#stone things

'Suramar, our haven, our sanctuary, our prison.' He was tall for his age, yet he'd barely lived past his thirties if I had to guess. Young for our people, though I'd seen Elisande and her court do far worse to even younger especially in recent years. His fingers slid along the stone plaque at his side. Words depicting the Frozen Friends exhibit within the menagerie. Despite his fingers sliding along the magically etched Shalassian, he wasn't reading it at all. He could care less what it said. He already looked far better than he had when I found him. At least he had some color in his skin once more and didn't appear to be just skin and bones. In no time he'd flesh out and make a fine dancer on the Lure's stage. Nathanris was one of the lucky ones, if you dare call such a life lucky. Sivandris, the tycoon himself stood at his side perfectly poised. Not a flaw nor blemish on the lord. Though his features could be described as delicate, there would be no mistaking he was a man who moved with the fluid grace of a dancer. Appearing cruel or indifferent at times, he showed more mercy than other lords and masters of the city. Though make no mistake, he had no qualms giving me orders to do what others would find heartless, vile and detestable. Despite that, he kept himself rather guarded on his true feelings about a great number of things. He'd learned to act with caution in all circumstances despite how dodgy his scheming could be, his higher goals were not what one might expect from such a cold and calculating character. He was an elf I'd grown to respect, a sentiment I had never held for the upper class till I'd met him. Holding his glass of arcwine, Lord Lumenstone offered the other to the much younger elf like it was nothing. Clearly his status had kept him from ever wanting or needing like the younger one he now kept under his wing. A fact that young Nathanris hadn't missed in the least as he cautiously took the gracious offering while they discussed his future. How many had they saved by now, securing a safe haven for many, even those of the resistance under the guise of the illustrious Starcaller Lure. With every new dancer he brought in, more security would be needed. It wasn't a matter of if they could afford it, it was a matter of running out of good elves he could trust. He'd already called in the last of the elite forces he'd found still alive after all these years and had employed them among the Lumenstone's personal guard. And with Elisande's forces constantly at their door, this was a very dangerous game that he continued to play. I watched as Nathanris shook his hand, it seemed we acquired a new dancer for our stage and as an added bonus, one who liked to cook. I listened as Lord Lumenstone promised him the safety and security that he deserved. Both looked to me at the mention of protection, I'd offer them a nod. I'd assign one of my personal detail to him when we returned back at the Lure, I already had someone in mind to get the kid acquainted and set up. I couldn't afford him getting attached to me. I understood how victims held their savior complex with the one who got them out of the mess they were in, especially one as bad as his. But I wasn't a savior anymore than I was a good guy. I was just the necessary guy.

Ramiaell Stoneblade aka "Stone" is inspired by many characters but a few in particular are more the meat of his personality and makeup while others just have certain elements that are similar. Edward, aka Theodore "Ted" Magnus Forrester is a hitman from the Anita Blake series and the character that most heavily influences Stone as a whole. The parts of Edward that give me the most meat to write with stone is the fact that he's a fellow hitman and is extremely dangerous as he specializes in supernatural targets as humans were too easy. His past is shrouded in mystery with the suggestion of military connections. He's a sociopath who effortlessly kills without feeling anything. He acts like he doesn't really care about anything yet he'll go to war and walk through hell to save someone he does care about. Stone gets his eyes from Edward and the cold emotionless gaze. Edward leads a double life as Ted the good ol' boy that aids him in infiltrating most any situation he needs to under the guise of a federal marshal and licensed bounty hunter. He's a deadly fighter, an expert with multiple varieties of weapons, from knives to small firearms to rifles and even flamethrowers. He's also a skilled lock pick and has contacts who can get him illegal items at short notice. He has the chameleon like ability to blend into situations and adopt many disguises. All while being a rather unimposing man at first sight, but his eyes give him away. Stone doesn't live the double life so much as Edward but he does hold the same abilities as him when the job calls for it. Rude from Final Fantasy is first and foremost my face and body claim for Stone. Much like Rude stone is also tall with a toned figure, a shaved head and always wearing a standard uniform of black with red elements in it depending on the tailor. He also has pierced ears like Rude though they are more Shalassian in design and has one other hidden piercing somewhere on his body. The attributes of Rude's personality Stone shares are Rude's bluntness and being a man of few words, only speaking when necessary. He is sensible and perfers to think before taking action. He's also very hard-working and very loyal to a client if he establishes a trust and understanding with them. Much like Rude he is also stern and intimidating in demeanor yet he's deeply compassionate and cares about his comrades in arms when he is working with a unit. Unlike Rude however he has very little respect for women but there may be a romantic side hidden under all that thick skin. For anyone who's ever rped with him long term, his associate Jaques is much like Reno and Rude's relationship though it's safe to say Stone has a little less love and respect for Jaques than what is portrayed of the best friends/partners in the game. Agent 47 from the Hitman franchise was also a face and body claim for Stone in all truth. Stone and 47 are both emotionless assassins for the most part yet both suffer internally from the loss of someone in their past. Stone shares his conviction with putting their highest priority in completing a contract and will attempt to avoid collateral damage as a professional. However he won't hesitate if he has to incur any. They are both emotionally closed off to a degree and both rarely raise their voice choosing to speak in a calm but firm manner at all times. Agent 47 is also an expert conversationalist who can play the role of another person with the utmost efficiency and credibility. Stone however has not had need to act on this skill in recent years, but he hasn't forgotten the art of acting as a wolf in sheep's clothing.