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Post by Neravarine on Jun 27, 2009 10:56:06 GMT -5
4:30 p.m... Calm breathes... In... And out... To feel the power gathering in your body... Your limbs and your mind... Varis was kneeling, his back to his opponent, who was in the same position. They were in the arena canton... Nothing but a compressed circle of dirt was to be their battlefield today. Varis' hawk-like red eyes opened slowly as he got up and turned around. He and his opponent were unclothed except for the black pants each of them wore, revealing their muscular ash black torsos. Varis felt the tiny grains of sand shift beneath his toes as he got into the proper stance, legs slightly bent, arms extended with palms outstretched gracefully.
6:00 Varis sighed as he went into his quarters. He lived in the St.Delyn District canton. His room was small, yet comfortable. square in shape, with light brown walls and tiled floor. A comfortable bed with red sheets sat in the upper right corner, and Varis was tempted to just go to sleep then, as he was quiet tired. The dunmer narrowed his red eyes thoughtfully, ash colored chest and back glistening slightly from the bath he took after the battle training he just did. No... He had to patrol today... He had to serve the Three. The dunmer turned around his small abode. His wooden desk was across the room, backed against the wall, the enormous map of Morrowind displayed behind it. The dresser was near the desk, which was where his indoril armor was. Walking over softly, Varis opened the doors with a key, and swung it open. There it stood... the beautiful and intricately designed indoril armor... The armor of him and his brethren. Gold in color, it looked similar to bonemold, but was even more painstakingly made. Leaf designs decorated the shoulder pauldrons, and the symbol of the Tribunal Temple was etched on the cuirass. But the helm... That was the best part. It was designed to look like their chimer ancestors, gold in color, the false face had a calm, stern expression. Varis felt his hands slide over the sides of the indoril helm as he put it on. Instantly, everything was covered in a comfortable dark, where noone but Varis was around. As the young dunmer put every part of his armor on carefully, he felt immune to corruption. Lust and hate had no effect on him... It was like this he felt the world made more sense...
7:00 It was starting to get dark as the ordinator left his quarters. All the pieces of his armor was on, and a rich, blue silk acted as a scarf and shroud over his shoulders. A black and gold ebony mace hung at his waist, the spikes attatched to the metal head of the blunt weapon curved and wickedly sharp as they gleamed by the low light of fading day. With every confident step, Varis made his way to the Foreign Quarter, red eyes narrowed as he peered through the shadowed slits in his helm.
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Post by Neravarine on Jun 27, 2009 13:14:09 GMT -5
Varis continued walking. His post today was near the entrance of the Foreign Quarter, which actually acted as the main entrance into the city. Outside, a huge expanse of green stretched out as far as the eye could see, with mushroom saplings and scraggly trees. The sea breeze from the coast soothed the ordinator's nerves... The past weeks had been stressful... Ever the since the murders have been occuring. "Trust the three and thy ancestors..." Varis mumbled. A prayer helped. This was a test, a test of his faith. His older brethren would bring whomever did the killings to justice... Varis swore it... The dunmer then straightened slightly... In the distance three figures were approaching Vivic... One of them quite large...
Glacius walked behind the sisters, light blue eyes thoughtful and calculative... The ice atronoch heard some rather disturbing rumors in Vivic as of late... He hoped the guard took care of it.
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Post by Kestrelwing on Jun 27, 2009 14:33:58 GMT -5
Suki and Hotaru
Suki, laughing and joking with her twin sister, ran/leapt/frolicked/flipped up to the gates. Hotaru was waving her sword about and talking in the animated way of teenagers that makes adults want to find a nice rock to hide under. When they reached the entrance, both looked up.
Well, Suki was the one really looking up. Her last maneuver of acrobatics hadn't landed well and she'd finally rolled to a stop at the gate.
"Hmmm," she mused, "Looks bigger up close."
Hotaru just rolled her eyes and bent lithely to help her sister up.
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Post by Neravarine on Jun 27, 2009 15:03:25 GMT -5
Varis then started to walk over to two sisters, stride purposeful and slightly intimidating. There was an air of absolute calm in which the armored warrior walked... There certainly was no fear. "Welcome to Vivic imperials..." The slightly rough, raspy voice practically advertised him as a dunmer. "Is this your first time visiting? What brings you to our fair city?" yet it was light... Varis was obviously young. Glacius took note of this... And the tone wasn't annoyed. It was merely curious and polite. Glacius gave a slight bow. "My name is Glacius. I am here to deliver a letter here in the Foreign Quarter." The ice atronoch stared intently into the emotionless indoril face... It was impossible to tell what the ordinator was really thinking... And the deadra found it more worrisome that this ordinator didn't act like the other ones. "May I see it?" Varis asked, red eyes narrowed calculatively in the darkness of the golden mask, his body shifting slightly as he leaned back against one of the pillars. Glacius blinked in surprise. "...Sure..." And he felt around in his pack, and handed out a small envelope. Varis gingerly took it with his black leather gloves, and pulled a piece of paper out. Varis then took off his indoril helm, holding it against his waist while with the other hand he read it intently. Glacius was slightly shocked. This young dunmer looked to be about Suki and Hotaru's age... He had a sharp face, though not a gaunt as the rest of his race, a further factor he was still quite young. A small mane of unruly black and gray hair flowed down to his shoulders, and near his sharp red eyes, a white scar was on his ash colored face. Overall... One might say him handsome. Though Glacius himself didn't know how mortals classified such things. He was staring at Suki and Hotaru intently, slightly worried on why an ordinator had taken such a visible interest in them.
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Post by Kestrelwing on Jun 27, 2009 15:24:03 GMT -5
Hotaru and Suki
Suki grinned up at the terrifying mask. When faced with something you don't understand... smile at it. Or him. Him, right? That stupid mask hid everything about him. Suki wondered what it was like to be in that mask, to know that no one could see you, that you were one more faceless guard in a thousand, to know that if you fell while wearing that mask, its face would live on long after you had rotted in the groun.
Hotaru eyes the mask-thing nervously. She'd already been frozen once that day, and wasn't looking forward to running into an unknown opponent again. When the guard spoke, Hotaru moved to speak, but Glacius cut her off, explaining who he was and what he was doing at the city.
While he studied the letter, both girls were able to carefully examine his face. He was handsome, in that cut-you-like-a-sharp-blade way. Sure, his skin was dark gray-colored, but it suited him. The only thing Suki still found creepy were his red eyes. They were so... alien and almost frightening.
Hotaru grinned, wondering if this guy had any smarts to match his sharp looks. She wouldn't launch a questionnaire now. He was on duty, and probably had required conduct including 'Do not flirt with random girls who walk through your gate.' But maybe if she could catch him later in the city...
Hotaru was getting impatient with this reading thing. Would he just look up already? She was getting seriously bored...
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Post by Neravarine on Jun 27, 2009 15:41:47 GMT -5
Varis finally gave a satisfied nod, and handed the paper back in it's envelope. "I am sorry about that. Precautions have risen since... Unfortunate events." Glacius mulled over this. "Are there any more dead?" The ice atronoch asked dismally. "I see you have heard of it... No... Noone is dead ... But recently an outlander such as yourself managed to escape using magic, and my order has recently got some form of identification... a humanoid female carrying a dagger with a netch cuirass and a skirt. If you want imperial priest, I can escort you back to the shrine if your worried... But recent step ups in patrol seemed to have at least halt the murderor's activity." Varis then turned to the smiling Hotaru and the wary Suki, face completely devoid of emotion, except for the tone in which he constantly used... Which was neutral, respectful, and careful. "What brings you to Vivic?" The dunmer already had taken note of their clothing... And it was quite unusual.
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Post by Kestrelwing on Jun 27, 2009 19:56:33 GMT -5
Hotaru and Suki
Suki smiled politely, trying to ignore the burning red eyes. She prepared her answer, opened her mouth, and was totally cut off by Hotaru.
"My name is Hotaru, and this is my sister, Suki. We're travelling performers, here to entertain and explore."
Suki caught herself. Hotaru didn't usually do the talking if the issue had to do with officials, bad food, or working any job other than performing. So that meant... Euch. This guard may look their ages, but Suki seriously doubted that he actually was their age, and beyond that, he wasn't even their species. He was a dunmer, they were Imperials. Totally different interests, lives, and romantic interests. He was almost definitely looking for a female of his own race, and he certainly wouldn't be looking for an imperial.
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Post by Neravarine on Jun 27, 2009 20:43:40 GMT -5
Varis arched a thin black eyebrow, red eyes widening with slight surprise. If one imagined it... There might have been a smile on the dunmer's face. "Really?" the young dunmer asked, "I would have to see that if I get break from my patrols. If you want, I can make several suggestion on where your talents may be appreciated. Or if your hungry, I know several good ins and restaurants to try our nation's cuisine." Glacius smiled at the twins, slightly relieved. "Well, it looks like your in good hands. This is where we part... May the Nine be with you." Glacius rumbled, patting his massive hand on the shoulders of the two twins, and with a great lumbering gait, walked away further into the city.
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Post by Kestrelwing on Jun 28, 2009 15:33:31 GMT -5
Suki and Hotaru
Hotaru grinned, turning a one-handed cartwheel easily. "Really. Those suggestions would be great. I'd tell you where to contact me, but yeah, we don't really know where we're living yet. Do you know where there are relatively reasonable boarding houses, preferably one with safe rooms?"
Suki was shocked. "You're leaving already? But we all just got here. But..." He had already walked away.
"Not the kind for goodbyes, I see," commented Hotaru.
Suki huffed. "But he was so interesting. All the tings he'd seen and places he'd travelled to and... Oh, he didn't even say a proper goodbye. Well, alright. Hello, friend. I don't seem to have caught your name." Suki smiled as sweetly as she could at someone so... strange. In Cyrodil, there weren't many... Well, really, there weren't any dunmer, and though Suki tried to stay tolerant of all races, the red eyes always got to her...
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Post by Neravarine on Jun 28, 2009 16:46:59 GMT -5
"Varis." The young ordinator replied thoughtfully as he watched the priest go. "Strange man..." The dunmer turned his red eyes to the two imperial sisters, face... Expressionless. His red eyes were intent though... Not hostile... More like a small fascination... Like a kid watching a strange bug. "If you want a room to stay for a while, there are apartment rooms here in the Foreign Quarter, as well as some where I stay in the St.Delyn canton."
GTG eat. ;D Be back soon, probably about an hour or two.
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Post by Kestrelwing on Jun 28, 2009 17:25:02 GMT -5
Hotaru and Suki
Suki nodded. "And I'm Suki, Hotaru's sister."
After Varis spoke, at the exact same moment, both girls asked a question.
Hotaru's: "Which is closer to the performing areas?" Suki's: Which is closest to an eatery and the marketplace?"
The two glared at each other before bursting into momentary laughter.
"Sorry," Suki finally said, "We don't usually do that whole freaky-twin thing that people always talk about, so it's kinda' funny when things like that actually happen..."
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Post by Neravarine on Jun 28, 2009 19:55:08 GMT -5
The young dunmer just stared thoughtfully at the two. "I have heard of twins, but have never had the experience of actually seeing them myself..." Varis' sharp red eyes switched to each one calculative. Now that he focused on it, they indeed looked very similar in appearance. "Dunmer rarely have children to begin with, and so twins would be a very rare occurrence. But then again, twins of any race are rare I heard." The ordinator sighed as he put on the mask yet again, hiding his natural face with the stern, soulless chimer replica. Even Varis' voice sounded different... It echoed slightly... Under the indoril helm the dunmer's raspy voice sounded even rougher. The tone was business-like, even slightly haughty. "You have three options for your trade outlander. You could head over to the arena canton, where they can hire you as a temporary performer, though you would either have to walk a long ways or use the gondola. Another idea would be to head over to the House Hlaluu canton. One of the councilors, an imperial named Crassios, is working on a "Play". He might enjoy your expertise... Your last option is to rent a spot here in the Foreign Quarter for some septims, and do your own performance... Though it probably wouldn't pay as well..." It was such a change in attitude... In fact, Varis sounded annoyed and slightly angry... Then the sound of steps was heard as another ordinator walked past the trio, roughly shouldering the two girls out of the way. "WATCH IT IMPERIAL SWIT!!!" The older, much more ruder dunmer hissed through the expressionless helm, and continued on his intended path, walking at a break neck pace before he dissapeared around the shady corner. Varis tilted his head to make sure the other ordinator was gone, sighed, and took off his helm so he could face Hotaru and Suki. "I am sorry about that... Nothing personal I hope. He has been in a bad mood for weeks, and I didn't want to raise his hackles by "Conversing with imperial conmen". If you want something to eat, There is a good restaurant I like to eat at called "The Flowers of Gold" not too far from here in the House Redoran District."
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Post by Kestrelwing on Jun 28, 2009 20:29:19 GMT -5
Hotaru and Suki
Suki shivered when Varis put the helmet back on. And suddenly... he was a new person. A rude, distant, superior person. Suki glared at him, vowing to never let her sister date someone so very... haughty, when the second guard swung by.
Hotaru rounded on the older guard. "What did you call me?! Oh, I am soo burning that man by the seat of his..." Hotaru set off to follow when Suki grabbed her arm.
"Look, I know he was a jerk, but you can't mess with the law enfocement around here. You remember Pelagia-"
"Oh, watch me mess with the law enfocement." But the fight was out of Hotaru. She removed her sister's hand, made a rude gesture at the direction the man had walked in (An elderly man near the spot Hotaru had gestured broke into a furious yell which ended up as a croaking cough, but that isn't very important...), and turned back to Varis, who had changed manner again.
She blushed deeply. So it was just a guy who'd been off on his temper. No biggie... And yet she'd just almost attacked one of Varis's fellow worked.
"Umm, sorry about that... A play, you said? Hey, Suki, that would be fun. Probably that or a temporary performer... And I really don't like walking long distances in cities. I always get my costume mussed..."
Suki nodded. "Sounds good."
Hotaru grinned. " A restaurant? Okay, you're on watch and we need to find sleeping quarters. When does your watch end tomorrow? We'll probably spend the day scouting out the city and buying supplies, and possibly job hunting. Want to meet us at The Flowers of Gold for dinner?"
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Post by Neravarine on Jun 28, 2009 20:49:55 GMT -5
Varis looked around, leaned toward the sisters with a raised hand near his smiling mouth. "Between you and me... It may be best if you discard the play idea... Crassios is well... ahem... "strange?" His last production, "the story of three legged guar", didn't exactly pay off well... And rumor has it that the title of his new productiuon, "The Lusty Argonian Maid", may be the same way..." the young dunmer whispered. He then leaned back and contemplated their offer silently. "I'm actually off all day tommorow..." Varis stated.
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Post by Kestrelwing on Jun 28, 2009 20:54:47 GMT -5
Hotaru and Suki
Hotaru snorted. "Lusty? Oh, gods... Suki, we've got to go see it when it comes out. Promises to be a regular *laught* hit. Okay, so that's out. Hmmm... Ugh. I hate walking distances, and I hate having little money... But the unemployed life suits us, does it not, Suki?"
Suki nodded, still smiling at the thought of that play... "We do make very interesting unemployed people. But can we do it?"
"Come on," Hotaru said, grinning, "We've got the most unique act in town."
Suki smiled coolly. "Got that right."
Hotaru smiled and turned back to Varis. "All day? Well, if shopping with my sister nd I doesn't seem too dull to you, we'd love it if you could come along, and maybe show us the city."
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