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Post by gideon on Apr 6, 2006 16:12:16 GMT -5
A raven called from the skies above the outer wall of the city. The soldiers that were scattered along the wall looked up as it soared through the air. 'Bad omen' and 'Death sign' were whispered amongst the ranks, and the soldiers moved away from the flying bird.
On the ground below the dark bird was a dark figure moving swiftly through the shadows, unseen by the soldiers that glanced in his direction. He stopped below a tree near the wall and called out to the raven above with his own raven call. The large dark bird flew to the top of the gate and looked over it, scanning the horizon and all that lies in the city.
He turned his head and called to the figure again, not sounding too pleased. The Dark figure stepped toward the wall and glanced around before jumping atop the structure. His grey eyes flashed from beneath the black hook as he looked out over the city. This'll have to do.
He glanced at the raven and did a backflip, landing silently on the ground. He walked back to the tree and sat with his back against it as the raven swooped down and sat on the ground before him. It gave a little caw and tilted its head to the side. He spoke low. "It'll have to do, Kanga. We have no where else to go and I have not been here before. Don't worry. No will find out."
He stood and started to head back the way he had come. He came across a sleeping man a short distance from the wall and quickly scanned the man's mind, smiling. A murderer! They always taste so much better. He leaned over the man and awoke him. "Excuse me, sir, but do you know that you're about to be the meal to a great predator?"
The man jumped and stood with a dagger in his hand. "Where?!" He spun around and then turned back to the cloaked figure. "Where is it? Who be you?"
A smile spread across the cloaked figures face, revealing perfect white fangs. "Did I not introduce myself? I'm Gideon Delano, great predator." He didn't give the man any time to react before he had sank his fangs into his neck, draining every drop from him.
He dropped the body and smiled as the life flowed through him. He looked at his hands and then up at the night sky. His raven was circling overhead and he smiled up at it. He was back.
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Post by Adriana on Apr 7, 2006 0:20:25 GMT -5
An ever-darker shadow stood in the midst of the shadows that played through the various outcroppings and bracers as well, the wall itself as it loomed overhead tall and as strong as ever. This figure was cloaked in complete darkens; even the face was hidden under the dark shadow of the hood that covered her head. Yes, it was a female; there could be no mistaking that, even in the entirety of her coverage.
“Indeed, a great predator it would seem.” Came her silken voice from all around, seeming to softly drift in towards his ears in several different directions at once. “You know, you’ve just taken my dinner.” She stated, a slight bit of mirth behind her words as she needent worry about that, there were plenty more where he had come from and the night was still quite young.
The female now stepped out from the darker shadows, allowing her hood to fall from her head to reveal a mass of reddish locks that seemed to glisten and reflect the pale moon as she gazed at the new arrival with a pair of iridescent emerald eyes, her soft leather boots making little to no sound on the cobbled street below the wall as she moved with such smooth fluid grace one couldn’t compare her to anything but perhaps the wind itself. She walked around him until she had reached a complete circle, all the while, her emerald gaze never leaving him for one moment.
“And you might be sir?” She inquired, holding her hand out to him. “I am Adriana.” She stated in the same quiet, silken voice as before as her feet moved only slightly forward as she awaited both his hand and his name.
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Post by gideon on Apr 7, 2006 11:44:08 GMT -5
He didn't move as the figure stepped from the shadows. Her voice was entrancing, which was the first thing that let him know she wasn'y human, that and the fact that she believed him to be taking her meal.
He turned to the figure, dagger in hand. A screech came from the raven as it flew overhead. He glanced up and removed his hand from his blade. He kept his hood up but his grey eyes reflected the light, making him look blind beneath the hood.
He remained unmoving as she circled around him, listening for Kanga to tell him that the stranger meant to attack. There was only silence from the dark bird that perched above his head. Silent as the grave didn't even begin to describe the large bird who sat without so much a pulse looking at the two below it.
The hooded man turned to the woman, no, vampire. Adriana, she had said. A vampire who introduced herself. He had never seen or heard of such a thing. He stared at her hand for a brief second and then cautiously took her hand. "Gideon Delano." The raven cawed overhead and he nodded up to it. "And Kanga."
What could she do with his name? She had not seen his face, and, though she could see the tatoos along his hands as he shook hers, she could not use it to identify him. His steely grey eyes took in her every feature as he looked at her and then he pulled gently away.
He gestured to the corpse at the base of the tree, giving a brief explanation. "I am sorry to have taken your meal, but I had not fed in many a day. Kanga thought it wise I feed before entering the town."
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Post by Adriana on Apr 7, 2006 21:45:13 GMT -5
Adriana had taken the time to watch the interaction between the two creatures new to the realm, she was well aware of the eyes high up on the wall as well, she had indeed taken note of his marking on those arms. As he may have thought, no, she would not identify him by sight if she should come across him, though sight was not the only sense that a vampire relied upon, no, the next they met, if he did not eventually lower his hood to her, would be his scent, she would not forget that, nor would she forget that the bird above would more than likely be in the same vicinity as he if he was about.
“My pleasure sir and...” She looked up. “Dear night friend.” She said to the black shadow perched high above. And then lowered her emerald gaze back to the male before her. “No apologies needed, there are plenty more from where that one came, I do not worry, it is far more the pleasure of the hunt than the kill anyway, and this one, she kicked the corpse on the cold cobbled street, was not too willing to play the game.” She related with a shrug of her shoulders signifying he should not give it another thought.
After a few short moments of silence, Adriana having have had the time she needed to lock what she knew of the Dunpeal before her into memory, she inclined her head again to him. “You are not accustomed to others of my kind addressing themselves in such a manner, does this bother you?” She asked him, one fine brow coming up over her right eye as she questioned, finding something of an amusement from this for some odd reason. “Tell me, would you find it just as uncomfortable if I asked that you join me for a hunt, I hate to hunt alone, or are you one of those that finds that killing for simple pleasure to be a waste.” She asked and stated all at once.
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Post by gideon on Apr 7, 2006 22:50:25 GMT -5
A chuckling caw came from tree above and Gid smiled, flashing perfect white fangs. He looked back at Adriana and shook his head. "I derive great pleasure from the Hunt for it is what I do for a living."
He heard the raven laugh again and barked a caw back, causing the bird to grow quiet. He kept his hood up but allowed more of his eyes to show and less shadow on his face. "You are correct in assuming that I am not accustomed to your kind introducing themselves to me. Most tend to see me and think of me as food. I can tell you that they do not live long after that."
He wasn't bragging for it was the truth. Whenever he met a vampire, they tended to end up dead not long after. He looked at her for a few minutes and called something to the raven who responded in kind. Gid then turned back to her. "If you for company, we are glad to give it. This ... human was but an appetizer. I need something more substantial to fill me."
He heard the raven call again and nodded. "But before we head out, I think it only right to properly introduce myself. I was rude to begin with." He bowed, swishing his cloak behind him. "Gideon Delano, Dunpeal and Assassin."
He stood and threw his hook back from his head, revealing shoulder length dark blond hair and a rugged, yet handsome, face that looked as if it hadn't been shaven in a few days. His steely grey eyes were unchanging, clear, penetrating, steady. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Adriana."
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Post by Adriana on Apr 8, 2006 1:01:22 GMT -5
Adriana’s lips turned up into a semblance of a smile, one that showed more of her pearly white canines at his return to her question about the hunt, as well, her eyes seemed to shift in appearance, a dancing flame flashed behind the perfection of emerald, as if a fire burnt behind her eyes however, as soon as it had flashed, it dissipated from view, as if shut out but not snuffed, only to be hidden in the background, covered by the mask of emerald that had been there to begin with.
She then chuckled slightly at his comment about being misconstrued as dinner. “Oh, I am not like any other vampire you’ve ever met before though, I do not make mistakes.” She told him with every confidence as he’d showed her in his abilities to destroy what would be thrown at him. “As for their quick demise, I should hope it would have ended as such, as a rude vampire is about as welcome in my surroundings as would be a silly addle minded one.” She finished, once again, going quiet to listen to the bird and Gideon speak to one another.
After he had properly introduced himself, uncovering his being, Adriana inclined her head once more, the smile already present on her lips, further turning up in reaction to his more, personal appearance.
She found him to be pleasant to look at, but now, the only question in her minds eyes was as to his hunting abilities as well his grace, though his admission of assassin more or less allowed her to make a mental picture of the fact that this male was going to be quite a delight to hunt along side.
Adriana was not lying when she had stated earlier that she was not like any other vampire he’d met. She was in fact very much different than any creature of the night he’d had the fortune, or misfortune of meeting. Though, she’d not reveal what exactly she was, nor would she allow any to know who she was, unless of course, she came to trust them.
“I look forward to spending a delightful night of carnage with you at my side, Gideon Delano…” She finally stated after some moment of silence in thought. “Shall we then?” She asked, and as her words faded, her eyes once again flashed that same hidden flame from deep within, though this time, it did not leave, but remained just under the emerald of her iris, making for quite a demonic look in the beauty that was this night creature.
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Post by gideon on Apr 8, 2006 13:01:15 GMT -5
He smiled at her and called to the raven overhead. The bird flew to his shoulder and make a few noises in his ear before flying off. "Kanga is my lookout. I have never been without him."
He glanced up at the bird and heard it laugh at his comment. He knew that most would not think to ask how old the bird was because they would think that Gid himself was no more than 28, but the vampire before him seemed clever, intelligent. She would see through his little riddles and guises, so he prepared himself to be questioned as to Kanga and his relationship with Gid.
He glanced over at her and saw an ethereal flame behind her eyes, almost demon like. He knew then that she was like no other vampire he had ever met. He could feel a semblance of her in his head and knew that she was old, older than time could allow.
He could feel the hunger wash through him and knew that his grey eyes were tinted blood red. He nodded to her. "I do not know where to hunt around here. Lead the way, my lady." He gave a short, half-bow and waited for her to take the lead.
He was always the cautious one. Paranoid was probably a better word for it but he was not going to let her at his back until he knew that he could trust her. It was just that she was a vampire, no, he was this way with everyone. Too many years of backstabbers and betrayers had caused him to become cynical and paranoid, a sociopath in his own rights.
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Post by Adriana on Apr 9, 2006 2:31:56 GMT -5
Adriana did have a few questions of this Dunpeal and his companion and as well, would ask them as the night moved along. She had no reservations to hide that fact that she was a curious creature, and though she could, if she felt it to her liking, take what she wanted from this male; she wouldn’t, as she found her own ability to read others minds without their knowing to be rude. That was something she’d done when she was young and foolish, she’d grown from it so many years ago that the power though still there, was only used when extreme situations arose, and knowing the relationship between a birds and its friend, was not extreme.
She felt a slight apprehension at her waiting for him and as eh moved his hand in a gesture fro her to take the lead, she did not hesitate, not having the same reservations as he, perhaps because of her confidence as well as her way to figure others out, she was not afraid of having her back to him at all, though she’d hoped, he might walk beside her instead, as it would make conversation just that much easier.
“So, just how long have the two of you been together anyway?” She finally inquired, her eyes looking up in the air and then returning to him as she moved forward to take him to her favorite hunting grounds.
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Post by gideon on Apr 9, 2006 12:13:01 GMT -5
He heard the raven screech overhead and smiled to himself. He walked a little faster, coming alongside Adriana. He seemed to think about it for a few minutes before responding. "Kanga and I have been together for about 750 years now. I found him when he was nothing but an egg. He took some of my blood one day and it ... changed him."
He turned to her and shrugged gracfully. "He is as immortal as I am. When he is injured, I feel it and vice versa. It's an unusual relationship, but we know that we could not live without each other."
The raven cawed overhead and swooped down, landing on Gid's shoulder. He gave her a 'hurt my master and die' look before taking back up into the air. Gid laughed and shook his head. "He trusts you more than any vampire we've ever met, a compliment coming from him, but he's not quite sure of your intentions."
He smiled, perfect white teeth flashing, as he remembered all the times Kanga had been right about someone's personality. A magic, immortal bird who could read someone character would cause alarm in most people, but somehow Gid knew that it would just amuse the vampire.
He put his arms under his cloak and behind his back, putting himself in hunter mode without realizing it. He smiled over at her. "Any other questions you'd like to ask, Adriana? I'm sure that I entice many questions and I have no qualms about answering them."
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Post by Adriana on Apr 9, 2006 21:59:27 GMT -5
Adriana returned the birds look with a raised brow and a slight pull of her lips that made a semblance of a friendly smile. She didn’t blame the bird for not fully trusting her, it had no idea who she was or what it was she was about, though in time, would learn that Adriana was nothing of a threat to any who would not try and harm her. Had circumstances been different, and her hunting companion for the night had decided he didn’t want company and had indeed tried to fight her for some insane reason, then things would have a much different light, much different indeed.
“That would explain his longevity then I would imagine, how interesting.” She commented to the new knowledge of the bird’s existence as well, their networking together as a near one mind. “He is very beautiful you know...” She then commented, an observation more than anything else, stated instead of thought.
As they continued walking away fro the gates of Karador and towards the city, Adriana too took on a more hunter-like appearance, her feet made less and less sound until finally, she was making no sound at all in everyone of her purposeful steps, her eyes darting about, capturing every sight, her ears open to every sound, though unlike her company, she began to take on a most innocent guise, all strangely animalistic mannerisms disappearing, in short, she had become as a young human of about 16 at the most, walking beside him, her hands clasped at her back as she went, when she looked up at her companion, her eyes sparkled in the moon, looking like two perfect emerald gems without flaw.
“Well then, I do have a question to ask.” She then stated as they continued along the cobbled path that would eventually lead them to the heart of town. “Where is it you plan on staying whilst here in Karador and secondly, do you plan on making this a permanent residence?” She asked her first questions. He had opened up a great line of possible questions, and Adriana was inquisitive about a great many things, and so, would ask, perhaps more as they moved along, though, between game, as they came upon it.
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Post by gideon on Apr 9, 2006 22:33:45 GMT -5
He thought on it a minute, grey eyes scanning the horizon. "I had not thought about it. Kanga and I usually stay in the forests outside the cities we come to. And we have yet to see anything in the city to keep us here. We don't normally stay in a single place long."
He didn't mention that that was because most of the time he ended up killing some leader or another. It was never on purpose, mostly they thought he was there to take their place and they thought that they could beat him in a fair fight. It hardly ever ended up good for the leaders.He glanced over at her. She was the first creature he had ever met to not draw conclusions on him.
A raven caw from overhead let him know that there was no one around and that the bird was going to get its own food. He sent it a silent call and turned back to Adriana. "We have not been in Karador long enough to make judgements about whether to stay or not. We had just arrived when you showed up. It seems like a fair enough realm."
He sniffed that air and caught a scent that he hadn't smelled since he was young. Yes, this place is a fair realm. He heard Kanga's answering yes and smiled slightly, looking out over the city. "We might stay for a few weeks and decide if we will stay. We can still camp out in the forest, unless you know of a better place to stay."
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Post by Adriana on Apr 9, 2006 23:14:56 GMT -5
“I see…” she started and then trailed off as her feet continued down the dark cobbles way and then, as they were about to step into what would be the outskirts of town, she took a sharp turn to the left and into the further darkness and down what seemed to be a back street, one rarely traveled, the cobbled street became a bit more rough in this area, left unattended for one would not know how many years, rough and with what seemed to be large potholes about here and there. Adriana’s feet seemed to ignore the imbalance of the surface she walked over, even the pot holes she did not side step, but rather walked over with out stepping inside of, her attentions not seemingly where they were walking the entire time, but facing him all the while as he spoke to her.
“Well, there is always the vampires home, they, we seem to have a nice place set up at the edge of town in an old Playhouse, I am not certain when it was erected, but had to have been some time ago, you see, I’ve been asleep for a bit and when I woke, there it was, built right over the catacombs of my old dwelling. Interesting really, and it is quite comfortable.” She told him in an offhand manner. “I am as well certain that so long as you don’t look for a fight, you won’t find one there, mostly, these vampires tend to keep to themselves, unless they are bored, and then they may talk to you.” She added as an afterthought. “As for the length of your stay, that of course, is always up to you, as you are indeed your own creature and have every right to make our own decisions though, I am certain you should find this place most fun and as well, quiet.” She told him, also in an offhand manner.
A few more minutes passed as they walked, the darkness of the path that she’d chosen beginning to lighten up as they rounded a corner that seemed to take them back towards the cobbled, lit streets of main Karador.
“Keep your eyes open here, as well your senses about you, the military has put up a curfew that starts in about two hours, once that starts, we will have them to deal with and personally, I don’t like a good game of hunter and mouse being ruined by an overbearing addlebrained twit who thinks he can defeat what is me, in a straight battle.” She giggled slightly, remembering the last soldiers who had tried to send a little girl back to the safety of her home.
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Post by gideon on Apr 10, 2006 10:51:07 GMT -5
He smiled slightly at her and shook his head. "I have no quarrel with the vampires, but it always seems that they have one with me. Therefore, I would rather not stay with them." He laughed and ran his fingers through his hair. "As for my stay here, that all depends on how the hunting is."
He scanned the surrounding buildings with his grey eyes and started to take on the semblance of a rugged traveler looking for a place to rest for the night. He had used this guise many times to get into the homes of older women who saw him as a son, or younger women who wanted to bed him. He glanced at Adriana and shook his head, seeing her as nothing but a young girl.
He knew that most vampires hunted in a variety of ways, but he had never known this to be true until that moment. He smiled slightly at her. "You know, this is the first time I've had someone besides Kanga on a hunt with me?" He eyes flashed with unsaid humour and he started to walk slower, eyes and ears open for everything around him.
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Post by Adriana on Apr 10, 2006 20:40:11 GMT -5
She frowned a moment. “I see…” She stated and then that frown moved away to allow a slight grin. “Well, I could assure you a place there, but if you would prefer, I also know that the forest is quite a nice place, just, don’t go building unnecessary fires, as the Dryads don’t like them.” She stated honestly.
As they walked into the street, the two of them made a verily good couple, she looking as perhaps sister and brother wandering together into the realm and perhaps looking for a place to stay, or, simply walking the streets, window shopping as they strode down the walk. Adriana even loosened the front of her cloak, so as to not arouse any suspicion that she might be trying to hide anything, a finishing touch to her guise, of course.
“Oh, the hunting will come, just a few moments and these streets will be filled again, people moving form the inn to the bar, the bar to the inn and so forth, it is always the same.” She stated with a very girlish laugh to follow.
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Post by gideon on Apr 10, 2006 21:25:51 GMT -5
He smiled, a slight upturning of lips and nodded. He greatly enjoyed the hustle of the city, though he knew that he could never be apart of it. He had never had that ability. He threw one side of his cloak over his shoulder, showing a long line of fit body under tight black clothes. He moved his dagger to the other side so that he looked unarmed.
It was as it was every night he went hunting, but Kanga wasn't overhead and this vampire was at his side. Was he growing soft? What was wrong with him? When had he ever hunted along side a vampire? He shook these thoughts off, knowing that they were the voices that often got him attacked or into trouble.
He glanced up as he heard movement in the local buildings. He glanced at her and smiled, grey eyes flashing. "I'm guessing that's the sign that they're about to depart for other avenues around the city. Correct?"
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