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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 2, 2023 0:15:18 GMT -5
The first rays of red-orange light broaching the horizon was usually the start of the bustle in the Market, at least, as far as Del's experience went. Vendors, merchants and hucksters alike were usually up before the dawn winds started to pick up, to claim the best spots for the highest and best quality foot traffic. Del, for her part, was not so fussy... nor did she have any of the complex folding stalls or arcane fixtures that could entice customers closer, or expand the surface area for which to display her wares. Her lack of mercantile know-how was more than made up for by her sheer determination, however, and when she finished unfolding her cloak over a small stone next to the fountain where children normally played, dawn had only just started turning the clouds a comely shade of pink.
She set down the wares neatly out in front of her on the cloak, twitching the corners back into place as the wind toyed with the edges: a soft petaled rose; a bear totem; a barn owl; a few small bowls and spoons to match; a rattle for a small child; a puzzle box; and, of course, a small sign, displaying the words "Memorable Moments"all made entirely of wood and all relatively simple, but quite detailed. Gazing at them proudly, she settled in for the day; if no one stopped by her modest little stall today, then at the very least, she could spend the day people watching. It was always a good way to find out if anyone needed work done; selling trinkets didn't exactly pay the bills.
As the sun began to grow higher and the market busier, Del pulled the hood of her scarf back up and around her head-- no sense in letting the sun scorch her while she sat, not like last time. Pausing mid-wrap, her brow furrowed at that disorienting thought. She hadn't gotten a sun burn any of the recent times she was here, but there was a distinct, unpleasant sense in the back of her mind, a near-memory not quite real enough to grasp. The knowledge that she had forgotten something, perhaps something important, but could not remember what she had forgotten. An infuriating, exhausting concept.
Exhaling a short, harsh breath through her teeth to banish it, Del finished wrapping herself in the light fabric and picked up her whittling knife and most recent project. She worked studiously, listening to her surroundings as the market came alive, and glancing up to smile at anyone who might pass by.
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Post by Killian Glae on Jan 2, 2023 1:07:00 GMT -5
It was Killian’s first time in Zeinav, and he wasn’t exactly enjoying it. He had come to deal with a Giant Scorpion, and now that that was done, he was eager to get out of this land of sun and sand as soon as possible. The caravan he was supposed to leave with didn’t set out until later in the afternoon however, so he had time to kill.
He wandered through the markets of the city, more out of boredom than any real desire to purchase anything. When he spotted the Elvin woman sitting by a fountain with a small display of carved items, he made his way to her and began to peruse her items. They were truly of a beautiful make, and Killian crouched down to examine them closer, saying nothing to the woman.
His first thought was to buy the rose, a gift for a certain Witch, but he quickly abandoned that thought. He would not give in to feelings that had started to grow within him. So instead he reached out and picked up the puzzle box, turning it over a few times, examining it.
“What’s in it?” He asked quietly. He looked up at the Elf. “These things usually contain something, don’t they?”
In truth, once he had decided not to purchase the rose, little else here interested him, but he felt uncomfortable browsing so intently and simply leaving, and he did have a pouch full of Solars recently earned…
He could afford to waste a few to avoid disappointing a simple merchant.
As he stared at her, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He rose from his crouch and glanced around suddenly, frowning. Was there someone watching him? Watching… Her?
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 2, 2023 12:59:36 GMT -5
Lost in her work, Del only occasionally glanced up, not bothering to call out to anyone who wandered too close, unlike many of the other vendors in the area. Though it was always interesting to listen to the nebulous flow of those conversations, the haggling, jovial greetings, and backhanded compliments, she much preferred to remain passive amidst the throng, an unremarkable blip among the finery and boistrous sales pitches. There was a certain comfort she found in remaining beneath the general notice, not fully aware of just how important that was, or how difficult it could be when one did not have all the context for how that instinct formed in the first place.
As a shadow fell over her, Del lifted her head froom her work to observe a sharp featured, dark haired man bending over her wares. She greeted him with a quiet smile and remained where she was, silent and watching as he looked over what she had for sale, setting her whittling aside to properly attend her customer. Not from around here, by her estimation of his clothes and demeanor, very businesslike. But something bothered her. Was it this person? No, he was not familiar at all, of that she was mostly certain. Her eyes shifted, beginning to scan the crowd before her customer's question brought her gaze back to him, with a little blink.
"Ah," clearing her throat, she gave the man a small, almost mischevious smile, her voice rich and a little gravelly, "but if I told you, would that not spoil the surprise? Why skip to the end when there is a whole journey to process. One Solar, that one." Killian would notice, however, that the box did not seem to rattle or make noise at all; it certainly wasn't hollow, but there appeared to be no object shifting within it either.
She watched as he suddenly stood up, thinking he was, perhaps, no longer interested. Before the farewell left her lips, though, she saw that instead of leaving, he lingered, looking back over his shoulder towards the crowd with a tense wariness that reignited her uneasiness. Following his gaze, sharp eyes sussed them out quickly. One, two people, not standing near one another, but moving in concert, slowly making their way around the market on either side, pretending to look over stalls but not stopping to examine the wares or speaking to anyone. Closing the gap by being on either side was a familiar manuvere, trying to box someone or something in by cutting off an escape route.
Del sighed quietly and started to quietly pack up everything but the puzzle box, moving slowly and deliberately. "Not friends of yours by any chance, are they?" she asked softly, folding a cloth around the whittling project and her knife, tucking it back into her tool pouch.
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Post by Killian Glae on Jan 2, 2023 23:49:29 GMT -5
Killian’s mind raced. Were they friends of his? If they were, who were they? He didn’t know anybody in Zeinav. He took a breath, held it, then released it slowly and turned back to the Elf. She was putting away her wares, but not hurriedly. Was she unconcerned? No… She was simply calm. Measured in her movements. She almost reminded him of a trained swordsman, every movement precise and patient.
He let the smallest breath of amusement pass his lips; He could learn a thing or two from her. He calmly reached into his pouch, pulled out a Solar, and flipped it to her. “Thank you.” He looked around casually, as if unconcerned. “Tell me, miss. You wouldn’t happen to want a friend to walk with you, would you?” His voice was calm, as if truly asking her to go for a pleasant stroll. “I find that many problems can be handled better with friends.”
The two mysterious people that were clearly encircling the fountain were continuing their circuit- Damn it, there’s another. No, two more. So, four mysterious people. Killian held out his hand to help the lady up from her seat on the fountain.
“Lady,” he said softly. “I know you may not know me; for all you know, I might be with them. But I promise you, I mean you no harm. If you’re in trouble, I can help. I want to help.”
He stared at her, blue eyes solid in their conviction. The slightest furrow of his brow showing his stoic resolution. He didn’t like to see people in danger. Not that this woman seemed to be overly concerned…
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 3, 2023 2:27:01 GMT -5
No comment from the man on that, but the careful silence did not seem to be one of recognition. So, probably not his friends? If not, then they were hers. "Ah," She blinked, reaching out to cup the Solar to her chest with a blink, and hands the puzzle box to the man with a grateful smile. "Thank you for your purchase." Her eyes shifted to the side, watching the pair closing in. Finished bundling her wares in her cloak, she was surprised to find a hand extended down to help her up. There's only a moment of pause, a blink of genuine surprise as she looks up at this blue-eyed stranger, her own amber gaze wary and unsure. Was he one of the group converging on them, and this was merely a ruse? Or, worse yet, was this man about to involve himself in the apparent dangers of her life, putting himself at risk? Whatever his motivation, Del could not detect any insincerity or anything other than a calm and collected concern. And the wolves were closing in. As that moment passed, she placed her rough hand in his, allowing him to help her up, swinging her bundled cloak over her shoulder.
"How could I refuse such a kind offer?" She offered a smile back, though it was tempered, clipped at the edges by the approaching threat. More movement from the corners of her eyes, the closing of further escape routes."I would be grateful for the company. Thank you, sir."
As she stepped close, and his voice lowered to drop the external facade they both seemed to be keeping-- though not enough, she noticed, for this man to drop his professionalism. What a strange person. He almost seemed knightly in his own way, but there was an edge here that spoke more of pragmatism than it did honour. Then again, she'd nown him all of, what, two minutes, if that? Del grimaced, eyes shifting slightly as she tried to account for whomever might be moving towards them, her voice low to match his. There really wasn't a lot of time before they converged.
"I will have to take you at your word," she replied with a relenting sigh, carefully shifting back and along the fountain with the man to try and get between the sets of stalls to prevent the group from converging. But it would only provide cover for so long. "I think I am certainly in trouble, though you are right in that I do not know you. I also do not know who they are, so I suppose you have the advantage in that you're not chasing me down in the middle of the bloody market. Though I am concerned about dragging you into this. Whatever this is." Though there was a distinct lack of surprise in her words, as if this has been a regular occurence in the past. "There's not enough time to explain, but-- do you see that alley," She nodded in that direction, off to the left, leading past refuse and trash awaiting collection. "I've been here a few days, I know there's a few spots behind and between buildings we can use for cover or to get them into a funnel-- archer on the roof." She hissed, moving her hand to clasp his shoulder to shift behind a silk banner, if he would allow that abrupt action. Five. So far.
Del looked askance at this man, now an accessory to what ever she had done in her past life that kept coming back to haunt her. "I'm Del." And then reached out, pulling a pin in one of the stalls to make the upper part of it collapse down with a crash, a small plume of dust and a loud yelling of angry merchants as the silk whipped off its draping, bringing the adjacent display down with it and scattering goods, temporarily obscuring their pursuers view. "Go!"
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Post by Killian Glae on Jan 4, 2023 1:22:43 GMT -5
Killian was getting the distinct feeling that he wasn’t helping a simple merchant. From the way she acted about the situation, as if this wasn’t uncommon… As if she was resigned to this fate. As the stall came down, Killian dashed towards the alley, making sure not to outpace Del- keeping her safe was still his priority.
Aside from the general ruckus caused by Del’s distraction, Killian could hear footsteps rushing in, could hear someone calling out. Then they were in the alley, running, turning, down and down the winding pathways.
“Enough!” Killian reached out and grabbed Del’s arm, pulling her to a stop. They were both breathing hard, though Killian was quick to slow down his beating heart. He glanced behind them to make sure no one had followed them this far, then pulled Del into yet another side alley that splintered off from the bigger alley they were currently in. The sun could barely reach here, and they stood in relative darkness, Killian staring down at the woman.
“Enough.” This time the command was quiet, calm. “Running is useful only if we know where we are running to.” Killian reached down and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Besides, they can only stand at... what? Maybe two abreast here? I can fight two at once if I need to. Better that we slow down… Think, instead of react.”
There was a pause as they stood there in the shade. Killian slipped the puzzle box into his travel bag, then looked back at Del.
“Killian. Killian Glae.”
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 5, 2023 0:08:32 GMT -5
It was a strange feeling, running. Maybe it was genetic, or some semblance of an ancient life, long before her own, that made this instinct so strong, but the sensation of her feet striking the cobblestone in time with her blood pounding in her ears was deeply familiar, an old friend. It was such an easy mind to slip into that she did not taste the metallic tang from her taxed lungs, did not feel the stitch building in her side. Del didn't know if that was good or not, though she really wasn't thinking much at all at the moment. She just knew, deep in the marrow of her, that she needed to go, understood the consequences of staying with an intrinsic certainty that could drive her on and on and on if she needed, even if it meant blood in her shoes and snapped tendons later.
Being pulled to an abrupt stop with a harsh bark of command jarred Del out of this absence of thought, wheeling instinctually on her companion before she caught herself an instant later and exhaled a tense sigh. She breathed hard, not terribly exerted, but stressed. "You seem quite confident," she half-laughe half-sighed, putting her arms on her head to quickly catch her breath. She leaned further into the shadow and, to Killian's eyes, had he not been looking directly at her, would have watched her vanish entirely, perfectly, eerily still.
She was silent for a few moments, contemplating his words and taking deep, steadying breaths. Slow was a better choice at the moment, though 'where' was a nebulous concept when nowhere was really safe. "Wise words, Killian Glae. We're well met, I think." She sighed, remaining where she was, all but gone from view, but her voice clearly appreciative, if weary of the situation. "I think we have lost them for the moment. They sound a ways off, though they won't be far behind. I'd... prefer not to have to fight them if I can help it." The faint grimace in her voice was clear.
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Post by Killian Glae on Jan 6, 2023 15:25:31 GMT -5
Killian nodded. “Then we should go. You have somewhere safe? I can escort you there.”
They made their way from the alley, and eventually found themselves back underneath the relentless Zeinavian sun, the road beneath them gritty with sand. Killian sighed as they walked together. Sand… Killian didn’t like the stuff. It was coarse and rough and irritating and it got everywhere. He couldn’t wait to get back to Sol City. He was seriously considering saving up for a house there. Something about the hustle and bustle of that city felt… Safe to him.
“Del. Who were those people?”
He suspected he was going to be met with claims of ignorance, but he felt it had to be asked. Besides, in his experience, very few people ever got chased by armed men for absolutely no reason. ‘Unless they were actually after me’ That was definitely a possibility, though Killian really couldn’t imagine what enemies he could have made in Zeinav. At least, not so quickly.
As he and Del walked, trading what few words they did, Killian was almost unprepared for the attack. The woman dashed out of a side alley as they passed it, swinging a scimitar in a downward cleave. Killian twisted towards her the moment she appeared, and as the blade came down, clapped his hands together, catching the blade in his palms and stopping its momentum dead [Steel Catch]. The woman gasped in surprise, and then Killian’s boot took her in the gut, knocking her back into the alleyway.
Killian tossed aside the scimitar, and looked up as the archer from before crested the rim of the roof above them. An arrow embedded itself in the sand beside his foot. His eyes narrowed. Behind him, Del was suddenly tackled by another mysterious aggressor. Killian spun.
‘Archer, or Del? Shit.’
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 7, 2023 18:54:56 GMT -5
Del frowns in thought, thinking about her room in a local tavern that was paid for nightly. She shook her head, "I'm not established enough in this city to have anything like a safe house, and I'd rather not clue them in to where I'm staying. Or where bystanders might be." She clicks her tongue, casting her gaze to the side, and then nods towards the East. "Outskirts of the city where there migt be an abandoned structure might be best. I've seen a handful around this way."
Walking with Killian meant she had to drop her shadowed form, but she was fine with that for the time being. The sounds of pursuit sounded farther away, but Del still felt tense, ready to react if she had to. At Killian's question, she grimaced. She lifted her amber gaze to his cerulean blues, looking him dead in the eyes with a tired look. "I don't know. To make a very long story short, I have a substantial amount of memory loss." She taps the scar that forks across the bridge of her nose, like a fissure in the earth, "So I am not sure why. But this is not the first time it has happened, so it has to be something."
Del tries on a wry smile as she gives him a knowing look. "I know how it sounds. They won't believe me either. None of the other people who have pursued me have when I've told them I don't know why they're after me. So, I've just learned to get out of wherever I am when it--"
The pursuer leaping out of the side alley with a flash of steel halts any logical thought to her brain. Del's hands come up defensively, prepared to strike, then frozen, shocked for a moment at the efficiency that Killian strips the attacker of their blade and kicked her away.
As she started to swivel to check their surroundings, a second attacker barrelled into her full force, knocking the wind from her lungs and to the ground. Something, as it did often when she was under siege, shifted in Del's demeanor. Rage filled her features as she bounced, her head snapping to one side to avoid the dagger plunging down at her face, never blinking. A swift back-fist hit the tackler's inner elbow where they held her by, and as that collapsed their position, causing them to pull back, Del got her knees between her and the attacker.
Beneath the billowy clothes designed to endure the desert heat, Del was a tightly wound spring of corded muscle, and she was not afraid to use it when it was necessary. Today, it was necessary.
Twisting their collar around her knuckles to fix them in place, she kicked out, the momentum of her back roll sending the person on top of her straight over her head, her fixed hand ensuring they were directly underher as her roll completed above them, driving her knee straight down onto their sternum with a crunch of popping ribs.
The archer above looked between Del and Killian, trying to suss out the bigger threat. Seeing Killian looking his way and assuming he was the more dangerous of the too (true) they nocked an arrow to fire.
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Post by Killian Glae on Jan 9, 2023 2:17:39 GMT -5
As Del efficiently took out her assailer, Killian swung his gaze back towards the archer on the roof. The woman Killian had kicked into the alley was back on her feet as well, and was pulling out a set of daggers from her belt.
As the archer let loose an arrow down at Killian, he launched himself to the side, tucking into a roll and coming back to his feet in time to see the woman charging out of the alley. He glanced up for just a moment before focusing on the threat at ground level. The archer was a problem, but Killian had to focus on the most immediate threat- The woman and her swinging daggers. Killian leaned back, out of the way of her first strike, and as her other blade swung for his midsection, he stepped into the strike, allowing her arm to press into his side as his own arm came down, locking her in place, the dagger now held uselessly behind him.
He yanked on her arm, bringing her forward with a momentum that allowed him to drive his forehead into her nose, breaking it instantly and causing a downpour of blood. Still arm-locked with the woman, he looked back at the archer, who had nocked another arrow and was aiming right at him…
The archer suddenly disappeared from view, and Killian could hear him scream for just a moment before it was cut off abruptly. No time to think about that, though, as the woman he was fighting shook her head and drew back her free arm to thrust her other dagger at him. He quickly released her and leapt into the air, flattening out his body vertically as he drove both feet into her in a close range dropkick. Her dagger skimmed over his body as his feet connected with crack, and he dropped to the floor as she went flying backwards.
He landed hard and quickly rolled to his feet, reaching for his sword. The woman remained on the ground where she had fallen. Two more attackers appeared around the corner of the street, accounting for all five of the people they had seen at the fountain.
That’s when a large gray wolf leaped down from the roof that the archer had been on, landing in a threatening stance facing the newcomers, growling and baring her blood-stained teeth.
Killian smiled grimly. "There you are, Lilith."
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 10, 2023 21:44:18 GMT -5
Distantly hearing the scream of someone being attacked above them, Del's head snapped up before she had to leap up and away, attacker six-- and hopefully the last-- bearing down on her, leaving the person who tackled her with a survivable wound. In the narrow alley, on her own two feet, she was at her most effective; shifting out of the way of a downward swing of their scimitar, but too close to punch, Del opted for her elbow instead, twisting her torso to crack into her assailant's face with a pop of their nose and a rush of blood. Continuing her momentum, she kicked out at their chest, sending them flying back down the alley and on top of the person who had tackled her.
She took a second to breathe. Del felt... fresh. Awake, alive. The movements of her body had almost felt leaden before compared to now. She felt energized, surefooted, no longer operating purely on muscle memory but actively responding to her environment with movement. It felt as though a fog had been lifted, in some way.
After checking to make sure the other two were properly down and turned to face the others, she saw the wolf leap down, facing the last two enemies, Killian saying her name. Her eyes widened a little; she hadn't expected that, but any unexpected ally was a great one in her book. Kilian certainly seemed prepared. Breath coming a little heavy, she came up beside Killian, behind Lilith, hands lifted for anything incoming. She gives Killian a sidelong glance for a moment. "Mind telling me why you're after me?"
"Heathen traitor," the one on the left hissed, brandishing forward hesitantly with the snarling wolf ahead of them. The other, holding a crossbow, had it loaded, but not yet leveled, gave a sharp elbow to the ribs of his companion. They fell silent, slowly inching toward the group, trying to find the best angle to attack.
"Told you," Del grumbled under her breath. She looked back at Killian to see how he would respond before this either went to hell, or the remaining pair of assailants ran.
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Post by Killian Glae on Jan 12, 2023 16:03:21 GMT -5
Heathen traitor… That didn’t sound like the kind of label that Del could have picked up accidentally. And for a woman who claimed to want to avoid a fight… She seemed to come alive in combat, eyes bright and body almost dancing. Killian was starting to get the feeling he’d gotten mixed up in something a little bigger than he had expected.
“Lilith,” He said quietly, keeping his voice low enough that their enemies couldn’t hear, “Can you get to the one with the crossbow before he fires it?”
Lilith, still facing away from them, tilted her head ever so slightly, and one ear flicked back for a moment in a motion Killian was coming to recognize as an affirmative. “On my mark, then.”
Killian glanced at Del, pulled out his sword, then looked back towards the two men slowly approaching. “You want the other one, or should I take him?”
“I’ve got him.” Del responded, and Killian raised an eyebrow. But he nodded, and stepped away from her slightly, getting out of her way.
“Ready?” He muttered. The thugs were inching closer, and when they were close enough…
“Now.” Killian didn’t raise his voice. It was a quiet command, but the reaction was instantaneous, both Lilith and Del bursting forward with savage fury.
The crossbowman barely had time to raise the weapon before Lilith was on him, tackling him to the ground and ripping into his throat with her teeth. Del fell upon her opponent, slightly behind the wolf, and her fist crunched into his jaw, followed swiftly by a second punch from below, cracking into his chin and sending him popping into the air for just a moment before he collapsed, senseless, to the ground.
Killian let out a breath of amusement, and sheathed his blade.
This Elf was… Fascinating. And possibly dangerous. ‘Careful with this one.’
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 14, 2023 18:28:43 GMT -5
Standing over her opponent, knuckles aching in an all-too familiar way, Del exhaled a slow breath, releasing tension from her arms, though it felt replaced by a tightness in her chest. That, at least, was more familiar; anxiety, frustration, apprehension. How many more times was this going to happen? At least the fluidity of her movements seemed to have improved somewhat. A lot, in fact, as though she had hit a stride she had forgotten about. Though that wasn't too much of a shock, all things considered.
There was also a measure of relief within that. Her training was either finally culminating in confidence, or this was something her body had remembered it could do. Not only that, but her opponents lay at her feet, and a couple would not be getting back up again, not with their throats ripped out by a wolf. Del did not know if that was better than running and avoiding these things, these people, but it certainly felt more like she was accomplishing something.
Del turned around to look at Killian and Lilith, giving them a small bow and a little smile to match. "Thank you both for your help. And to you as well, friend of Killian." She looked to the wolf with their blood covered muzzle. "You are both incredible warriors. I can see my instinct was right in accepting your help." Looking over her shoulder, Del took a moment to listen for any approaching footsteps.
"We should move before the guard comes. I don't think we have to worry about being followed at this moment, but I might be departing the city... very soon." She admitted, looking down at the bodies with a grimace.
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Post by Killian Glae on Jan 14, 2023 19:44:23 GMT -5
Killian didn’t respond for a long moment, keeping his gaze on Del, assessing her. Lilith was rubbing her nose in the sand, removing the blood from her teeth and snout. When she was done, she padded over to Killian and started circling him; it almost seemed like she was checking him over. Killian ignored her, keeping his eyes on Del for a moment longer, then smiled suddenly and nodded. He stepped out of the way and with a dramatic flourish, bowed slightly while sweeping his hand in the direction she wanted to go. “After you.”
As they made way towards the outskirts of the city, Killian walked with a calmer air to him, confident that the enemies had been thoroughly routed. Having Lilith nearby, with her superior hearing and sense of smell ever on alert for danger, allowed him to relax a little as well.
Del… Del was either keeping secrets, which was her right, or honestly an amnesiac, and all the more mysterious for it. As they continued making their way, Killian pulled the puzzle box back out, and started attempting to unlock it. He kept his eye on the road, paying attention to both it and the box, and would sometimes be looking forward or even around as his fingers continued to fiddle with the puzzle, never seeming to lose his place with it.
After a while, a thought occurred to him, and he smiled down at Lilith.
“Thank you.”
The wolf glanced at him, but otherwise didn’t respond. Killian turned his gaze forward.
“We’re getting close.” He said to Del.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 16, 2023 20:17:25 GMT -5
Of the reaction she was expecting, one that Del did not expect was to get a warm smile and a flourishing bow out of him. Killian had seemed so... dour wasn't the right word, but cautious and withdrawn, maybe, though she didn't know him that well. The way he scrutinized her before that was much more to her expectation; he was a patient and insightful warrior, and he was trying to get a grasp for the weird lady in front of him with no apparent memory but had fists like hammers. Were their situations reversed, she would also have been a little suspicious.
Fortunately, he was also tactful and had enough grace to see where things went, as much as she could tell. Del returned the smile, inclining her head again somewhat, as they started out and away, taking the winding paths away from the main road to leave the city. She kept looking down when Lilith got close, fingers twitching as if wanting to pet the gorgeous creature, but knowing better than to do that without a proper introduction. Hearing a little wooden click-clack, she looked over to see Killian fiddling with the puzzle box, seeming to not have much trouble with it. She grins; when one of the blocks is rotated, the pattern that was hidden inside is revealed, as well as a slightly curved shape to some of the peices as they're twisted and rearranged. Within is a relief of twisting, flowering vines that can be aligned in several different directions to make different patterns.
She exhaled with relief, nodding an agreement. "That, is good," She adjusts her bag on her shoulder, pulling the fabric covering her hair down a little lower. Maybe she should skirt around the border and try to take a ship? A little shudder at the idea follows up her spine. Perhaps walking was the way to go. That was how she got here in the first place, after all. Her gaze goes back to Killian with a studious look of her own. She did appreciate the escort, but there was still much she did not know. What sort of man helped a stranger out of the blue like that without turning her over to whomever was pursuing her? A decent one, in her eyes, but that also opened the door to more questions. "Can I ask what brought you out this far? You've learned an awful lot about me today, but I haven't learned much of you. Or your friend." Del tips her head to indicate the wolf.
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