Middle Earth discussion

The greatest city of the fair city of Gondor and the seat of the acting stewards.

Aevin walked with Fiera into Minas Tirith, the smell of horses and stone pervading her nostrils. She coughed a little, "Minas Tirith always smells dusty."

Aevin pulled on her hood harder over her head. She didn't want any suspicious persons watching them.

((Sorry!))

Fiera coughed a little at the stones as well, pulling her sleeve up around her mouth and nose. "The horses are kicking up the dirt, there should be stone here, not dirt." She followed Aevin and coughed further into her arms. "Where are we going?" Her voice seemed to have some form of worry or concern, some flavor other than shock, since Toby's death.

((Hey, no probs, I haven't been on Goodreads in a while either))

"Reconnaissance," Aevin answered shortly. She deftly dodged some running children. "Find out what the situation's like between this stronghold and the forces of Mordor, and then determine if it's safe enough to venture."

(Yeah, for some reason I'm not getting the notifs much here.)

"All right," she agreed, nearly getting toppled by those same children. "Isn't that always going to be the same, the same path? The same dangers?" She hurried to keep up with Aevin, constantly struggling to keep the fire within, constantly running a temperature, her eyes hazy.

((We might have Silverhood wanting to join in. She's a pretty good RPer.))

(view spoiler)[(If you don't mind that is..) (hide spoiler)]

((go ahead! company's great!))

"Would you rather head for the Mountain of Doom with a horde of orcs, Riders, wolves, trolls, men, and an army of evil against you? Scout the situation first before deciding a path. That's what years of blindness has taught me," Aevin answered curtly. She ducked as a ladder swung overhead. She snorted. "City-folk, never careful enough about their surroundings."

"Yeah, go figure." She nearly ran right into the ladder, deftly dodging. It was uneasy, how Aevin could sense such things, blind as she was. "How'd you do that? With the ladder? Can you teach me?"

((Whenever is fine.))

Odlxk stepped around the small cart, nodding at the woman selling items. He had chosen a masculine form this time, a bit more human in nature than normal expect of course his eye color, which he couldn't hide even in this form. Pulling the hood of his cloak down father he looked over his shoulder as he watched two figures walk down the crowded street. Blinking under the hood his eyes focused, flicking between different translucent eyelids to focus on the strangers. He had been here before and had never seen these two, course he was also over observant. He watched them dodging children and then a leader, making him smirk slightly. Perhaps these two were worth something, course he couldn't just go up to them blindly, they would need to be watched and tested. Folding his magic around him to cloak his presence he followed as they passed, acting completely normal as he stepped around obstacles with ease.

His hands stayed folded across his torso under his cloak, knowing that he still hadn't perfected the art of a perfect humanoid transformation. Elven was a bit easier but in this crowd it'd pay to be more closer to their human cousins. His face looked human enough but his hands and feet still had claw rather than finger nails, his eyes and teeth still rather dragon like as well. The old dragon defiantly had more practicing to do.

((If Fi knows, she'll definitely try to attack him. Her brother was mercilessly killed by a dragon.))

((Yup. He was trapped gripping for life on the dragon's tail and was smashed into a mountainside in a protective shell of ice, which shattered and impaled him.))

((Meep is right.))

((Or she finds out and DRAMA ))

((Pooooooost.))

((Ah! Sorry, I was busy teaching and catching up on hw))

Out of the blue, Aevin heard a strange clacking sound. She paused for a moment, nearly missing Fiera's question. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that," she said distractedly. "Do you hear that noise?" She swiveled her head, but she couldn't pinpoint the source.

((Totally understandable.))

"How did you dodge the ladder? It was swinging in the air. You couldn't have heard it, right? Nor saw it. Smell? Did you feel the air moving? I mean, that's totally a wild guess, but it was amazing." Fiera bit her lip, like she wasn't supposed to feel amazement, shocked that she'd broken the melancholy, the depression, and the guilt pressed the thorn of Toby's death deeper into her chest. "No," she said lowly, feeling her eyes swelling with tears for the hundredth time. "I didn't hear anything." Again, for the hundredth time, she kept them back.

"Hmph," Aevin said gruffly. She picked up the pace, hurrying toward the market. She needed to locate a tavern or a group of gossiping crones, they always had nice stories to listen to. Also, it would be great to get some food.
"The trick with the ladder? I could hear the man's keys jangling and his heavy steps. It sounded like other people were keeping a distance from him, and one should always stop and duck a little if someone carrying heavy cargo stops as well."

"Oh, well that's obvious," she murmured, sarcastically.

Aevin sighed. Fiera was too depressed. "Make yourself useful and find us a tavern. We should rest up and eat while we're here."

"Where shall I meet you when I've found it? And at what cost?" Fiera really was too depressed, and would feel guilt to be anything but depressed.

"Any cost is fine. We don't need to use money all the time, it just needs to be a very crowded and boisterous tavern. I'll be heading to the market, see how the economy is doing. You just need to wait in the tavern, I'll find you later. We'll be spending a couple days here."

She sighed, pulling aside a random man to ask directions to the nearest tavern, but her heart really wasn't in it. She was thinking on the 'couple days' she would lose here, rotting away in some overheated tavern room. In truth, she couldn't wait to get to Mordor, couldn't wait to swear her allegiance, couldn't wait to devote her mind, body, even her soul, to studying and analyzing that dragon, finding its weakness, hardening her body. She would drown her agony in its blood.

Odlxk watched the two figures continue moving through the street, his eyes never really leaving them for long. He went the same pace as the traffic around him, trying to make sure he blended perfectly with the surroundings like normal. Course not everyone was always an expert. Drifting around a corner he noticed them slowling to talk to each other and turned smoothly to one of the carts along the street. It was an older man mumbling about bad stocks, and he half listened to the conversation, leaving the other ear open to listen to the two strangers. It seemed they would be splitting off from each other, he'd have to make a choice about which one to test first it would seem then. He nodded at the old man at the right moments and then motioned at a rabbits foot pocking out of his pocket. "I'll give you a gold price for that rabbits foot," he stated kindly. The old man looked down at it, grinning slightly and handed it to him. Odlxk handed over the gold piece and bid the man a good day, smiling slightly at him in return. Turning he started down the street again, deciding to follow the one that seemed more adebt and dodging the crowds changing forms of danger.

The presence was heavier now, Aevin was sure she was being followed. She turned into an alley and moved faster down the lane.

Fiera just found a tavern, went inside, paid for room and board, and sat down to a meal. Totally normal.

Odlxk hummed to himself pleasantly as he walked, keeping his eyes on the person a head of him. Pulling his magic around him more tightly in hopes of not being detected but as the person turned down an alley his hopes of continuing to tail them diminished. Stopping at the opening of the alley he glanced down it, watching the other walk rather fast down the lane. So they at least noticed some one was tailing them. He smirked slightly, test one passed. Continuing forward he let a spindle of magic release, molding it and manipulating it till he sent it ahead of the figure he was tailing, knocking a few trash bins over int the figures path. There was no use tailing some one when the suspected something, and with out the other one perhaps introductions would go smoother. That is if the person stopped at the bins or merely found a way around them and escape.

If Aevin hadn't felt the blast of magic pass her, she would have tripped over the clumsy mess at her feet. As soon as magic burned past her, she ducked her head, leaped her feet and ducked into a window to her right. Coming to a rolling stop inside the building, she melted into the shadows, catching her breath and hoping to feel a sign of the stranger. With the way the magic was angled, there was no way she was being followed on the ground.

Odlxk chuckled at the rather surprising fet. The little on could since magic, he was delighted and a bit giddy. Perhaps this creature was like him then? He'd met many a magical creature in his time, though most ended up evil and trying to pillage his home. Thinking about that made him a bit hesitant in his steps but he had already made his move. It would be rude to leave the stranger now. Walking down the alley to the window the figure jumped through he peered in before grabbing the side of it to use as a lever of sorts, helping him make the jump through it to land gracefully inside.

"I'm absolutely fascinated by your talents young one," he stated as he glanced around the room, his eyes adjusting quickly to the dim light and he picked her out in the shadows of the room. "I don't wish to harm you, funny how it might sound. I just want to talk about why you're here," he stated coolly, never moving from the spot where he had landed in the room. He lifted his hand to his hood, pulling it down to reveal a handsome face with unnaturally stunning white eyes. He didn't really care if this didn't end well, he'd just have to chose another form to take next time he shifted. Which reminded him the fact he had already been in this form for two days, only leaving five more. He'd have to make this expedition quick, or risk having to return to his natural form. Either way the two had to be tested first to make sure he could trust them first. Those pure of heart and intention did the best, but no one was completely pure, it was almost impossible really.

"'Young one,' you call me," Aevin said. She stepped out slightly. "Of what race do you belong to, to be able to say that to me? Most definitely not human, even though you've done a swell job of hiding your scent. There's too much sea and decay mixed in. You must be ancient, indeed."

Fiera grew bored and scribbled a note for her friend, leaving it with the housekeeper and moving to go try to catch the elusive creature that sleep had become.

Odlxk laughed, a smile coming to his face. "And your elf-ish in nature I presume?" he commented with a slight hiss at the end, his eyes glinting in amusement. "I'm ancient yes, but it's wise to keep what I am to myself for the time being. "Though I'd be more than happy to introduce myself," he stated with a low bow, "I go by Odlxk in human tongue and Qdkeg in eleven tongue," he stated as he stood straight again. "And your name perhaps?" He asked as he folded his hands in the sleeves of his cloak across his chest.

"I am Aevin. What are you a wyvern, then? This will be the first time I've met one of your kind. I am still young on Middle Earth time." Aevin paused. "Be thou friend or foe?"

Odlxk laughed, his eyes glimmering as he smiled again. "No i'm not a wyvern, a cousin maybe," he answered with a smiled. "Neither for now. There is mysterious things that hold sway over a beings heart, and on which side it lies," he stated in a much sterner voice, tipping his head slightly in respect. "However I am here to provide help if needed, but there is also something I want in return. That is to observe you and your companion. For you see, I have a rather odd collection. Knowledge, and I believe traveling with you two may make that collection larger," he spoke rather passionately, looking over Aevin's face. "That is if you'd accept my help. I've lived in this area for quite some time."

"We are on a quest for vengeance. My companion seeks to avenge her brother's death upon one of the masters of evil. Do you still wish to join us?" Aevin asked.

Odlxk thought for a moment and then nodded slowly, blinking. "Yes, I still would like to join you. It could fill gaps in my research as well as make a great story," he murmured and then smiled for a moment before it faded. His eyes flicked back to her after they had wandered while he was thinking. "In four days time I will have to leave you two for a bit, but I will find you so it matters not truly. For now, let us go meet your companion. As long as we have come to a deal of course," he stated, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her, waiting now to see if she'd agree.

"My companion should be in a pub somewhere. I should be able to locate her, I've traveled with her a while and I know her scent." Aevin climbed through the window and stood in the alley. She walked towards the main street to find her way to Fiera.

Fiera had left a note, but... Had forgotten that Aevin was blind!

Odlxk nodded and followed gracefully, barely making any sound as he walked. He speed up so that he walked along side Aevin, pulling his hood up to cover his face. "Perhaps you could tell me some what of who this person is. She didn't seem as quick as you where," he stated thoughtfully as his eyes scanned the area around them. He pulled his magic in tight around him as to not attract attention.

"An avenger, like myself. She comes from a world not of Middle-Earth, yet she is a Caster," Aevin said. "Trustworthy enough, but she is still unused to death." Aevin tracked Fiera's scent to a bustling tavern. She paused on the outside, verifying Fiera's stop.

Fi was still sleeping. Like the opposite of the hateful creature inside, she looked cute.

Aevin walked into the tavern, and her nose was assaulted by the stench of sweaty humans. "Ugh, Men are disgusting. Drinking this early in the day." Her ears were ringing with the boisterous shouts of drunkards, and her skin felt sticky just from their dirty breaths.

Odlxk made his way inside, coughing slightly. "I agree, these men are discusting, you'll find no honor here either," he mumbled under his breath as he skirted around a rather boisterous specimen. Grumbling he continued following her through the travern. "Your friend sounds interesting, what exactly is she seeking revenge against however?" he asked curiously.

"Her brother died. Because of a disastrous encounter with some minions under the Dark Lord's control. Why couldn't he have stayed dead? It would have saved us suffering," Aevin grumbled. "Where is Fiera? She should be here, her scent ends here." Aevin looked around, catching Fiera's scent passing the kitchen door. Why in the world would Fiera go into the kitchen? she thought. Upon reaching the kitchen door, Aevin picked up Fiera's scent again. This time, it was heading upstairs.

Hmm, well, the landowner had a note, but still. Fiera was nowhere near as stinky, and smelled more like cotton candy. The faintness of her scent was what made it more distinct.

((so i'm going to briefly add a gruff bartender))

"Hey You!" shouted a gruff voice. "No one enters the upstairs without my permission!" The bartender strode towards the pair. "Especially not cloaked strangers like yourself," he sneered.

Odlxk looked over at the bare tender and then pulled his hood down, his eyes flicking towards the man, white eyes glimmering. "We are looking for our companion, that is all. She seems to have gone upstairs, perhaps you could escort us there?" Odlxk stated politely, but his eyes told another story, power burning in them with a silent humble threat.

"A friend?" the bartender raised an eyebrow. "You'll have to give me more than that. You outsiders may wander willy-nilly into any old tavern and expect to be let upstairs without question, but not in Minas Tirith! No, sir! Here, we are respectable citizens, safety is priority! You'll need proper credentials and a good reason to go up there!"

"CONNOR! WHAT DO YER THINK YAR DOIN' OUT'A TH' BAR?!" a voice boomed across the room silencing everyone. The bartender, presumably Connor, flinched. An elderly woman, small with a bent back came hobbling out of the back room, waving a cane and squinting ferociously at the bartender. "ARE YA HASSLIN' GUARDS AGAIN, YOU USELESS OAF?"

"Mother! I-I didn't know you were a-awake!" Connor was shaking, but not enough for the woman to notice.
"What with all this racket, of course I'm awake you dimwit!" the old woman snapped. "Better ta keep you in line, too! Always lerking for trouble, no-good lump 'er frog-belly! If these kiddo's wanta room, just give it to them, and charge the USUAL. Don't think I don't know what you've been doing to the guests!"

Odlxk looked over at the old woman, a smile coming to his face. "Really, it's understandable, I'd be careful to," he stated and than gave a small bow to the kind old lady. Least he saw her as kind. "Actually our friend already got a room for us I believe," he stated and then looked over at Aevin. "But we'll need another one for myself, if you have another available," he stated with a toothless smile. He addressed all of this to the older lady rather than her son but looked over at him as well. He glanced back at Aevin, trying to see if she would help or not.