Five hundred years, or three hundred, she had touched him, and he was glad for just that simple contact. And really, what one didn't know wouldn't hurt them. Five hundred years was pushing it, even for an elf, after all. Once they were through the door, his gaze sharpened, and he scanned the streets for any signs of danger - an automatic response, anywhere in this city at night. But all was quiet, and the lights which yet lingered in most business around here formed a dazzling array, lighting the way for the patrons and browsers of the various small boutiques here. "So, how long did it take you to gain your skill in walking in those heels? And can you fight with them? Not to pry, simply curious." His voice was a low murmur as they made their way north of the Inn itself.
There were two pairs of sharp elven eyes peering into the darkness, ever prepared for whatever eventualities occurred. Shadow had been correct about once a ranger always a ranger; it truly was great training just for living around the criminal cesspool that was RhyDin City.
Yes, she had touched him, and that very loose hold upon his arm had tightened ever-so-slightly as they left the warmth of the Inn and made their way along the walkways that were lit well enough to see the homeless that occasionally were sprawled along the sidewalk. She paused for a moment, a hand digging into her pocket to pull forth several silver pieces. "It is cold tonight, go purchase a room and warm tea at the Inn," spoken softly to a young woman that had several children huddled against her body for heat. Without another word, Rayvinn continued her slow stroll along the streets with Shadow.
An amused chuckle could be heard prior to her reply to his questions. "I first had to gain skill in standing as erect as my body would allow with a small stack of books upon my head and a teacup balanced atop that." If he had been watching her face, he would have seen the wistful smile of fond memory that just as quickly took flight, finding her features not accommodating for more than a few brief seconds. "I can fight in anything, really. So the answer to your question is yes." She turned her face briefly towards him with a hint of an accepting smile, showing that she wasn't offended at the questions.
Answering questions was progress! He was learning how to navigate her currents, her stormy squalls, little by little. Or so he hoped. Everything was still so delicate between them, that care was uppermost in his mind. But the way she smiled at him, though meant to show acceptance - well, it took his breath away. Just being this close to her did that, and whatever chill had descended upon him this last week had no chance against the deluge of her presence.
Quiet, while she handed out silver to the family, smiling faintly. It touched him deeply, to see a generous side of her. Killer though she obviously *could* be, there was warmth and compassion there too. For his part he handed out no silver, but took a good look at mother and children, memorizing faces. It was natural for him, as a headmaster at an orphanage, and while he did not take in families, he liked to know who was out there on these mean streets. He made no comment just then, however, pausing while Raye doled out her aid, then continuing on. His eyes drifted around to the lights draping a small (closed) clothing boutique.
"You had a good teacher, to be trained as such. I don't think I could walk in them, let alone do anything so intense as fighting. You must also be a good dancer, too." He grinned at the brief thought of himself trying to walk in heels, and dismissed it as clearly impossible. After they'd taken a few more strides, reaching the end of the block, he murmured, "That was very kind of you, Lady Rayvinn. To help that woman." From their study of the surroundings - a careful, ranger's study like hers - his eyes slowly, inevitably drifted back to her face, a mysterious look in them. "There are many here who need help. Sometimes it's overwhelming, to me."
Or perhaps, just perhaps, his willingness to undergo the struggle of earning her trust, of being patient enough to get to know her, was paying off and she was making an effort to open up somewhat.
"I had a barrage of teachers with an arsenal of knowledge." She snickered softly, her mind automatically moving to the thought of Shadow in heels. "Why, Baron, if you are asking me to teach you to walk in heels, I would be honored to be your teacher. We just need to find some large enough to accommodate your feet." Her eyes twinkled with some of the mischief she was prone to display before their falling out. "I am trained in various forms of dance, this is true, yes." At the mention of her aid to the family, Rayvinn actually ducked her head in embarrassment. "Make no mention, it was so small a help." She nodded, face now solemn at his words. "It is heartbreaking. It would be so much more comfortable to not notice those in need. But I read a quote once that I hold as my personal motto. 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for a good man to do nothing.' It is overwhelming and the more help you bestow the more need you see but if we do nothing, the evil of poverty and abuse of the helpless will flourish." He had touched upon a topic that Rayvinn held securely close to her heart.
And it was a subject which had always been close to Shadow's heart. Helping the helpless, serving the greater good. He'd been rudderless lately, having to find his own way in this world, lacking any backing or guidance from some supposedly 'higher' power. But the gods had nowhere near the power that mortals, that the earthbound did, to affect the course of each other's lives.
He grinned at her first comment. "Ah, no thank you, but that is a gracious offer indeed," he teased back. "I think it might be something like teaching a fish to ride a bicycle, unfortunately." He paused his gait, slowing, as they passed another boutique, this one filled with a strange hodgepodge of books, candles, crystal charms, glittering in the window display under lingering Christmas lights. But it was not the display which had his attention. Her words about evil, and good men - or elves - doing nothing, resonated with him.
"It would be comfortable not to care, I suppose. But I think there are too many here like that. Uncaring, self-absorbed." Again, as a few times back at the Inn, he felt a pang of guilt. A private guilt, which he was loathe to share with anyone, but... She was here, close, holding his arm, looking so beautiful in the clouded moonlight. A light dust of snow had begun to fall, the flakes melting as they touched the pair, ephemeral notes of a winter's night. "The unfortunate thing, is that sometimes one must perform one evil, to assuage another. Do you agree?" His eyes searched hers for a reaction, as he verged on a personal admission.
There were two pairs of sharp elven eyes peering into the darkness, ever prepared for whatever eventualities occurred. Shadow had been correct about once a ranger always a ranger; it truly was great training just for living around the criminal cesspool that was RhyDin City.
Yes, she had touched him, and that very loose hold upon his arm had tightened ever-so-slightly as they left the warmth of the Inn and made their way along the walkways that were lit well enough to see the homeless that occasionally were sprawled along the sidewalk. She paused for a moment, a hand digging into her pocket to pull forth several silver pieces. "It is cold tonight, go purchase a room and warm tea at the Inn," spoken softly to a young woman that had several children huddled against her body for heat. Without another word, Rayvinn continued her slow stroll along the streets with Shadow.
An amused chuckle could be heard prior to her reply to his questions. "I first had to gain skill in standing as erect as my body would allow with a small stack of books upon my head and a teacup balanced atop that." If he had been watching her face, he would have seen the wistful smile of fond memory that just as quickly took flight, finding her features not accommodating for more than a few brief seconds. "I can fight in anything, really. So the answer to your question is yes." She turned her face briefly towards him with a hint of an accepting smile, showing that she wasn't offended at the questions.
Answering questions was progress! He was learning how to navigate her currents, her stormy squalls, little by little. Or so he hoped. Everything was still so delicate between them, that care was uppermost in his mind. But the way she smiled at him, though meant to show acceptance - well, it took his breath away. Just being this close to her did that, and whatever chill had descended upon him this last week had no chance against the deluge of her presence.
Quiet, while she handed out silver to the family, smiling faintly. It touched him deeply, to see a generous side of her. Killer though she obviously *could* be, there was warmth and compassion there too. For his part he handed out no silver, but took a good look at mother and children, memorizing faces. It was natural for him, as a headmaster at an orphanage, and while he did not take in families, he liked to know who was out there on these mean streets. He made no comment just then, however, pausing while Raye doled out her aid, then continuing on. His eyes drifted around to the lights draping a small (closed) clothing boutique.
"You had a good teacher, to be trained as such. I don't think I could walk in them, let alone do anything so intense as fighting. You must also be a good dancer, too." He grinned at the brief thought of himself trying to walk in heels, and dismissed it as clearly impossible. After they'd taken a few more strides, reaching the end of the block, he murmured, "That was very kind of you, Lady Rayvinn. To help that woman." From their study of the surroundings - a careful, ranger's study like hers - his eyes slowly, inevitably drifted back to her face, a mysterious look in them. "There are many here who need help. Sometimes it's overwhelming, to me."
Or perhaps, just perhaps, his willingness to undergo the struggle of earning her trust, of being patient enough to get to know her, was paying off and she was making an effort to open up somewhat.
"I had a barrage of teachers with an arsenal of knowledge." She snickered softly, her mind automatically moving to the thought of Shadow in heels. "Why, Baron, if you are asking me to teach you to walk in heels, I would be honored to be your teacher. We just need to find some large enough to accommodate your feet." Her eyes twinkled with some of the mischief she was prone to display before their falling out. "I am trained in various forms of dance, this is true, yes." At the mention of her aid to the family, Rayvinn actually ducked her head in embarrassment. "Make no mention, it was so small a help." She nodded, face now solemn at his words. "It is heartbreaking. It would be so much more comfortable to not notice those in need. But I read a quote once that I hold as my personal motto. 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for a good man to do nothing.' It is overwhelming and the more help you bestow the more need you see but if we do nothing, the evil of poverty and abuse of the helpless will flourish." He had touched upon a topic that Rayvinn held securely close to her heart.
And it was a subject which had always been close to Shadow's heart. Helping the helpless, serving the greater good. He'd been rudderless lately, having to find his own way in this world, lacking any backing or guidance from some supposedly 'higher' power. But the gods had nowhere near the power that mortals, that the earthbound did, to affect the course of each other's lives.
He grinned at her first comment. "Ah, no thank you, but that is a gracious offer indeed," he teased back. "I think it might be something like teaching a fish to ride a bicycle, unfortunately." He paused his gait, slowing, as they passed another boutique, this one filled with a strange hodgepodge of books, candles, crystal charms, glittering in the window display under lingering Christmas lights. But it was not the display which had his attention. Her words about evil, and good men - or elves - doing nothing, resonated with him.
"It would be comfortable not to care, I suppose. But I think there are too many here like that. Uncaring, self-absorbed." Again, as a few times back at the Inn, he felt a pang of guilt. A private guilt, which he was loathe to share with anyone, but... She was here, close, holding his arm, looking so beautiful in the clouded moonlight. A light dust of snow had begun to fall, the flakes melting as they touched the pair, ephemeral notes of a winter's night. "The unfortunate thing, is that sometimes one must perform one evil, to assuage another. Do you agree?" His eyes searched hers for a reaction, as he verged on a personal admission.