Smoke continues to languidly curl outward from Kali's lips as she watched the three woman and listened to their responses in kind. The elf remained utterly silent the whole time however,  amber-golden eyes only loosely focused on the trio as they talk among themselves and confirm their choice of story. It was an interesting bunch,  that was for sure. A cursed elf who spoke in riddles,  a young and quite disciplined human girl and a young and somewhat naive human woman. If what she'd heard was true that was only half of it considering they traveled with one of the demure fox-people and an armored warrior of some sort. Their strangeness was what made them interesting however,  Kali had not had the delight of such a colorful bunch of people in a long time and it was nice to have company outside of the Aviari even as inviting as a night in the arms of Dal'Tek often was to her.<br/><br/>The long pause grows pregnant as she waits and thinks all to herself,  piecing together her story. While she does this her body is not idle however and the haze of narcotic vapor continues to swirl around her, clinging to the elf.  It was out of the midst of nowhere that she finally spoke up, removing her pipe from her mouth and blowing a ring of smoke towards Verita playfully.<br/><br/><b>" The land itself is quite full of life despite its harsh ways. People and beasts of all kinds thrive under the harsh rays of the sun and cultures have flourished. There is one law that is always consistent in the desert however where resources are scarce...."</b>a dramatic pause follows and Kali takes a moment to look at Y'vaste , then Dawn and finally Verita.<b> " Only the strongest and fittest survive. "</b>the elf gestures with her hands,  throwing them wide before they return to her , one arm settling over her bust while she pauses to smoke again, tapping the stem of her pipe on her lower lip afterward.<br/><br/><b>" Or the most clever. "</b>A smile spreads across her dark face and she nods,  this time looking at Y'vaste again.<b> " Like the crocodile that learns to hide in the watering holes or the serpent who can burrow in the sand , sometimes life is as much about guile as it is about anything else. " </b>by now she knew everyone was likely wondering what she was getting at but it was simply the introduction to her story,  a preface that explained more about her land and of course provided a little lesson about both the hearts of elves and men.<br/><br/><b>“You see, that is why both man..." </b>Kali points at Verita with her pipe stem.<b>"And elf."</b>This time to Y'vaste though she seems to hesitate before doing so,  as if unsure the ashen woman was really still worthy of being called an elf.<b>" Do so well. Our hearts are filled with ambition and ambition is often coupled with guile. "</b><br/><br/>The desert woman lets that thought sit between everyone for a moment, letting her audience soak up the fact before she speaks again, voice honeyed and thick from her smoke by now.<b> " A fair time ago there was a noble woman in an old stone city of the desert. The city itself has a name but it is unimportant. What is important is that the woman was named Elenwae and her people were elven. "  </b>after making sure everyone is still paying attention Kali goes on to speak.<b> " There were many noble houses of course and they had their courtly intrigue. Women gossiped and so did men. They brokered deals in flesh and coin and most often these meetings were just as much to marry off a daughter as to do business. Both were one in the same, you see?"</b><br/><br/>The elf had obviously told the tale a few times , the words seemed mostly rehearsed and her eyes were closed at this point as she let's herself languish in the pleasant buzz if the narcotic.<b>" Elenwae did not like the courts. She was a fiery woman and preferred swordsmanship and riding to gossip and flirting with men. She also preferred the touch of woman and such sadly led to her fall. “</b>Kali opens her eyes slowly; somewhat bleary eyed as she looks around at everyone and gently clears her throat.<br/><br/><b>" The prince,  he held an interest in this Elenwae despite her rough charms but she held an interest in her jealous friend. You see, her friend cared not for Elenwae's tastes but for the wealthy man himself and such is where ambition and guile come into play. “</b>The elf takes a moment to quench her pipe and tap it against the table before repacking and lighting it then takes a long pull before speaking again.<br/><br/><b>“Her friend conspired with a powerful Djinn, a cruel spirit who is the focus of yet another tale. An agreement was reached and the price paid. Elenwae was stripped of her elven form and forced given the tail of a serpent, a forked tongue so none would trust her and fangs so she may never kiss another. The woman was chased from her village and spent many a year wandering like myself. She was truly a colorful soul when I met her, a woman truly like I strive to be. She was not angry despite the betrayal in fact she was happier in some ways. It finally left her free of those 'boring obligations'."</b><br/><br/>Kali seems to be meandering to a close at this point, the woman crossing her legs in her chair and swaying slightly as she spoke.<b> " I also found she could indeed kiss another. I wandered with her for a time and we were close. If you were ever to go to Gha'mos seek her out and speak of Kali. "</b>Kali smiles and holds up her hand,  displaying a dainty band of gold around her wrist,  displaying just how close the two were.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>