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Post by Vera on Jan 6, 2018 16:46:51 GMT
Morana Morte I was in darkness. So darkness I became. TAG: Lion, @abyss. WORDS: 267. NOTES: Yay, first post with Morana
The night air was crisp with the promise of winter arriving soon. Silver eyes took in her surroundings with ease. The moon was bright and lighted up the earth with pale rays. Soft clouds of breath drifted into the air as a lone traveler made her way to a local inn. She had donned one of her more colorful cloaks this time, a deep red velvet cloak. The hood was covering much of her face.
Morana had just been out for a week but she was glad to be back home in Evryll. It wouldn't be long before she was back with her family of sorts. But she was tired and like she always did after a journey, she stopped at Alira’s inn. The innkeeper was a friendly Sun Bear who definitely had her own secrets though as an assassin, Morana had decided long ago not to pry into someone else's secrets unless the secrets were needed. Alira's secrets hadn't been needed yet. For now, the bear simply provided a service unknowingly to the leader of the local Assassin's Guild.
The black panther had thought about giving the job to one of her more experienced assassins but the job ended up with lots of changes that were too delicate to leave to anyone else but herself. Morana did have an underground reputation to uphold after all. If one of her assassins failed, now that just wouldn't do.
Lowering her hood, Morana stepped into the inn. ”Good evening, Alira. How are you doing this beautiful night, my dear?” Morana smiled kindly at Alira, her silver eyes missing nothing.
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Post by Lion on Jan 6, 2018 17:20:39 GMT
A hearth and heart
away from home
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Warmth filled the Paper Lantern Inn, as it always did this time of year. With the cold outside, the hearth opposite Alira's bar lit with a crackling fire. Night had already fallen, and most of the temporary residents of Alira's inn had already gone to their rooms for the night. A few remained, mostly card players sitting off on their own, only making a ruckus when one got dealt a bad hand.
This was the time of day when Alira could normally relax a little. There were fewer patrons of her inn to pay attention to, fewer secrets to gather, and for a moment she could forgot her lucrative side business and just focus on the inn. Alira gently scrubbed at the counter of her inn's bar, the expression on her homely face distant and thoughtful as thoughts waged their own battles for dominance in the spaces of her mind.
The elegant bell on her inn's door rang softly, and Alira turned to see a familiar black shape, draped in a red velvet cloak, entering into the lull of the inn's night life.
"Good evening, Alira. How are you doing this beautiful night, my dear?"
"The same as ever," Alira responded. She didn't bother asking Morana what brought her into the inn. This was one creature, Alira knew, whose secrets would only ever be discovered at a grave price. "Can I get you anything, honey?" she asked, relaxing into her role as a proprietor.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2018 18:06:01 GMT
 The hustle and bustle of the city had died down with the coming of night. Many of the city's residents had retreated to their homes, some earlier than usual with the promise of winter. A slight chill ran through him at the thought. Silas had never liked going out in winter, the snow packed on the ground made for hard travel. He much preferred to remain by a warm fire wasting away the days but duty always called him to make his round. His pets hated him most in winter. He always sent them out more.
A puff of steam escaped him. With a watchful eye, he marked each creature that entered the Inn he was currently advancing on. None of them really caught his interest, he had nothing of note on them except for a certain black panther with a red cloak. They were perhaps the second, maybe third, one to bid entry to the Inn from the moment Silas started counting. Perhaps this routine visit would not be so routine as he had thought.
Removing his hood, Silas stepped in to Paper Lantern Inn. "What a chilly night it has been. Oh, how I dread winter's arrival", the orange wolf declared with a charming smile. Treading his way to the bar, the canine's yellow gaze spread itself across the room, noting its members, their location, activity, and, most importantly, their words. He made sure to pay special attention to those with a more evident presence. "How have you been doing, Alira? Mind I have a room for the night?” The broker questioned, his words hinting as to the reason for his visit. THANK YOU MALIA TATE FROM ADOXOGRAPHY |
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Post by Vera on Jan 6, 2018 19:06:17 GMT
Posting Template Morana Morte I was in darkness. So darkness I became. TAG: Lion, @abyss. WORDS: 287. NOTES: this is gonna be interesting
The kind looking Innkeeper replied with her usual answer. Funnily enough, that was exactly what Alira said ever since Morana had entered the Inn. So Morana had no idea if the bear meant she was good or simply just trying to make it through her work day. Morana had never pryed much either. In her soft voice, Morana replied, ”I will have the usual, please, Alira.” She put the required amount of coins on the counter. Morana’s usual was simple, one of Alira's nicest rooms with a warm meal sent to her room before turning in for the night as well as a warm breakfast in the morning. With a small nod, Morana bid Alira good night and turned to her start heading towards her usual room.
Though one of the Marked at the tables had just had a bad hand. Whoever he was, he made it very well known that he was not only unhappy but furious at losing. Morana arched an eyebrow as she walked slowly toward them, ”I do hope that none of you plan to cause our Innkeeper any trouble. It will not end well for any of you if you do.” As she spoke, a large wolf entered the Inn and went to the counter. Morana noticed the wolf's Mark on his chest and smirked slightly, her black feather earring swinging ever so slightly as her head moved with her words.
Moranna’s silver eyes stared down the males at the table before she nodded to herself in approval and continued on her way to her room. She kept her ears pricked towards the wolf and Alira to make out their conversation. Lestris’ gift of enhanced senses had always served her purposes well.
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Post by Lion on Jan 6, 2018 19:50:48 GMT
Hope the blood
won't stain the carpet
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"I'll have the usual, please, Alira."
Alira nodded. Unlike many of her regular patrons, Morana's "usual" was a reasonable setup, not one that ever caused much fuss for Alira.
"Coming right up," Alira said. The sun bear's long claws scooped up Morana's coins and slipped them into her apron. Sitting up on her hind legs, she rested her paws on the counter and regarded the poker players sitting at a table in the far corner. They were getting loud, not an uncommon occurrence when they played for stakes of any degree. While normally Alira would have to deal with upstarts on her own, it seemed at that moment that her dark patron was resigned to doing this unhappy job for her.
Perhaps I should ask her to try to tone down the threats directed at other paying customers... Alira mused, and she couldn't keep a grin from forming on her snout as she watched the exchange.
The grin faded somewhat when the door's bell rang again and a familiar orange-furred wolf strode confidently into the inn. Of course Alira knew Silas - knew him well, at this point, since pretty much all of the information she gathered went directly to him. She sometimes sent word with her raven, Aachi, if the information wasn't too sensitive, but such methods were not foolproof, and thus visits from the head of her information network were not uncommon.
"A chilly night indeed," was all Alira said to Silas' words upon entering the warm space. She regarded him thoughtfully as he requested a room for the night. With Morana staying at the inn as well, Alira was uncertain of whether or not it would be wise to speak that night. All the same, she knew better than to fat out refuse Silas a room. The innkeeper inclined her head and said in a low voice, "Your usual room is available, if that would be to your liking." Though the expression on the sun bear's face remained mild, one of her claws flicked towards the doorway, where the red-cloaked form of Morana was disappearing further into the inn's winding hallways.
Sometimes Silas stayed in the nicer rooms of the inn, but with Morana in one of those rooms, Alira thought the attic room she sometimes rented out would be preferable.
She'd taken to calling it Silas' "usual room," even though he didn't stay there every time they met. It was more a way for her to communicating that the finer rooms of the establishment were occupied with those he may not want to mix with, given the choice.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2018 0:27:27 GMT
It seemed the ruckus emanating from the card players had died down. Though he had not looked to see what was the cause, from the other hints he picked up, the likely cause was the panther from earlier.
"Your usual room is available, if that would be to your liking."
Silas could not say he was taken by surprise by the words, the air seemed different today after all. Watching the sun bear closely, the orange wolf's gaze remained seemingly fixed on the bruin but, in reality, it had moved ever so slightly to land on the creature his informant had pointed out to him. Noting, first, the creature's Mark with interest. It seemed the big cat would make today's venture quite interesting. "I would have nothing less" the canine answered unfazed, his demeanor just as it was moments ago.
Producing the necessary coin, the canid placed them with a light clink on the counter. "Do bring up my meal at the usual time" Silas remarked as he strolled casually into the hallways. The usual time, in this case, meant whenever Alira deemed it safest to talk. Silas's usual charismatic smile deepened just a bit. It had been awhile since he had gathered any worthwhile information and even longer since he had gotten it himself. Making a mental check of what he had with him, his hidden twin daggers were brought to mind. It seemed tonight may be just a bit more fun than usual. Hopefully, things did not move in that direction. 253 WORDS This is going to be interesting alright THANK YOU MALIA TATE FROM ADOXOGRAPHY |
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Post by Vera on Jan 8, 2018 3:00:36 GMT
Morana Morte I was in darkness. So darkness I became. TAG: Lion, @abyss. WORDS: 200. NOTES: Let me know if this doesn't work. I can always change it!
The Silent One continued to head slowly to her usual room. Pleased that the rowdy poker playing gentlemen had taken her threat seriously, Morana smiled to herself. The conversation that she had picked up between the wolf and Alira sounded normal enough though the assassin couldn't shake the sense that the wolf had secrets that would be of interest to her.
Nevertheless, the black panther finally got to her room with no trouble at all. She opened the door and with a last look around, she stepped inside. Morana would enjoy a nice hot bath before bed. But first, her meal was already waiting for her. She had just taken off her red cloak, revealing some of the weapons she had taken with her, when her silver eyes narrowed. ”It is very rude to be watching a lady eat. If you wish to come inside, then do so.” A slight growl was in her voice.
A quick movement of her claws unhooked two of the daggers on her belt as she placed each of them on either side of the meal on the table. ”I will not wait forever, wolf. It appears we both have secrets to share this night.”
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Post by Lion on Jan 8, 2018 4:29:03 GMT
Alira nodded in response to Silas' request. She accepted his coins and slipped them into her apron, and then watched the wolf enter the main hall of the inn. Lucky for her, business was more or less slow, giving her time to see to the preparation of her guests' meals personally. Due to the... sensitive nature of their "businesses," any number of animals might try to poison the food, so Alira tended to let her cook man the bar while she treated and cooked the meats herself. Once the food was ready, Alira began to make her way first to Morana's room. As she neared the doorway, she thought she heard the panther's voice, soft but audible still through the walls of the rooms. ”I will not wait forever, wolf. It appears we both have secrets to share this night.” Alarm prickled down Alira's spine, and her claws wrapped tight around the plate in her paws as she sidled a little closer, head cocked to pick up any more words exchanged between the two guests. Vera @abyss OOC: I'm going with it for now, I'll let Abyss kind of make up the rest ^^' |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2018 21:27:43 GMT
As the Informant passed by the once rambunctious card players, his yellow eyed gaze shifted slowly across the Inn. Laying a mark on the location of the panther, he began moving towards the finer rooms of the establishment. His pace as to leave the feline out of his line of sight, instead he used his naturally keen sense of smell to follow her path through the building.
Coming to a stop by her doorstead, he remained out of sight but watched quietly as she revealed her multitude of weapons. With their reveal, he marked each occupation that may need such a number, none of them being ones the typical peasantry would have.
"It is very rude to be watching a lady eat. If you wish to come inside, then do so."
'Ah, seems I've been spotted', Silas thought with a silent chuckle to himself. It was not everyday that he committed to such work as this, he, himself, preferred the more direct approach anyhow. Watching, the canine noted the deftness with which the panthera unhooked two of her daggers. The daggers, themselves. showed signs of use bu appeared well cared for. Another hint to the true profession of the feline. Best be careful with this one', Silas thought with amusement. The orange wolf held no fear from her display of power, a foolish move to some but to Silas, the night was one for fun.
"I will not wait forever, wolf. It appears we both have secrets to share this night."
"Why so cold, my dear lady. The night is but young for such harsh words", Silas replied as he made his way into the room without a misstep nor a sign of fear. "It has been some time since I have spoken with a lady of your caliber" the canid continued, his usual charming smile across his maw. In this instance, though, that smile seemed to hold a slier look to it. "What secrets might you be speaking of, my lady? I would imagine I have none that one of your stature may be interested in". THANK YOU MALIA TATE FROM ADOXOGRAPHY |
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Post by Vera on Jan 19, 2018 17:02:38 GMT
Morana Morte I was in darkness. So darkness I became. TAG: Lion, @abyss. WORDS: 270. NOTES: oh how I've missed morana
Morana's silver eyes watched the wolf enter as she has suspected he would. The assassin really had no idea that he was going to within hearing distance of her words or even if she had been looking too deeply into a matter that was in actuality very simple. The wolf easily could have just been a late night guest, travelling. Moranna would have only been a fool to herself and Alira for talking to herself out loud.
But the wolf entered her room, therefore confirmed her suspicions that he was not all he appeared to be. Her silver eyes took in his smile and natural charm. The murderer couldn't help but smile back, ”Oh I can assure you that you've never met anyone like me. After all, we are all unique, yes?” Normally Morana would have been downright boastful and proud to admit her status economically as well as socially (as long as saying such things did not harm the Guild.) but her instinct was telling her to be careful.
Her smile widened sincerely, ”I'm curious as to what you think I am. Though at this point even a court fool would be able to tell. As for the secrets, I do think we should start with our names, wouldn't you agree?” The black panther started eating but then stopped, ”Oh were are my manners, please sit and join me for dinner. It appears we have both been travelling a lot recently and deserve a good meal.” Morana gestured towards the empty seat across from her. ”I'm sure our Innkeeper for tonight wouldn't mind bringing in your own dinner soon.”
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Post by Lion on Jan 19, 2018 21:33:33 GMT
The conversation between the two creatures seemed placid so far. Alira did not fool herself in thinking that Morana didn’t know she was near. Though the sun bear did not fully understand how, she knew that the panther had a sense about these things, so when Alira was mentioned, the innkeeper let out a soft sigh and trundled her way into the room.
"Pardon me,” she said in her kindest tone. She looked at Morana first and dipped her head. “I was on my way to serve the good sir here his meal, but I wanted to look in first to see if yours was to your taste, my lady.” This was Alira’s diplomatic way of leaving the decision for Silas to stay or go up to him. He could dismiss himself and she would follow, or he could opt to stay and she would offer to serve his food here. Ultimately it did not matter to her what the two creatures with their secrets and their smiles did under her roof, so long as no one wound up dead. Which, admittedly, had happened once or twice. Vera @abyss OOC: Figured I would keep it short and simple since it’s kind of Silas’ prerogative at this point. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2018 0:24:42 GMT
"Oh I can assure you that you've never met anyone like me. After all, we are all unique, yes?"
The panther's response was kinder than Silas had expected from her earlier display. It was not a response that he hadn't expected, he was used to animals becoming more friendly towards him after his displays. It seemed to quell her aggression from earlier though, she still seemed to hold some suspicions about him. He watched a smile appear across her maw and noted its sincerity. It seemed likely that the lady meant him no harm at the moment.
"I'm curious as to what you think I am. Though at this point even a court fool would be able to tell. As for the secrets, I do think we should start with our names, wouldn't you agree?"
Your an assassin, aren't you, Silas thought to himself, if she wasn't, that would be quite the stain to his reputation. It would be bizarre and rude if he choose not to give his name, knowing this, he moved to state his introduction but paused as the feline began to speak once more.
"Oh were are my manners, please sit and join me for dinner. It appears we have both been traveling a lot recently and deserve a good meal. I'm sure our innkeeper for tonight wouldn't mind bringing in your own dinner soon."
Silas's gaze wandered to rest on the blades resting beside the meal. He considered the danger they may pose to his life and proceeded to brush it aside. As he made to speak, motioning to advance, Alira entered the room.
"Pardon me. I was on my way to serve the good sir here his meal, but I wanted to look in first to see if yours was to your taste, my lady."
Silas's yellow-eyed regard turned to focus on the sun bear. Greeting the bear with a smile and a nod, the wolf spoke, gesturing at the big cat, "I will be having my meal with this lovely lady tonight." THANK YOU MALIA TATE FROM ADOXOGRAPHY |
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Post by Vera on Jan 24, 2018 22:30:29 GMT
Morana Morte I was in darkness. So darkness I became. TAG: Lion, @abyss. WORDS: 503. NOTES: Wow I rambled here, sorry.
The black panther was not at all surprised to see the sun bear walk into the room immediately after Morana had made a comment about the wolf's dinner being brought in. Morana said a silent thanks to Lestris once again for the gift of heightened senses that the Moon Goddess had bestowed upon her years ago. It meant that as long as she paid attention to them as well as her surroundings, the assassin would never be able to be blindsided. That is exactly how she had overthrown her father. Though all the gifts in the world wouldn't have saved his position by that point.
Morana smiled sweetly at Alira, "What little I have had of it, the meal is perfect, my dear. Excellent after such a long journey." The black panther turned her smile to the wolf when he proclaimed that he was to be dining with her this evening. "Excellent! I always love making new friends. It's so nice to have a large array of others that you can learn from; different skills that others have so that the community as a whole can benefit from, yes?"
The assassin kept her attention on the wolf even though she was talking to Alira as well. Surprisingly, being one of the best assassins also meant knowing when to be friendly as well as being so good at acting and lying that not even a paranoid person or someone on the lookout for dangerous animals could tell the difference. What gave Morana away to those paying attention was the very fact that she wanted everyone to know exactly how deadly she really was. Hence why a couple of her weapons were still on the table next to her reach. Not that she would need them from this distance. Morana enjoyed playing the game so much though that almost everyone she came into contact with dismissed their own instincts about her true identity and soon forgot all about the truth of what was right in front of their noses. That was the fun part for Morana, watching others deny the truth to believe the lies.
This wolf was not one of them, or at least that's what Morana thought anyways. She wouldn't see until the process happened. Which always started with, "You still haven't told me your name even though I understand that you were being polite by not interrupting us ladies. Am I supposed to continue calling you Wolf?" Morana was careful about her tone. She kept it upbeat and friendly still, saying the question in a joking manner. Even though this wolf had not answered her question the first time. Morana would not ask a third. She wouldn't hurt him or anything silly like that, but any future ties would be severed on the spot; regardless of how useful they were to the Fallen. And she hadn't even heard what the wolf did yet so there really wasn't any loses so far. Her silver eyes met the wolf's eyes, waiting for his response.
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Post by Lion on Jan 25, 2018 2:07:57 GMT
Inclining her head to Silas, Alira set his plate down on the tablet across from Morana’s meal. The Sun Bear felt the stirrings of unease lift the hairs on her spine, and she stepped back quickly, folding her paws before her as she sat back on her haunches and regarded the two creatures before her. “If there’s nothing else, good lady, good sir, I will return to my other guests.” The innkeeper dipped her head and stepped back towards the door. She waited a moment to be dismissed, not wanting to appear rude. Though if she were being honest, this was the last place the sun bear wanted to be, in a room alone with two creatures she knew had as many secrets as all her other guests combined. Vera @abyss OOC: I can bow out after this if ya’ll want to continue on together. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2018 17:53:13 GMT
Silas watched with silent regard as the two conversed. His intrigue peaked from their small conversation. Where did the lady go? More importantly, what did she do? Silas wondered. It seemed they may have much to discuss tonight.
"Excellent! I always love making new friends. It's so nice to have a large array of others that you can learn from; different skills that others have so that the community as a whole can benefit from, yes?"
Silas smiled sweetly, the lady's words seemed oh so honest but being a great lair himself, he was well-versed in detecting them. That being the case, the lady's words seemed to hold another meaning in and of itself. "Why of course, it is always good to have a diverse group of companions. You never know what they may do," Silas replied kindly. He would play the game and see how far he could get. The thought excited Silas.
"You still haven't told me your name even though I understand that you were being polite by not interrupting us ladies. Am I supposed to continue calling you Wolf?"
Silas flashed another charmed smile, though the lady spoke with a friendly tone. The real message behind those words were likely of a darker tone. Well practiced in lying, that truth was clear to him. "If you so wish, my lady. You may continue to call me Wolf. Ah but alas, it may be better to regard me by my name." With a slight bow, he offered his name, "I am called Silas Avillio. Most address me as Silas though some may choose to call me by other names." Undoing his bow, he looked to the panther, "I have given my name. Now may I ask for yours, my dear lady?" The wolf watched for the panther's response. It was not long though when Alira spoke up.
"If there's nothing else, good lady, good sir, I will return to my other guests."
Silas moved his gaze to rest on the innkeeper. "I have no other needs at the moment," he replied, returning Alira's incline with his own. He conveyed a silent message, asking that they meet later. Turning his head, he let his gaze rest on the panther, "I cannot speak for the lady though." 378 WORDS I'll leave it up to you, lion THANK YOU MALIA TATE FROM ADOXOGRAPHY |
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