licked more blood from his armor ?"Highlight of ones night" Ah yes, I've been called that before! Many times, in fact. It was just the other night when my friend here and I" Jewell stated while nodding to Cieara. "Were with one of our favorite male-friends in bed. He told us, "Ladies, you are the highlight of my night.""

"Very touching." Jewell then added.

Lord Yhaull chuckled, withdrawing the focus to a mere casual observance. To do otherwise might have displayed an acuity not becoming of a Black Wizard that was so obtuse, as it were.

Nathanios stood straight up once more, leaning more over the bar, mere inches from her face, a dark grin rising on his lips. "Oh I need not show any my skill.....I know it all too well." His eyes flickered slightly as she said what she had. And then spoke up. "Strange.....I have been told the same...Time and time again."

"Indeed." A brow arching with a glance at Jewel, as Cieara tried hard not to laugh and actually manage to maintain a straight expression worthy of her own father. "Was so touching I nearly cried."

"Which only made it hotter." Grinning to Cie only to turn back and find Nath inches from her face. "Have you now?" Jewel squeaked out a little as he backed up before regaining her composure. "By all means then, we just may be perfect for one another but fate has brought you to me too late!"

It would seem he would have to modify his previous estimation. Morningstar's standards were, as always, typical. His spawn seeking to mate and multiply. And here Daugolozan had thought this new foe might be different. Alas, the wheel turns true, and like the dripping one, it appears they think with their testes.

Nathanios grinned once again to her words. Standing straight again. "Alas..it has." Giving one last grin this time. Somewhat seductive, he slowly turned, looking as though he was ready to walk away.

Glittering frosty green eyes swung to inspect the male speaking with such boastful claims to Jewel as she idly brushed a curl back over a shoulder, making some rather amusing observations of her own but left unspoken for the present.

"Cieara, I do believe this nice young man is going to walk away from me without a goodbye. This just isn't done. Shall I call him back?" Jewel questioned while grinning to Cieara with obvious mischief in mind.

"Of course. You are the Empress after all and do require certain respects due that station." Lips curling into another smile as Cieara's gaze watched the odd male with a slight leaning of her auburn head.

Nathanios never walked, but rather stood with his back to her. "I thank you for the conversation this night Jewel. It was...intriguing." He turned to her one last time, laying a black rose on the bar in front of her.

"And thank you, Nathanios, for enduring my mischief and conversation so pleasantly." A smile as he set the rose down but Jewell did not move to pick it up just yet.

Veighn returned, swishing his wine around in the goblet's reservoir, affecting a charming smile for his watcher to label and file away systematically.

A bow of his head was given before had smiled to Jewel. "Be well Jewel. I've business to seek out." His gaze shifted to Feilas as he walked in, Nathanios eyes clouding up again.

A nod to Nathanios before Jewell's full attention turned to Cie. "How are you, sweets?"

Cieara was resisting the urge, but it wasn't easy as a glance swung briefly towards the dark mage, and slowly one small worm sized shadow started to creep closer to the hem of that rune laden robe of his. "Oh I am doing well." A low melodic laugh falling from her lips as she looked over at Jewel and her pale green gaze shimmered. "You're also looking as if troubles have eased for you considerably Jewel."

"Ahah, then I have tricked you all!" Jewel laughed. "No no. You're eyes do not deceive you. I am...happy. I have lifted my head above water once more, or perhaps have had it lifted for me?"

Gathering his robes about him as Daugolozan stood, he moved back toward the stairs, a glance toward the young daughter of his enemy and her friend as he passed. His thoughts though, on the more immediate.

Lord Veighn drew open his robes, and with a sweeping gesture, had the cloth ravenously engulf and devour the little beastie at his feet. Blackness descended upon the creature, and blinked it from view. A toast raised to the orb.

Realizing Jewel was swept off by the nexus shift her glass moved to touch her lips again and she glanced after Daug now, eyes narrowing slightly with a flicker of disgust in the radiant depths.

Another thought struck him, and Daug paused on the landing to look back down to the bar. A ploy of that miserable Dewey and the odorous Howe" Something to ponder. Oh, and for our intrepid young shadow assassin, Fiona threw a wave of parting.

Cieara eyes flashed, instantly glittering with a sudden sheen of crimson for just a moment as her head lifted and she shot a baleful glower at the annoying Lich.

Whistling quietly, knowing the nudge would tweak, and finding pleasure, he moved toward the Keeps door, fading from view as he passed through it, as though the wooden portal wasn't there.

Trembling, crawling across my skin. Feeling your cold dead eyes, stealing the life of mine.

I believe in you, I can show you that I can see right through all your empty lies. I won't last long, in this world so wrong.

Say goodbye, as we dance with the devil tonight. Don't you dare look at him in the eye, as we dance with the devil tonight.

Breaking Benjamin - Dance With The Devil

Her auburn head turned to regard Veighn, wearing a curiously baffled expression. "Are you talking to me Milord?" Cieara's tone one ever so serene and calm, carrying just a tiny taint of sugar to seem almost sincere.

He was no dupe, and wasn't buying the act one bit. She was caught red-handed. His wards tugged on the bands of her own shadowy feelers, wrapping them up in a ganglia as his will began to force its way to the tangles. "Indeed....and ye are well aware of what ye do, spy." Veighn shot back with disgust in his tone.

"Spy' And what proof of such a claim do you have" For I am simply sitting here drinking as is common enough in such a place." Cieara's gloved hand waved about and she laughed, a low whiskey warm tremor of sound. "Or are you merely paranoid Milord" Have something to hide perhaps that you fear spies?"

As conduit formed, the Shades sent that energy draining lightning up the length of her bands, seeking out the source, their mistress.

Having disconnected the link the moment he had yelled and looked her way with apparent rage in his eyes, the link to her had already been broken, for those tiny bands had been little more then that and Cieara smiled benignly at the Mage with an arched brow.

Bands disconnected, the lightening scorched groves into the wood and blackened it where it struck. The Shar'Vae Shades began to retract the energy of the bands, using the sample it had tasted to gather and collect the tidbits into an orb of jet hue that started to manifest itself in his hands, translucent and unholy in its glow. He scribed runes into its surface and they began to scroll in the literature born of emerald flame. Veighn smiled slowly as he watched her affect the look of innocence. "The silk of the web is akin to the spider that wove it." He lowered his hand, tucking the globe of sustained energy into the folds of his robe, locked in the magical sigil of the Shar'Vae magic. "Charmed....indeed." Acerbically spoken.

"Oh, I do try Milord." Cieara was no longer even attempting to hide the humor that was welling up within. "Must make life a tad bit difficult being so very jumpy I am sure." A glance sliding away from Veighn towards Gav and the man he spoke with.

Supple leather hissed as she shifted, re-crossing long legs and Cie's attention drifted back almost casually towards Veighn, her smile captivatingly sweet. "Still fretting over something that likely could have been a simple hallucination Milord?"

"Try, an accomplished task will do, when the mix of bloodspice hits the brew. Insight gifted, this sagely known, when imbibed by flesh and bone." Lord Yhaull smirked, turning his gaze away from the woman. The affects of the Rhilshen spice, mixed into his drink by the Priestess's Fae cousin was a thing she'd not foreseen. And secretly, he thanked Chryrie for her gift of foresight.

The bottle of spring water was tipped back against her lips for another pull and Cieara glanced again at the obviously scattered mage, but such things were common with that ilk after all.

"Good game, so far, darling. Good game, indeed." He chuckled, sipping more of the bloodspiced, mulled red. And tapping into the wards, Veighn gave way to the visions of the enchanted root of Rhilshen. A gamble, but one he was willing to take, for the Priestess had her own tricks. Though, vulnerability was a discomfort he would afford for this bit of knowledge gleaned, and so he fell into the trance. The wards acting of their own volition cocooned him in a tangible inky bubble, obscuring his physical being entirely.

As the Wizard encased himself in a dark bubble of some type, Cie just regarded it blandly and then gave a slight shaking of her head that sent the cascade of rich auburn curls along her back dancing gently. "This place does seem to attract the strange and unique." Speaking more to her self at this point.

Darkness abated, though it was a long time coming. What he'd gleaned was for him to know, though enough would be brought to bear in due time. The cocoon shifted once more into a dark haze of Shar'Vae shade, not totally unlike storm clouds being broken up by the coming of the sun. The nimbus of darkness did not fade entirely, as could be expected, but enough to allow the natural eye to glimpse, though partly, his robed physique. Veighn's features were stoic and he broke the trance easily enough.

Taking another sip of her water as Cie noticed the slow swirling mass of blackness start to ebb and swirl back from the form of the mage but didn't say a word, just lowered the bottle to the bar once more, lightly swirling the spring clear liquid about in a casual rolling.

"So finally, the aforementioned siblings have come out of the woodwork. To spy, no less, and glean what they can before their decision to treat with me." Veighn smirked, eyeing the woman, skeptically. "And have ye come to tell me something good, Madame DeAuster. Or does ye family not grant ye their authority to speak for them?"

"Madame?" Cieara's head lifted, as she wasn't too concerned about him realizing who she was and she smiled faintly. "I am unwed, so that title is not correct, but I can speak for myself. So, I take it you have seen my brother as well?"

"I have seen many things, Cieara. More than ye know. Tell me, how comes the progress with your extended family and the laws that keep dear Tasha beholden to me?" The Mage pressed the issue. "Have ye come to announce their acquiescence?"

A shifting and legs crossed in a lazy slide, leather whispering softly from the friction as she regarded him. "Did you not expect others to keep an eye on you Milord" You have made yourself known to the family after all, placing your mark on one of ours as you have." Soft laughter following. "I don't know what you speaking of actually. I was sent word last week to watch you if I see you in the inn, that is all."

"Hmmm...I see...And which Ancient holds ye leash, hmmm' Would it be the infamous Lankyn?" Veighn paused, considering this. "I donnae think so. I doubt a being of his subtleties would be so direct. Nae." He steepled his hands before him. "Relay this to the one whom pulls ye strings, Tis impolitic to pry where one is not welcome. Though for reasons mine own, I will not call to surface the backlash that might come of such meddling. I will, however, have it be known that I am expecting the terms to be granted in due time. I am no ambassador for a family head to keep waiting. Tasha neglects her duty; it is now known that my suspicions are correct. So I am known by many, and I'm sure the bulk of ye family does as ye do. Go, tell them, I am waiting, and in the open, whilst they bide their time in the shadows."

"Perhaps you should speak with my Aunt Belial Milord. She is the one that asked a few of us to simply keep a watchful eye on you." Her smile was serene, as regarded him, but there was a frost growing in her pale green gaze. "Considering that Tasha's father is a busy man, perhaps you need to learn a little patience Milord Yhaull."

"Oh, and do remind Tasha, her frigid lizard's life hangs in the balance, and those of her unborn young." Veighn intoned ominously. "Then he would well know the sins of the father are the child's to bare." He issued just as coldly.

"Ah yes, I had heard you have a fondness for picking on the lady dragon here. Making you much a bully type." Leaning slightly she nearly cooed at him, tone just laden with honeyed warmth. "Maybe you will find out your not the biggest threat here eventually. One can always dream after all, and believe me, you harm Tasha and you will regret that, as they burn you to ash and scatter your ashes over many realms."

"The venom of ye threats is as impotent as a newborn babe. I am waiting, and remember, I can call in Tasha's ticket as easily as a snap from my taloned fingers. Tell ye aunt, I shall hold audience with her first, and foremost, whilst I await the father to weigh the weight of the matter at hand."

Draining her bottle down, Cie placed the empty down on the bar carefully and then brought her shimmering gaze around to meet Veighn's with another slow lazy smile touched her rose pale lips. "Personally," Tone all so very casual. "I rather like the idea of seeing you hacked into tiny little pieces and used as fertilizer. As for your threats, well shall I act appropriately terrified" Would that sooth your obviously offended sensibilities?"

"I see Tasha has not well informed ye of our exchange. Ye are safe as long as I am safe. Take aggressive stances, and I shall counter in timely fashion. If the heads of ye household are as formidable and wise as Tasha lets on, I'm sure they will come to the conclusion, that it is in their best interest that I cross into and out of ye family territories unmolested."

"Had I wanted to do you harm, you can be assured you would have noticed" Cieara stated very softly as a smirk touched her elegant features with a narrowing of her eyes, and in the space of a second something else lurked in that gaze but a blink and easily missed. "I was told to watch and watch I have. Learn what I can and be assured, I shall tell my Aunt Belial to speak with you. She will find you as boorish as I of course."

"I donnae wish to treat with them for them to praise me with their empty words. I care little of they consider me a threat or nae. I would speak with them, nonetheless. Tis my wish, simply put." Veighn stated.

"I know your kind. I have been warned all my life of about the likes of ye and yers. You make pretty promises that end up meaningless and empty of any value at all. Why Tasha agreed to anything with you is beyond my comprehension." Sliding down with liquid grace to her feet, movements silently offered and Cieara's temper starting to fray a touch, still having not quite managed to control that part of her nature as of yet.

"Ye blood sings to me, Cieara." Veighn took what resembled a breath in through his nostrils, upper torso expanding, eyes fluttering to a half-lidded state as though the whole ordeal of it all was ecstatic. Did he visibly shudder" There was a bedroom timbre to the voices that echoed from within his being. "A royal line I sense in ye, corrupt as ye label me with ye words of hypocrisy. Tis scintillating....mmmmm.." He purred and his eyes opened more, scarlet and crimson swirls etched with the tracery of black flame.

"Delicious little strumpet." Said with more malice than sultry entendre. "So ye play the hawk, though I am no field mouse. Ye are many, I am but one. Tell me true, is there threat ye see in me?"

That brought a momentary widening of her eyes and then laughter as Cieara watched him for a moment, and leaned against the bar as a drifting of spice and wild flowers floated from the waves of auburn curls with her movements. Cieara's voice holding a whisky warm tone with slanted eyes flashing of crimson ribbons in their depths. Her faint accent dropping in softer, velvety cadence, threaded with an unseen energy. "Does it' That's likely because of what I carry inside me Mage. Darkness calls to darkness. Just be careful what you think you see, you still carry little knowledge about what drives my urges. As for being a Strumpet, I haven't quite slipped so far. One does need to have some taste after all." Cie's gaze roamed over him slowly now with a faint curl of a smile on rose pale lips. "Ye spoke of fear, and yet, ye stand amidst the storm with arms lifted to the sky. Ye revel in the possibility that I am more than ye perceive." His shades began to swirl about him, sharing ephemeral shapes through the veil to be devoured by the blackness of his shadow. Veighn smiled a cruel smile then.

"I grow more fond of ye by the moment." The "Black Wizard" chuckled, and this turned into laughter. Booming laughter, which began to echo acoustically off the walls of the inn, shaking the glass and panes in the windows, the dust falling from between slatted rafters and the wood of the floors and walls vibrated with the deep base. He leered at her from his vantage, the dark mixing equally with the crimson and scarlet in his eyes, swirling and shifting like pools of liquid fire.

"Those like you, play the game of tease far better then likes of me Milord." A hand moved towards him, stopping just short of those wards of his and she smiled a wicked little grin at noticing that leer of his. "I am hardly the fool you think me Milord. I see little use in lusting after one I can't even touch. Would leave the palate flat and dry after all."

Veighn's laughter faded like water through the fingers of an open hand. He staunched the wards, for the most part, lessening the blackness of the haze around him. His mouth shut, though his eyes retained their look, and he stepped closer, passing her hand through the frightful chill and hellish heat of the atmosphere surrounding him. Just barely, it was bearable, and he leaned in, the darkness began to fill his gaze more so than the brightness of the fire. A breath's distance from her cheek, his features neared. Air pulled though his nostrils caressed her flesh just before.

Her scent, captured in the full gravity of the aroma, the scent of sanguine humor beneath the shell, hot as hell's forge. His lips parted, and he breathed, the breath a striking contrast to the sensations brought by hid deadly wards, though lessened they were, they'd fell a mortal within an instant. Electric pin pricks across the nape of her neck and behind the column of spinal stem. The air grew static, and the scent of ozone was rich in the air surrounding them. His potent Laws mingling with the sweet, decadent stench of Chaos, like the ruttings of beasts, and the purity of chastity born anew. It was holy, and blasphemous all in one fell swoop. He then stepped aside, moving from her near proximity.

There was a glimmer of bronze scales before the wards redoubled their position with such ferocity that the air charged and crackled around him. He pivoted, regarding her with hellfire eyes once more.

The smile widened slowly, offering a peek at the small fang points seldom seen as he drew even closer still and she chuckled again, impervious to the heat he radiated as eyes that bled red into the pale of green darkening and shone at the sensory impressions made by him and then glowed with unholy amusement as he drew back. "Ah, upon the surface you might appeal to the baser nature, but even I suspect you play the part of the seducer quite well without intention of a conclusive reward."

"Oh, tis the culmination of events that beckons my pike-stave to arise." That could have been a lie, or the truth. Who knew, but that rich chuckling of voices came again, off-kilter and mixed in a cacophony of sounds, more discordant and detached than their normal harmonious nature.

"Oh' I am sure it likely is all very intricate and involved, perhaps even time consuming, Aye?" A low purr floated in her quietly spoke words, deigned to roll along the senses, enticing and warm upon nerve endings as Cieara regarded Veighn with an eerily glittering of blood darkened green eyes and then smiled again serenely looking almost tranquil.

"Send Belial my regards..." He turned suddenly, making his way toward the exit of the inn. Ten paces from the door, the dark miasma surrounding his figure descended upon him, and Veighn melted into the stretch of his own shadow upon the floor and disappeared completely from the establishment. The air crackled and sizzled in the wake of his presence, warping the view like bent light before it too lingered no more, the scent of ozone and spices left behind.

Cieara's eyes moved off for a moment, as if listening to something and then glanced back to the Mage and casually swept a wandering auburn curl back behind the delicately tapered ear and as Veighn fled, low mellow warm laughter followed, carried with the wind as she seriously doubted anything she had attempted effected that one, but he played the part well. If he wasn't so bloody arrogant he might be amusing.

Belial nods to Cie but her coffee is done....She grabs up a mug and fills it to the brim with the hot sludge. "Coffee, anyone?" offered loudly, although she has no intent on serving it. Leave that to the tenders, it's their duty after all.

"Quite astute, m'Lady. Though tis not an attempt to impress. A pleasure." Veighn spoke from across the room, and his discordant voice, one of three - the latter two lying dormant for a time - cut the atmosphere like a scythe through dry wheat.

Cie isn't going to drink coffee, but another sip of rum is welcome. It aids in easing the ache in her shoulder as internal damage is slowly being repaired. Flesh and bone wounded earlier in battle, but to look at her, one wouldn't notice a thing. There is no blood, or overt injury bandaged by healers.

Bel sashays from behind the bar, pausing beside Cie to contemplate her response to the Black Wizard. Again in a soft murmur meant for Cie alone" although she is well aware Veighn heard her before" no reason to assume he won't this time. "He always like this?"

"Having only watched him for a short time, I can only answer *always*." Cie's voice drops to a velvet whisper as she regards Belial with a glittering green gaze. "He's a tease Aunt Bel, but tis nae real."

"Well, niece, wish me luck..." Belial can't help it, she feels like she's about to enter the Lion's Den and its not a feeling she enjoys....Measured steps lead her towards "the booth of darkness". A hint of a smirk plays over full, red lips as she considers what Cie has told her.

A tease is he" Well....two can play that game...

"Good Luck Aunt Belial. Hopefully you chat with that one will go far better then my attempt did." A fleeting smirk played over elegant features and Cie found herself chuckling low and whiskey warm.

Yeah, Bel's pretty sure her chat will go much worse"

Veighn did not speak up when Cieara decided it amusing to color a new perspective with old bias. His cowl low over the crown of his head, he subdued the darkness around him enough to allow her to see at least the outline of his eldritch features, those apparent anyway. The cast of red glow from his eyes leaving a glimmering presence as if the man's face were but a mask, yet it moved as fluidly in expression as any other expressive face. His sundry smile was donned, and he gestured with his hand toward a nearby chair, and then to the bench of the semi-circle booth he was taking up residence in for the time being. His gaze hooded and his hands folded, talons clicking against the wood, atop the table.

Luse pushes in, but not before pausing at the half open door and flicking his smoke out into the night.

Belial notes Luse's arrival....but she does not react to it. She is otherwise occupied and she doubts the Black Wizard would take kindly to any show of disrespect, intentional or otherwise. Indeed....she would not dare such trespass at this time.

"She had informed me of such." Veighn smirks, the amusement quaint.

Belial is reserved, and cautious. Collected even. He withdraws into his own personal Shadows, lowering his chin all the while.

"Though the arrangement of which ye speak was one she had entered into of her own volition and free will. Perhaps her greed had caused her the sloth of mind to move without taking heed to the signs. The agreement was plainly stated, and deliberate. She accepted it. She knew me well enough by that time that she might have exercised more caution, perhaps taking pause to examine the words at every conceivable angle, however, as I had suspected, she did not. Hence, why ye are here now." He made a sweeping gesture with his hand, a flick of his fingers and a smooth roll of his wrist before slipping those hands into the opposite sleeves of his robes, crossing his arms abroad his chest.

A hand lifts as Cieara waves to Luse; the other retains hold on the bottle of rum. Cie gives him a warm smile that thawed that chill in the pale green eyes. "Evening Uncle Luse."

A nod and Luse is moving in Cieara's direction.

"Aunt Bel was just asking about you earlier. She will be pleased to see you. Once she's done with the" Black Wizard there." A flick of a gloved digit in the direction of Veighn and Belial and a faint twisting of rose pale lips.

"Yeah." Luse sets his bag down and takes a seat with her. If he knew anything about what was going on with anything here, it didn't show.

Cieara holds up the bottle or spiced rum and nods towards Luse as he sits down with her. "Want some" Or would you rather whiskey' Was on the front earlier. Daddy's line collapsed under a sudden surge of Torvien's. Seems that one has gotten in some fresh forces and trying to push Daddy back."

"No, I'm fine with the alcohol, Cie." Luse nods to himself. "That prick still around?"

"Draconian forces. Those are less then amusing to deal with." Cie murmurs with an idle lift of her hand to rub at her left shoulder lightly, reminded by the dull throb of her injury sustained earlier. "Yes, alas."

"Your dad's getting old." Luse quips with a semi-smile.

"Just when Daddy thinks he has him pinned....more forces arrive. We don't know where Torvien is getting the funds for it."

"Does it matter?"

So far so good....if Belial could pat herself on the back, without offending, she would....Bel has kept her cool, stayed on point and, in her eyes anyway, behaved herself admirably. Now, if she can only keep it up!

Her smile widens with sincerity as she visibly begins to relax. Almost as if the lifting of his chin, the chasing of some of the shadows from his features offer her a greater comfort....almost....There is an air about her that whispers of things far grandeur than Below....She leans to a nearby table, graceful and elegant in movement, too smooth for mere human, and sits her cold mug of coffee aside. Straightening she turns that green gaze back towards him, momentarily taking advantage of the spill of light on his face.

Not an unhandsome male by the little she can see of him....but the thought is fleeting. Bel isn't looking to get laid....Again she offers him an angelic smile. "Milord, we welcome you in our home, but we ask that you understand that, at least on this initial visit, your magics and technologies will be suspended. We can't allow you access otherwise....But' I am happy to hear what terms you offer....and shall carry them to my Lord."

Veighn snickers, glancing the woman over, slowly. It is as though he is looking through her now, and the weight of his will floods forth from behind those eyes. It was merely a fraction, though again, like the aura of fear surrounding him, and the Shar'Vae Shades swathing his form, it is only a fraction, muted and blunted to a scaled degree.

"Elaborate. There is more to it to that. Details, I'd expected as much." He continues to look at her, almost as if he were glaring through the woman's physical shell, past her, to whatever esoteric knowledge lay beyond. "Though I would love to hear the details of what all this talk of technologies and magics entail."

Bel feels the pressure against her....a pulse, a dark throb of alien power....It doesn't push past her boundaries, or seem to threaten her yet the presence of his will is felt....but not recognized for he'd kept it far too muted. A break in her facade as the smile flickers to a slight frown but as quickly as it came it's gone. Perhaps he'd miss it completely'

She gives him a slow measured nod, picking her words with care. "To allow you unfettered access to the grounds of our home, without having a promise of safety would be foolhardy of us, Milord....surely you understand" Should your meeting with Long Lankyn go well, you will certainly have such restrictions removed. What it means" In the most simple of terms is that you will not be able to work spells while on our property....And what technologies you hold will be nullified....but only while you are within our grounds....Once you depart what talents and toys you have will be fine..."

"We will deliberate until all is concluded, until every plan of action has been met to an agreeable portion to both parties. Then, and until I am safely away, will I follow the non-aggression treaty. Pacts, should there be any, will come be something broached during the meeting. No collecting of energies. As hospitality dictates, I wish to be received as a welcomed guess, facade or nae, make it as believable as possible. I would have my comforts assured, as will ye. I will be the guest, and ye family, Lankyn at its head, the host. Once wine and salt have been taken, one may not aggress against the other under the Laws of Civilized Hospitality."

"Bel said she made friends with him....What's this marked bollocks?" Luse demands. Cie shrugs at Luse's question. "Tasha makes friends with that type usually, but I think that one, be only using her." The drink was making her speech slip back into older habits of much younger days. "She be havin' a mark on her palm now. One of his." A jerk of her chin in the direction of Veighn and Belial. "Burned there deep and has her aura in an uproar. Tis that which has Daddy livid."

"So he marked her as someone he's using" So it's a literal sense, huh?" Luse grits of his teeth.

"According to Daddy...marked is marked. Though the agreement was mutual at the time by what Tasha has told me. Mind ye, she is the one to make friends with a dead dragon. One Daddy utterly loathes beyond death. So tis likely she might be friendly with that one, but I suspect otherwise. Ye be knowing Tasha." Cie pauses to take another swig of spicy rum and chuckled softly as pale green eyes swept over from the Mage back to Luse. "She be the eternal hugger, and she can nae be touchin' tha' one."

Veighn has a valid point....Bel has to agree" she would not walk into a potential hornets nest without having her abilities intact. Why should he" But she doesn't have the right to such negotiations....she will have to speak to Corwyn before she can offer anything more.

Bel nods, knowing that the interaction between them is being recorded....Unfortunately the Bloods are not the only ones keeping an eye on the Red Dragon these days....Sid had informed her only nights ago of the other image orbs present.

"Milord, I will have to speak to Lord Long Lankyn about this....I do not have the authority to negotiate here....However I will seek his council immediately and will be happy to return to you at your convenience.? Her tone brooks no arguments, because she speaks in earnest and truth. She has to take his stipulations to Corwyn.

"Ah," Cie replies to Luse softly, "that one over there in the shadows. Lord Veighn Yhaull be the name I was given. Pretty as ye could like for a male, but rather caught up in his own vanity. Pity really." An auburn brow arching slightly as she glances to Luse.

"Crow, we're back on him now, huh?"

"The Slaver be of little concern. He's nae been around since Mum started to hunt him. So there be that one there, then Daug of course along with his pets and some vampire clan seeking Tasha."

"Slaver" Daug, I know..."

"Ahh...and yes...Viki has been abducted. I could nae forget that as it has caused a bit of chaos unbound." A slow nodding of Cie's head. "Seems one attempted a Force collaring of one of ours" Lord Travanix was the name."

Luse grits his teeth. "Viki....The....she talked in rhymes, right?"

"Aye, that she does....but seems much and if one listens....they will learn volumes. Some creature by the name of Irrykin seems to be the culprit on the stealing of our seer, but he also hides. Though Daddy did mention Tasha had a run in with him." Cie responds.

Eavesdropping ears took up notice of the conversations at hand. Keen senses of acuity were a manifestation of Veighn's preternatural perceptions. He was indeed taking notes on the matters at hand, all inclusive.

Veighn is correct in assuming that Corwyn would do his own dealing with the mage, Bel has been sent merely to offer the invite and lay down the ground rules....Rules he's dismissed. A slow nod granted the Black Wizard.

"I shall tell Lord Lankyn of your choices, Milord..." With a slight bow of her head as Bel steps from her lean, intent now on departing his" company. "Good evening, Milord, mayhap we shall meet again....Mayhap....Not..."

"Not likely she's going to talk to some slaver..." Luse cracks a kink out of his neck. "Oh, so many things need to be set right.....Brutally and finally."

"As the fate-staves fall....M'Lady Belial. Well met, and farewell." Veighn's tones cryptic, betraying no emotion except cordial exchange.

There was a line in the famous "Alice's Restaurant" where Arlo is in the Viet Nam recruiting office....and to get out of serving he quips "I want to kill....I...I want to kill...."

"Simply put, ye be needed around here aye?? Cie softly mutters the aside to a seemingly distracted Luse. A flick of frosty green eyes towards the Mage as Cie catches the final comments and a faint smile in dark amusement is granted.

Bel isn't quite sure how to take the Black Wizard's parting comment....Spinning on her heels, she takes up the mug as she passes by the table, heading towards the bar. She will need to seek out Lankyn and quickly' It seems the Black Wizard isn't taking the bait he wanted her to offer. Indeed, the mage has proven to be as slippery as an eel and as sly as a fox. Bel is forced to ponder where all of this will end up leading them.

Neon on my naked skin, passing silhouettes Of strange illuminated mannequins Shall I stay here at the zoo Or should I go and change my point of view For other ugly scenes Of summer's heatwaves in your eyes

Alphaville- Big in Japan

Daniel glanced to the side at the two horndogs, and he moved a hand to hide the soft chuckle. But it was only fleeting, as he looked to Cie again. "Dad's brought in more men. I even saw Delana at that barracks he's set up."

"Well, that isn't a surprise either. I suspect Daddy knows more about what is going on then we do after all." Placing her glass down for a moment, gloves were tugged from Cie's delicate fingers and she gave a faint smile.

"Probably. I know he's been distracted the last few days."Nudging Cie, Daniel nodded over to the disaster in the making...er, Reap, on a mission from Baker.

Frosty green eyes swung towards Reap curiously, Cieara having no idea what stupidity the male was up to, but it would likely be of some amusement.

Downing his shot, the tumbler was set on the table between them, as Daniel peered around Cie's shoulders, also watching. "Bet you 5 gold she slaps him." Said softly, to his sister.

"I won't take that bet. If it were me, I would have to break him in two on general principle." Cieara whispered back, a faint smirk touched her pale lit features for a moment as she leaned to rest her chin around curling fingers to watch with a glint of pale green eyes.

"What is this Brale they keep spewing about?" Cieara's brow arching slightly as it appeared to escape her understanding.

"According to what the Gossip paper said, it's something to do with dipping a woman's breast in a tankard of ale." Daniel shrugged a bit, reaching for the bottle. "Guess it's like a body shot."

A look of distaste fluttered over her features at the mere suggestion of that and she slanted a narrowed eyed look at her brother. "I see little good coming from such a thing. Tis a vile act and obviously demeaning to the woman."

"From what I understand, a body shot is much more fun."Daniel stated as he was pouring another glassful of the spiced rum.

"Break him!" Cieara called out to Riley, as the man did deserve it by taking such liberties after all and she rather thought it would serve him right to boot.

Daniel had seen the loud entrance by Kairee, peripherally, but for the moment, was trying to stop the soft laughter, marked with an occasional wince. And they did stop, as he looked around, eyes narrowing slightly as he felt a rippling in the Weave. A hand moved to lightly touch Cie's arm.

"Ah, I feel it also Danny." A ghost of a smirk touching Cie's lips as she glanced around, picking up on the mild disturbance of energy. Her glance sliding back to Daniel and she gave a slow nod, a ghost of a smirk touching rose pale lips as she looked over, feeling the ripple of shadows and just gave a light shake of her head. Then commented to her brother very softly. "Not sure what to make of that one at all."

Daniel nodded slowly. She had understood and replied in the same low tone. "That's been the problem, from what I understand."

"Well as long as Daddy doesn't hear what that one thinks of me, I think Aunt Belial can keep him from confronting the Mage. Although, Daddy is still pretty angry about that mark of his on Tasha." Cieara replied with another sweeping of pale green eyes about the inn.

A flicker, subtle - startlingly so - and unnatural; Black on black, black fell into black, and the shadows became sentient things. The movement stirred the air. The scents of stale alcohol were overpowered with the scent of ozone and spice. Shadows stilled, quieting.

"From what I saw, so is that Lich. If lucky that one will take on the mage and deal with the issue without making it into a family event." Cieara's head lifting at the wafting hint of spice and she smirked again faintly and her words fell into a velvet soft whisper. "And who spies now eh?"

A glance to the Amazon Jewell had introduced him to, then back to Reap. "Oh, this should be fun. Muttered, more than anything, Cie's comment, took away any levity gained from watching the Reap and Baker romp. "Yeah." Leaning to set the still-full shot glass to the table, Daniel casually reached over and tugged the peaceknot on Deathlight's hilt free.

Cieara Muttered. "Knowing that Mage, he will assume we are hear spying." Her head lifting and then a slow wickedly little smile played over the pale lit features with a flicker of laughter in her frosty green eyes. "However, I will point out that we where here first."

Shadow receded into shadow, the taste of static in the air becoming a non-pulse in its charge. Nothing.

Don't over kill This painless thrill It's bitter still Your pretty pill You wait until You've had your fill I know you will I know you will Breaking Benjamin - Shallow Bay

"Ahh...Perhaps the Mage favors a more alternative lifestyle. Mayhaps ye be more his type Danny." Soft melodic laughter fell from her as Cieara glanced over at Daniel and watched him with an arching of a brow.

A flash of mischief glimmered in those luminescent pools where irises and whites should be. A crooked grin formed his lips, predatorily, as he relaxed to favor one leg with his weight. He slipped the stem of crystal snifter into one hand, and worked at the cork of the bottle with the talon terminating at the end of his right thumb. He looked the man over like a butcher might as he appraised a choice piece of meat.

Cieara did love to tease and torment her brother when she can and just grinned at Daniel wickedly with a curious leaning of her auburn head.

"That's not even funny." Daniel glanced over to her and then pitched his voice a little higher, deliberately for shadow-enshrouded ears. "What goes on in my Playroom wouldn't interest him. First off, it's not any male-on-male actions." A smirk formed, teeth flashed feral. "He might try to frat house for that."

"Mind if I take what?s left of him after ye're through, darling?" Veighn said in an aside to Riley as she approached Reap in her rage. His words had more color to them, per se, as though he might have been hinting at something lewd, had it not sounded so very sinister.

Laughing a bit Cieara patted her brother on the shoulder as more soft whiskey warm giggles spilled free and then nodded. "Aye, but I think that one he's giving the eye to is one of those."

Veighn heard the conversation, turning his head to take Daniel DeAuster into view. Did he just wink at the man' Was that a creepy smile" His head turned before the glimmer of expression made its firebrand impression. Back to the spectacle.

Tossing a shot of spiced rum back against her lips, Cieara turned and regarded Veighn again, intense frosty green eyes trying to see past those shadows of his while another wicked smile touched her soft lips.

No, it was a smile imagining the fresh gout of blood as teeth sank into whatever flesh lay under those shades. Daniel did have a very vivid imagination.

Lord Veighn made his way toward the pair, lingering near Riley's right flank. It seemed he was looking down past her shoulders. His expression receptive as he forced the cork out of the wine bottle with an audible "POP!" "Ye should rip his tongue out.." He said to Riley off-handedly, watching Reap's expressions. "I believe there are some wrought iron tongs behind the bar."

More laughter as Cie watched the Mage, curious as to what mischief he was up to and just nudged her brother lightly.

Twisting in his seat slightly to keep the room in view, Daniel leaned closer to Cie speaking softly. "Who are 'Brits'?"

Cieara offered a lifting of shoulders in a baffled shrug, having no idea what "The Brits" was either and just shook her head, the action sending a cascading of auburn curls dancing along her back.

"Do it..." Meanwhile, Veighn poured his snifter half full of the amber liquor, a little thinner than most alcohol. It had a red tinge to it, however, almost rose, though it had a content stronger than wine, and bubbled.

A shrug to himself, as Brian offered a most respectful nod to the DeAusters.

A smile and a nod back to Brian before Cieara reached for the bottle of spiced rum to refill her glass and glanced at her brother. "Do you want more also?"

"I'm a Brit." Erin Offered to Daniel and Cieara. Everyone else was being ignored, ayup.

You were way out of line When in turned it all around on me again How can I not smell your lie Through the smoke and arrogance But now I know That so you will not get away with it again I'm listening, those hollow lies Puscifer - Undertaker

Hooking the seat beside Veighn with a boot heel, she pulled it a short distance away and slipped in and regarded him and that faux expression he masked his features with and a brow arched slightly. "Does that actually work?"

"Does what work?" He was well aware of her, having caught her movements in the peripheral. Those shadows still shifted, perpetually so, obscuring a goody portion of what lay beneath the hazy aura. Veighn lessened the shadowy bands rippling near his features, lightening them to a smoky blue-gray.

"That faked expression your wearing Milord." A brow arching slightly as Cieara's pale green eyes flickered faintly, able to see into shadows normally, his took a bit more effort on her part, which was unusual, but hardly something she felt a need should worry her.

The dark around the Mage's shoulders and down began to thicken at her shrewd appraisal. His brow arched as he turned his hair to her, lifting the glass again to sip it. " Until now, aye.." The spiced Assii Sparkling Blood Brandy adding a thick huskiness to his dark timbre, the peculiar accent very fluid, like honey or soft velvet."Nobody was bothering me until ye came over."

"Ah, now that is a rather blatant hint that I am bothering you. And here I thought nothing could ruffle your feathers, so to speak." Cieara didn't even attempt to hide the sudden shimmer of laughter that brought an eerie sheen to frosty green eyes and just shrugged. "Public place after all Milord. Much as that might pain you."

"Panther does nae charge me for the beverages, and I'm mostly left to do what I wish. Too, there are many different wines and morsels from many strange places. It amuses me to come here, therefore, I choose this haunt despite the slight irritation that could be endured by unsavory patrons." Veighn took a sip of the bubbly blood brandy once more, turning his features toward her.

"Besides, I think Panther does nae like to deal directly with me, and has found no other means by which he can without placing himself in view of me. One of the main reasons, I believe, I am nae charged for what I help myself to on occasion."

"Unsavory eh?" A whiskey warm laugh and she took a pull from the bottle before sliding down with smooth grace to her feet with on the faintest of leather whispering and glanced at him. "Well then Milord, I shall remove my foul presence from your sphere of notice." And off Cie moved towards the hearth, planning on finishing that bottle before heading for home.

"Ye smell of saliva, by the by." Referring to her brother's kiss. Veighn turned his attentions back toward the nigh empty commons.

Sinking down into one of the plush chairs before the hearth with a lazy crossing of legs and just chuckled quietly to herself as the bottle rose to Cie's lips and she took a healthy swig of the spiced rum.

Lord Veighn drove many to drink, and it was no surprise that she too slung back the alcohol as though she were a desert traveler who'd chanced upon a water skin. Veighn swirled his libation, reaching out and back to place the bottle of the same drink back on the ledge of the bar top.

There was a flicker of crimson, a faint pinpoint amidst the pale depths of green but lost with the dropping of thickly lashed lids and she just smiled to herself, always able to get along well on her own as much as with others.

Resuming faux look, he sat there, brooding over some things, ideas, thoughts. He too let out a bit of laughter, though his was somewhat more smug-sounding.

I'm not sure what I'm looking for anymore I just know that I'm harder to console I don't see who I'm trying to be instead of me But the key is a question of control Can you say what you're trying to play anyway I just pay while you're breaking all the rules All the signs that I find have been underlined Devils thrive on the drive that is fuelled

Depeache Mode - A pain that I'm used to

"Yup I have heard of the goings on and have been keeping an ear to the ground even though I am busy." Tera grinned to Cieara then tilted her head to the side inquisitively at the blushing Anne, she shook her head and reached for her wooden spoon which she placed onto the back bar beside her with an audible whack.

Gav hearing the wooden spoon and knows his flirting time is over.

Sadly for Tara's beloved husband that time never started had he only known she took a sip of her coffee then went and hid all the pots so he would have no armor this night to hide his head under.

Veighn stayed silent for a time, considering the woman like a jeweler might a bin of diamonds. His gaze was shrewd and keen, missing little, if anything at all. He set to swirling the liquor in the snifter again, relishing the feel of the liquid displacement as it whirled around in the large bottom of the globe-like glassware.

Taking another sip from the bottle in her black nailed fingers Cie glanced over at the lady Des and Gav were speaking with and chuckled quietly.

"Hmm...Nothing aside from being pestered by Cieara....and yeself, Chris?" Veighn was starting to get used to the postman's odd lingo.

Chris shrugged. " Working." He replied then took another drink.

Oh there was an imp lurking in her eyes that flash of crimson dancing there as she looked over at Veighn and in ever so sugary sweet tones spoke up. "Pardon me Milord Yhaull but might I ask you a question"

"Nae, ye may not." Veighn issued acerbically to Cieara, turning his gaze back to Christopher and his current antics. He was content to watch for a time.

"It is just one small little question. Hardly likely to take much of your time after all." Rose pale lips just twitching faintly as Cieara placed the bottle of rum on the bar.

Chris shifted in the stool to glance back and Cieara then over to Veighn. Lets the bottle dangle in his fingers. "So the cheese man is back." Frowns into a sip. "Talomar. I saw him last night. And he was sucking face with Tasha."Shakes his head. "How does he get a hottie like that?"

Veighn knew he was going to regret this, and turned his features to her, right brow escalating."If it will get ye to shut that sour trap of yours, what is it?"

"I merely wished to find out what your definition of "Strumpet" was, as you seem to think that is what I am. I would certainly like to know, as it's a word I haven't used myself you see."Oh sugar wouldn't have melted on her tongue Cieara was so perfectly polite and pleasant, aside from the flickering of crimson fading in and out of pale green eyes.

"Strumpet. One might call it a summary of the phrase, "Slatternly trollop," or "sullied woman," or an "uncouth vile excuse for a lady", who indulges in the violation of mores and taboos set by the status quo of today's society. However, it is a male to female perspective. It does nae apply to the former. Just ye." Simply put, another sip. Veighn turned his gaze toward Chris. "So ye're saying, Christopher, that Anastashia is a strumpet as well?"

"I'm saying..." Chris's eyes moved back to Cieara a moment, a tilt of the gaze. "She was sucking face with the cheese man."

Nicholai Looks to Cieara. "Or more commonly known as his usual choice of partner." Smiling sweetly.

A brow arching slightly and she laughed quite airily with a slow tipping of her head as frosty green eyes shifted from the mage to Nicholai and back once more without missing a beat. "Ah, that is rather and interesting assessment of my character. Considering you barely know me Milord."

Veighn issued Nicholai a droll look, his head tilting. "Donnae presume to bring me up in your Conversations."

Anne offered to Cieara. "Psychiatrists say that men often see in others what they cannot admit about themselves." So in a sense, baseless accusations tell more about the character of the accuser.

Laughing at the Lord, Nicholai replied. "I did not bring you up in my conversation sir. I inserted myself into yours. Surely you see the difference?"

Veighn made a face at Chris's last comment, washing his mouth out with a bit of the highly potent Assii Brandy.

A very wicked smile touched her pale lit visage as she turned shimmering green eyes to Anne with more husky laughter falling with out care from her lips. "Aye Milady, I suspect your right about that."

Chris nodded to Veighn. "I know...I know."

"Donnae bring yeself into this, I grant no quarter or parley, sea wench." Veighn turned his luminescent crimson gaze toward Anne suddenly.

Anne was polite but skeptical. "Yes, m'lord" Something you wanted from me?"

Coaxing waft of his hand, a signal for her to drink up. "A request that ye do something other than speak. Find another job for ye mouth."

Anne wondered if she is the "sea wench" and whether this is a bizarre nickname for some other woman the Lord hates. "Or are you just going to burn your eyes at me all night' Please feel free to speak your mind. Again, sir, you displace your feelings! You are so eager to get your mouth around a !@#$, you suggest that I do the same." Laughing quietly then. "My words have meaning."

"Come now Anne, you know its difficult for the lower echelons of men to keep from staring at you." Nicholai sought to sooth the lady.

"And I'm assuming that despite appearances, you are not entirely a joke." Anne then added to Veighn.

You think its crazy to think theres Nothing to hide Whenever theres a proposition For me to decide on Theres a million suggestions With a million intentions

Nonpoint - The Truth

"Ye'd fare much better with Christopher, I'm sure, Cieara." Decidedly informal for his lack of knowing. Veighn took another sip of aerated brandy as Chris enters into acrobatic feats.

Chris waved to them both Gav and Tera the bends to the icebox for another Lowenbrau.

Tera smiled and waved to everyone as she headed for the door with her handsome husband.

"Hey...don't get me involved in ya little love tryst, Veighn." Chris retorted moving to lean on the bar on the tender side.

"As I nae seek to fair with either of ye, it's rather a moot point don't you think Milord Yhaull. Contrary to your idea about my personality and ways, I don't take up toys I would break easily or dally with others that would become a bore." Cieara replied tartly. To much rum apparently and the bottle was pushed aside and lost into a swirling of black ribboned shadow.

"Ye should not be so vicious when speaking about Christopher. He is a good man, I'm sure. A little quirky, however, but entertaining." Veighn turned his gaze toward Christopher, another sip partaken. He chose to ignore the man's comment for the time being.

Chris made a face. "Geez...that was a little harsh." Eyeing Cieara. "For someone who speaks so much of not knowing ya or ya nature, ya sure don't mind placing that mantle on others. As for ya and being bored and not liking toys...I don't like the bitches myself." Grins. "Or lack of intelligence."

Veighn chuckled as Chris said just what he was thinking, nearly squirting the potent liquor out his nostrils. He swallowed, coughed, and pressed the back of free hand to his lips.

Cieara's head turned and she regarded Chris now, eyes flickering then fading into a full- blown crimson shade and she smiled, just a hint of fangs against the edge of her lips. "Perhaps you wouldn't break so easily but I fear otherwise Milord Chris."

"I'm sure ya fear a lot with that stature of yours." Chris added, while drinking more.

"Ah, and I wasn't thinking ye would be the bore actually." Cieara's eyes slid to Veighn now. "That was reserved for the self superior mage friend of yours actually."

Chris slides the gaze along with her down to Veighn.

"I think ye're arousing her Chris, ye'd better stop. She might just ravish ye. That, or make us both pray for the affliction of blindness." Veighn sat the snifter atop the bar, thinking it dangerous to drink more. Not that the alcohol was affecting his mental state, but for the notion that he didn't want liquor entering one orifice, and shooting out another.

"It's the uniform, Veighn." Chris offered a big smile back to Cieara.

"Aye, darling. I am a bore in the bedchamber." Veighn's hand rose in a flippant wave. "Now move along."

"Takes far more then drink swilling or nose spewing to capture my attentions in such ways Milord Yhaull." Oh yes she noticed he had nearly snorted his drink and had been vastly amused by it.

"M'lady?" Chris's eyes still on Cieara. "Why is ya have a problem with my friend here" I mean everyone does, but what is ya reason?"

"I noticed, incestuous relations are more ye forte." Veighn returned just as snappy-as-he-cared.

Chris offered an inward whistle at the sizzle. "Daaaaaaam."

"Seems to run in the family. Perhaps tis something in the blood." Turning his gaze to Chris with a brow arching the Mage continued. "Interesting news indeed."

"He actually started it, but I find it amusing to battle with him verbally. Perhaps I might be smitten with him." Cieara's own hand lifted in a sort of casual wash of air and then laughter fell from her. "Because my brother kissed my forehead" My, my...such a horror that is."

"Hmm." Chris attention swung back to Veighn.

"Simmer down, Cieara, my heirs are not for the swallowing. Nor do I wish to have ye lips in near vicinity to my lower torso." Veighn curled his lips back, tapping one set of elongated fangs, the shorter inner pair, the ones beside a bit longer. "Scathing and scraping, I have no wont for the chaffing."

A look of faux horror on her face but belied by the dancing of darker green eyes as she looked at Veighn and started to inch closer. "I also kiss my father on the cheek and hug him too. Does that mean I will be ......Damned?"

"Well shite baby, ya are sexy...I don't mind finding out just how fragile I might be....might even surprise ya." Chris chuckled. "What ya say' Want to step out in the alley and break one off" Ya might say "damn" I underestimated this tall drink of water." Sitting up a little straighter...mock pose

"Perhaps ye should show me should he happen to accept my terms and meet." Veighn turned his gaze to the Brandy he was neglecting, his hands steepling around the stem.

A brow arched as she regarded Chris for a moment, gaze skimming over him slowly from the tip of his head right now to the heels of his boots and then chuckled low. "Ah, but you wear my Aunt's scent my good man."

Sniff in the air. "I do?" Chris was curious. "Who is ya aunt?"

"Aunt Sid." More husky laughter as Cieara drew a bit closer to Veighn but eyes rested on Chris for a moment longer. "Besides dear.....I am really more into teasing."

Veighn refrained the follow-up to that comment, deciding to partake again of the libation in snifter's reservoir. He reached for the bottle down the way, topping it off as the pair talked.

Chris shrugged with a smile...looks to Veighn. "Well she got me there."

His wards reacted to her nearness, flaring along the trim and cuffs of his robes. The mage narrowed his eyes, watching the redhead move closer. His lips pursed.

"Gotta love that dark magic...can be a total dick and still get the chicks." Chris commented and went back to enjoying the brew.

"Sid, hmm?" Veighn turned his gaze to Chris, settling back to lean into the frame of his wood stool.

"So tell me Milord Yhaull...What would happen if I touched those slithering shadow snakes of yours" Would it fry my brain" Rip apart my weak essence" Send me flying across the room?" A pale hand lifted, but didn't move towards the sense of his wards as yet, for Cieara had paused a reasonable distance away.

"I'm curious to find out as well." Secretly hopes for flying across the room."Sid. Nods. "Yep.

"Why don't ye venture to find out?" Veighn gave her a rather sober look, having put some distance between them.

Laughter as she glanced at Chris and then at Veighn and Cieara's eyes glittered almost feral with a brow arched. "You can't smell that upon him' Marked him she has, without likely knowing it. Soft scents of Fresh Spring."

"Interesting choice, Christopher. What happened to Amthyst' I thought ye had something going with that little pixie some time back." Veighn eyed Cieara brazenly. "I'm looking for the explanation of said scents, Cieara." Turning to Chris. He has opportunity to explain himself.

"Ahh shite dog, we were just having fun while her man was away. Sid and I were just having fun too." Chris grinned. "She is mated."

Lord Veighn snickered. "Ye know, I donnae think even a thorough washing will lift that scent from ye pores, Christopher." He shook his head, sipping his libation.

"That sounds about right. Aunt Sid has a few regular playmates after all. Ancient she is." Cieara's hand was still raised but palm outwards, no sign yet she was going to touch those wards of his, as there was a good chance she wouldn't.

"I'm not relationship material ya know...just fun. Not around enough." Chris looked at Cieara. "So no strings after we finish in the alley."

"She might become incensed were she to find out ye casual observance of the thing transpired." Veighn suggested.

"Who' Sid?" Chris's brows lifted in question to Veighn, shrugged. "Well...I doubt it. Though I do have a route with lonely housewives...I've dealt with incensed husbands so I am used to it."

"Ah, but if I were to break you are damage you in any way, Aunt Sid would be displeased and I would rather not face that wrath. She is far older then I and holds more power after all." And considering Cieara wasn't a slouch in that department that did say much.

Veighn leaned closer, the Shar'Vae Shades starting to move more violently as he affected a look of mischief. The barrier surrounding him edged closer to her outstretched hand.

"Yet she didn't break me...hmmm." Chris remarked smiling to Cieara. "More power but didn't break. interesting."

He's standing on the threshold Caught in fiery anger And hurled into the furnace he'll...curse the place He's torn in all directions And still the screen is flickering Waiting for the flames to break

Pink Floyd - Wearing the Inside Out

Veighn growled at that comment, the fact that he had come to find that out only afterward was enough to irk him, her pointing it out drew his ire upon her. Waves of pure horror began to seep through the ward's shielding. His jaw set, and a slight twinge more than a fraction of the aura was left unmuted. His eyes smoldered, and he turned his mind introspective for a moment to sooth the rising ire as something dark roiled within the Lunithaylian's corporeal being.

Chris sent a side-glance at the growl. "Ya aight dog?"

"Tara with Uncle Luse...Never did feel right to me." She did catch that smile before he hid it and just chuckled low, a quiet husky tone but natural and not in the least bit tainted by her nature but as the horror crept towards her, her eyes flashed for a moment and she didn't let it effect her as he likely hoped it would.

Instead she started to soak it up, using it as sustenance and knew he would know just what she did as a faint grin touched pale lit features. "I only spoke the truth Milord. Tara always sought...a certain type after all and you do rather fit the demeanor to a degree."

Chris offered an aside to Veighn. "Tara was always koo koo pants too man...looney toons." A finger circling his temple with a look back to Cieara.

It was more than could be considered creepy, but terrifying, as he turned his smoldering gaze toward Christopher. There was death in those eyes, and the threat of it reached out to him with the seeping of that sensation of power flowing forth from his being. It was a promise thereof, and the Shar'Vae Shades expended, snapped and cracked at the air like whips. The scent of ozone was rich in the air, charging it with the static of his power. He seemed much bigger than he was. His eyes flashed, and light strobe so much from those eyes that their glow caused a red glow to bath Chris in their unholy firelight. Swirls of crimson and scarlet met with black flames, and they all danced in the pools of his gaze.

That "Law" Tainted energy was a unique flavor but not unpleasant from one of her nature for it was ripe with the evil that her other half could enjoy and did so but she didn't step back from him as he seemed to expand instead she looked over at Chris. "Ah, but that was all part of Tara's unique charm as well. True she wasn't always stable. . .But she was never, and I shall make that emphatic...Never boring."

Chris's brows furrowed as he returns the gaze. "Shite dog...ya might want to lay off the sauce." Then nodded in agreement with Cieara...smiles at the thought of it.

She felt the heat flowing from the Devil Mage but other then a bit of a flush on pale cheeks it didn't seem to bother her as she watched and just planted herself down against the floor boards where she stood, unwilling to move back from what was to her an intimidation tactic. "Milord Yhaull, you really should get control of that temper of yours."

"If ye value ye life Christopher, I would suggest ye pick another subject." The glacial look Veighn shot the man was nothing to be easily rebuked. He didn't appear to be jesting in the least. His eyes hooded, as if to reign in some control of his rising rage.

Chris sat up a little straighter, his head cocked from one side to the other in a crack of the neck...lights a smile. "Thought we were past this my man...ya threaten, I joke. That is the way it works...now this is the second time in nearly that many that ya have threatened me and it grows old."

Veighn chin lifted, as if the act of him doing so caused him to quell the rising inferno of his anger. His lips grew into a taut mow, and his eyes opened again, lessening their glow as the black became consumed again in reds, scarlets and crimsons.

Cieara leaned a bit, without taking a step and gazed almost sternly at Veighn and then her head tilted slightly. "Such lack of control nae suites ye Mage. Should save that display for those that have truly earned it. Perhaps that Mr. Howe?"

Could this be our punishment" The floods and fires, the bombs and liars For our Mother's discontent Could production be a slave" To the devil on a full rampage Oh where will I be when I wake up"

Delerium - Returning

Cieara's arms folded over her chest as she listened, aware of some of what he spoke of but as her mother wasn't involved in such petty schemes she was not as familiar with such places, although her grandmother would love to take her and her brother on a sightseeing tour of it.

"Are you trying to say that Devils are superior Milord Yhaull?" A brow arching slightly as her gaze swing towards him and head took that quizzical tip to the side in a slide of auburn curls.

"Devils and Demons are two different things, neither is superior. That is the common misconception; a deadly one to hold a large amount of faith in. Dealing with demons, and dealing with devils, takes entirely different tactics. Tis like comparing an apple to an orange. Or, an onion to an orange...more at." The mage defended.

"Your claim they were more stable would call attention to that misconception after all." A slow smile touched pale features for a moment. "I know more about the legions of Chaos Undivided then the demonic castes."

"Once one understands that there is Law...or Order, within the hold of Chaos, and that there is Chaos, in the hold of law, or Order, then one begins to see that much can manifest in those two spheres." Veighn stated.

Chris blinked. "A tough thing to see my friend." Followed with a chuckle. "For me at least."

"They can both be predictable, and unpredictable, such is the paragon of paradoxes."

Chris shook his head, still chuckling. "Whoa now...y'all are getting out there. Chaos. Paradoxes." Sipped on the brew.

"I'm quite sure ye'd go mad trying to peal the many layers and sort them out, Christopher." Veighn tilted his head, considering something."I don't think that sort of madness would suit ye."

"A long way from see it, kill it." Chris commented while laughing to himself and quickly nodded in agreement with Veighn.

"There is law in Chaos. Something my father has stated and follows." Hardly giving up much in that statement Cieara just gave another velvet soft laugh as she regarded Veighn.

"The study of such could take eons, Christopher, and still the changes during that time would make what was learned obsolete. Take Astaroth for instance...." Veighn begun to speak again.

"Chaos in the bedchambers would suit me fine...I shall stick with that." Chris's gaze turned back to Veighn and instance of this Astaroth.

"Some label him a demon, however, they are wrong in classifying that Prince with the lable. He does hold a position and commands many legions of Tanar'ri, but is a Fallen One..."

"Do you have any demon in you Milord Chris" As ye sure do think much about bedrooms and the like." Attention caught by the comment of "Fallen One" but didn't make that to obvious as Cieara slowly swung her darkened gaze back to Veighn.

"Astaroth D, we shall call him." Careful not to name that one fully; The Arch-magus wasn't stupid, after all. "He's rather a bookish individual."

"One might think your a Helston by such ever constant thoughts." Another aside to Chris there added by Cieara.

"Fio caught me young, M'lady Cieara." Tugging a grin at the corners of Chris's mouth, eyes still on Veighn, listening.

"Erynes too, have a penchant for sexual appetites, as Succubi and Incubi do."

Cieara knew the Fiona he was referring to and gave a nod, as that one while not her mother was an interesting woman nonetheless.

"Fio?" Veighn's brow arched, turning his gaze toward Cieara, thinking along those lines.

"And they can be male or female right' Both at the same time I mean." Chris asked of Veighn. "Do some crazy shite with too...benefits of their rule."

"Aye. Fiona Helston. Of the Helston Clan. Tis true my mother also a Fiona worked for them for a time, she is nae the same one. Different line." Cieara's lips took a faintly lopsided smile.

"Aye, but there is still a defining difference, therefore, they have different names to classify their species." Veighn replied to Chris's query.

"Oh. Yeah!" Chris nodded quietly. "Different one! Her Fio.." Pointing at Cieara. "Likes me not."

"Now, they do spawn, those that wish to once they gain more power and intelligence through their ranking...and ye might have a progeny with both Incubus and Succubus blood, or Succubus and Nabassu."

"I've heard of tales where the Succubus will take a man in the female form and turn it around and take a female in the male form...giving away the seed it took as female." Chris commented.

"Succubi are more of the tempter variety..." The mage responded.

That didn't surprise Cieara in the least as she gave a soft laugh. "Threatened to cut off your family jewels did she" Or a finger or Two' My mum takes more to violence then the sex apparently."

Chris didn't recall a specific threat from the Lady Fio but remembers it was something unpleasant.

"It is a perversion thereof, remember the taint, Christopher. Tis how Half-fiends are spawned. That is, if they donnae leech their victim of their life force first."

Chris nodded. "Ahhh."

"Though this information is good to know, forearmed is forewarned. Should ye ever learn a Tanar'ri's real name, or a Baatezu's for that matter, never utter it aloud. Ye would not want to draw their attention upon ye."

"Bad mojo if that happens eh?" The postal worked questioned.

"Ye like ye soul in ye own possession, do ye nae?" Veighn was quick to ask in response.

Lips twitched slightly as Cieara listened to the mage impart knowledge but didn't interrupt, for the moment she wouldn't needle him as this was of some interest to her. "To know the name makes ye a danger to them and most will react in what can only be called a negative way."

"I do." Chris nodded quiet a bit in reply to Veighn's question. "It ain't much but it's mine."

And all these little things in life they all create this haze There's too many things to get done, and I'm running out of days

And I can't last here for so long I feel this current it's so strong It gets me further down the line It gets me closer to the line

3 Doors Down - Running out of Days.

"I say ya make fun, speak of that giant caveman that twisted his head and gather his response." Chris quickly suggested.

Veighn turned his gaze toward Cieara then. "So ye wish me to join ye brood" I had not seen such an invitation. Perhaps I am more dense than I thought." Another sip taken, he let them both chew on that one.

"He was rather aggressive when I did not appeal to his proposition, and threatened me thereafter." Veighn stated with a mild frown touching his shadowed visage.

"Ye can also mention Viki, or Tasha even, as it's obvious the fat Lawyer has a fear of them as well." A brow then rose slightly. "I was under the impression such a thing was in the works, but if you side with DCH, you would then become the enemy, at present you have not been given that status." Cieara replied with smooth cultured tones that gave nothing away.

"It seems I have a time limit, should certain doom befall me." The Mage feigned a shudder, his ichor-tinted brandy sloshing about in the snifter at hand.

"If ya both want to do some good...I say ya put the good word in for me with Bel." Looking between the two, as Chris interjected. "Ya ain't the enemy now Veighn?" Makes a face."Good god man...imagine how they will treat ya when ya are. I still got ya back though." And that quick turned back to his drinking.

"If you had been deemed the enemy Milord. I would not be standing here now, annoying you as I have. No, ye would be dealing with far worse then me." Cieara's rich laughter now floated softly from her as she regarded him.

"Hmm...A lesser evil then." Veighn chuckled, eyeing the pair of them.

"I've seen Howe and the other old men of his like. I mean if nothing else dog, M'lady and her brood are much better to look upon." Another comment from Chris and this left a smile for Cieara.

"Too, I believe that Alysia would not be too thrilled to hear of me siding with Howe."

"Except for Alysia." Chris added that in quickly. "But hey, sometimes ya gotta take the bad with the good." And back to the drink he goes.

"Lord Lucian has led them all a merry dance so they will seek to see him dead...Agreements aside." Cieara felt sure of that, as Howe had yet to prove his word was good on any level as far as she was aware of course and then smiled wickedly at Chris. "Keep that up Milord Chris and I shall indeed put in a good word with my Aunt."

A regal bow, or regal as can be while still seated, and smile for Cieara, was the response from Chris at her words.

"I donnae think by his offer, he intends to make me a partner as well in his firm." Veighn considered the names. "Dewey, Cheetum and Howe, Lord Yhaull" Hmmmmmm....well, let me tell ye..." Ending with a snickering.

"How about Hey Yhaull, it's Dewey, Cheetum, and Howe." Chris suggested. "Sounds like top billing to me." Laughing into his brew. "Of course, if ya aim is to take em down...then what better way than from the inside." Shrugs, it was just a thought.

Lord Veighn tapped his lips, smiling, more for Cieara, because he was looking pointedly at her at this present moment. "Such colorful bias, which shall I choose, decisions ...decisions." He arched his brow."Has ye "father" informed ye of any terms?"

"All ya little spiders..." Chris commented, and then trailed off into another sip.

"I nae think the suits they wear would fit, but if that be the side ye take, well it would be a pity" Cieara seemed more amused then annoyed about it, as she suspected he wasn't to fond of the pompous lawyer anymore then the rest of the realm of RhyDin. "My father does not discuss such things with me. However, I know he was summoned to the House today, so no telling what will come of that."

"I think Howe is threatened by me." Veighn strummed his talons against the wood of the stool's armrest, tips of his boots pressing to rock him from side to side, using the swivel of the stool. "And desperate."

Finishing the beer Chris stood and offered a smile for both. "Should either of ya need any assistance in future endeavors, ya only but need to ask." Pats a hand to Veighn's shoulder with a polite smile for Cieara. "I wish ya both a good morning. I gotta go finish delivering these #$%^&* ng parcels." Grabs some pretzels for the road then turns for the door.

Chris' hand passed easily through the wards without any thing remarkable happening, that, could be seen as extremely odd.

A sudden bright smile as Cieara dipped her head to Chris and then blew a kiss that might actually feel like it landed right on his cheek and then chuckled low.

"Indeed. Save a good one for me, Christopher. I do so like presents." Veighn snickered as he rolled his recently tapped shoulder.

Chris grinned and with a lift of a hand backwards to the room then stepped out.

"When Ideas fail, words come in very Handy."

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Uruviel's form rippled and distorted the direct nexus about her in several hot waves of influx as she from the Warp into this reality; this act gave off a little too much Chaotic, almost Eldritch energy. The Eldarian Farseer, in her slave-like attire, weaved her little threads of direction towards Veighn, silently coming to stand beside him. Scrying would aid her in the topic currently talked about, and would more than likely bequeath her with the jist of said conversation.

"Binding agreements hmm' And what else know ye of DCH" Hmm' Or is that privileged information that requires a price?" Veighn smirked, hands folding to rest in his lap. The nearness of the pact-bound was felt - her rune began to shimmer with rose-tinted light before it quieted.

A brow arched upwards as she looked to the Elfin female coming to stand so correctly beside Veighn and her crimson-flecked eyes swept over her and the apparent attire. "Ah, well I am impressed Milord. Didn't think you swung to such hedonistic flavors, but all need those curious little mysteries to break up the tedium of living, Aye?"

Uruviel's blocked-color emerald gaze rose unto the woman, a slight smile offered to her respectfully. "This is why I prefer my original form, than this..." She remarked dryly, pausing to glance down upon the pact-rune branded in her palm.

"What little I know about DCH, I will share with ye Milord, without a price as it is somewhat common enough knowledge. Tis the belief of many they are body snatchers, if ye will. Viki often refers to Howe as "Snakeskin" with reason, for he's shed the flesh on a few occasions and took a different form. I believe it was Tasha that ruined the last actually decent body he had." Cieara then added, while still regarding the unknown woman.

"Ye are presumptuous to think so." Veighn turned to watch Uruviel, glancing her over again."Though I can see why the imagery would cause ye to think such." He turned his head back to Cieara once more.

"Oh, well, if I'm in error I offer my apologies. My father is a slaver but his chain nae wears quite those type of garments, but the idea ye, ah, um associate has for fashion does lend itself to that misperception." Laughter lit up her features again as Cieara looked from Veighn to Uruviel.

"Clever deception, though lacking if it does nae hold those off too long." Veighn turned his gaze back to Uruviel. "Ye wish ye construct armor, hmm?"

"Ah, Viki....Surely is that the name that you-" Slannesh's voice was cut short, she really did not need him whispering in her ear today. You could say Uruviel looked a little moody this morning, but that's mostly because she had spent most of the night preforming rituals for further Scorpians....Which turned out fruitless in the long run. The Eldarian crossed her arms - the armored limbs coming together, "....The Rafter Woman-" She spotted in the rafters last time, "A pleasure to meet you." She changed the topic mostly, but nodded to Veighn's question. "Mm."

"Back to the subject of DCH then." Fingers furled around a bent knee as Cie considered the pair for a moment, a lopsided curl of lips followed, as if she noticed something that amused her. "Nice to meet ye as well Milady." Her auburn-haired head dipped in a slow nod to the woman.

"I find it offensive." Veighn added for Uruviel's mental examination, turning back to Cieara. "Go on."

"I know of few to have ever seen Cheetum, but Dewey cuts quite the figure. Nae as repulsive as Howe but carries the same energy they both seem unable to hide. Their tactics are less then legal. Did ye know they did already attempt to kill Lord Lucian by blowing up his home?" Cieara graciously obliged.

"Is that so..." Uruviel commented, disinterested. Normally she would have told Veighn something sarcastic. Don't let that her ignorance fool you, she really is a cute little playful puppy on the inside trying to break out. For now, she will remain quiet and listen in on today's topic about the Game. "See" Summoner" Hypocritical little creatures those....Snakes in the grass. "

"I read about the fire, aye. I assumed, by what Alysia had told me of the event, or was it Lucien" Pause. "No matter, I assume that they had a hand in it. However, the conformation thereof is interesting."

"Tis believed they also blew up the court house as the RhyDin Courts had ruled in Lucian's favor, something Howe took quite personally." Cieara continued with a glance now turned towards Veighn.

Uruviel raised an eyebrow at that little piece of amusing information. "Ill tempered, hm?" Idly to herself.

"By my own observations. Howe does love to make deals, but if one could read the emotions correctly, he already plans to twist them to his own ends and delights in the planning of such. Dewey has a fondness for the ladies. Seems interested in Taneth if the reports are correct and according to my father" there is a large Norskman working for them as well. One that I heard recently shot my Aunt Sid with a blaster."

"I see....well....were there magistrates in the building, or was there no one?" His chin lifted, banishing an image that had come to mind.

"There Was a few if I remember right. Was some time back but there was a report about it in the paper ? can always look to the archives. DCH of course tried to lay the blame upon the Bloods for the Courthouse, but as always they had nae any valid proof." Cieara continued to give helpful information.

"Gunthorm...Aye, he's "run into" me recently. I know of the Norseman ye refer to." Veighn's lips pursed and he snickered as more information came to confirm what he already thought.

"My Father plans to break that one I suspect, as he nae likes that one's interest in one of the family." Doesn't say who, as Cieara doubted that hardly mattered to the Mage. "They have purchased several areas of land around the township and seek to harness the Nexus power, but as of yet reports state they have failed in that endeavor and that too they blame upon the Bloods."

"Understatement." Uruviel muttered, side glancing to Veighn.

"My Aunt Belial has far more information regarding DCH, that I am sure of and likely would share that with you should you ask." Of course Belial would also have proof of some of it, while others the lawyers did manage to hide.

The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity.

~George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), "The Devil's Disciple" (1901), act II



"If he has the bend of a Berserker, tis a sure bet that may be why my father has interest in him as well." A brow arched slightly at the woman now and she sat back slowly. "Indeed, such is the ways of Chaos undivided. That however is my father's path but not mine."

"Yes....Indeed..." Uruviel moved to lean against a chair in front of her with an outstretched hand, her other tilting the glass to her lips. "Your Father is a very brave man. I am sure my Master would be pleased to meet him, sometime..." Tilting her head she took a sip of the wine, giving the liquid a most curious expression. "Maybe I should drop my interest in the Norseman too, as it seems one banner of Chaos has already laid eyes upon him."

"He shrugged of a minor pulse of mine, which I have never seen a human take gracefully before. It sent him sprawling, but he recovered quickly. I'm most sure it shattered any bones, though it seems the pack of muscles in his frame took the brunt of the blow before it got to his bone structure, softening it." Veighn remarked, but apparently in a less then pleased manner.

"Ah, but Milady, Chaos as it is, allows for a few various paths to the same goals. If you see the chance, would be best to take it, as would my father if such an opportunity would arise." Cieara replied to Uruviel simply.

"I hope its not the side he's exposing to us now." Veighn muttered before taking a sip of his beverage. His brow piqued, ready for the rebuke and the chance to look innocent.

Veighn was regarded with a chuckle, "Oh you know my attacks are not that physical, Summoner. There is only one way to break men with nothing but brute force..." Of course, Uruviel was rather adept in the line of destroying that sort of creature, "Perhaps I might keep my eyes out for the man....Maybe hand him over to your Father....He sounds like a man who would do better good with him." Uruviel grin once again took a sinister form.

"If the man be a Blood thirsty berserker type, they can take much in the way of damage, shake of pain as if it was nae anything Milord Yhaull. Tis the nature of that trait, but they can also attack their own, that being the draw back." This was one area Cieara did have some personal knowledge of and didn't mind sharing it.

Veighn let out a sinister laugh, his lips curling back into a toothy grin. Apparently the jape had gotten under the man's skin."Indeed...so I must name the juggernaut to stop him." Off-handedly, another sip, he was growing rather fond of this libation, at lest for the time being. He still preferred his mulled wine and the absinthe.

A curious look to Veighn and then quiet laughter falling from her as well. "Tis likely that one is one of those outpatient types from the RhyDin Mental facilities." Cieara referring to the one that had just left in a bit of a temper.

Uruviel rolled her eyes, "I thought most of the creatures here are....A little lacking in the sanity department?"

"Victoria would be at home there, I believe." Yes, Veighn knew she was as loony as a Saturday morning cartoon, not that he knew of any such sort of thing. The girl was a bit off, to say the least. However, he also knew that she had some insight into things that others didn't. She was the snowflake that started this whole avalanche, after all.

"Ye make an assumption there Milord that is rather false. Viki is nae as loony as ye seem to think. Simply takes listening to her and connecting the words to their true meaning." Something Cieara had never had trouble with, while others did more often then not.

Uruviel was awfully silent now, glaring at the glass in her hand more than anything. It seems the name hit a rather deep nerve. "Yes, the woman is rather interesting in her speech, isn't she?"

"She is the seer."That said quite simply by Cieara, for that was what Viki was and seldom was she wrong, if one listened carefully to what the girl said and understand their meanings.

"I know." Uruviel smiled to Cieara.

Veighn donned an expression that said "oh' really now?" He turned his gaze from her to Uruviel, her silence prompting him to speak. "Indeed, she is.." That in answer to her remark. Attention danced between the two. He counted the fate-fall in his mind. In the meantime, he pressed his booted feet to the rung of his stool.

Cieara offered a sharper glance of crimson kissed pale green eyes towards Veighn, gleaming with some silent amused thought perhaps. "I seem to recall hearing that you sought to capture Viki's attention. I know she nae trusts you, but you have that odd way about you after all Milord."

Uruviel placed down the now empty glass, and looked between the two. "If you excuse me I must take a short leave. I feel that certain Scorpions are calling my attention." A rather short glance to Veighn as she moved to the door. Whenever she heard that name....Viki. The Seer. The woman with interesting words to speak - yes, Uruviel desired to see her once more...."Excuse me." And she's out of the door.

"Tis nae odd. And aye, Viki loves me, she just does nae knows it yet." Veighn didn't nod to Uruviel as she left, accepting it as was. He found the departure rather swift, and frowned at the mention of scorpion troops. He didn't want those things trying to reduce his castle to ruins, however the wards were in place, and they'd have to deal with his two servants, and possibly a third, if they tried any such nonsense.

The air is visceral around us, Turning in it's circle steps on slow currents. And I watch as it pirouettes and spins in slow motion. A long drag becomes a slow dance in a halo of ember.

Dashboard Confessional - Currents

Affecting a very dramatic sigh as Cieara looked to Veighn and there was a lurking of devilish laughter playing in those half closed green eyes as she regarded him. "Alas, ye are hardly a lesser beast to fall at my feet Milord. Perhaps I will have to redouble my efforts."

"Ye could always send them into the sewers. There be a vast amount of Skaven below that would be amusing for them to slaughter. Foul creatures after all and make good moving bodies for target practice Milady." Cieara suggested helpfully to Uruviel then.

Uruviel instantly gave a hiss at the race name. "Disgusting rats..."

"Perhaps, though I am not sure ye most extreme effort is enough. I am, after all, unyielding in my position." Yes, stroke the ego. He knew well she was being sarcastic, and Veighn found it amusing to challenge this, not that she'd be up to the challenge in the first place.

"Indeed, but tis unlike many would notice if a few or more went missing after all." Wasn't to fond of them either, but they did have plenty below all crawling about under the city."

With the knowledge that the Skaven even EXISTED in Rhy'Din had her natural racial hatred for....Well, anything not Eldarian had her clenching her fists at her hips. Her grim expression pointing directly towards the ground, she could almost feel the pests scratching below her feet, and it gave her a shudder. "Perhaps I should view how the Scorpion's battle-worthiness has changed with the mutations. I have yet to see them battle in their current state."

"They say that the dragon, Icer, was forced down the privy pot as a fledgling by some child's mother when she found her son with the beast." Veighn lied, but it amused him to do so. "I wonder is she could be considered vile Skaven vermin as well.." Tapping his lips.

That washing emotion of hate had Cieara sitting up a bit at the surge of energy and gave a soft laugh, having felt that sort of intolerance from a family member and couldn't help but be amused by it in another.

"Ah, the Lady Dragon is far from such a lowly station Milord." Cieara would defend the lady in such regards, as she liked the Dragon after all and did call her friend.

"Highly doubtful." Veighn returned, withdrawn from his thoughtful expression. He turned his glance to Uruviel. "Perhaps ye could send them to the lawyer, and deliver my message for me, so that they might emphasize the point of it."

Uruviel blinked....Then raised her brow to Veighn, "And how would they implement your message" Again, if they face with opposition, I will not know how they will fare against...if they are faced with the snakes in the grass."

Cieara didn't ask what his decision was, as she followed that idea of her Grandmum that the choice of everyone was theirs by right, and while she might be curious, the answer would show itself soon or later, of that she was certain.

"Well...if faced with opposition, or aggression, they will nae come back, will they?" Veighn smirked. "Perhaps ye should enhance them more."

"The armor should be protective enough. Their souls are safe with the Soulstones in place....The mark of Slannesh should boost their strength as well as their speed, but I cannot imagine with their current mutations there can be further enhancement." Uruviel glanced to Veighn, "The only way to get stronger troops would to offer Slannesh something in return."

That bit of news from the lady brought another soft husky laugh falling from Cieara's rose pale lips as she knew the ways of the god and could only imagine what favors would be required considering the hedonistic hungers it carried.

Countess Lynn slowly moved downstairs dressed in her usual attire of a flowing burgundy gown of fine satin. The neckline of which was cut low and a matching corset was laced tightly to accent ample globes of flesh. Raven hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Emerald eyes moved ever so slowly over the occupants has she stepped casually towards the bar. A stool pulled out and firm rear planted upon it. Legs pressed together and hands placed upon her lap.

He heard movement by the stairs, which prompted the suggestion. "Offerings are more than ample. One comes this way as we speak. Would he be muchly satisfied with that gift?" Veighn's brow piqued as he turned his gaze toward Uruviel.

A cup of earl gray was placed before her by some unseen force. Lifting the mug up she took a small sip, Countess Lynn's eyes dancing over the patrons once more.

A turn and half lidded green eyes regarded the lady and then offered a polite smile and nod of her head before she looked back at Veighn and Uruviel with more then a little humor flickering on her pale features.

Uruviel's eyes lifted to the woman, and smirked to her self. "The Great Enemy would be deeply satisfied with anything that could give....Well. Him. It. Her's - pleasure." Slaanesh's forms sometimes took on the male, or female - sometimes beautiful. In this case for Uruviel, Slaanesh took on the form of....something quite disgusting, Perhaps to mock her. Don't think such vile thoughts about me, Uruviel. Take her. I would be....Pleased. "Pleasured yes, of course..." Uruviel's emerald orbs scanned

The woman with the tea, felt a certain Daemonic call tickling the sinister and darker side of Uruviel's persona. "She might do. But I have no desire to kill something....Like that."

"Well?" The "Black Wizard" verbally awaited the response of the Farseer "witch." His lips pursed, while she explained. His brow furrowed, seeing her have some trouble with the description of the Chaos God. Veighn lips quirking from the left side to the right side of his mouth twisting and puckered. "Hmmmm...."

"Like what?" His brow arching, Veighn turned to look to the Countess, gesturing blatantly toward her direction with a languid sweep of his arm. "Like that' And just why not?"

Cieara held her words to herself as she watched and listened but there was humor resting easily on her features, as the she knew the God of Uruviel would be happy enough with a release of Lust in many cases.

"I think he would like to find something a little warmer." Uruviel commented with a grin.

He deals the cards as a meditation And those he plays never suspect He doesn't play for the money he wins He doesn't play for respect He deals the cards to find the answer The sacred geometry of chance The hidden law of a probable outcome The numbers lead a dance

Sting - Shape of My Heart

Uruviel smiled at Veighn's reaction, but drew her voice to the direction of Cieara. "I am sure I will be able to pick him out of a crowd, the Chaos tend to have a certain look about them....Don't they?" That said, tilted her head to the tone of the woman's voice, the words seemed....Well. Confident. Proud almost. For a moment there Uruviel was actually smiling - happily to the woman. Which is a first....But then the interruption from the Countess had her smile turning into a very grim, frown, almost in the span of a second. Let her play. Take her in your arms, Uruviel - take her. Take- "Mm."

"Aye Milady. He is quite distinctive." Cieara's slumberous green gaze swung towards the lady with a twitching of lips that bloomed into a smile of obvious amusement, and then shifted instantly towards Veighn to see how he would accept the greeting.

Distracted, Veighn turned his gaze toward the Countess introducing herself to him. He appraised her worth, or so it seemed by the shrewd, calculating look his stoic face registered. He took some time to examine her structure before nodding to the woman, it was a fraction of a movement, almost imperceptible. His eye's narrowed before tilting his head to the side. "What interests are these" That, and what things is it ye presume to have in common with Lord Yhaull. Veighn's tone became very sinister however, formal in cadence. Yes, he just referred to himself in the third person as well.

"You spoke of interest in..."Exotic" imports. I to have such an interest, may I sit?" The Countess motioned to the seat adjacent to him with a small smile and another small curtsey.

Uruviel had expected such a thing from Veighn, but it would seem the woman had other things on her mind. Sit....With the Summoner" She was all but cautious, after all, she needed to protect him, right' And so far he needed little of that - Veighn is a big boy and could easily handle the woman him self, by the looks of it. She stepped closer to Veighn.

Lord Veighn directed her to a chair, one from a nearby table. The fact that the seat was perched lower than his own was of no consequence to him. He cared little if it hurt her pride or her feelings. "There, draw that near if ye wish to listen and explain. We shall see if ye interests parallel mine own. I would rather ye not impede my view of the red-haired woman across from me. Too, setting behind me in such near vicinity is out of the question."

Countess Lynn's eyes moved to the red head and a nod given to her has she examined the woman briefly before lowering herself into the chair offered. "Thank you." Spoken softly. It took a lot to hurt her pride. Lifting her earl gray listening once more.

"Now...ye spoke of interests in acquisitions. Do expound upon said aforementioned topic. What is it ye think ye have in common with myself, and the two ladies present?" "Shocker, Veighn didn't refer to Cieara as a strumpet upon introduction. Maybe she was growing on him, like a fungus or a bad rash."

That remark regarding her brought a brow rising under the disheveled drift of soft curls and the somnolent green eyes took on a decidedly devilish twinkling but Cieara remained silent, merely watching with avid attention.

"Acquisition and subjugation of said goods my good lord." Spoken in that soft tone once more has Countess Lynn sipped her tea.

Uruviel was watching the Countess, not really paying much attention to what was being said. Which was a lie, those long ears weren't for show.

"What, ye're referring to the women previously mentioned?" Coaxing gesture, Veighn wanted her to explain herself further to him. His brow arching. "Are you looking for a slave of some sort?"

"I believe the lady be offering to garner such for ye Milord." Cieara's cultured words sliding quietly from rose pale lips as she regarded the lady for a moment and then lifted her gaze slightly to Veighn.

"Not the women in our presence no. They seem to be spoken for. And yes...I am looking for reliable vessels for my newly built manor." The Countess took another sip of her drink. "Its construction was a taxing endeavor on my funds, but I assure you I still have more then enough for a few "Servants"."

"Ah, I stand corrected." Cieara didn't look at all abashed having mistaken the interest after all and just settled back to rest a soft cheek against a pale hand, black nails stark against her lighter skin.

"Is that so?" Veighn regarded Cieara as she attempted to shed new light on the matter at hand. Now that the reality of the situation came to fruition, being what he'd first expected, he started to laugh. He turned to Cieara with a grin. "She seeks a slaver. How very interesting." He then turned his gaze to Uruviel, and then back to the Countess. "What sort or variety of servant are ye looking for?"

"A few hands to work fields and bring income into my manor, and a few for, private occasions." The Countess sipped her tea once again. "Males for the labor and females for the aforementioned private occasions."

"Did she call Uruviel indirectly a slave" Uruviel's teeth gritted together, her blackened hair falling about her face as she tilted her head downwards, struggling not to glare back at Veighn at the woman's insinuation. "Probably blood slaves."

"Oh yes. RhyDin does not have scruples about flashing one's special needs does it...Yes...vessels to slate my hunger are what I am looking for. Hunting is so ..unladylike." The Countess added.

"Or lazy." Uruviel commented in a grumble.

Was sure it was Uruviel's apparel that had led the lady to think the woman a slave, much the same mistake that she had also made and Cieara gave a slow lazy smile but kept her tongue for the moment just glanced to Veighn's associate with some humor evident in her half lidded green eyes.

Countess Lynn glances to Uruviel. "My dear woman. When one is from a noble upbringing such has myself it comes with certain privileges. Privileges I have been without ever since I came to this realm, and I do wish to go back to that which I have grown accustomed."

Uruviel glanced to Cieara's humorous expression and returned it with a forced little smile. She's perfect. Yes, the woman's self indulgence was perhaps now fully taken into account by her Dark God, Slaanesh, and....Well. Desired to have her. Uruviel held her tongue, and simply stared back at the woman - after all, it was Veighn's conversation.

Countess Lynn's eyes moved back to Veighn. "Forgive that outburst my lord. Please continue."

"Hmmm....Blood slaves hmm' Ye need a herd of vessels, I see. Somewhat like chattel." Veighn turned his gaze toward Uruviel, and then back to Cieara with a grin blossoming. "What manner of beast' Human, Elven, demon, dragon?"

"Yes. Cattle...It would be presumptuous of me to say that many of these inhabitants have lives, and being pets and cattle will be the only real purpose for them." The lady replied.

"And are these for the slaughter, or do ye mean to only drain them of their precious bodily humors only slightly?" Veighn's brow piqued. His fingertips pressed together, and his chin lifted slightly as he watched what emotion her face might register. His own look was one of stoic receptiveness, his eyes lowered to half-mast again, causing him to look more impassive as he looked down upon the woman from his high perch in the stool.

"That all depends on two things...if I am very hungry, or they anger me...like cattle they are replaceable should one expire before it's time." Again the Countess responded to the "Black Wizard".

The dark green eyes, looking a bit drowsy met the Mages with a slow languid smile curling on Cieara's lips, the glance shared was one of dark amusement but to the onlooker would likely seem perfectly proper, a mere exchange of looks and little else on display.

You go out like a riptide You know that ball has no sides You're an angel with an amber halo Black hair and the devil's pitchfork Wind-up anger with the endless view of The ground's colorful patchwork

Modest Mouse - Interstate 8

Uruviel smiled, "Why don't we first allow you to look upon some of the finest before we start thinking of payment. A taster - I will grant you to suck upon the lifeblood of one, to see if you're satisfied. Then we can talk payment."

"Ye say that ye are taxed in ye manner of payment right now. And, as these are quality goods, I am sure we can come to an agreement." Lord Yhaull turned his gaze toward the Eldarian again. "What would price would ye say one of our pretties would be worth, in monetary value?"

"Hmm....indeed..." He turned his gaze toward the Countess. "She does have a point, I would not wish ye to be dissatisfied with the wares. I do have a reputation to uphold, after all. I shall leave the details to her." Veighn obviously trusted Uruviel's judgment, due to him relaxing into the frame of the stool once more. He turned his gaze toward Cieara suddenly.

"Yes. We do not want you displeased, Countess." Uruviel stepped away from Veighn, backing up some of that protective overshadow she seemed to had been casting upon him for the last two hours. "Why don't you come with me, so you could taste one. Then we can discuss such matters afterwards."

Countess Lynn nodded and slowly rose to her feet. "Lead the way.."

Uruviel indicated the Back Alley, "This way, hopefully this should not take long." Turning to glance back at Veighn, she made a slow step for the door - opening it for the Countess to step through. "After you, Countess."

Countess Lynn nodded and moved slowly outside towards the back alley.

Slumberous dark eyes peered at Veighn with another smile, as if he was of great interest to her, but Cieara's gleaming gaze under that drift of lashes was dancing with wicked and well-repressed laughter. "Bravo Milord. Very well done by the pair of ye." She whispered soft and low.

Veighn to laugh one of those very ominous laughs of his, finding some sadistic amusement in the newest potential acquisition. "Oh' Ye believe so?" He settled into one of the two corners of his chair, still using the side of his armrest as a lean-to while he sat. His brow arching slightly. "And what is it ye think is well done, exactly?"

"To see such deviousness in action, ah, well that could certainly excite the senses to be sure." Fingers folding around her bent knee as Cieara pondered his next question. "I think the lady actually believed ye. Perhaps it be ye looks that led her to believe ye manipulations. Or mayhap ye manner. Either way it was rather masterful."

"Hmm...A virtuoso ye say?" He lifted his chin, hooking said chin in the grasp of his forefinger and thumb, as though he might have been stroking a beard or goatee that was not there. Veighn's lips pursed. "We shall see how this plays out. Should she seal the deal, much the better. Should she not, it shall be a lesson learned, on many sides. She does have promise, does she nae?"

"Depending on what ye hope to collect from her. I would admit her greed and lazy ways give plenty to prey upon." Soft amused laughter falling now as Cieara gave a slow shaking of her auburn head, sending a few burnished curls to bouncing along her shoulders and down her back

Lord Veighn ran taloned fingers through his black locks, soothing back the errant tendrils that began to do more than just frame his features. He then pursed his lips. "What would ye surmise that I intend to collect from her?"

"Ah, I would nae attempt to determine what price you would seek from the lady, I am not that clever. Considering she nae wishes to do for herself, I can but wonder, but I am sure ye be having an idea of her uses." Cieara's head tipped lightly to one side with another shimmering of darkened green eyes, as she had absorbed plenty of pure emotional energy this day.

"I do think ye are warming to my company, Cieara." Veighn chuckled, whetting his lips with a slip of tongued trinity. He moved to lightly trace the rim of the empty snifter still atop the bar, producing a tone with the pad of his index finger. "Who'd have thought so, hmmm?" His brow piqued as he turned his attention back to her rather drowsy expression.

"Ah Milord, I do find ye entertaining. So if that be warming then aye I have, but I would nae be thinking to make any deals with ye. I think I know better." Cie's attention shifted to the sound he was creating with the glass and she smiled slowly with a slow languid blinking of eyes.

"What makes ye think ye haven't already?" His brow dropping as he offered over a sly smile, his tones a light velvet purr - accent apparent.

"Because I have nae agreed to anything specific Milord." Cieara's own tone dropped into a low husky tone as she replied and her head dipped slightly while regarding him.

Veighn turned his head, though his gaze stayed upon her features, her expressions. Crimson eyes flickered here and there, she seemed to be seeping some form of ease that he did notice, though she seemed as though she might snap to an alert state of being were he to press her to that action. He continued to produce the tone, his dusky timbre issued forth from multi-tongued mouth once more. "And yet ye donnae seem as hostile toward me as ye once had been."

"Would ye rather I remained hostile" In truth I like to make ye bristle a bit, it amuses me to see ye react as ye do, but I suspect ye already know that." Indeed if he did press the situation she would snap to attention with preternatural response as was part of the nature she carried.

"Do ye think me as dangerous as many say' Or do ye find me more or less, harmless and impotent as some might suggest?" Veighn's brow arching, he didn't expect her to answer truthfully, but it amused him to see her dodge it, or not.

Ah, and Cieara's face just wore a look of surprise there and then soft mellow warm laughter spilled freely from her lips as she leaned into her hand, chin resting on a palm while regarding him. "I think Milord ye can be very dangerous. Nae once have I thought ye impotent as ye might believe. I am nae foolish enough to make just poor judgments as that. Where there is power, there is always danger."

"Therefore, in essence, ye like to flirt with disaster. Or, mayhaps, tempt danger. Smile in the face of death or destruction." Veighn could go on forever like this, but decided that he'd not get too far ahead of himself. The exchange was indeed a bit appetizing, and his expression was somewhat telling of this, though very peculiar. It was as if he might be plotting something else as he spoke. There was no telling.

"Oh Aye Milord. I do admit to having a bit of interest in walking along that edge, but I think that comes with the nature I carry. Or perhaps something inherited from my parents, for they also carry that craving for excitement that danger, destruction as ye say carries with it." Cieara suspected he was plotting, seeking to lead her down a rather rocky path and would be sure to tread that lightly as a languid smile curled upon her lips.

"I noticed that, indeed." He chuckled, stopping the sound produced by his moving index finger atop the crystal. Veighn sat his hand and forearm flat against the bar. His lips pursing. "It amuses me that Howe has nae seen that part of ye. Am I correct?"

"Mr. Howe sees what he wishes. He's nae taken the time to observe me in most situations so likely nae has any clue what to make of me, other then perhaps a rather wild child. Cieara didn't seem the least bit disturbed by that at all, as that was the impression she had purposefully given to many over the years. "It suits me to leave that one wondering of course."

"So ye suspect him to be dangerous, and yet, ye also believe that given House Bloods current matters, their disposal of him has been put off for a time" And just what, might I ask, do ye surmise his interest in me to be? Hmm?" His brow piqued as he inquired.

"Tis likely he is aware of certain deals ye have made. Likely the one with Tasha I would suspect and now seeks to find a way to take control of that. Or perhaps it was that meeting with Belial. If We the family think ye a threat or potential ally, they will seek to interfere." Husky low laughter as that actually made perfect sense to her and Cieara regarded the Mage with heavily lidded eyes. "They may be aware of others, perhaps ye association with Lady Alysia and Lord Lucian as well, and both have nae made friends of DCH that I am aware of."

"That is all very true. I wonder what his angle may be, and what he thinks he will get from me." The Mage tapped his fingers against the wood of the bar, glancing about the Inn, knowing that there were eyes in the walls, per se.

"I can nae answer that for ye Milord." Even her tone was taking a drowsy husky quality as Cie regarded him and just leaned into her hand, fingers curling to rest against inky black nails against her lips for a moment. "It is best to regard that one as a potential threat, even if ye would ally with him, for tis my belief he serves himself above all others."

"Though I have no doubt that ye family seeks to utilize me to their purposes, if they can." He turned his gaze, sharp, upon her once more. Veighn's left hand drawing the right leg over his ankle, his robes rustling with the movement.

"Aye, but do ye nae have plans to use them as well?" The look was somewhat skeptical as Cieara gazed at him, eyes dark and radiating with a certain curious humor.

At the devil's party watch them stare in vain At the devil's party, now, you're no friend of mine Oh, lonely days of the road to excess When you're on fire you burn like the rest

Inxs - Devil's Party

"Oh, I was just thinking about Howe and his threats." The Mage grinned, flashing sharp teeth. He turned his glance toward the pact-bound Farseer. His eyes swirling with black flames in a backdrop of swirling scarlets and crimsons. He almost purred his next few phrases. "I donnae think he would expect me to amass something that may very well make him think twice about going through with his threats."

Hummed merrily as Taneth takes her usual tiptoed steps inside, while carrying a large basket of fruit that should be too heavy for her. She's in her usual dancer's world as she gives a little hop-step-twirl toward the bar.

"Good Morning to ye Taneth Sweet." Turning Cieara watched the graceful twirl with a warm smile gracing her pale lit features and languid eyes opened a bit with a shimmering of humor filled green eyes.

As she's still on tiptoes, Taneth sats the basket on the bar then smiled brightly at Cieara. "Hello, Cieara." She rocked back and forth on her feet now as she settled on them. "Did you eat?"

Uruviel blinked. Was that a complement' Was he....Indirectly praising her" Was he" Was he"! Not likely. But she smiled at him, pleased that he would actually laugh at the whole Howe matter. "So you're not going to send me back to the Eye of Terror any time soon?"

"Oh Nae as of yet Sweet. I became a wee bit distracted and admit that food. . . well it was rather the last thing on my mind." A velvet soft laugh escaped as Cieara slowly lifted her head where it rested upon curled fingers to regard Taneth.

"With ye Scorpions, and the Nothra I've enhanced, and the addition of these forces." He mused, smirking. "Aye, I donnae suspect he would enjoy a small army beating down his office doors should he try to force my hand." Veighn continued to smirk, finding the fruits of the evening and the day to be very ripe for the picking. He nodded to the Farseer. "Should this go well, I wish ye to see to it that the drilling of guerilla tactics takes well. Set aside some for assassin's training as well."

"Oooh....but you must eat soon. The fruit is especially scrrrumptious today." Taneth was fairly thrummed at the idea of the fruit. "And the sun is in full bloom!" Her arms raised as she lets out a twirl.

Kairee emerged from the shadowy corner; toss of her long fiery red hair over a perfect shoulder. A shadowed tendril seems to reach out for her; a smack of her hand, a gust of fire and the shadow retreats. "No." Sharply rebuking.

As that wasn't one of her shadows, Cieara merely looked over and watched the lady with a quizzical arching of a brow and then attention turned to the nimble spin of Taneth's, which drew forth another warm laugh. "And what fruit do you suggest Taneth Sweet' What has the sun provided that has ye in such high spirits?"

Uruviel smirked, "The Warp Spiders will be ample assassins for you to use. But I am glad that I am fulfilling my pact with you, Summoner. If anything, the Scorpions are not fit for urbanized warfare, though, I can adapt them. The Slaaneshi Daemonettes might be of some use in that genre of fighting." Then, she would lower her head so that her hair could curve about her face, "But I doubt they will force your hand."

The twirl is over and Taneth begins to bounced lightly on her toes. "Do you like dresses?"

Lord Veighn turned his gaze from Uruviel, to Cieara, and then to "Miss. Peachy-as-she-please". A glimmer of mischief lighting up an otherwise shadow-veiled face, the darkness receding some in richness. He spoke almost TOO enthusiastically. "Taneth! Darling! Good Morning!..."

A little giggle escaped Taneth at the questions from Cieara. "All the fruit is very good, but if you like sour I have that too." The bouncing soon shifts from foot to foot. "The sun is very light and bright and it is warms me up!"

Taneth spun and waved enthusiastically to Veighn. "Hello! I have more peaches for you!"

Uruviel glanced to Veighn at the near-happy outburst. "Has someone poisoned you today, Veighn" You're mood is starting to worry me."

Taneth waved to his companion as well with a brilliant smile then she looked back to Cieara as she confides. "He likes the peaches."

"Aye, I do Sweetness. I have a wide array of dresses back at home. Though I nae tend to wear them here often." A slanting of eyes towards Veighn, as Taneth appeared to have a fondness for him to bring him gifts of sun ripened peaches.

Taneth waved to Kairee. Clapped her hands together as she bounced on her toes once more. "Oh, when there is a dance again, will you wear one of your dresses" I have a new one that I have yet to wear to a dance."

Veighn turned a pointed look to Uruviel when Taneth was distracted, the look was somewhat fierce, though his smile less genuine grew into something more disarming as he turned it Taneth's direction. "Indeed. Have ye a sample for me today, Taneth?"

"I will bring you two!" Taneth chirped to Veighn. Never mind the fact that she has a fondness for just about everyone, she hop steps behind the bar and pulls out a bowl.

"Aye, if there is another dance that I attend, I shall wear a dress." More mirth filled laughter falling as she always found Taneth a breath of fresh air and light, making humor rise easily at her energy.

Up on tiptoes she goes as Taneth looked through the basket. "Wonderful!"

"How very lovely!" Veighn intoned, dipping his chin slightly as he eyed her with some fond expression coloring his features. He did, however, make it so the performance was not overacted.

"And we both will have a dance partner." Taneth seemed to be already planning how the dance will turn out with Cieara.

Uruviel was Looking to the rafters, "I was only jesting." She muttered.

Taneth pulled out two peaches and placed them in the bowl. There is a pause, though, as she stops at a spot behind the bar.

"Tell me Taneth. Have ye had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Howe as of yet?" Veighn's brow arching as he thought this would be an interesting spin on things. He held back his amusement in place of a quizzical and receptive look.

Taneth's voice lowers as she murmured to herself. "Fifty-five paces and missing."

"Aye, I am sure I can find one if needed for such an event." Cieara's eyes moved to the luscious looking fruit the small blond was offering to Veighn and just had to laugh softly.

The words bring her out of her thoughts and Taneth brightened as she moved from the spot, bowl in hand, and she's out from behind the bar. "Mister Howe" Oh yes! He is not as nice or cute as Mister Dewey."

Kairee blew a kiss to Taneth as she sauntered toward the bar.

Taneth offered a giggle at the kiss from Kairee.

"Oh?" His brows rose, blinking as he hadn't expected that. "Is that so. I've not had the pleasure of meeting Dewey. What do ye think of Howe, and Mr. Cheetum' I do not know Mister Cheetum. Mister Howe can be sour. Mister Dewey likes it when I give him blossom sticks, but I have not seen him in a verrrry long time." Taneth rolled her "r's" in that moment.

All this was already known as Cieara had been honest when speaking abut DCH, but suspected the mage felt a need to confirm but wasn't at all insulted about that and just slanted a look his way with half lidded green eyes.

"Sour ye say' Like a lime, or like a lemon?" Putting it in terms Veighn was sure she'd understand. She was a rather bubbly little nymph, if he did think so himself.

Taneth flitted over to Veighn as if she had wings. "Like he needs to sparked!" Her little giggles escaped just then and she set the bowl of peaches down by him. "Two fresh peaches!" Steps back to curtsey low. "I was supposed to plan parties for Mister Dewey, but they never had any!"

"Sparked?" Veighn nodded to her, taking up one of the peaches to placate her for a time, this he tossed between his hands. "Sparked, in what manner or fashion?"

Uruviel looked to the peaches, then raised a brow to the back of Veighn's head.

Taneth popped up and rocks on her feet. "Well....it is different for different things." Rocked right up onto her tippy toes then back to her heels. This happened a few more times. "Maybe Mister Howe would not be so sour if he had someone to dance with. But he did take Guthorm away from me." A little pout then she brightened again. "But maybe I will take Guthorm away from him!"

Oh Cieara could so say something to that but holds her tongue with an impressive amount of restraint, but her tone is just a little strained. "Do ye have any strawberries today Taneth Sweet?"

"I see..." Tossing the peach high, he could see that this wasn't going as well as he'd imagined at first. New tactic. "So what sort of dance would ye do with Mr. Howe?"

"Me" Dance with Mister Howe?" Taneth laughed merrily as if it were a joke. I would dance with Mister Dewey." And then she turned and peered at Cieara. "Of Course!"

"Why not Mr. Howe?" Catching the peach, another high toss, sending it up past the rafters, The mage preformed a deft snatch out of the air once it came back down, robe's sleeve snapping a the brisk movement. "I'm sure ye sweetness could make him a bit less sour."

Taneth looked over her shoulder to Veighn. "When I spark Kitty, her tail gets all funny and she bounces around with love. Sometimes..." She squinted in memory. "...Sometimes, her hair stands up too."

"Did you want me to help you?" Taneth asked Cieara, but Veighn's next question causes her to turn around and look at him. "I do not think he likes me so well." She scratched at her head. " I do not think I am to like him either, but I do not remember."

"Might I get a few perhaps?" Cieara was still trying to keep from speaking out of turn on matters best not mentioned and just pushed back a few wandering curls back over a delicately tapered ear point.

"Jal, my friend, trades beads for a spark! It was fun!" Taneth chirped to Cieara. "Of course!"

"Hmm...I think the man needs some cheer in his life, Taneth. May I call ye Taneth?" Veighn seemed very cordial, a dulcet purr to his liquid velvet voice.

"Did you want me to get them for you Cieara" Taneth asked then nodded quick to Veighn. "Yes, you can."

I haven't time to sympathize With all this nonsense and your lies You are the king of nothing But you shall hold me You've got your finger on the pulse And in my pocket, yes of course I am the voice of treason.

New Order - Liar

Veighn tried to restrain himself from bruising the peach in his hand, and with some force of his will, he did so, barely. This he sat back in the bowl. "What makes ye think these are untrue?"

An idle reach for another berry, although Cieara was a bit hesitant to eat it but the tiny blond had proven rather intuitive, catching on to the fabrications and surprised Cie by doing so. "Well, perhaps it be his fondest wish, nae sure really, for the lady is lovely to be sure."

Heavenly bells were being chimed somewhere above, all for Uruviel's sanity. But then again, but now the whole point of her embarrassment - and Veighn's attempts to get Taneth, seemed to be thrown out of the window. "Actually....We're..." She moved so that she could - oh god, place an arm around Veighn's shoulders. "We've been keeping it a secret, so you got us." She's kicking herself. She's kicking herself hard.

Taneth shot an accusing look at Veighn. "I have seen sweethearts, she is not yours. Kissing is okay but pretending sweethearts is not!" Stomped. Taneth watched Uruviel with a frown on her pretty features.

Uruviel smiles wide, "He's not telling lies. I'm just not fond to having it out in public....You see. I am shy to have people talking about us."

Lord Yhaull lifted his chin, smiling, his eyes shining with pride. "I know darling, I was not supposed to tell.." Turning an affectionate, visible look given to Uruviel. He was cursing the blonde silently for making him have to stoop to this level of deception. "I know ye had plans to surprise everyone. But she has seen through us like a pane of glass." He looked saddened suddenly, lowering his head. He even forced a shudder in his voice, a catch in his throat, as if he were fighting to keep her disappointment in him from showing. "Forgive me?"

Taneth watched them as if she didn't believe them and as she does so, her hands roll an apple between them.

Uruviel smirked at him, "Don't worry....I'm sure you can make it up to me SOMEHOW, him?" The Farseer....Kissed Veighn's cheek softly, almost compassionately! Though, then looking to Taneth she smiled softly, "Okay, so now you don't believe us. How can we make it up to you?"

Nibbling with a bit of care on a strawberry as Cieara watched Veighn digging himself ever deeper and just smiled wickedly then captured a stray drop with the tip of a pink tongue as she looked to Taneth. "I don't know Sweet. Could be true enough."

The apple in Taneth's hands expands a little as spark touches it, but pauses as she hears Uruviel and Cieara. "Maybe..." She agreed reluctantly with Cieara. "Did he keep you and make you?" She asks of Uruviel.

"Relationships in RhyDin are after all, ever changing." Cieara knew the truth and part of her felt it wasn't right, as Taneth shouldn't have to suffer the foul gropes of that vile Mr. Howe. "Tomorrow they may nae be sweet on each other."

Veighn trembled, held, still seated in the chair. His arm slipped around the Eldar Farseer's hip. He was trembling, with rage. His feature turned, face red with shame - fierce anger. He shook his head. "Tis no use...She hates us. I knew she would. I knew it!"

Taneth face went red as she hears Veighn. "Hate! HATE! I do not hate anyone!"

Kina Kitty skipped in through the broom closet door, stopping and blinking at Taneth.

Taneth pointed at him. "I want to know the truth! From her!" Pointed at Uruviel Well, that poor, defenseless apple gets shriveled up as she gripped it.

Cieara actually hoped the sunny blond would forget any idea of ever going near Howe, as he wasn't at all pleasant. "Nae, tis not in Taneth's nature to hate." Her head turned and she regarded the faux pair with a smile, easily soaking up that anger just rolling off Veighn.

Lord Veighn nodded solemnly, turning to Taneth, lowering his head. He couldn't look at her - wanted to rip her Eldritch face off. "Tell her the truth, Uruviel. The whole truth..."

Cieara hit that nail on the head. Uruviel blinked, pondering the situation. "He did not make me, no. She doesn't really hate you, see! It just looks like we were....Well, mislead her too much. Look, hun-" She said "hun", like some Mother would to a child, "I promise, I'm not lying." She smiled ever so sweetly, "I really, really love my Veighn." You know, Uruviel can act pretty #$%^&* well. Inside, she was screaming. She wanted to run away. She wanted to clean her body with a sharp pointed rock, and salt.

Taneth gasped as she looks to the apple.

"Tannie darlin are you alright?" Kina asked in concern

And now Taneth wasn't even listening, how sad. "Its life is gone." Dropped the shriveled up apple and backs away. She does look to Uruviel. "Very well. You may not be lying." That might have been the only part she did hear and then skittered over to Kina for a hug.

Kina Kitty held the girl close petting her hair.

Watching the pair now, Cieara casually nibbled on another berry, catching another drop with the tip of a finger as her green eyes just took on a glow of complete laughter, quite aware of the conflicts going on in both.

"What going on sweetling" You seem upset?" Kina Kitty asked Taneth.

"Lord Yhaull was lying to me." Taneth replied, sniffling.

"About what dearling?" Kina Kitty still petted Taneth's hair much like a kitten.

Once Taneth was looking away Uruviel slipped away from Veighn in one quick side step, brushing her lips with the back of her hand frantically. Well wasn't that fun, Uruviel" Ack! She held out a hand to Taneth and walked to her, smiling as she touched her shoulder, "He isn't lying! We just didn't want anyone finding out!"

"The....the...." Taneth stopped as heard Uruviel. Sniffles. "Okay, he may not have been lying."

"Veighn...Why were you lying to Taneth?" Kina Kitty demanded. "And what were you lying about?"

"And I was going to dance with him one day...." Taneth was saddened by this realization.

Taneth whispered to Kina. "His name is Lord Yhaull."

Uruviel nodded to Taneth slowly, "Yeah. He wasn't lying. It's just that you know..." She leaned in close to whisper to Taneth, "He's a grumpy so and so, it was his idea to lie about it in the first place."

Taneth blinked as she hears the whisper from Uruviel.

"I wasn't lying..." Veighn tried to regain his composure that was true. His skin was crawling, and he took a minute to respond further. "about anything."

"The whole hiding it thing." Uruviel added.

"Liar...and you don't even do it particularly well Veighn." Kina retorted.

Veighn affected the grumpy look well, his eyes narrowing on Kina. She'd ruin everything.

Uruviel glared to Kina, "Oh' And what proof do you have?"

Head turning with a swaying bounce of auburn curls and she looked over at Taneth and the two ladies with her. "Ah Sweetness. Nae worry about if they be mated. Tis hardly something to worry ye head upon."

"Taneth dear, tell me what happened please?" Kina asked the dainty blond.

"The apple died, Kina." Taneth pointed to the apple. Then nodded to Cieara, and chances are she'll forget by the next day.

Kina Kitty pretty much just assumed that 50 Percent of what Veighn says is a lie, proof or no proof. "It died?"

"Yes, and no one got to eat it." Taneth was obviously upset.

"I see, that is a shame. I love apples." Kina replied in a soothing tone.

"Keep ye nose in ye own business Kina, before I shave more than just ye scrawny little tail." Veighn growled at the woman, leveling his fiery gaze upon her. The dark thickened around his form once more, wards crackling to life again, sizzling the air and causing waves of heat to ripple from the Shar'Vae Shades manifesting around him.

Uruviel shrugged and sighed, walking back to Veighn with a smile. "Calm down....Dear." She spoke with a grin, hey, she could play this whole thing to her advantage. Perhaps boss him about like the good old housewife" She sat down in a chair next to Veighn, arms crossed as she leaned back into it.

"Veighn..." Kina shook her head slowly. "I just don't want Taneth unhappy."

Stephen entered the inn singing loudly. " o/ Do wha' ye wan' cause a pirate is free...you are a pirate....Yo ho fiddle de de bein' a pirate is alright wit' me .....you are a pirate o/."

I've been sitting here for the longest time Reading all the warning and the danger signs I don't have the gift of the prophecy Telling everybody how it's gonna be Soon come, soon come the day this tinderbox Is gonna blow in your face

Natalie Merchant - This House Is On Fire

Coming up the walk towards the inn with Cassie, Cieara strolled up the porch steps and just pushed the door open and waited for the other woman to join her. "So what sort of drink did you wish this evening Cassie?"

Cassie slipped on inside, nodding her thanks as the door was held. "I'll just have tea to start. Can't get bombed before I go off and work." A bit of a chuckle at the thought of trying to run down a target while weaving from drink.

"Tea it is then." Cieara replied. Sliding inside she left the door fall closed behind her and glanced around before her sliding gait took her towards the bar. "Any kind or feeling the urge for a specific type?"

Purple spotted, Lydia glanced that way and offered a friendly wave to Cassie.

"I'll drink most anything, but peppermint is my favorite." Cassandra stated as she slid onto a stool with a wave for Lydia.

Around the counter Cie moved with a soft chuckle. "My father's soon to be second wife loves the mint teas as well, along with the jasmine, although she's picky about that, has to be the white jasmine or nothing else." Tugging off the kidd leather gloves she moved to prepare a large mug of the peppermint tea for Cassandra and a small glass of absinthe for herself.

"I'm not nearly so picky myself. So long as it's tea, I can die a happy Englishwoman." A bit of a chuckle. Of all the habits Cassie had from back home, that had been one of the few that she'd been unable to give up.

Leaving the mug to steep a bit, Cieara collected the distilled water, sugar, spoon and absinthe and the ritual of preparation followed with the final of scorching the sugar and then stirring it into the potent green fairy spirit. "My home has many rituals as well. Think the best one is the sticky spice buns served at every morning meal." Placing the bowl of sugar down she slide Cassie the mug, the curling steam laden with the sent of mint and heat before she moved from the back side of the bar returning to front and slid smoothly onto a stool beside her.

"Mmm...That sounds like a good ritual. One I might have to take up myself." A bit of a grin, as Cassie watched Cie prepare her own drink. Cassie had not tried the green fairy yet, but she had indeed heard of it. "Thank you." Taking up the mug and bringing it to her lips for a sip, pausing to blow across the top.

"I do hope Erin liked her gift. It's a special Elven silk and I wanted to give it to someone I felt would appreciate it's beauty, plus I think it would be a wonderful color for her." That last part was stated with a wicked grin lighting on Cieara's lips and brighting up her eyes.

"This.." Cieara tapped of her finger against the side of her own glass. "Is something of a family ritual. I tend to think the act of making it is all part of drinking it, but My mum, uncles, Grandmum all drink it. Daddy is simpler...Spiced rum, Ale or wine."

"Oh it's quite beautiful! She loved it!." Cassandra grinned as well, chuckling as she pictured Erin's glee at receiving the gift."Making tea can often be almost as calming as drinking it, so I believe I know what you mean there."

"Oh yes. There is several of those where I am front." Soft melodic laughter floating from Ciera for a moment. "Tea rituals I should say, as the entire realm is riddled with many."

"I suppose that's part of the appeal to smokers. The ritual of pulling the cigarette out and lighting it and whatnot." One of the few vices Cassie had not taken up.

"I am thinking I may need to do a bit of shopping soon, perhaps dress a bit differently when I visit here. Far less restrictive a place." A languid rising of her glass and Cieara took a small sip and then grinned over at Cassie. "I would imagine it is. I never have taken up that habit, but know some in the family that are most addicted. Uncle Luse comes to mind or Uncle Trev."

"Yeah' Well the marketplace has a huge selection of shops with all sorts of different styles of clothing and just about anything you're looking for." Cassandra agreed about it being less restrictive here. Sip sip of her tea. "I know Erin did smoke, as do a number of the other people I spend time with. Never understood it myself. The smell isn't all that pleasant."

"Uncle Luse smokes like a chimney. At least Uncle Trev's small like Elvin spice so not nearly as offensive to the senses." Leaning to rest her forearm on the bar and Cieara's head tilted a bit as she glanced over at Cassie. "So you saw the Master Slaver Aye' What did you make of him?"

"I saw him." She didn't sound particularly pleased."I saw how he looked at Erin." Cassie sounded less pleased.

"Aye, that he did do. Also asked Jewel about those that can make silks for a smaller stature. I like the man, find him fascinating so I be hoping it is merely a passing fancy on his part." Concern colored her words as Cieara made that remark and then gave a soft wry smile. "At least he has taste if you think about it. Just will keep hoping that interest fades for Erin's sake."

"I heard that as well." Cassie paused thoughtfully. "I wonder if I killed him because I don't like him, if anyone would take exception." More of a pre-emptive strike than simply not liking him. She disliked plenty of people and hadn't killed them. Ah but she'd said just the other night that she would kill for Erin, and it was true.

"Tis possible. One like that likely has family and others that work for him. I also suspect that killing him would not be an easy feat to be sure. There is power in that one. Muted and I believe with purpose." Cieara's arm rose to rest her chin against curled fingers. "Just odd that the "Dangerous" ones always seem so attractive. Doesn't seem at all fair."

"True.." She sighed a bit. "But perhaps it could be managed if he didn't suspect that's what I was after.." Cassie wasn't above using her ah, charms, to lull someone. She'd get an edge in any way she could. "It's not. Though I've found myself a good dangerous man." A bit of a chuckle. It was almost contradictory.

"Well, I do have one I see, but I can't really say he's "dangerous" Just amusing to spend time with." Lips twitching into another warm smile as Cieara considered that one for a moment. "No strings at all, as he's one that sails the seas, so I can still look about if I like." A sliding glance of pale green eyes to Cassie followed. "So Alain is your man right' Met him the other evening. Seems a nice fellow."

"Would say he was" Cie's auburn head tipped as she mentally sought the word she wanted and then velvet soft laughter flowed for a moment from rose pale lips. ""Edgy"...that is the word I would say fits your man."

Erin came down the stairs. She had packed some things and was finally headed home. With a smile, and a dip of her head she spotted those she had left in the outback. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Ah, couldn't sleep Erin?" Twisting about on the swivel of the stool Cieara was using she gave the woman a warm smile in greeting.

"Amusing is just as good as dangerous." Cassie smiled a bit. Then grinned, ducking her head almost shyly. "Yes, he's my man. And he can get edgy, though most times it's due to the cases that we're on. Some of them can get rather...Haunting.." Then blinked as Erin came into view. "Hey you."

"I had some things to do here before I went home. But now that you're here..." She readjusted her bag and unbuttoned the top button of her coat. "What are you talking about' Dangerous men again?"

"I was half-wondering aloud if I could get away with killing that slaver simply because I dislike him. And that led to dangerous men." A chuckle. She was only half-serious about killing him.

"Well that is always a good subject." Cieara's delighted smile was still in play as she turned back towards the bar with a pale hand reaching for her glass of Absinthe.

He roved up and down through history Specter with tales to tell. In the darkness when the Campfire's dead To each his private hell. If you look behind your shoulder as you feel his eyes to feast, You can witness now the ever changing nature of the beast.

Jethro Tull - Beastie Ducking in right after the tall robed figure, hazel eyes scoped side to side outside the door before closing it and briefly leaning against it. The backpack was clutched between arm and side like a lifeline. Breath heaved her chest beneath the tied-up black t-shirt, Sandman's Death rippling under Sookie's hand as she tried to compose herself and catch her wind.

Veighn brow arched as he saw Erin look at him and giggle. Glowing crimson gaze then narrowed as they tracked her movements. As she left, he turned that same look toward Cieara and his lips blossomed into a taut bud, something in between a scowl and a moue. "Hmmm..."

Her auburn head was still listing close to Cassies as Cieara gave a faint nod, and a low husky laugh escaped her lips, but continued to whisper low. "Aye, that be the one." She sat up with unhurried grace then and just glanced over a shoulder at Veighn and offered a wicked smile catching his regard with an arching brow. "Good Evening Milord Yhaull."

"Crap." Crinkled burgundy cotton fluttered at the tops of Sookie's Docs as she stepped down into the commons, making straight for the bar without hesitation or a glance around. No tender, good. Hand to her stomach, she could feel the rumble and idly wondered if it were audible in its protestations.

Cassandra noted the look directed and Cie and blew the mage a kiss, and then dissolved into a fit of giggles. If Cie wasn't concerned that he'd attempt to do away with them both at that particular moment, she might have been a little more serious.

What he lacked in the obscuring of sight to target, Veighn picked up in sound. There was a slight shift in the eldritch points of his ears, and his fingers moved to rake through his hair. He was accustomed to keeping his cowl down, it seemed, when the weather was nice. It was however, just a guess that he neither admitted to nor denied. The Shar'Vae shades surrounded him in a dark nimbus, radiating the bands of shadows like some black sun in the midst of a solar-flare storm.

Fingertips soothed along bare midriff as if to calm, gold-flecked hazels casting brief looks here and there. Tension radiated from every pore and Sookie began to inch her way along the bar to its break, the backpack drug slowly in her wake across the counter top. A second glance to the robed man she'd come in behind and a shiver took her, the hand at her midriff moving to rub the fine hairs at the back of her neck. "Hate this place." She muttered darkly.

Cieara's head turned with a speaking look at Cassie, as if reminding her about "dangerous" Men being often to attractive to be fair and then glanced back over with a slight twisting of her lithe form. "How are you this fine evening Milord Yhaull?"

Pacts be damned, he considered it for a moment. However, the moment was fleeting, and faded entirely too quickly. A subtle sound, "Hmph," could be heard as he forced air through his vocal cords, setting them to vibrate. Languid, lithe, and silent was the wraith-like gait that carried the "Black Wizard" toward the bar area. His eyes recast as he glanced about the racks, speaking in the multiplicity of harmonious accented tones, one tongue sculpting the words. "Something amuses ye I see."

Cassandra sobered a bit, but couldn't quite wipe the amused smile off of her face. Her mood had improved, despite the fact that fingers still itched to kill the other man. But it would be prudent for her to settle a bit and observe this one. She'd let Cie answer his question for now.

"Most of the time Milord, there is something about that I can find amusement in." Soft smooth cultured words flowing from her rose pale lips as Cieara watched him moving closer with a bit of surprise quickly hidden in her pale green gaze that shimmered catlike for a moment.

Obvious was the rhetoric. "And I conclude ye companion shares the jest in kind. Curious." Veighn passed behind the bar with a gliding pivot; almost a preternatural drifting of his being that was both controlled and precise. He snagged a bottle of ichor from high in the wine rack, and turned, collecting a suitable goblet from cupboards.

As the man approached the bar Sookie came up stock still like some game animal caught in a bright light's beam. Steps from the break in the counter and feet from her ultimate goal of the kitchen, her eyes immediately fell to her pack, which she drug closer and began to rummage about in.

"Oh, you have made me forget my manners for a moment Milord. So dazzled I was by your ever impressive appearance." Laughter edged Cieara's words as she turned slightly and motioned a pale hand towards Cassie. "Please meet Erin's lovely cousin Cassandra. Cassie, this is Lord Veighn Yhaull. "The Black Wizard" As Viki oft calls him."

Multi-colored patchwork cloth and leather, stickers and pins from places not found in this realm she now inhabited, the bar had seen better days. From the peek of the opening it appeared to be filled with mostly clothes. One step back, two steps....Did that chick just call that guy a Black Wizard" Eyes widen slightly, a covert glance behind black and red-streaked bangs as Sookie's hand continued its digging. "Crapcrapohcrap."

"I simply find amusement in life. It's too short, usually, not to." Cassie was smiling, almost grinning, as she nodded. "It's nice to meet you, Lord Veighn Yhaull. I trust you're doing well tonight?" Cassie had manners too. Sometimes.

Even the best fall down sometimes Even the wrong words seem to rhyme Out of the doubt that fills my mind I somehow find You and I collide

Howie Day - Collide The Mage made another semi-circle drifting of his body around one of the displaced chairs amidst the commons navigating a path toward the bar. Veighn was staring at the back of Cassandra's head now, as if something there held some interest. His brow knit as he approached the flanking position of the other female. "I see....So very interesting. Bone-framed gowns and bustiers?"

"I do indeed agree, Cie." An impish grin of her own directed up at Cie. Cassandra didn't turn her head to follow his progress, but the hairs at the back of her neck did prick at his gaze. She listened to his progress while he was out of sight.

"Alas in some locals that is the norm. Near my home, that being Gharnholme, well tis a bit less binding." A brow arching a bit as Cieara turned her head to gaze upon Veighn as he came closer again, becoming used to keeping track of him it would seem.

"The other topics" How about ye recap for me, and I shall decide my interest in them or nae." Veighn's features impassive, the gap between them halved in distance only after a few short instants.

Cieara bestowed the most angelic of expressions upon the Mage and just moved over her elegant visage as she peered at Veighn and eyes widened a bit with just the barest hint of pink touching pale cheeks. "Why, we were discussing Lord Karos."

His foot padding was silent, sound nonexistent in his stealth of movement. Veighn's voice was the only evidence of movement, that and the collapsing of air into recently vacated position that affected only the most keen of hearing.

Cieara had learned long ago, it was always best to speak the truth, with perhaps a little evasion tossed in, for made the words far easier to keep track of, and thus, she wasn't offering up any fabrications as of yet.

Pink noticed, he arched his brow. "Mr. Karos" I know this person naught. What interest have ye in this man, and why?"

Hearing the familiar voice from inside, her hand left her pocket and she stepped through the door. Glamoured blue eyes scanning the commons and taking note of faces and places with hardly a thought. A scowl rose quick to pale lips as she sees who is there.

"Indeed we were." No need to give the specifics of the conversation. It was quite lucky for Cassie then that her blood was muddied up, and she had received rather heightened senses from her father's side.

"Ah, Lord Karos is an old associate of my fathers and one I have had the pleasure of meeting most recently. Alas he isn't well liked about the realms here, but I find him intriguing. Cassie and I were comparing our feelings about the man. Some of mine she does not agree with." Cieara wasn't about to even hint to Karos's interest in Erin, as that would certain pique Veighn's in the same lady. And she knows that wouldn't be with any pleasant interludes in mind.

Cassie wasn't about to mention that particular reason of her dislike for him either. Best to keep it quiet. "Aye. Interesting how different people draw different conclusions. And similar conclusions as well." Cassie affected a shrug of shoulders, saying a lot without actually saying anything.

Elflocks rustled with the sounding of shattering glass on concrete as she moved towards the bar and around it. "'ello, Cieara sweet. Cassandra." Bending to a lower cabinet and opening it, she knocked a complicated pattern against a rear panel and withdraws a dusty bottle, rising to snag down a small spherical cup from a top shelf.

"Well, that is all very vague, and still does nae really define ye interest in said person, now does it ladies" Be more fort-coming darlings." Veighn coaxed with a gesture, having placed himself near a table at their right, a point directly bisecting in the invisible line cutting equal space between the two women, halving it. He lifted his robe's him as he bent knee to settle into a chair.

Cieara's pale green eyes swung towards Sid as she had come in rather quietly and gave her a warm welcoming smile. "Good evening Aunt Sid, how are you this evening?" The gaze making a swift inspection and seeing the faint hint of tension the Ancient was carrying.

"Evening Sid." Then an appraising gaze sent Veighn's way. "He was simply forceful at the duels this evening. That type of behavior tends to draw attention. Although I suppose one ought to be used to it around these parts." Cassie stated and shrugged again.

Pouring the shimmering dark blue liquid to the cup, Sid swiped a bit of road dust from the front of her tank beneath the leather she wore, she set the bottle to the bar. "Frustrated, Cieara. An' ye, sweet?"

At Veighn's next charge, Cieara chuckled a low whiskey warm sound with another turning of her head, burnished curls glinting in motion from candle glow and lamp lights about the inn. "Well I didn't think you really cared to hear about Lord Karos's manly, well toned thighs Milord. Not something many men care to discuss with ladies after all." Well that was fabrication in full, but it sure sounded good to her.

Meanwhile, Veighn was tugging at the cloth of his outer robes in the situation of cloth's drape.

"Aye. And he way his clothing clung to his chest and shoulders. He certainly has a way about him physically." A grin tossed Cie's way. "Coupled with forceful ways of speaking, well, it's hard to ignore a man like that."

"Oh doing quite well Aunt Sid." The air she had drawn in to reply to Veighn floated free as her smile brought another gentle twinkling to pale green eyes that regarded her Aunt. "Mum is looking for the Seerer, but the one that has taken her, seems to have some control of the paths in ways unexpected."

"Oh aye Cassie." Cieara then quickly added in a purely feminine sigh as if reminded of that by the other ladies words, seeking to enhance the effect after all. "He is a most impressive male."

"Aye." The single word set her jaw hard and a hefty swallow was taken of the Midnight Tears. "Than' Fiona for me an' Scottie when ye see her, sweet." Glamoured blue eyes looked between Cassandra and Cieara then. "Be ye speakin' on Anubis?"

Cassandra fluttered of lashes. "Ah and when a man is so skilled in dueling well, it makes a woman wonder if his physical skills extend elsewhere.." Did Cassie look dreamy' Good.

"Aunt Sid, You have seen Lord Karos aye?" Cieara figured she might as well drag her into this, as it was much a ladies topic here.

He settled back into the frame of the chair, leaning against its wooden armrest and propped his elbow and forearm there. The Black Wizard continued to listen, sipping of the fermented honey and ichor every now and again.

"The Egyptian, or some such he claims to be? The slaver?" Sid asked, arching a silvered brow at her niece, amused light in those summer's blue eyes.

Those eyes cast a look to Lord Yhaull as more of the night sky liquid was freed from its bottle to the small round cup.

"Oh, aye." A faint wince, as Cieara had neglected to mention that profession, and rather hoped the Mage listening to intently didn't find some significance to it. "Very much the Dominant male, but has many thoughts that mirror Daddy's, so I would say he is very sharp and intelligent as well."

Lord Veighn met Sid's gaze fearlessly, locking metaphorical horns with the woman there behind the bar. He stared past the duo speaking, to the third initiated into the conversation at hand.

"The Outback was also very packed this evening. I had found Daniel there, pondering upon taking part in the activities." This offered to Sid with another smile and Cieara reached to take up the nearly full glass of Absinth from the bar top.

"He be 'avin' a verra nice chest." Sid commented almost absently, perhaps slightly breathy the words flowed around the lift of cup to lips. Quicksilver flash sparking in the magiced field of Sid's gaze as she flicks her attentions and grins to Cie and Cassie.

"I must agree with you there, Sid." Cassie grinned as well.

"Ah, and those dark eyes. My, intense they are." Cieara offered another low whiskey warm chuckle falling as she glanced over at Cassie and grinned impishly. "I do hope the man's ears are not ringing."

"Daniel fightin' fists. Hmmm..." Sid suddenly stated as another flit of eyes to Veighn, fox light in the smile on thin lips.

"Well he did ask. If his ears are ringing, it's nothing less than he deserves." Mischief dancing on Cassie's face. She was enjoying herself that much was for sure.

"Oh Danny is considering it. I had thought he would likely look towards the Swords more, but he's skilled at both. So wouldn't be unheard of." Melodic, velvet soft laughter drifted from Cieara again as she turned her head to peer over at Veighn. "Tis true Milord. And by the look of you, it's already bored you."

"Ye be a pair o' trouble, m'beauties." Sid's chuckle was honey-dark - for them or for someone else? - as her attentions return to the girls.

Could this be our punishment" The floods and fires, the bombs and liars For our Mother's discontent Could production be a slave" To the devil on a full rampage Oh where will I be when I wake up"

Delirium - Returning

Currents of warmth felt like the rays of the sun cast upon the flesh at a nude beach. Veighn basked in the glory of such a consuming snare that was her gaze. He took another sip of his wine, light and tasteful in manner.

"Not sure. Mum and Daddy are always giving us advice on such matters but the sayings get a bit muddled after a while." There was a very impish cast to her pale elfin features as Cieara peered over at her Aunt with lips curling upwards in amusement.

Coaxing whispers deep within had fingers hidden by the bar now clutching the touchstone in denim, the thought of a random hunt springing to the fore of Sid's thoughts. Cie's words, however, bring her gaze around to her niece, the grin fox lit and sly. "I be sure Fiona an' Lucius 'ave schooled ye well, sweet."

"Wisdom is a convenience nae a great many can afford, Sid." He intoned huskily, the wine adding to the richness of Veighn's highly accented speech, making the lunithaylian syllables more tangible in sound's sculpting than usual.

Sid's smile was returned with a devilish gleam radiating in the pale green shimmer of Cieara's gaze and she slowly glanced over at Veighn, seeing through those shadows of his with more ease then most and a nearly silent sigh fell from her rose pale lips.

"Sad for them, m'Lord. More fodder for the canons for the rest." Sid was just as quick to state.

A slow rolling of the green liquid about the edge of the glass which Cieara wasn't actually looking at and brought it up for a sip, but continued to watch Veighn with an unreadable flicker in her catlike gaze.

"I'm sure, darling, I'm sure." Veighn issued to Sid then, turning his gaze toward Cassandra. "And so, wouldn't she make an interesting bit of fodder for said cannons" I wonder how well she would take the barrage of metal?"

"Me an' mine be safe from tha', I can be assured. Though, at quick judgment many be apt to o'er look some o' tha' in some o' them." Another upend of the dusty bottle. Sid'd lost count, but it mattered little. Quicksilver flash sparked high in cracked glamour.

Cassandra turned with an arch of a lavender brow. "You wouldn't be considering attempting to find out, would you? That would displease me mightily, I assure you."

The Lord got cut a sharp look at the 'darling,' but no words left Sid's mouth as it was busy with drinking.

"Actually, Lord..." Sly wink to Cassandra as Sid finally broke the silence. "I tend to be thinkin' pompous windbags be some o' the best fodder. In me own....personal experience."

"I am sure that when wroth, ye are not a dear to be around, my sweet." Veighn grinned slowly, lowering the goblet from his lips, the metallic sound of his voice ringing in resonation against the metal staunched by the pads of his fingers. His brow arched, tilting his head slightly. "I take it that Erin has a liking for this Slaver, does she nae" Seeing as how ye were giggling amongst yeselves when I entered. Too, ye obvious allusion to the topic, and how his looks appeal to the senses of women."

That broke the state Cieara had been slipping into with a turning of her auburn head to regard the Mage as burnished curls resettled around her shoulders and along the line of her back. "I think your right Aunt Sid."

"Was worth repeating for mine ears. I take it that the pair have met?" Veighn affected a look of impassiveness. "Perhaps I shall have to arrange an introduction."

Only to slant another look back towards Veighn, unsure how to reply to that suggestion, as it was patently erroneous, but to admit that, gave him knowledge Cieara suspected he might find useful.

An aside to Sid. "As ignorant as they may be, I would be a fiend were I to rob ye of ye opinion, Sid."

"I'm inclined to agree with Sid as to the best sorts of fodder." Another arch of Cassie's brow, though he was right, she could rain hell down on the head of people she took offense to, if not literally then metaphorically.

"They've met. So there's no need for you to play matchmaker." She didn't see the harm in telling him the two had met, and Cassie delivered it flippantly. "She's got female friends enough for that."

Sid shot a wink to Cieara, bottle, cup, and she moved to the back counter. Settling the bottle beside her and taking up a casual lean, legs crossing at booted ankles, she utilizes the new vantage to level her gaze somewhere between the three, alert to all.

"I wasn't referring to her, Cassandra, I was referring to myself." The mage stated.

"I have met Lord Karos Milord Yhaull and found him most charming. A very articulate and impressive man as I stated before." Cieara's words falling in soft cultured and serene tones as she slowly brought her glass up for another sip.

"Fiend ye mayhap be, Lord, but I doubt seriously ye can be takin' anythin' from me nae willin'ly given up by me own self." Sid cut a grin as the cup lifts for yet another taste.

"It is possible he might be married, so I wouldn't wish to play match maker to the man if that is the case." Cieara quickly stated.

"Ah so you're sweet on the man yourself" Our descriptions got you piqued eh?" Slightly wicked grin moved on Cassie's face, as she looked at the Mage.

"That remains to be seen, my dear." A broad wave of his arm, dismissive flick of fingers at the end of the gesture, Veighn's smile was most Cheshire, not obscuring, in the least, the view of some of the more pointed teeth. "Indeed, they have.." He admitted freely, solemnly. Perhaps there was more to him than he let on. Perhaps the rumors were right' Perhaps.....

A flippant turning of a wrist towards Veighn as Cieara glanced over with a gleaming of pale green eyes, just alight with silent laughter. "Did I not say he was a pretty one Cassie?"

Cassandra'd not heard the rumors, but it wouldn't have bothered her if she knew. "You did indeed. I must admit you're correct."

Elflocks rattled a touch with the shaking of her head. The Ancient still didn't fully grasp the whole gender thing and keeping to one sex. Perhaps it had something to do with her origins.

"Can you just see it now Cassie" Veighn with his wall of shadow and Lord Karos and that massive Pillar of Flame he uses? Would be a sight to see and likely would make the paper I would imagine." The mental image that brought to mind was amusing and infectious laughter broke from her control and sent the mellow warm sound floating about the inn.

"I could. It would be quite a sight to behold." Cassie tried to remain solemn, she really did, but the vision as well as Cie's laughter killed it, and she broke out into a burst of it as well.

He merely regarded the pair. His features stoic, and another sip as he eyed them over the rim of the goblet's deep reservoir. Veighn's eyes fell to a position of half-mast, shading the luminescence of his gaze partially.

The Trueblood let fall a throaty chuckle into her cup. Cieara and Cassie's laughter indeed infectious, even if the mental image conjured did not cause it.

"Personally, I be thinkin' the males be makin' a strikin' pair. Though, I 'ave nae doubt they personalities be clashin'." Sid stated, just an observation, nothing more.

Black nails feathered back some wandering curls as she caught a breath, but the amusement lingered, bringing some color to pale Elfin features and more shimmering light to her green eyes as she nodded to Sid. "I suspect they would. Rather like two predatory wolves circling."

Where its wave over wave, sea over bow I'm as happy a man as the sea will allow Theres no other life for a sailor like me And to sail the salt sea boys, sail the sea There's no other life but to sail the salt sea

Great Big Sea - Wave over Wave

"I would nae wish tae cut intae yer work luv" Stephen stated to Jewel, then turned to Cieara."Cieara 'ow many men is it ye wan' luv?"

Low husky laughter spilled from her as Cieara lifted her head and sent a sassy wink to Jewel and then with the humor lingering on her pale features she regarded Stephen. "Well more then one, as one should have a selection to choose from don't you think?"

Jewel returned quickly from the office quick as that.

"Well I 'ave seventy five men before my mast ye can take yer pick o' them." Stephen stated proudly.

Elessaria shifted on her stool, balances precariously and reaches over to grab the bottle of the good brandy, pouring herself a generous amount before resuming her seat.

"Oh are they "dangerous"?" Cieara's head took a curious little tipping to the side with a rippling of burnished curls and she grinned impishly. "I do tend to find those rather appealing Stephen."

Jewel moved around the bar silently, taking a seat besides Stephen so he is in between her and Cie. Offering little rub to her knee as she leaned forward to be able to see both of them. "I enjoy dangerous men myself."

Elessaria was very glad she had sipped yet overhearing Cie and Stephen.

"They do be pirates...." Stephen replied, as if that explained everything.

Elessaria settled back smoothly, sticking her lower lip out slightly to blow an errant wisp of gold from eyes of blue flame.

"Oh Aye, but that doesn't always mean they are "Dangerous"...as I know a few of those already." Rose pale lips starting to twitch and finally bloomed into another impish smile that gave light to Cieara's shimmering pale green gaze.

"I will parade them around in front o' ye li'e a ...um parade o' pirates." Stephen offered.

"Mmm..sounds nice." Jewel commented, while glancing around the room a little, eyes falling on Art. She hesitated a moment before waving him over.

"Oooooo.....a parade, Cieara." Elessaria laughed merrily.

"I'd so be there for that parade." Jewel added with a grin.

"Now Cieara wha' be this family tha' would nae li'e me brother an' I prowlin these waters?" Stephen asked curiously.

"I think even I would enjoy attending that." Mischief danced among the flames in Elessaria's eyes.

Cieara turned to send an amused smile to Eless before glancing back towards Stephen, with a gleam in her eyes and a russet brow arching slightly. "One thing, only those that bath on a regular basis. I have a rather keen sense of smell."

"Oh lord jaysus wha' 'ave I started?" The Pirate captain exclaimed.

"Art-te-mus!" Jewel huffed slightly as he hadn't seen her wave.

Elessaria can only nod her agreement as she was busy sipping away and has drunk a bit more than usual since it was so "chilled" in there earlier.

Stephen snaked his arm about Jewel's waist.

Jewel tilted her head up to smile at Stephen, scooting her seat as close as it could get so she could lean against him.

Velvet soft laughter rose from her then as she glanced at Jewel eyes just alight with amusement before regarding the Pirate again. "Well if it's a Parade, one might expect the entire township to turn out for it don't you think" That many pirates all marching about...."

"Oh....and then we could also watch some of the watchers, eh?" Elessaria suggested with another smile laden with mischief. "Because men are more proud than peacocks, they would just have to compete for attention, no?" The corners of her lips twitching with barely contained mirth.

"Indeed Lady Eless! No telling what sort of diamond of manly perfection might just be lurking in such a crowd after all." Cieara's humor was just laced and entwined within her softly spoken words and then more giggles just bubbled up with infectious delight.

Artemus poured Wine into a glass that floated over to him, he swirled it around gently before taking a drink. "That's good stuff..."

"More like diamonds in the rough." Elessaria added, and glanced up at the rafters with mock exasperation.

"Artemus Kurgen, are you ignoring me?" Jewel called out again, with a tilt her head to get a better look at him down the bar.

"Wha' 'ave I started I only meant tae introduce a lass tae a sailin' lad now I am bein' asked tae 'ave a proper piratey parade propogatin' proveyours for the province." Stephen grumbled.

Jewel blinked as Stephen went crazy with alliteration there.

A wide blink of her eyes at Stephen's clever tongue twister there and Cieara dissolved into laughter, fingers pressing against her lips and head dropping low as shoulders just shook with mirth.

Elessaria raised her glass in a toast to the alliterating piratey man.

Stephen takes a much-needed drink after his last mouthful was spat out.

With the growing number of auras pressing upon her and Elessaria reached up to knead where her neck and shoulder meet with a dainty hand.

"Actually.." Cieara said, catching her breath with a hand lifting to rest against her neck for a moment. "I do occasionally date a Privateer by the name of Kar Albaelia. Just one slight step away from Pirate I believe."

Snuggled in happily at Stephen's side, Jewel looked down the bar and caught sight of Art again."Art!" Waved him over.

Artemus blinked, hears someone a-callin his name and turns to look down that way. "Can't you see I'm comfortable where I am! You come here!" Started to wave Jewel over.

Stephen narrowed his eyes at that. "Nae Cieara luv a privateer be worse then any pirate...pirates at least be honest about wha' it is we be a privateer hides behind some scrap o' paper nae worth wipin' yer bum wit'"

"Heck no." Jewel moved closer to Stephen, if possible. "I'm more comfortable and still injured."

Elessaria focused on her breathing, then looks at Jade for much needed distraction.

"Wuss!" Artimus remarked and took another sip of wine before he let out a grumble and picked up the glass and the bottle, starts walking down to Jewel. "Now what?s this about' I take my drinking seriously.." As always that amused sparkle gleamed in those faded jade eyes.

"Ah, but he's still much the rogue and scoundrel and it's only my father that made him a Privateer." More laughter rose up in waves as she glanced over at Stephen with another impish twinkle in her eyes.

"Pssh." Jewel rolled her eyes at the insult. "I wanted you to meet my fianc" if that's okay." Nudging Stephen slightly. "I'm sorry love, I don't mean to interrupt your conversation with Cieara, but this is Artemus, my captain for the Fists league coming up."

Elessaria noticed that Icer had some situation well under control she stared absently back down at her nearly empty glass of brandy and traces the rim with a slender fingertip.

"So basically he is "yer" pirate." Stephen retorted to Cieara.

"Glad to meet you..." Artemus didn't extend a hand but left it open for Stephen to give his name.

Stephen winced at the nudge to his ribs. "Murinin I said I will eat ye....." Turned to see Artemus and hear the rest of what she is saying. "Oh' Tis good tae meet ye. I trust nothin' will be happenin' again li'e wha' happened this past week?"

"Well, in a way yes." Cieara's lips just twitching now as she got the laughter under control for the present moment and shifted, legs crossing with a soft rustling of Elven silks, the forest green shimmer settling against her feet. "However his family did start out as Pirates and many still call them that."

You know that life really takes its toll And a poet's gut reaction is to search his very soul So much damn confusion before my eyes But nothing seems to phase me and this one still survives I just want to walk right out of this world 'cause everybody has a poison heart

Him - Poisoned Heart Books, tomes, and scrolls, thousands, even thousands upon thousands. Still, nothing. He of infinite patience was finding that, were it possible, he was running out of the stretch of eternity's lengthy reach, that patience was wearing somewhat thin. He made his way down from the uppers which held the large collection of the Guardian's Archives, the Keep. In tow, he carried a satchel full of books and other such things. Under his arms, a few scrolls and large tomes of reference. Veighn's lips pursed as he came down the steps in view of the common room, shadow-swathed, stealthy, with a brooding look donned behind the shifting of dark nimbus.

Oddly enough Cieara felt the energy even before he entered the commons directly and a glance was turned over a silken clad shoulder to regard the Mage, laden with books, scrolls and the like and a brow arched slightly.

He had a few memories he'd like that psychoanalyst to see if she could wad through unscathed. The thought amused him somewhat, and brought him out of the depths of the brooding mood as Veighn foot padded silently across the floor in seeming robe-obscured glide.

Noticing a few of the scrolls had fallen as he stumbled his way towards a table, a few fingers of shadows snatched them from the floor and they materialized before her on the bar top a moment later, right beside a small crystal cut glass of Blue Elven wine. Legs crossing under a fall of forest green Elven silk, she raised the glass to her lips and took another small sip, appreciating the soothing effects of the wine on nerves only mildly stretched from her father's displeasure at her recent antics.

Veighn dumped a few of the scrolls on the table, rummaging through to marked pages and unfurling scrolls. Placing a few books on either side, and opened his own leather-bound journal, jotting down notes with something that looked like a bone quill in a language both alien and beautiful. He was managing through the bits and pieces, shuffling parchment and flipping pages as he tossed a mixture of alchemist's dust over the drying ink to further dry and preserve the pages.

A slow slide down to her feet she let the swirling slither of emerald green settled over the tips of matching slippers and then with one hand gathered up the scrolls, cradling them against her with apparent respect. She may not be able to read them, but understood their importance and just glided off with a swish of her skirt towards the Mage. "You dropped a few Milord. My father's vault's has a few of those. They are rare, but not impossible to find." A brow arching as she realized the mage was possibly as scattered as Molly had been earlier and was starting to wonder if one of the moons was in a certain phase.

"I know.." The"Black Wizard" cast her a fleeting glance, which only due to the view briefly held, he was given cause to pause in his information gleaning to have a double-take. A brow arched, annoyance washing from his features in a mixture of humor and curiosity.

"Where shall I put these?" A shrug lifting with a rising of the carefully held scrolls, quite aware of the look but wasn't about to explain, thinking it best to let him wonder at least a little regarding her mode of dress this evening and Cieara just regarded him with a mildly vacant expression.

"What' The Scrolls?" The Mage finally pulled himself from the view of the spectacle that had become her, drawing his gaze from her dress-clad form to her face, suddenly his features a mask of stoicism.

"Of course Milord." A step taken back from him but allowed Cieara to turn to place the parchment rolls down upon the table gently, feeling the supple sway of the Elven silk around her legs at the movements. "Such things do not last long on the floor of this place. Certain to be trampled."

"Good Night Connar..." Sugar blew a bubble again then, a smiley face that seemed to close its eyes right before the man.

"Nonsense." An aside to Samantha as he lifted his off-hand toward Cieara for the scrolls."Keep him as long as ye will. It seems he enjoys ye company. Besides, I like the way the conversation is going." Veighn's hand scratching words over the vellum with the bone-quill, it's red ink flowing forth in well-formed gouts. He unrolled one of the scrolls she'd picked up, arching a brow as he scanned the rather ornate glyphs of said scroll's composition. "Indeed. More like these?"

Connar smiled sending Sugar on her way with a nod. "If I see repunzel's hair hanging out of your window...I'll send the cavalry."

Sugar leaned back and smiled to Connar again. "No, not the whole cavalry...just the commanding officer."

"The shining one, right?" Connar quipped in return.

Sugar sent a look to Veighn. "Good Night, Sir! Sweet Dreams!"Only to turn her grin to Connar quickly after. "Any will do."

Was actually oddly thankfully for the modest neckline the dress sported, as Cieara leaned bit to see what he was writing, which while the stroke was flourished and pretty to look at, the words made little sense to her and she lifted pale green eyes to the mage. "Just a few you dropped as you were moving towards the table. If there is more, I couldn't say Milord. My knowledge of such things is not so vast as your own."

Connar nodded. "Ye should be more discriminating than that."

"I mean any officer." Sugar said back with a grin to Connar.

Connar laughed. "So did I."

"Few and far between are those, Samantha....few and far between. Shadows caress and shadows bless." Veighn intoned, setting the new spread of vellum before him across the table. He seemed intrigued by one of the glyphs, and translated it into the language he was scribing into his notes.

"Then I hope tonight is one of those in between nights for you.." Sugar replied to the Mage. Sincere and smiling at Veighn, she turned and headed up the stairs to her and her twins' room.

Connar rose to his feet, the stairs not the most comfortable of places to sit for lengthy periods of time. He watched her retreat safely upstairs and headed down the few short steps to the bottom.

"I believe ye are modest, though I do not doubt that my expertise in the manner of which I do things is easily rivaled. Do have a seat, and explain that rather peculiar get-up ye have donned yeself in this night." The "Black Wizard's" fiery gaze shifting from the pages toward the woman standing near his table.

A pale hand drew out a chair at the table and Cieara sat down, the movements as regal as a princess, but had to be, as the skirt was swept out to prevent the crushing of the delicate fabrics and smiled. "Ah, I could say I wore this just for you Milord....but.." Leaves the word just hanging for a moment to take another small sip of the glowing blue liquid in the crystal cut glass she held in one dainty hand.

Veighn snickered as he heard more of the conversation going on at the other side of the room. He lifted the quill so not to botch the calligraphy on the page with a red blot. His gaze rose then, and he took this time to settle into the back of his chair. He'd been hunched over scrolls for hours and the brief reprieve was refreshing.

"That would be a lie, and I haven't ever really been good at such things." Cieara's her attention shifted as well, catching a bit of the conversation that seemed to have captured Veighn's attention with a bit of confusion on her face.

His gaze fluttered, and he turned his head away from the pair toward Cieara, a puzzled look on The Mage's features. "So why the gown.?"

Long legs slowly crossed under the liquid fall of soft skirt and drew a gentle whispered sound from slithering silks, that released that subtle scent of wild flowers and spice that was uniquely her own. "Was the weekly family dinner Milord. My father expects us to dress for the occasion and this..." Cieara's pale hand swept down over her form. "Is what is usually worn. Warlord he may be, but he is Civilized to a degree."

"Perhaps she was jealous.." The mage murmured under his breath, scratching the parchment vigorously with a swift few strokes of the quill, sending a few spots of ink here and there which, somehow, fell by gravities pull at odd angles to the outer fringes of some glyphs to finish them.

"Pardon Milord?" Cieara's eyes narrowing a bit, as she certain was not one for feeling such emotions, at least she wasn't aware of that and gently cradled the delicate glass lightly in her fingers, the soft fruited fragrance mingled into her own with a magical spiral.

"Lord to be sure, though war is hardly civilized. However, one must find a way to avoid degradation into lesser impulses and mania brought by the horrors of slaughter, were they not keen to it. That, or in mockery of some form of niceties." Veighn snickered, turning his gaze toward the pair and nodding his explanation wordlessly.

"My family's weekly dinners are a means for my parents to find out what Daniel and I are up to for the most part. Lately with all being so busy, Daddy is most determined to continue the ritual of it." Cieara glanced down, lashes dropping to shadow pale cheeks as she regarded the small nearly full glass she was nursing, starkly reminded that she was doing just what her father didn't want but as it would come to only amusement and little else, he need not worry.

I promise this thing will sell... I'm gonna make you a deal, you know I'm your friend I'm gonna stay with you until the very end I know you got the guts, I got a lot of time I'm gonna make me yours before I make you mine

Alphaville - Dangerous Places

Veighn lifted his gaze from the descriptor of the test of Mettle, and the colorful notes the Mind Flayer wrote on the horrors Lolth would subject the priestess to once she became aware of the betrayal. His lips pursed, thinking over the question as he shifted the image, brought by the Mindflayers notes, aside."What would leave ye to believe that I would destroy a mate?" His brow arching slightly at the idea she gave. "Though, there is some truth to what ye speak about the mindless drones of both genders in many races."

"I did say perhaps Milord, that side of the spider having some appeal to ye after all. As for the drones, I have noticed you simply can not suffer fools with much in the way of grace." The wine rose to Cieara's lips for another sip as she paused in her speaking and gently cradled the diamond cut goblet in her hands as she continued to regard him. In truth she wasn't fully sure just what he was about, but suspected that was what made him intriguing and more then a small puzzle to ponder upon.

Lord Veighn's amusement was still apparent, however it had faded some. He shuffled the Mindflayer's scroll to the side, in favor of one in the Drow hand. That done, the shuffling of recently penned pages ensued, more dashes of powder sprinkled, and more scratching of the rune-carved bone quill against cured elf-flesh vellum. "Hmm...So ye find me somewhat spidery' Aye' " He snickered, lifting his gaze from his notes toward the Demon-hybrid before him. His brow piqued slightly. "And what makes ye think I donnae suffer fools with grace. Evidence darling, evidence.....elaborate if ye would."

That amusement he carried, made Cieara feel just a wee bit more vulnerable, having simply left the tension of the keep to escape it without first changing and now Cieara regretted that choice, as she felt a bit more protected perhaps behind the leather shielding. "Just the other night when one interrupted your conversation, you were quick to put him in his place. There are others around that have felt the lashing of your tongues, such as that Alana girl."

"Which girl?" The Mage's brow furrowed, his head tilting as he sat the quill down, pretending to massage a cramp out of the palm of his hand. Veighn's fingers undulated, and he watched her from across the table with those sharp, glowing, hellfire crimson eyes.

"Her name was Alana. That much I have learned. She apparently said something you found foolish and you unleashed on her, calling her some rather unsavory names such as a "Whore". I believe she too interjected herself into a conversation without invitation. Mind you the girl did do something rather foolish last night, but that is hardly a surprise." Cieara's chin lifted a touch with catlike pale green eyes meeting his straight on, aware she couldn't allow him to be aware she was feeling a little unsettled, and casually brought the glass up to her lips to take another minuscule sip of the potent ferment.

"So many are presumptuous, and seek authority though lack the power to rest such authority for themselves. I remember the girl now, only because of ye mention of the exchange in detail. Aye, she had slipped my mind as a passing insect easily swatted away. She is of little interest to me, and by her manner, offers little by way of consequence in retribution against my actions. She is sub-level of her species, and beneath my notice; Self-important without the means by which to gain such status. Aye, I have little use for such fools other than fodder for my machinations." Veighn He waved it away dismissively. "Knaves should know their place, and know it well. I will not tolerate them trying to elevate themselves above their lowly stations. Not without a show of promise."

"In that regard, you do have something in common with my father." Cieara strove to keep a certain note from her words, that might alert him to the fact her father saw him as such an insect, feeding off others with little regard, but she suspected the Mage, while crafty, wasn't so easily able to read thoughts and a slow smile played upon her rose pale lips as she regarded him with a bit of speculation in her pale green eyes.

Veighn leaned toward her, a slow smile mirroring her own. "Allow me to let ye in on a secret, Cieara DeAuster. Though, ye have much to gain by the information imparted, I require that ye have no tongue to utter the words mentally, or otherwise, past this point....do we have a deal?" His gaze piercing his smile most cruel and his gaze vehement a strobe of light flashing in the impromptu lean he took. The Mage's hand moved again, picking up the quill. Each stroke of the bone tip funneled the magically renewed ink onto the parchment beneath it, creating the artful calligraphy of words via many glyphs, combining phrases, and often more than one sentence into a single seal upon the page.

Cieara very nearly spoke "Of Course" but just as her lips parted to utter those words, she paused, and a glimmer of laughter sudden shone from her pale green eyes and she slowly gave a shaking of her head, such a crafty and clever mage he was and she had quite nearly fell for it. "Ah Milord, perhaps it be best that you not share such important information with me. If it means trouble for my family I would not be able to keep that sort of "Deal" with ye after all." Making certain notice of the watchful gaze he had leveled upon her.

"Ahh...well...it seems this insect is far more poisonous than first perceived. I will allow ye the reprieve then." Veighn turned his eyes back the scrolls then. "I would not wish to have ye make a deal that would incense ye father further. I donnae know if I could handle the man disliking me more than he does already. Now can I" Ye learn more swiftly than Tasha, I will admit to that." He chuckled a bit. Switching the subject quickly. "I do so love the structure of Drow house, donnae ye?"

In the instant she was aware she would have to guard her thoughts with far more attention and a mild frown touched Cieara's brow, but only for that brief moment before a brow arched slightly, the velvet soft laugh escaping in a smooth mellow flow. "Tis impolite to scan other's thoughts Milord. My father knows I can avoid deals, his concerns are for something else, but I would nae want to bore you with those details. As for Drow House structure, I know little of that racial style. I have met few."

"Thoughts" What mean ye by way of this introduction?" Veighn turned his subject to the other. "Few ye say' And how many are these narrow few?"

"There was one in Mum's guild. I met him when I was about 15, but was nae ever left alone in his company. He was nae like the men in the stories my father told us as children and I suspected Mum nae truly trusted him." This added with a shifting of her skirt, fingers smoothing out the shimmering soft fabric in unconscious movement. "As for thoughts You Milord, picked upon mine, as I never actually spoke then."

"Were ye thinking about insects?" The Mage's brow arched tapping the book as he spoke. "Well, I could see that as being quite the coincidence, though tis a common mistake to call a spider an insect. They are arachnids, after all." Tapping his notes with the latter end of the quill. "A common slip however, one ye must forgive of me, for the terminology is incorrect, many still are of the mind that....a bug is a bug, to use vulgar slang." Adding at the end a dismissive wave.

Burnished curls drifted lightly as Cieara head tipped and she settled her gaze upon him, the pale green glittering and slightly narrowing as a slow sweeping inspection him was done, with several less then pure thoughts allowed to float to the surface of her mind and she slowly smiled. "I am nae fond of bugs of any kind. Though I will admit there is a certain calculated beauty in the movements of the arachnids. They also can create beauty in how they spin their webs. Like a gossamer snowflake made of silk, and spun with precision and grace. Hard to discount such a creature."

Well I've got nothing to hide Dip down and come for a ride I'm racing the devil, so sly You cannot hear him coming

"Cause my defenses are weak I have no breath left to speak So take my evidence And bury it somewhere

Maroon 5 Wake Up Call.

"Nae. To be sure I am certain some might do just that Milord, but I find most Gods to be fickle and ever demanding. My father serves four and is always having to balance his way along to appease and that I simply feel is not my path to follow. I would rather talk with you, tease you and even pester you then worship you. But I will admit you're certainly comely enough to achieve that goal if it be what you seek." A tapping of fingers against the surface of the table, the beat a steady thing for moment as Cieara continued to inspect the Mage, intense green eyes sweeping over him from head to toe and back again. "I noticed that you have ignored my question. Does that disturb you Milord?"

"I see, tis very interesting. Four gods ye say." Veighn tapped the book again. "What question?" Casually, he continued the copying of certain interesting bits of scrolls and from books explaining some in depth study of why such was said or what standards and precedents are maintained by what is implied by other writings. He was linking resources, and weaving his own very insightful web of notes by what was available to him on the table. It would probably be reworked in later volumes as more information was amassed and woven in, creating a grand work on the subject that would rival many a scholars views. Extensive was his research, and because things had a wont to change, he too would adapt his notes to such things.

"Ah, never mind then. If it didn't even register it hardly matters for me to repeat it." For just a moment there was a flicker of annoyance in the depths of those green eyes but it may have only been a trick of light as darker green still caught and shimmered like a cat's.

"Easily discouraged." Veighn tisked as he wrote in the log, continuing the ritual of sprinkling the mixture of herbs and gem dust on the pages before turning them to allow him a fresh slate to write upon.

"I suspect you will likely nae reply, but I am hardly discouraged. My ego such as it is, can take it Milord." Cieara's fingers furled about the crystal cut glass and took a fuller sip for the first time that night, leaving still half a glass to go, still nursing it along with unusual care and then did repeat her question. "Do you say what you did about your teeth to scare me off from my goal of seducing you eventually Milord?" Nearly the same very words, perhaps with a few minor adjustments. And now awaits him to gloss over, or simply plow through with another fascinating tidbit about the Drow God Lloth with a faint arching of a russet brow and quizzical tipping of her head.

"Had I any notion that would have detoured ye, Cieara, would I not have used such a phrasing at an earlier time" Too, what makes ye think I am able to be seduced, hmmm' Because I am male" Because with the acquisition of power I mean to seed and further my line with heirs" Too, for what purpose" Or is it merely ye entertain the fleeting thoughts that are so vivid that it prompts ye to saying these things." Veighn's nostrils flared, a slow smile.

"The scent of spice and wildflower are not hard to miss. The access that a garb of such design might allow one such as I" Does it appeal to ye senses, the thought of seeing how well ye thighs mold around my hips in the clutching brought by ecstatic pleasures" Do ye fantasize me taking ye atop this table, even now, having my way with ye, and relishing the warmth of mine...well...The warm cascade down ye thighs after I exhaust ye' Do ye wonder, whether I am capable of exhausting ye?" He bit his lip then, a smile forming around it. Again, his nostrils flared, and he could tell her scent was strong. If it were do to the fact that he wasn't focusing on it before, or if had become stronger due to the affect of his words, he would not tell.

"Aye, ye are male, at least you carry the scent of one, wear the look of one. As for the rest, tis not what interests me." A rolling of her hand and the glowing blue wine circled about the glass, sending a few soft colors playing over the surface of some of those scrolls and books he was so enamored with, but as he continued her face took a hint of color and mentally cursed herself for that minor slip, but hoped the dim lights of the inn hid it well enough. "So now you tease Milord" Words designed to further appeal to my darker nature perhaps" Or do you mock me" Tis hard to know." Speech slipping even more into the language of home. "The dress was hardly by design, having nae known ye would be about this night. As for it's access, that thought nae crossed my mind, of course now it's all very much stuck in me head and only makes me wonder even more." Cieara placed the glass down quickly, a faint shaking of hands that was unnoticeable except to her as it was but a fine tremor. "Perhaps it is merely the challenge that draws me. As ye are nae to great on the pride of or the ego, that being a fact."

"Had I made a move toward that end, ye would have fought me. For dignity, for ego, and for pride, Cieara, ye would have fought me. Ye would not let yeself fall pray to me without me breaking ye bodily before the violation. Ye speak of desire, yet to what end" Desire can mean power, and a display of forceful rape of ye body may very well be an scintillating and emotion rousing thought, both wanted and unwanted, it is indeed something ye would fight to ye very end when I came, by any man. For lust' Is that why ye ask" Is it some revelation ye wish' To know that I find ye beautiful" Ye are not displeasing on the eyes, I will admit that much to ye. Do I want ye like a starving wolf wants a rabbit?" Veighn chuckled. "I'm no starving wolf darling, and there are many rabbits for the plucking."

"That rhymed, didn't it, "plucking?" The Mage amused himself by way of that reference. A snicker issued in dark tones from his nasal cavity as well as the parting of his lips. "Count yeself fortunate that I donnae mean to display my might over ye in such a manner. Ye dignity is safe from that form of attack, I assure ye."

"Contrary to what ye might think, I was nae looking at ye for revelations. Aye, ye be a curiously intriguing creature so that is part of it, but not in the way ye be thinking. Aye, there is some lust there, desire such as it is. There is also attraction, on my part anyway. As for seeking some vindication to beauty, tis but skin we wear, as I am nae one for vanity." Cieara drew in a slow, soothing and calming breath and then her gaze lifted, emerald green eyes glittering with resiliency as she regarded him.

There's no earthly way of knowing Which direction we are going There's no knowing where we're going Or which way the wind is blowing Is it raining" Is it snowing" Is a hurricane a-blowing" Not a speck of light is showing So the danger must be growing Oh, the fires of hell are glowing Marilyn Manson - Prelude (The Family Trip)

Cieara had in fact not dug as deeply as she might have, having considered that sort of thing rude and impolite behavior. It may not be the most prudent of idea's but respectful nonetheless. "I don't think my goal was to draw back the curtain to all your secrets Milord. Those are much a part of your appeal. Odd as that might sound." Her words coming just a tough stilted, as she was feeling vastly uncomfortable at the present moment.

"Then picture this, Cieara. Picture that ye fall for me, utterly and entirely, before coming to know your own very core fears are staring ye in the face. That your loving gaze for such a man, a being of great power, is a monster in your eyes. Imagine the self-loathing, the madness that knowing such as utter fact could unravel ye mind and throw ye into an abyss of fractured shards, reflecting only bits and pieces of what ye once were. Envision that, and ye only start to tread that path of what I truly am."

A flash touched the surface of Cieara's green eyes as she regarded him now and her head tipped to the side, the expression somewhat baffled. "Ye be assuming that would occur. Let us theorize then Milord. To fall for one, to open your heart freely means you love both the good and the bad of that individual. A monster can be loved same as a saint. Learning of their ways, then to become insane from it, is only the sign of a weak mind and an even more fickle heart."

"Ye see now why Mr. Howe was so incensed by my words when he chose to threaten me so after I did not bit the baited hook he dangled before mine eyes" I expected more from him, yet he has let me down in that aspect. Do I see him as a worthy opponent' That I shall leave unsaid. He will do something, I surmise, that he believes I may not know. He will wait, if he is wise, to see what deals I have made, what I have built, and try to chip away at the foundations to topple my machinations like a house of cards."

Veighn paused at her wording, a slow smile forming. "Again, that remains to be seen. Too, ye place yeself in the position of the prospective fickle one. Perhaps tis I ye should be worried about when it comes to that. What's more, the reference to mine jaws is an accurate one. Could ye endure such a laceration' Have ye the strength to hold yeself together in the face of being torn apart' Again, place yeself in the role of the fickle. What makes ye think I would be of a mind to release ye of ye conquest should I allow ye such' Sid, I allow that one her creature comforts. She senses something in me, and it amuses me to allow her to think less. Tis a comfort to her to deny danger when she finds something truly dangerous."

"To be blunt Milord. It would take far more then ye pretty features for my heart to become so entwined. It would take effort on your part that I suspect ye would nae be so willing to extend, so it is rather a moot point. As for Mr. Howe, aye, he will play his games for that is what he does. He's always seeking an upper hand from what I have heard. Even now he watches or will when orbs are collected, but already ye prepare." Cieara was starting to relax just a bit, yet felt the tension still riding slim shoulders but she didn't shift them, just turned her head to regard him with somber attention. "Perhaps I am fickle. Though that has nae ever been a part of my current character. I have nae jumped from man to man, even if ye might think such." Instantly buried the number that was but one down deep within, not letting that float to the surface to be captured and displayed.

"The thing that will draw his ire the most, is coming to realize that he will abandon his tactics at my will and whim. I donnae think he will take too kindly to the realization, and not by my telling now, but when he has his epiphany, that I pull his strings and he dances to my tune."Veighn stated with conviction.

Cieara replied to that remark of the mages in a soft quiet tone. "You do know Milord, he does review the orbs collected her. Be it wise to share such words?" If anything, her voice dropped lower still. "Or do you wish to draw his ire?" She looked him in the eyes with the canting of her head and the dropping of thick lashes would look more the flirt then fact.

A slowly blooming, Cheshire smile formed on the mage's lips suddenly, his eyes crescenting with mirth spawned by her inquiry."Need ye ask me that question, my dear?"

"Ye be the new player in town I believe Milord. You are slowly building your power and perhaps they sense that." Cieara's fingers toyed with the delicate stem of the glass as shifted a bit with a rustling of silk, the movement a faint echo of a certain restlessness assailing her.

"New, perhaps more so than some, though less new than others. Just now, I'm making waves and it has come to their attention, as it has many others." The mage regarded her.

"Is that not what ye wanted?" Cieara asked that simple question that and followed by the rising of the glass to touch her lips for a sip and just took a quiet breath at the tingling sensation of powerful Elven magic that she seemed to need.

"Again, ye ask a question that ye donnae, yeself, lack the answer to. Seek ye confirmation?" Veighn's brow arching, he moved his hands over the quill, placing it in the satchel with his tome. He gathered a few scrolls, placing them in a scroll case and placed them in the pouch beside the tome. The rest he left scattered upon the table, settling once more in the frame of his seat.

"Yes, as that is what I think your doing and with a purpose, though for the life of me I can't not figure out why you seek so much in the way of negative attention." Cieara forced her fingers from placing to much pressure upon that dainty glass of the crystal cut stem as he moved.

"That is the question worth the price of many kingdoms, isn't it, Cieara. I'm sure many would love the answer to that question, as ye do. I'm sure that answer will then be a priceless commodity to those who would which to exploit as well. Why would I have such cause to do just that?" The Dark Lord questioned in turn.

"Why don't ye just say "I nae care to share that" and be done with it' As it is apparently just what ye be meaning." A dry laugh fell from Cieara's lips then as eyes that swirled with the barest hints of crimson regarded him with some irritation.

"That would be too easy, now wouldn't it Cieara." Veighn chuckled. "Besides, I do like the scenery available in taking the long and scenic path to an end, donnae ye' Give one time to relish what there is to be bad." Forming that steeple again, his nostrils flared again and his eyelids lowered to half-mast.

"Tis obvious ye do enjoy orchestrating Milord. Thought it nae music that strikes your fancy but perhaps a love of the game or the challenge it offers to pit ye wits against others. So by all means, appreciate the scene as it plays out before ye. Such efforts should always be rewarded." Cieara's tone had dropped only one octave but remained as cultured and soft when speaking, but eyes gleamed faintly with temper restrained. It wasn't the words that had actually ignited that mood, but the look he wore but she outright refused to ponder upon that just shifted back to relax slightly within her chair.

Veighn pushed his chair out from the table and with a gesture, unneeded, staunched the shadows around him into the affect of a gray haze. Rising from the seat he'd taken, he broke into movement that was more fluid than a solid form should have been. He movement was swift, a drift of his being that gave no rustling of legs scissoring beneath the fabric drape of his robe's hem. He had flanked her so swiftly that it took an instant to for nerves to send message to her synapses that his flesh upon her own was registered. His hands moved along her collarbones, fluid as silk, warm as the lick of flames. The full flat of his palm moved along her neck, her shoulders, toward the sides of her pointed ears. His black claws left red streaks against her flesh, only heat scratches, not the deadly life-stealing lacerations that could be had from the merest application of pressures. He was behind her, and onyx hair swept forward to curtain the sides of her face as he leaned.

"Ye think such is deserving of a reward" Others have tried harder still, with only sorrow left in the wake of their attempts." Veighn moved his hand along the column of her throat, the undulation of his fingers was sensuous, and he caressed the underside of her jaw in the palm of his hand, exploring the flesh of her neck as the thumb of latter hand came to brace her spine as he tilted her head upward to look into her eyes from his lean above and behind.

Veighn pulled out a bottle, blew the dust off the label, frowned, and replace it from whence it came. He kept browsing the selection of bottles, turning his head toward his left shoulder, chin in alignment, and cast her a sidelong glance behind. "Stunned speechless I see." His nostrils flaring again and he pivoted, swiped a clean rag, and tossed it, after wadding it, through the air toward her direction. The force of the throw causing the cloth to snap at the air and take in air, but it made the gap in distance that it should never have made, landing on the parchments at the center-most table of the room, the one she was seated at. "I donnae believe the cat-man would take to kindly to ye bleeding all over the scrolls in his charge, and ye may too ruin ye dress. I doubt ye would have a wont to explain to ye father how that'd come to pass."

While her mind might be reeling, Cieara's responses were not and a hand rose to capture the flying cloth before it landed upon the table and was pressed to her palm, stanching the small wound with nearly mechanical movements, as her brain was still spinning in a total state of shock. "Aye....yes ye be correct about that Milord."

After the clean towel was tossed, he turned back to his rummaging through Panther's wine selection, turning a few bottles that needed turning so the corks didn't rot. After moments, he pulled forth a bottle of the Spanish Brandy he'd had by way of Mary's leaving a few days past. He removed the seal and pulled the cork free, allowing it to breath while he searched for a snifter.

Cieara had managed to string a whole sentence together and even keep her hand from making a mess of the soft forest green silks but slowly the shock started to fade and she slanted a narrowed gaze his way, none to pleased he was so unaffected but as he hadn't actually given her a chance to do much of anything either. "Tis usual to at least give a lady a chance to um...response to such endeavors Milord. And if ye thought to end my ceaseless pursuit of ye, I fear ye may have made it worse."

Veighn dipped in his bend, lowering to a crouch, then raised again, snifter in hand. It seemed they were always hiding the good crystal, shifting it here and there depending on who was tending. Placing the vessel atop the bar, and poured the heady liquor into the globe of the glass, watching the amber liquid roll and swirl as he filled it a good two-thirds of the way full. He then corked the bottle, replacing it in its place of security. This done, he rounded the bar's end, making his way toward the seat he'd left, just across from her position at the other side of the table. Lifting the hem of his robes, he seated himself, pressing the glass to his lips for a sip in the meantime.

Lord Veighn lowered the glass upon hearing that statement, having been robbed of half the intended mouthful, and swallowed. His brow arched, and he regarded her evenly. "Is that so?"

Cieara would not be sharing any details of that brain numbing kiss, as it would be simply to hard for her to even attempt to describe it, but she just willed her galloping heart to slow down as it was making her just a tiny bit light headed at the rapid fire pace but her hand was already healing, inherent gifts from both parents the wound small so was already closing over. "Alas for ye, it is." And while her pulse might be off the chart, her reply was offered in soft even tones.

"Tis a rarity I give so much as even that. Usually, even that, is gained by extreme effort on another's part. Ye got off light in the scheme of things, with so much. Nae that I find myself to be some wondrous Adonis to deign to grant such to any passing female who so much as bats her lashes at me, but for other reasons entirely. Ye might find that ye will have to work harder still to be given the chance to return such back to me in the doing of said act, and beyond that...well...that is left to yet be discovered, isn't it?" The mage replied stoically.

Wrapping the broken glass into the bloodied towel, crimson darkened eyes lifted slowly and gazed at him, there was some wonder there, but deeper lurked that attraction Cieara no longer sought to hide and a faint smile whispered over her lips. "Unlike ye, I can not rely upon the element of surprise. I dare not brave those wards of yours as you might consider that an act of aggression. So tell me milord, what exactly do you mean' If mine efforts have been weak, what does it take to pique your ever shifting attentions?"

"Perhaps I will just put on the pretense of being unaware of the change." Veighn smirked, and took another sip of his libation, then lowered the snifter to clink against the wood surface of his chair's armrest.

"Ah, well I do have dresses, quite a vast collection, just nae something I wear all to often. In truth, ye normally do not show up a second day in a row. Often times it's been a day or two before I see ye again." A wicked curling of lips followed Cieara's words and she inclined her head towards him. "So I really did nae think ye would even know of my lapse into more feminine garments."

"I could see how they donnae provide much cover in wartime sorties, as it were." Snickering as Veighn wafted his hand through the air. Another smirk terminating the sound as he swirled the brandy in its glass, allowing the drink to "breathe.".

"Well skirts alone are hardly an option when facing battle. I have nae ever tried to do such of course, but have heard it is nae easy." Cieara was making sure not to move around to much, but a hand lifted to capture a sliding burnished curl and ease it back behind a ear point.

"Most skirts I've known to be worn in battle are plate, scale, chain mess, or boiled leather. Though, a boiled leather, sectioned skirt would be rather short, and probably advertise to much for ye liking were ye to wear it as a casual garment. Too, it would probably draw ye unwanted attention by many a man throughout the realm seeking to sample what was beneath." The Mage stated casually, as if talk of such things were a normalcy in mixed company.

Cieara's lips twitched, as she did actually have such a skirt, but was just as quick to defend herself against any that might seek to touch without invitation. "I have plenty of all of those as well, I am simply more comfortable in the leathers. Those have been my usual mode of armor since I was 13...along side dresses for home and more social events that are much like political wars without blood shed."

"Political wars, hmmm.." He tilted his head, running his free hand back through his hair, moving a few errant locks of black from the ridge of his brow, some having fallen into an irritating position, thus impeding his sight. Veighn's gaze fell to half-mast once more, and he took a sip of his brandy, relishing the burn of the liquor and its taste more than any affect that it should have given him.

"Of course, alliances to be made families to link through those very agreements. Daddy is nae as skilled with those social events, unlike my Mum is. She's more diplomatic, but just as deadly." Cieara didn't seek to explain how deadly her mother was, as he didn't really need to know that unless something came up.

"Tis very interesting, so due to alliance, ye are in association with the Bloods" Or through lineage?" Veighn's brow piqued after that. "I hear tell that Lankyn's libraries are extensive, however, I also hear ye tell it that ye father's libraries are well stocked in and of themselves."

"Aunt Belial is my Grandmum's Sister. So there is blood ties there but Daddy has been with Lord Lankyn for many, many years. It is true that the libraries are both vast. Lord Lankyn's takes up three stores and is lined with several shelves of books on each level. Daddy's is also very massive. Only slightly smaller." Cieara replied, obligingly enough.

"I see. So, Lord DeAuster has only one daughter, or have ye siblings that are nae mentioned as of yet' I know that ye have one brother that I have seen so far." Veighn's lips pursed around the rim of the snifter after its ascent to his mouth, sipping drawl of the beverage taken before it was placed on the table, fingers releasing the stem of the glass.

"It is just myself and Daniel actually. Mum and Daddy haven't tried to repopulate the entire world even if they have been together for nearly 60 years." A glance down at her hand the palm still bearing the faint mark from the stab of glass. "Daddy also has a vast array of healers, and Herbalists. The space where many work is filled with just about any type of herb or element one needs for Alchemy."

"The sparing of wits Milord, as I have nae yet allowed myself to ponder upon the kiss, other then to feel a bit. . . stunned as of yet." Cieara's hand rose to brush a curl from her pale cheek and just chuckled quietly, while her darker green eyes regarded him.

"Perhaps tis just a figment of ye imagination, a vivid fantasy ye came to unconsciously having that was very vivid and so realistic that ye senses took ye on a journey." The Black Wizard's smirk was sly, and he took another sip of the beverage in hand as he watched her for the reaction he was sure to get from such a remark.

"Ah, ye would like me to believe that I am sure Milord, but I can tell the difference. A fantasy as ye might call it, vivid perhaps does not leave marks on one's skin, or the taste upon their lips." A finger rising to brush against the already fading heat marks on the pale skin of her neck.

"I see. Perhaps tis a manifestation of mind over matter, no?" She wasn't buying it, that he knew. However, Veighn found the prospect of saying it just as amusing as her explaining it away after he "tried to convince her otherwise.". "I suppose then I wouldn't have heard the reference to being bold if it were imagined, would I?"

"Aye, I believe we both used that word around the time ye sent my thoughts scattering like leaves in a wind storm." Ever honest in most situations Cieara wasn't going to change now, but a brow arched slightly with a sudden amused gleam of darker green eyes. "Now why would ye wish me to forget it' To pawn it off as some figment or whimsical imagining?"

"Again with the questions. How about ye answer this one for me, and I shall see if ye are close to the mark. Why do ye think I would have ye forget such?" The Mage questioned with a brow arching. "Oh, and by the buy, I'm discounting the fact that ye said ye mind had been scattered to the four winds." A tip of his snifter toward her before taking a sip, an amused glimmer shimmering in his hellish crimson eyes.

"Honestly, up until that moment, I actually believed ye would never do such a thing." Cieara was careful with her movements but shifted only slightly with a hissing of silk and then turned her hooded eyes towards him with a canting tip of her head. "So yes, I was scattered. Surprised that you..are so skilled."

"Surprised, now that is a curious comment." Another sip and despite her care in shifting her legs, the aforementioned affect was again snared by his keen awareness. He took twice the amount of the first sip, washing down what was had as it came again. His eyes closed this time, and he rolled his head from one shoulder, back, and to the other, as if loosening his muscles along the shoulder and neck region. Veighn then tapped the glass, his eyelids slowly lifting to their mid-point position, revealing only half the red, scarlet, and crimson hues of his eyes, which were now alive with swirls of black flame within their depths. Within that gaze was more than just a veiled, sharp intelligence. There was the calling of power, coiling within him, stirred by the stimulus picked up in the stirring of the air once more.

Cieara's gaze was picking up all the subtle nuances of his movements, the glint of eyes and the hint of something curious looking behind the intensity normally seen there and her auburn head tipped with her lashes lifting to return the regard, remaining quite still of course but one single curl choose that moment to spiral down to brush a cheek. "I nae see how that would be curious. Ye caught me quite unaware after all Milord." She couldn't help the faint shiver that radiated down the elegant line of her back.

"And the skilled comment, what of that, my dear" Why would I not be considered such' Hmm?" He found it rather amusing to draw that little bit out, having foreseen she'd leave it alone if she were left to her own devices. Veighn had no intentions of allowing her that grace of comfort. He wanted to know if she would explain herself further. "That is a curious remark, nonetheless."

There was a speculative sheen in her dark emerald eyes, taking in the various shifting of micro expressions and it made rose pale lips twitch slightly before her head lowered for a moment, wetting lips with a minute sweep of her tongue, the words giving her a moment of pause and made nerve endings jangle, but once composed again, a nearly relaxed chuckle floated from her with a slanted glance up towards him. "Can one capture shadows Milord" Some perhaps may have such knowledge but tis nae a common spell that I am aware of." Another nimble evasion she hoped.

"Depends upon the web weaver, my dear. Though, I think ye well know the answer to that question. Shadow, light, shall I provide a vessel" I have heard that like the djinnii and demons can be bottled and held." Veighn snickered. "A lovely perfume ye would make, though I find that such, or a cologne of the like would draw some attention." He now leaned into the table, pressing his hands on the edges of the table, gripping and scoring the wood with his talons. He looked very predatorily, almost as if ready to pounce, as his chin dipped as he tracked her eyes with his own.

Velvet soft laughter fell as Slumberous green eyes regarded him assiduously, aware of his movements all to keenly but Cieara held her ground, maintaining that lean of her own and lashes lifted a bit with another smile that only hinted at small fangs lurking. "Ah, now that is flattering to be ever eternally bottled and wore as some scent. Of course if ye ask nicely I can ask Kaelyn to make something personal for ye as well." One talon tip traced faint pattern against the table, unconscious the action as a need to move was strong but she with held the urge.

"Hmmm' I see..." He chuckled, settling back into the seat. "And who is this Kaelyn, and what sort of "person" think can she craft that might be of interest, hmm' " The Mage's brow piqued as he turned his gaze to his talons, flicking wood dust from the pointed tips of a few. Blowing on them then, as if to remove any other minute traces before turning his gaze upon her again, with eyes that burned like a pair of suns in their ocular sockets, veiled by dark lash and bronze-dusted lids.

"Ah, Kaelyn be one of my family. Tis Myrialla's sister and brother's lover." The smile was edged with a hint of a wicked turn as he had moved back first and now Cieara slowly sat up with the barest hint of a spine arching to ease the underlying tension there. "She's quite skilled with herbals. Tis she that created the one I wear. For you, if she might be persuaded to craft a unique fragrant oil."

"How unique?" His brow piqued, and he tilted his head as he watched her, with another pursing of his lips. Veighn wanted to see where she was going with this, and how daring she just might be. He noticed the shift in her position, the relaxation, and that amused him. Body language told a person quite a bit, being as how eighty percent of speech was just that, body language. In context, he could sort out the clues of a misunderstanding by the way one carried or held themselves when saying certain things. He affected a receptive look, awaiting the reply.

"Ah, something nae other could wear....It would certainly need to be spicy to match that biting wit of yours, but perhaps some darker weaving, mysterious. Perhaps some dragon's blood mixed in, as that is also a root, slightly bitter but powerful. If one could find such a match for a scent suitable for one such as yourself it would be Kaely." Cieara was aware he was watching, felt the impact of his gaze upon her and her lashes drifted downwards to veil her own green eyes and let the tension ease even more with a release of breath.

"I know of dragon's blood root, as well as the incense that can be manufactured by such. It heightens awareness, and summons power; Tis good for meditations and rituals, among other scents and fragrances. I think that would be an interesting blend, indeed. I rather like the scent of dragon's blood." His signature pursing of lips came to bare on his visage. Veighn pondered the fragrance, and he leaned forward again. "Though, one must personalize it with a fragrance both exotic and unique. I wonder what ideas ye might have for such a fragrance. Do go one Cieara, I would love to hear what ye mind might come up with." His eyes narrowed on her sharply then, once more, that predator came to the surface, peering through the windows of his eyes, lurking in the shadows of those swirling red and black flames.

Hands moved, spreading out with a light motion of arms and splaying of pale fingers as she watched him and a brow arched again, the expression however was unreadable. "I can nae give such information to Kaelyn and expect her to understand. One needs a name to associate to the element after all."

"Essence is a term most fitting to describe the sample. Pheromones would be another. The source, I have described to ye already. That much said, those things, combined with the proper stimulus, might be indeed something appealing to sample in various stages existence." His look was very sly just then. He was sure she'd come to the conclusion swiftly after he'd said that. By mentioning this, he wondered how far she'd allow her mind to take it. "Then from there, what exactly the environments and stimuli were that were going to affect change, subtly, in the fragrance to be gleaned."

"If ye be needing intimate knowledge from what ever this essence is, I guess ye will have to procure it. Though by the sound of it, it nae seems an easy task without some effort on ye part." Indeed she had caught it and managed to preserve the casual posture she had assumed, but her pulse jumped instantly, and eyes darkened with a flickering of crimson ribbons within. Cieara was unable to hide the sudden thread of humor that touched her smooth cultured tones. "Sounds to be a rather detailed process of collection if ye be requiring to determine which level of intensity so appeals to ye own senses."

"Indeed...The Aus'Taire Draconai parium would indeed be a scent of extensive experiment." His tone was so casual it was as if he were talking about the essences of plants and flowers, herbs and minerals. Veighn took on the cast of an alchemist's direction as he spoke of blending the scents just right. "The source would have to be in the right state of mind when procured. The stimuli being the levels of arousal, fear, submission, need, awe, and passion, though each sample gleaned, while having been well incubated, would be just one of many determining levels that would produce the right mixture of pheromones to partake of. Then, that said, the samples must be separated from the pheromones, those pheromones made into a concentrate, and then distilled with the addition of the Dragon's Blood root and other appealing fragrances. Then the scent would have to be tested on mine own skin, as if to see how mine body heat and chemistry reacted with said pheromones and scents, producing something utterly exquisite to set the masses on edge. The Aus'Taire Draconai parium would have to have many tests before I found one "flavor" I preferred over the others. Too, one must take into account mine body heat, and whether it would burn away the scent as it was enhanced by the temperature and mine own hormones."

Suddenly soft amused and laughter spilled from her and the moment of tension bled away and Cieara gave a slow shaking of her head, having been led right into that and his hand played most brilliantly but a brow arched slowly as she regarded him. "Ah and where one find this Aus'Taire Draconai parium' It is nae something I am personally familiar with."

"Oh, I believe that ye are more familiar with the underlying pheromone than ye give yeself credit for. More so than I, and yet I have experienced the many changes in the chemicals produced in fragrance while I sat here though the hours, speaking with ye. Haven't ye' I mean," Veighn rose from his seat suddenly, making a move toward her. "Don't ye know the scent I am talking about' " He paused at her right, pressing his hand against the table as he leaned forward. His eyes strobed with unholy light, and his features took a most devious and sinister cast to their restrained, though borderline ecstatic expression.

"Alas milord, my knowledge in the herbal arts is nae as skilled as your own or others I am close to. So I am nae at all sure what ye be referring to." Honeyed warmth permeated her words and Cieara lifted her head and regarded him with the lazy drift of long lashes and the amused curling of lips but as he moved closer she arched a brow holding her ground without so much as a muscle twitching, honestly being unaware of what that Essence he was alluding to was but she did draw in a quick breath, to re-enforce the calm mask she wore. Those ever-changing expressions that moved fleeting over his handsome features enthralled and unnerved her in turn but she was unwilling to let that show, instead she clung to the innocent expression that fit the moment of a lack of knowledge.