Topic: Reconnections

LdyBelial

Date: 2007-02-24 20:51 EST
?We let ourselves get close only to
finally pull away
we lose ourselves in time & then we
realize today's today oh
memory, like melody,
softly plays.

Concrete Blonde. Memory. (Partial.)

Belial had been back only a few days really, long enough to hunt down Sid, check out the newly renovated WestEnd townhouse and get five or six lectures from Yvette? But so far she?s seen neither hide nor hair of Jodiah.

He?s not the only one on her list? Over the years she?s gathered several whom she deigns to be open to. Yet none of them press upon her nearly as weighty as Jodiah. And after the conversation shared with Sid the other night, there are some questions she feels needs answers.

Having lost her mental connections during her time ?away? Bel has since discovered that she can only reconnect through touch. Not just a casual graze either, but with skin to skin contact with conscious intention. Once upon a time it was as easy as a thought? Somehow that has all changed.

In fact? Many things about her have mysteriously changed?

Perhaps her current quest is a way to ignore what?s happened to her? A distraction? A way to keep her thoughts busy on a purpose that has a start and a finish? Where questions may have answers and not hang suspended in front of her taunting and teasing? Or maybe it?s far deeper than she wishes to confess?

Either way, Belial is looking for Jodiah? tenaciously.

She begins her search at the Red Dragon Inn, where Jodiah kept a room. It was the last place she?d seen him? Lying in that death-like trance, lost somewhere between life and death.

Those memories unfortunately remain intact?

How helpless she?d felt, how lost. There was nothing she could do to help him, nothing she could do?

Belial doesn?t like feeling powerless; she?s a ?doer? not a ?waiter?. Patience may be a virtue but it?s not one of hers. Seeing him like that had only driven her further over the brink, cementing her need to get out of Rhy?Din, to *do* something productive.

Ok, maybe what she decided to do wasn?t all that smart in hindsight. At the time however it had felt *right*? and it was better than standing around waiting for Jodiah to die or Lucky?s body to be found.

In retrospect, neither Lucky nor Jodiah ended up dead. Well? she had done what she needed to do to avoid going insane.

LdyBelial

Date: 2007-02-24 22:02 EST
Belial drops a small sigh as she slips in through the backdoor of the inn, that green gaze dancing over the gathered patrons with an oh-so-causal air. In reality it?s not so casual, she?s taking in every detail, noting the familiar from the not so. Belial is cautious, she?s had to be and that is something that has miraculously not changed.

Up the stairs and down the hallway to pause just outside his door. It?s early in the day and he may be at the forge rather than here in his room. Yet she takes a moment to gather herself. She can?t say why she feels so nervous? but she does. Lifting a hand, she takes in a deep breath stealing her shaky nerves as she knocks.

It is unusual for her to feel this anxious; she has barely ever felt this way before? It is not something she finds pleasurable or remotely comforting. Past experiences have taught her that this feeling could lead down dangerous paths.

No answer. A hint of a frown tugs at pale features as she knocks once more. She?d really hoped to find him here, alone in his room? She likes the forge well enough but with all the gnomes and activity? she really wanted privacy.

Sounds can be heard from behind the closed door. A beatific smile blooms chasing away the frown of moments before. Things seem to be looking up? she has time to think before the door opens to reveal a stranger; a stranger carrying a lot of weaponry.

?Ah? Yeah?? asks the male she doesn?t know.

?Oh. Ah? Hmm? I?m looking for Jodiah. Jodiah Ayreg?? her tone of voice suggests her bewilderment.

?He aint here, lady but I am.? The man takes a lean on the doorway, leering down at her while blocking her view of the room beyond. ?If ya wanna come inside, we could get to know each other a lot better. An hour with me an? you?ll forget all about that other guy.?

?Yeah, riiight? Bel thinks as she smirks up at the unknown male. ?You wouldn?t have any idea where I might find this room?s previous occupant, would you??

?Look, I don?t know who had the room before me and I don?t care. I just got here, ok? But if ya give me a toss I?m bettin? ya won?t care either when we?re done.? He has the gall to wink at her as he continues his lecherous leering.

Bel glowers openly at the man as she shakes her head, sending ebony curls into a chaotic dance. ?Thanks, but no thanks??

At least, she manages to control her urge to pop him in the nose before she spins on her heels and heads towards the stairs.

He rudely continues to watch her; she can feel his eyes on her as if he were actually touching her. Her paranoia kicks in and she wonders just who he is and why he?s here?

?Everything is not about you, Belial?? she reminds herself, forcing the thought of him out of her mind. She has something much more important to do than ponder on some rude newcomer?

She takes the stairs in quick strides, slipping out the backdoor and onwards towards the forge.

LdyBelial

Date: 2007-02-24 22:51 EST
Belial has been to the Dragon's Breath Forge only once before, she was looking for Jodiah then as well. It?s a hot, noisy and messy place? full of gnomes. Not somewhere one goes for a quiet or intimate conversation. But should Jodiah be there, she hopes he will be kind enough to agree to meet her after he?s done working.

Fingertips graze the necklace he?d given her as she steps inside. A token she managed not to lose during her? *away* time. The dim lit interior causes her to pause so that her eyes can adjust from the brightness outside. The noise is deafening and rather painful for someone with such sensitive hearing. For a brief moment she contemplates covering her ears with her hands until the sound becomes less crushing. Somehow, she thinks, that the constant clang-clang-clang may never get any less loud. So she attempts valiantly to ignore it.

The gnomes are rather busy, which at this time of day isn?t really a surprise. But? Jodiah is nowhere to be seen. Bel stands there looking out-of-place and rather obviously confused as she contemplates her next move.

Where to go next?!

One of the gnomes pauses in his labor to peer curiously at her. ?Aye, lass? Wha? can we be doin? fer ye today??

Belial offers the gnome a friendly smile as she speaks over the noise. ?Jodiah? Is he about by any chance??

?Ah, yer lookin? fer I-Reg.? The gnome nods glancing from her face to the necklace she?s toying with. ?He ain?t here, lass.?

Belial?s turn to nod, ?Yes, I noticed? I was wondering if you might know where I can find him??

Zorbenastrocalipermeneotullis (otherwise known as Bob) stares at her contemplatively. Then, after a few minutes of his odd study, he seems to make his mind up about something. ?I-Reg gave ye that pretty trinket, aye??

?Yes?? Bel?s not at all sure what direction this conversation is taking. ?Would it be easier if I simply leave him a message here, with you, perhaps??

?Nay, lass, t?would do ye nay good.? Zorbenastrocalipermeneotullis (otherwise known as Bob) shakes his head. ?I-Reg rarely comes himself.?

Well? this is getting her nowhere? and slowly!

Bel shakes her head taking a step towards Zorbenastrocalipermeneotullis. ?Ok, so I can?t leave him a message and you aren?t willing to tell me how to find him??

?I did nay say that, lass.? Zorbenastrocalipermeneotullis interrupts. ?T?was just bein? cautious, is all.?

Canting her head to one side Bel eyes the small gnome, pondering if threats of violence would hasten him up any.

?Nay need ta look at me like that!? the gnome chuckles, not in the least intimidated.

Bel thinks she must be losing her touch?

?I-Reg is in Rhilshen.?

?Ahhh?? Bel frowns hearing this news as she has no idea how to get there? Although, she?s pretty certain it?s Alysia?s realm. ?Well? ah? Thanks.?

?Yer welcome, lass.? Zorbenastrocalipermeneotullis grants her a grin before returning to his work.

Bel scowls as she exits the forge, not at all certain how she?s going to find Jodiah now? Perhaps she should hunt down Alysia and/or Lucky? They are certain to know the path to Rhilshen. Maybe Sid knows the way?

LdyBelial

Date: 2007-04-16 19:30 EST
Bel had finally caught up with Alysia late one night at the Red Dragon Inn and was able to ask after Jodiah?s potential whereabouts. When Bel had arrived at the inn however Alysia seemed engrossed with a strange seeming woman whom Bel didn?t recognize. Bel waited and watched the pair, until a resolution seemed to have been reached and the strange woman departed but their conversation was lost on her. Bel had no compass to gain enlightenment: that would be revealed later.

In the meantime, Alysia offered Bel some crucial information concerning Jodiah?s last known location. He was in Tavia, but had left for Rhy?Din on horseback. Somewhere on the road between Rhy?Din and Tavia, Jodiah Ayreg had gone missing. At least it was a place to start?

But before Bel could dash off, Alysia opened the package the strange lady had gifted her?

Inside the small box was an eye.

Neither Bel nor Alysia could tell for certain, but it looked like it belonged to Jodiah.

It was in that moment that worries and concern for Jodiah?s well-being became poignantly manifest. The unfolding evidence suggested that something has gone very wrong and Jodiah was in distinct danger.

On the way out of the inn, Bel once again ran into Alysia, who was then attempting to follow the giver of the gift, the strange woman she?d spoken to earlier. Alysia had in her hand the cloak the lady had been wearing; it belonged to Jodiah. His scent mingled under a dark, foreboding odor, oddly and unsettlingly familiar to Bel.

She didn?t mention anything to Alysia at the time, mainly because Bel didn?t really have the words to describe what Jodiah had allowed her to experience. Bel knew however that the strange woman had something to do with Jodiah?s Gods, the Nihil? The mere thought of Them made her skin crawl? Suddenly Jodiah?s peril was amplified ten-fold.

Is this Their way of punishing him?

Bel does not know of Jodiah?s declaration against his Gods that happened while she was ?away?.

Bel took the cloak as the pair agreed on a loose-knit strategy. Alysia would go in search of the stranger while Bel would search the road between Rhy?Din and Tavia for any sign of Jodiah. The cloak would help as it still carried a hint of him upon it. After wishing Alysia luck and safety Bel headed back to Onyx House to prepare for her next adventure; the search for Jodiah.