A Small Glade

[Rojo]

"Which is quite strange. As I could've been a highway bandit myself" Rojo grinned "so why did you trust me. I'm not of course, but, well..." he trailed off, waiting for an awnser
"As for myself, I'm quite famous back on my world. I'll explain later." There was a glint in his eye.

[Seven]

He gets a little grin, "Well, the way I figured it was that your story was SO ludicrious that you either were (1) telling the truth, as any self-respecting person with a brain wouldn't want to simply make up such a fabrication less they want to be thrown into a mental instituation and thus would only say such a thing if they WERE really facing a crisis, (2) someone who is ACTUALLY insane, and therefore needing assistance to the proper mental faciliites, or (3) a very foolish bandit as to think that such nonsense could actually trick someone. So that even if you were that highway bandit, I figured I would've easily out-manuever you," he says simply, taking a sip of the drink Rojo had psychicly poured for him.

He noticed Rojo's glint and smiled, "I shall wait with for your story with much anticipation."

[Rojo]

He inhaled through his nose deeply.
"Some might say I'm mad. Like the time I jumped into a pit filled with starved zombies, or when I-" he stopped, and blushed with what blood was left in his corpse "I'm sorry, It's just a lot of people usually ask me about these things, and I have to explain. Anyway, what's religion like here? Do you have religion?" to a very incompetent person, he might have sounded patronizing, but someone with a little common sense would have known he was just curious.

[Seven]

Devon rolls his eyes, as if he brought up some unfortunate subject, "Yes, we do--there's a handful really, though they all stem from the same idea. The great goddess created the world and her children, only to disappear into some idiotic forsaken crystal that apparently does exist and has caused wars amongst the tallamous and ostens for millenia. And though we didn't even know that tallamous and ostens exsisted until roughly 100 years ago, there has always been factions between humans, complaining that their rendition of the story is better or right or something..." he smiles a little, "i beg you do keep what I say here in confidence though--especially now of all times..."

"You remember how I mentioned the Episcopal a little earlier on? The ones that would have a 'ball' with you? They are the major religion right now. It's not something anyone usually mentions but..." he can't help but shift his gaze back and forth, a slight paranoia about saying it aloud, "...the current human ruler is hardly more than a puppet head now. Everyone knows that the Episcopal has held the power for the past goddess-knows how long. Of course, it would be entirely unacceptable to outright demean them--especially amongst nobility." He sighs, "There are simply so many rules that one must be careful to weave themselves around, like a game. Except if you lose...the consequences could be rather harsh...."

[Rojo]

Ah, now he was using metaphors.
"Well, if you're losing at a game, you cheat" he nodded to Devon "or bluff."
Shadow still hadn't spoken a single word, but he had finished inspecting the carriage and was now listening intently to the converasation.
Rojo scratched at his head. Religion. It was a difficult subject. Especially on Yorl. You could get executed for practising some religious rituals in some places, and then there were the Omni, who just went in and screwed everything up. THey were the main religion, and they were a ruthless bunch. They tortured any others they found who practised any other religion. THye sacrificed dark-skinned people and they always seemed to bloody have the guards on their side. Bribery no doubt Rojo thought, looking out the window until Devon asked him another question. It was like a civilised version of territorial control. As his good friend Mok ((Who you simply must meet becuase he is so cool)) had told him, life in a tribe was awful. And he judged religion to be the same. He had had a few brushes with religion. Attempt at conversion, followed by unrelenting attempts at coversion, followed by Rojo shouting, followed by being examined by priests, followed by having holy water chucked over him, followed by pegging it away before they realised he had escaped.

[Seven]

"Yes, well I'm not sure how one cheats life, but perhaps I am already engaged in doing so. I am quite grateful for my freedoms, as I sincerely doubt most aristocrats ever leave their mannors, though that may very well be a self-inflicted torture," he smiles again. "But yes, the Episcopal has been having all sorts of strange delussions as of the late....such as trying to outlaw the use of all magic."

[Rojo]

Rojo gave a very dark grin when Devon said "how does one cheat life?" how long before he catches on? he thought.
When he heard about outlawing magic, he stood up
"WHAT?!!?" he stood there for a moment, seething, then suddenly realised he was standing up and sat down.

[Seven]

Well, it wasn't like our dear noble had an undead tracking device. Nor had he even heard of such a thing as necromancy--why, Venera probably didn't even HAVE legends of such a thing!
"do calm down rojo...." he sighs. It's true they were in the middle of the forest, but there was no need to make a scene. It's not like it was going to change anyone but a few scared bird's points of views....

"Yes, like I said, humans only realized they were capable of magic in relatively speaking recent years. It was more of a shock than the realization of the Tallamous and Ostens, since there had been legends dating back to ancient times about such things. Ironically, it was the discoveries that put the Episcopal into such strong power. Since they were the ones writing the books of faith that included these beings, everyone turned to them when they were discovered.

There is a sort of controversy here--depending on how the ancient texts are intepretated, Osten are either seen as the 'people of the goddess,' or just as ruthless as the Tallamous have been considered. The Episcopal, beleiving themselves to be the Goddess's favored, sides with the belief that Ostens are just as horrid. And since Ostens and Tallamous have been secretly warring with each other since forever and the Episcopal deams them evil, they have been saying that magic derives from the tainted and selfish ways, and thus magic is evil. And in conclusion, the only reason we've had it now is because we are 'being lured into the horrid ways of those fiends who wish upon us chaos and anarchy!' " he seems to be relating a quote here.

"However, even with their sacred arts, they don't have enough evidence as of yet to support their claims and magic is becoming increasingly popular. Furthermore, that's why it is so important that people such as myself go about trying to recruit newcomers to the university--less they end up brainwashed first."

[Asila]

A young woman of girlish appearance watched the carriage wind toward her through the forest mischevious amber eyes. She had been surveying the road from her boulder perch, enjoying the sun and waiting for something of interest to happen. It seldom did, for it was not often that people dared pass through these woods. They were afraid of the Tallamous. For good reason, she supposed, though she hadn't seen another of her race here for months. It was definately an exaggerated fear.

She stood and moved quickly through the trees, her pace so quick that is would be difficult to follow by eye. She slowed only when she reached the road. Fixing a helpless expression on what was already a young girl's innocent countenace, she stepped into the center of the road and waited patiently for the carriage to stop. They usually did for her. She looked perfectly harmless, about as likely to hurt a traveler as a newborn fawn.

She was wearing a long skirt of patchwork design, it's hues composed of vibrant blues and violets. It's hem brushed the ground, disguising her paws, and it flowed in such a way that her wolf's tail was not noticeable beneath it. Over this was a sleeveless shirt of amethyst color and around her delicate wrists were dozens of spun-silver bangles that glittered in the sun. They had been a collective gift from her merchant family the year she had turned ten. It was one of the few things she'd been able to hold onto. Dressed as she was, she looked like a lost gypsy adolescent, exotic and and as vibrant as the skirt she wore.

She gave a desperate wave as the carriage drew closer and waited for it to stop, grinning internally though her outward expression was mournful and lost. They would pick her up. No one would leave a young girl alone out here on her own. She almost giggled. Humans could be so foolish...

[Seven]

Jenri, the driver, scoffs at the sight of the young tramp in the middle of the road. The two men inside could feel the carriage come to a half as Jenri's voice crescendos, "HEY LASSEY! GET OFF THE ROAD!!" he yells with complete incompassion in his hoarse voice. He gives her a wave, a motion to step to the side of the road less she wants to be run over. The motion also serves a double purpose of trying to communicate with slow and dim-witted people (and considering this is Jenri, slow, dim-witted people consist of the entire known world except for those who he is currently employed under).

The halt, however, comes as a surprise to young Devon. After all, it was perfectly strange in itself to run into ONE person in Mrue, much less two people in the same day. And considering that one of them came from another world, this was turning out to be a simply fascinatingly odd day. He looks at Rojo, reminding him, "Remember dear friend, do not let anyone else know about your origins. I'm going to investigate this newcomer...."

Devon opens the door, gracefully swooping out of the carriage in one smooth movement. Though he had heard Jenri say "lassie," it surprised him nonetheless to see a young girl in the middle of the woods.

To Evening, she would see a beautiful young man step out of the carriage. His flaxen hair sparkled in what little rays of sunlight broke through the tree branches, his eyes were as green as the foliage that surrounded them. His physique was narrow and his face angelic. If she looked as harmless as a fawn, he looked like a fluffy white Easter bunny. Well, not quite....Devon has an insanely high charisma; he seems like a young Prince that walked right out of a book of fairy tales. Especially since from the look of the carriage (with a royal insignia, mind you), he was obviously a rich aristocrat. He smiled at her, "Are you alright Miss?" he sweetly asked.

"Ahck! Master Shire--do you intend to pick up ever tramp that crosses the our path! We'll never reach the village at THIS rate--and even if we do, we won't have ANY room in the carriage!" Jenri coughs again, truly a foul, miserable old creature. he gives a wheezing cough, turning his head ot the side and hacking up a large flemn. Too many years of the pipe. It seemed almost ironic that two creatures so dissimilar stood in such a close radius. But of course, what neither Rojo or Evening could realize is that the bitter old man is by far the best driver in Maderal City.

"now now Jenri, do be patient--I am paying you aren't I?" Devon looks up at the man, smiling sweetly still. Jenri just mumbles something, rolling his eyes.

Devon looks back at the girl, expectantly.

[Asila]

Wow, he's gorgeous... was the thought that asserted itself when the young aristocrat descended from his carriage. She knew immediately that he was royalty of some sort. She nearly rolled her eyes at herself for not noting this immediately. Of course, she had rushed the road the moment she caught sight of them, and so did not have time to note the royal insignia that so proudly graced the carriage's side. But if nothing else, the white tigers should have given it away. Most people chose to enslave horses.

She was very fond of her animal friends, and did not like to see them used in such a way. There was no dignity in it. Of course, her own race was often guilty of that same tendency to force the will of wild animals to their own. Even the Tallomous did not always respect the animals they could call as equal beings. She really hated this, but there was little she could do about it. Except refuse to allow herself to commit such crimes.

She rolled her eyes on herself. She shouldn't be dwelling on the misfortune of the beautiful white tigers. She had just managed to stumble across a royal carriage, after all. This was great! Snagging something of value should be no great task. By the end of the day, she may even have enough gold to get her through the next few months. She didn't need much...

She gave him a weak, watery smile, as though she'd just been through an ordeal and could hardly maintain even this frayed degree of calm. "I...don't really know where I am. I can't remember what I was doing before. Just...waking up and finding myself alone in the woods. I've been looking for another village, or person, or something for two days..." She cast a wild glance at the woods, as though fearful of ever having to step foot in them again. Or paw.

She spared the driver a brief, disgruntled look. Well, wasn't he perfectly unpleasant? She looked away, as though further upset by his harsh words and stared at the ground for a moment. She looked as though she were trying to build up the confidence to speak again.

She took a deep breath and looked up, continueing. "My name is Evening. I remember that much. I just...would you...?" She trailed off again, as though she did not want to impose upon him by asking him to take her to the nearest village.

[Seven]

((By the way, horses are rare on Venera--everyone breeds large domesticated cats. However, white tigers are the rarest.))

"Evening..." he echoed with a smile, "it is my pleasure," he gave a nod of his head. If shoujo-styled bubbles could float in from the heavens, they probably would. Even so, Devon would have usually closed the gap between any person he introduces to himself by now. Of course, one must always be wary in Mrue Forest, but she hardly seemed threatening. "I am Lord Devon van Shire," he properly introduced himself with a little bow.

However, today was Evening's unlucky day. Just an hour earlier did Devon grasp the strange stone from Yorl that some how managed to increase his magic and sensitivity. While Devon gazed upon Evening's form, he began to notice something strange.....it was her aura. And though he had never truly seen an aura before, some how he could sense not only her decietful intentions, but her real race. He studied her for one brief second, knowing that if she were Tallamous, she would probably have some sort of animal-like feature to her. And alas! There it was--ever so faint had he not known what to look for, he would not have noticed at all! At the bottom of her skirt, for one brief second, he was simpy positive he saw paws instead of feet. Truly, what a risky thing to do--he knew that Tallamous had shape-shifting abilities, why not hide her feet as well?

Though he inwardly pondered these things, the training he recieved in his childhood on how to behave properly did him well right now. After all, a true aristocrat could never hint at any unpleasant thoughts, any emotions other than a dainty smile. Those trapped in the wheel of high society always had to behave with grace, elegance, and eloquence since they always would always be under the gaze of public scrutiny. Yes, at a young age Devon learned the fine art of wearing a smiling mask when dealing with strangers, and it was no different with this girl. Evening would not even sense the faintest doubt from the young nobleman. If anything, from his kind smile, she would have thought he already completely bought her act.

As she related her trauma, Devon's expression changed to one of sympathy. His green eyes widened at the thought of the poor girl enduring such horrors that her mind had subconsciously erased her memories, if only to keep her sane. "Oh heavens--thank the goddess that we've found each other then, dear Evening. Quite frankly, these woods are dangerous, and furthermore, you must be famished! It is a blessing indeed you've managed to survive alone out here for so long--the woods are hardly a place for a young girl," the speech he gives is not vastly different than anything else any noble would have said.

It might even be slightly confusing for Rojo to hear such words, since everything he just said, from the use of religious tones to subtle use of sexism and 'I am above the peasantry,' contridicted everything he had told Rojo about his ideals just earlier. But of course, this charade was all a part of the game of knowing when and where to act like like the average dim-witted nobleman who knew nothing of the world. It was Devon's advantage.

He stepped aside, " Please, give me just one moment to tell my traveling companion of the situation and to fetch you some water," he disappeared into the carriage again. At this time, Devon gave Rojo a little smile. He had to be careful with his tone, since he knew Tallamous had stupendous hearing abilities. So instead, he pulled out a piece of paper and quickly scrawled, "Looks like we have ourselves a Tallamous outside with bad intentions. I am going to invite her in--do not let her realize that we know what she is. We might be having a little battle sooner than I had expected..." he gives Rojo a little smile, before pulling the water cantine out of a compartment and walking out of the carriage again.

"Miss Evening, I feel it is very much my duty as a a member of the genteel to escort you to safety," he really did look very dashing as he offered her out a gloved hand, "Would you like to accompany us?"

[Rojo]

Rojo nodded as Devon left the carriage. He listened intently with honed years of listening at doors and eavesdropping to listen in on their conversation. He fingered the butt of his pistol, ready for a sound of a strike or ambush, but none came.

As for how to treat a lady, Rojo was quite contrary once again to Devon. He could lie and bluff, oh yes, but he didn't know the tricks of the trade of aristocracy, as he had grown up an urchin.

When he heard the conversation end, he stopped fiddling with his pistol and watched tentatively as Devon re-entered the carriage. He read the loopy writing and nodded at Devon.
What about Shadow? The girl of course couldn't see him or touch him -if she tried either, she would see or pass through him like a ghost- but she might sense him. From what he had heard of these Tallamous, they were good with magic, and she might find herself feeling a dark precesnce in the compartment.
Rojo exhaled deeply. He didn't need to, of course, but he did it for what he in "the buisness" called "dramatic emphasis" and put on his most seductive and charming smile so as to make this trickster be tricker herself.

[Asila]

Truly, this girl was not famous for her luck. On the rare occasion that something would occur to her advantage, another event would occur soon enough to cause her pain or inconvenience. It had happened more than once in her history, beginning with the slaughter of her merchant family and continuing in a circle of ill fortune from there.

So it was understandable that she had not yet learned how to flawlessly shift her form into that of a human. She could manage to change the color of her eyes, such a technique was rather easy for her. However, for whatever reason, the remaining wolf traits, like her paws and tail, were far more persistent. They even carried over into the other forms she could shift into. She made a very interesting eagle, looking more like a spin off of the griffen legend than an actual bird of prey. No one had ever been able to account for this. It was a very unusual failing.

However, it was one that had never caused her difficulty before. The long skirts hid her wolfish lower body from view, and while she could change the color of her eyes the warm gold had never caused her any problem. Every traveler she had ever stopped had been so disarmed by her slight, fragile, even innocent appearance that they had never bothered to concern themselves with questions like "Do humans even have golden eyes? No, now that I think of it..." As for her paws, only a stray gust of wind would reveal them, which is just what had happened to give Devon his glance. It was a critical failing in her disguise, but one that most people were still too unobservant to notice.

Until this point, she had been very successful in her rather novice games of deceit. So she didn't have even the slightest inkling that Devon was actual playing her own stratedgy against her. Even if his performance had been slightly flawed, she would have fallen for it.

Ha! Gotcha! She thinks triumphantly as he extends his gloved hand to her.

"Only if I don't inconveniance you, my lord," She says in a peasant's humble way of speech, reaching out tentatively to take the offered hand. "Thank you for your most gracious offer. I am blessed." Though she did not realize, she was playing his game back to him, though in reverse. She was being the respectful, slightly fearful peasant.

[Seven]

It was not uncommon for a young Tallamous to be able to change all of their original features, so Devon assumed this 'carelessnes' in her appearance was due to the fact she did not have the power or ability to change it. There was something else that was interesting about Devon's ideals--had it not been for this strange new 'sight' he accidentally developed, or a strong feeling of intuition telling him she was up to no good, he would have helped her even despite her 'race.'

Devon was a logical man if anything--a man of science (of course, magic being a science on Venera, not a fantasy). He did not believe in the 'purity' of the Ostens or the 'evils' of the Tallamous; he just thought of them as different species with different customs and motives. After all, it was ridiculous to pin all the goods or evils of the world onto just one group; he believed it was merely ignorance of people that such claims came about. After all, ignorance had been hindering them for all of their pasts.

Why, Evening was indeed very unlucky. Lord Devon may have been the single noble who would have been more than willing to help her out despite her origins (after all, this was just displayed with Rojo). He was fascinated with people and enjoyed meeting all of them; he was a very modern and progressive thinker and whenever he took leave of the 'social circle,' he enjoyed using all the sweepingly romantic customs of nobility on any 'commener' (though he never thought of them as common).

But alas, now he does not trust her for he can sense her desire to cross him. He wasn't entirely sure how he knew, but he figured it was some side effect of Rojo's strange magic on him.

Devon smiled, taking her arm and helping her into the carriage. There really was no need to take any major precautions, per say. After all, she didn't realize the carriage she was entering contained two very powerful and capable young men. It felt almost twisted how she, the trickster, was being played right into their hands. Devon would wait until she revealed her true intentions, as he was confident in both his and rojo's abilities. After all, if he by some oddity did turn out to be mistaken, there would be no harm done. But if she did try to lead them into harm's way, well, the only question that would remain is what to do with a defeated Tallamous girl for the entirety of the trip.

"Miss Evening, I would like you to meet my friend, Rojo," he smiles. the carriage was rather roomy on the inside. It fit enough space for at least 8 if you did not include the space required for the small cupboard holding cups and drinks.