#vynlorin

Music | Imaginary Friends ov deadmau5

There was nothing familiar about this place, no sights, no smells, no sounds at all akin to those he was familiar with. And yet, he blended in rather well keeping as low a profile as he could despite being an elf who didn't belong here. The ground around where he lay had a reddish tint to the soil. Though the mountains were full of trees, they were more dead than alive to the naked eye. Yet at closer inspection they held life, a life painted in dark violet and blood red hues that made the color in them feel as if the dark of night were given color. A thick mist settled in again this night, it seemed it was common for this area which is the only reason he bothered to cover himself as he lay there beneath the open sky this night so to keep dry. He couldn't be bothered with his own tent to lay within and hide from the elements, he had to be ready at a single breaths notice should the enemy dare lurk near. Eyes closed, he gave the impression he was resting perhaps even sleeping as the moon barely even shone above through the mist. The soft quiet voices from the tents pitched around him had quieted indicating most of the party had fallen to rest as well. A small rustling detected sometime in the night, though oddly enough it was coming from within the tent nearest him. Something was exiting, not entering. It was the only reason he kept his eyes closed and allowed the illusion that he was fast asleep. It wasn't the elf nor the human, the sound too small to be one of them. He could hear the steps placed onto the ground one by one, a moment's hesitation, the slight inhale of breaths taken, followed by slow careful steps approaching where he lay. He didn't twitch, he didn't move, still no sign at all that he was even aware. Approaching the lone Shal'dorei who lay there on his side, one arm tucked under his head while the other more tucked against his chest, the lone figure was cautious to the point of tentative till its last steps were placed mere inches from his body. An odd sense came next, one that would have made hair stand on his body if he had any. Like static electricity, it moved in for his face careful and slow. Just before it made contact, with very little movement at all Stone's wrist blade hidden beneath his armor was suddenly pressed against the belly of the target with the most subtle of movements of his hand. The blade didn't harm nor cut, not yet, but an unspoken promise to disembowel was both felt and known if it dared try anything more. Only then did Stone crack his eyes open to stare at the presence before him. A very cute puppy that looked like a living constellation itself glowing with a small hint of blue light stood there. Seeing stone staring up at it, a small raise of his tail as if it wished to wag was seen but it was very aware of the threat pressed against its stomach. The supposed familiar was clearly intelligent, careful even but it almost acted a little too perfectly like a dog for a manifestation of mere energy. Stone had observed this Leo at its master's side enough times to know it was a loyal companion and had yet to show signs of aggression. But the fact it chose to come to him here and now was not lost to this stone cold killer. The tension in the moment thick enough to cut. Stone's wintery chill of a gaze clearly one that would hold nothing back to take the supposed companions life. Though he'd rather not upset his current employer nor his partner so he made his place clear in this bizarre moment for him.

Despite it Leo finished bringing his face in carefully, slowly and drew his tongue hesitantly along Stone's face with a small careful lick. Stone had never in his lifetime been 'licked' by an animal nor familiar. But he knew an act that lacked aggression when he saw one. He narrowed his eyes a little more then pulled his head back just slight. Leo seemed to sense Stone's unease with the show of affection however friendly it had been intended. Slowly, he pulled back and Stone let him. Lowering his hand and retracting his blade back within the wrist sheath. Leo slowly wagged his tail, tilting his head and Stone watched as he lay there. "I am not a friend, now go." He said quietly, so quiet it almost went unheard but he had a sense his words would be felt even if not heard nor understood. Leo's tail strangely wagged more, a look of joy on his face as it almost felt like the canine was staring -through- him. Interesting. Despite Stone's stern words and actions, it could probably sense that he meant the companion no harm unless given a reason too. Like a wolf bearing teeth to a pup. Stone watched as Leo turned and went back to the tent. But he shared one last glance with the elf before he pressed inside between the flap. Stone let loose a sigh through his nose as he laid there, silence again filling the night.

@daily-writing-challenge

Artist: https://www.deviantart.com/nyaka-n

"Being on duty doesn't sound like a valid answer to the overall question though."

Eyes staring listlessly at the wall across from me as I sat there on the carpet outside the bedroom door I was guarding. That innocent looking elf's words reflecting in my head. Considering the company he kept, I doubted he truly was but he was the only one who seemed to be enjoying the concert among us. Either way, he was right, it wasn't a valid answer. I hoped he'd take the bait and clam up, he didn't. "I only attend these events when a client demands it or the job requires it." The best lies told are wrapped around a core of truth. I hadn't attended an event like this unless I was being drug there by a client. But the truth was, there was a time I enjoyed them too. And that was entirely a moment of weakness. "He's married to duty, Elexie." The statement Vynlorin spoke was not incorrect. Or was it? If it were fully true, would I have let my guard down and let that weakness in back then? If I was wholly devoted to my duty, would he still be missing? Leo's muzzle sat against my leg for some time now through the night in silence. I'd lost the will to pry deeper into what truths lie behind the facade of the starry canine that seemed strangely attached to me. Tonight, I simply didn't care and gave in to the dog's comfort. But comfort was far from what I felt. "Take the job Stone. You need it. Yer not gunna find the kid, just let it go fer fuck's sake and get out of 'ere." Jaques's words were both needed and true. It wasn't that I'd given up, not entirely. I'd -never- failed as bad as I had this time and as the years passed it became apparent I wasn't going to find him. Olave was right afterall, I'd gone soft and now I was paying the price. Why did I take this job? Because I needed a distraction from the sleepless nights these last several years as my efforts seemed futile. If he was still alive, he knew how to hide or be hidden even from me impressive as that was. Why wasn't I enjoying a dance? Because I had my last dance the moment I had my first. I can't afford to make that mistake again. My family and our teachings be damned, I was sick of trying to swim through this trip down memory lane after hearing the songs played tonight. Songs he'd sang time and time again to his clientele, to me. Now they only played in my head. I could only hope the voices of the void in this place would grow thick enough in time that they'd drown out the sound. So I studied them closer, closer...

The sound of claws tapping against wood was heard as with every footstep down the stairs, Ru'lan's larger claws were impossible to silence. But the big full sized Ravasaur didn't care. He was excited to be let outside after sleeping so long upstairs as Konietzko and Talthorn finally had roused enough to come downstairs for the day and start on their normal morning routine. The ravasaur ran right past the living area once he made it to the bottom and was already heading across the larger open living area for the front door. "Should we make a light meal to save ourselves for tonight's Lunar festivities or would you like just some coffee to start out with Kal'dalah?" He asked walking down behind his husband rounding down the last few steps himself. So far no one seemed to notice anything amiss, nothing strange at all. The giant sectional couch in the corner of the room was a little darker than the rest, the sunlight from the window shining on the opposite ends but in the very corner it was still shadowed. That was where a lone figure that had not been seen for some time now currently sat. Both legs on the floor in front of him, hands clasped in his lap as the well dressed assassin sat there with his usual face mask not currently worn. Wearing one of his finer outfits instead of the usual full armor but any who knew him knew he was still heavily armed even under that suit jacket of his. He sat there, awaiting for the elves to see him.

Talthorn yawned still coming out of his daze of waking, stretching on his way down the stairs. "Maybe just a coffee…." he mutters in a happy tone and reaches to pet at Kon’s hand after. "Coming right up." Konietzko said as his fingers brushed against Talthorn's. As they both come around together and the magi saw a lone figure, he stopped which made Kon stop but only because he had. Kon witnessed Talthorn's sudden reaction as he began muttering a quick spell to entrap but did not finish his words. His fingers glowing and even crackling in arcane as he did a quick scan over the familiar figure, and was... well confused honestly! Not only was there Stone in their house but he was not armored up. Kon did a double take, jerking a little from the startle of seeing someone there. But it downright sent Ru'lan on high alarm as he suddenly turned around and came racing for the couch with a warning snarl. "Balah!" Konietzko sharply barked a command in Shalassian as his eyes narrowed. Ru'lan stopped but his tail was thrashing agitated and letting loose several barks of aggression towards the intruder. He did not like being startled like this and eyed Stone with those reptilian predator eyes however the spoiled ravasaur had not been raised to be a killer. Stone had seen right through the ravasaur, not even twitching as he watched it with those eyes cold as wintery skies. The moment the beast obeyed, he looked to Talthorn and Konietzko. "Your security in this house is a far cry from something to be admired, Kon." He said with a sharp voice of disapproval. Clearly he saw no threat in their pet that was far too docile for a real predator.