-The- Woman

"Twinkle, twinkle, deathly blade,

O' what venom coats your frame?

Just above my gaze you glimmer,

Like a deadly steel eviscerator!

----

When the blazing sun is gone,

When the Darkness covers full,

Then your edge gleams ever bright,

Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

----

Then the traveller in the dark,

Finds misleading comfort in your spark,

He could not know ignorant bliss,

Without your flicker nor your glint.

----

Unbeknownst of the shadows that linger,

Death comes swift with the flick of a finger,

Do not ever shut your eye,

Till the sun rests high in the sky.

----

As your glittering and sinister spark,

Lights the traveller in the dark,

Til' your shimmer pales and fades,

"Your step has grown decidedly less quiet, Jaygon," she offered as she glanced over her shoulder towards him. "Or is it your intention to make yourself so plainly known?"

'Of course it is. I couldn't pass up the chance to speak with you.'

Her gaze narrowed as she studied him, "You've piqued my interest, tell me, what thoughts linger within the deepest recesses of that mind of yours?"

Stepping closer, he moved to stand beside her, 'Right now, only thoughts of you.'

"And yet that is only flattering in certain situations, so do enlighten me. Are they anything delightfully sinful? If not I may be forced to be terribly disappointed in you," she mused.

'I'll tell you if you promise not to run me through...again.'

"Do you seek to challenge the mistress of sarcasm? You'll find my tongue holds quite the cutting edge. Consider your standing before electing to go against me on -that- front," she concluded cheerfully, the folds of her veil twitching as her lips curved into a grin.

'I've challenged you before and learned from that mistake. But I would like to find out more about your tongue...'

"Honesty or sarcasm? Decisions, decisions."

He shrugged, 'Maybe it's both? But back to your question, I assure you my thoughts are decidedly sinful.'

She laughed, the sound marred if only for the veil enshrouding her features, "I should not have you any other way."

'What is it you would like to know, I can see that hungered look in your gaze, Iriena.'

Turning, she moved to lean her back against the stone lip of the fountain's edge. "I would pick your mind, it has come to my attention that you withhold something from me."

'And what do you think that might be?'

"In our last encounter you were beside yourself with anger. You recall this, yes?"

'I ...perhaps?' Jaygon said without interest, his gaze breaking from her own.

"Yes. You've told me what you thought acceptable but you'll have to do far better than merely seek to appease. Now then. Once more, without the editing."

Leaning back against the tree he sighed, 'Damned sociopathic bit- ...' He cut off short as her dagger embedded itself within his shoulder, all but pinning him in place.

"A new concoction, you shall have to tell me of its potency. I've not tested it...yet. Tick, tock."

Ryniel cursed aloud, his lithe form shuddering as a fresh wave of pain rolled over him. 'Undercity. That's all I know!'

"Hm, I believe you," she said with a smile as she rose to her feet.

'Wait! Where are you going? I told you!'

WoW Blood Elf Present by Altana

Jaygon.

An entirely qualified and lethal being capable of animosity when the mood struck.

To her knowledge he maintained one vital defect, his carnal desire.

Perhaps that is a male's greatest challenge.

'Tell me, Iriena. Did I ask too much of you? Is loyalty such an impossibility within your world?'

"You sought deference."

He laughed, bestowing yet another strike to her cheek as she could all but feel the bruise forming. 'You twist my words to suit your purpose. Perhaps loyalty is beyond those of your vocation.'

"Then you've your answer."

'Do I amuse you, Iriena? What motivates a heartless wretch like yourself anyhow?' he spit out, staring at her in open anger.

"Pride."

'Hah! That can be cracked and splintered away. Do you wish me to enlighten you as to the weakness of pride?'

"Your efforts will earn you nothing aside from frustration but if it would soothe your aching narcissism then by all means," she offered with a carefree smirk.

'Have you never known loyalty, Woman?'

"Once."

He turned, looking towards her in surprise, 'And?'

He'd decided against meeting her. She presumed he must have considered himself wise, to choose avoidance of her and her ilk...yet, all actions carry with them their own consequence.

Ryniel was going to discover such first hand.

Easing herself back within the chair, she glanced about the tavern. It was unlike the Author to deny her request to meet. 'What game do you play, Author...' she mused aloud to herself.

As though on queue the door opened by a margin as Ryutan tumbled into view. It was as though he had been unceremoniously tossed through the threshold. Standing, he dusted himself off. He was unharmed, of course, but his robes had the appearance that he had been dragged quite a distance to the inn. "Well...I'm here." He said to the room, not immediately seeing her. "Your man was so kind to deliver me."

"I see you and Malik found one another," she replied casually from her seat.

"It was a touching reunion," he said turning toward her. "He said, 'Woman wants to see you' and then I was being dragged here." He sat down and gave a slight bow. "So what can this humble writer do for you?"

"Tell me, Author...does this room strike you with any sort of familiarity?"

"Well it's lacking the holes in the wall, the swill drinks, and the palpable air of racism. But it does seem like I've been here before."

"Sate my curiosity. A rumor reached me, of a self-righteous 'deader' that managed in one gesture to rattle the hornets nest. Your thoughts?"

"Word travels fast about a Forsaken winning a bar fight."

"Without question, when you intrude upon delicate matters."

"Eh... Their reaction was still over the top. It's like I was asking the price about their sisters." He gave a shrug after a bit. If he took this seriously, he certainly wasn't showing it.

"And just what interest do you hold in him?"

"I just wanted a small talk. Maybe a drink. He seems like such an interesting fellow."

"And?"

"Let's just say I feel he needs to be punished.  Him and whoever is pulling his strings."

"I think you are enjoying yourself. Not that I mind, it is intriguing you realize. To experience you like this, Author."

He grinned. "You must have been beside yourself in humor when word reached you of my troubles at this tavern."

Her fingertip traced along the rim of her goblet, "Perhaps. I heard a rather different recount of the evening's transgressions."

He gave a shrug. "Any version that excludes me beating several people into piles of broken everything is clearly misleading."

Her lips tugged upwards, a smirk returning to rest comfortably once more. "Then we enjoyed ourselves. You continue to delight me, Author."

"So what's the next chapter then?"