<div class="floatleft">(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/masta_loki/Thomas__Dresden_Files_by_dauntingfire-1.jpg)</div><strong><em><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 16pt;">Cyrus Valerian</span></em><br/>HP 56 (Current HP 56)  AC 16</strong>[/font]<br/>Character Sheet (http://plothook.net/RPG/profiler/view.php?id=9084)<br/><br/><sup><strong>Camp</strong></sup><br/><br/><hr/><br/>Cyrus waited for the others to make the decision, glad they opted for the clearing rather than an abandoned hut.  While the former provided multiple angles of attack, it also provided multiple options of defense and retreat while also being on mostly neutral ground.  The hut would have been more of a gamble in his mind; if they had not been the first to stumble across it, which seemed very likely, then they would be walking into somebody else's home field that could be littered with all sorts of unpleasant traps.  Plus, given the size of Gra'ak and Sunder, they were bound to excel when it came to fighting in the open rather than trying to maneuver their bulk around a small hut.<br/><br/>As they began calling their places in night watch, the magus waited for that to be settled.  The ring of sustenance upon his hand ensured that he would be up for at least two of the shifts.  Which two didn't really matter to him and he would have no qualms of filling in for one if anybody was too tired to remain alert.<br/><br/>Both Lasciel and Cyrus' interest piqued when Pantea voiced her preference of a warm bed and even warmer company to share it with.  It had been some time since the two of them last enjoyed one another's company in such a manner.  Reflecting upon it, he wondered why it hadn't been a more regular occurrence with how often they worked together.  Cyrus drunk in her appearance; he had always enjoyed her sensual physique on a normal day.  At night though... well, he always felt that she wore darkness very well like the finest, most tantalizing lingerie.  He still remembered the first time he witnessed her form adorned in nothing apart from moonlight.  To this day it was a memory that frequented his fantasies.<br/><br/><em>You did promise me some fun tonight.</em><br/><br/><em>Hiring a kittygirl prostitute literally went out the door with that stampede.  Though, there would be no way I could refuse Pantea if she was genuinely looking for some male company tonight.</em><br/><br/>Darkness set in and the group managed to set up camp before the last of the sun's light faded into the horizon.  The cool night air was filled with the low crackling of the campfire as shadows danced all around them.  This had always been one of Cyrus' favorite parts of life as an adventurer.  The transition from dusk to night proper had a meditative stillness to it as diurnal creatures settled in their shelters and nocturnal one had yet to fully awaken.  Cyrus had always found it soothing, allowing his mind to drift idly among random thoughts.  There had been a few times where he got the impression he was being watched and he would have swore he caught an instant of eyeshine before it disappeared.  Whatever it was, if it were actually anything, it wasn't acting hostile.  Yet.<br/><br/>Cyrus had been entirely unaware of Pantea's approach while lost in his thoughts.  Though he had not been startled when she spoke to him seemingly coming out of nowhere.  He had long gotten used to the dhampir's uncanny ability to move silently like a hunting cat on the prowl.  In fact, it was one of the things he admired about her.  Casually, he turned his head to look at her, but his expression shown that of controlled interest and delight when he noticed just how much smooth flesh was now revealed from beneath the cloak.  Gradually, his gaze adjusted upward to meet her hypnotic blue eyes even though the progress was marginally slowed as he allowed himself to admire or body along the way.  When their eyes finally did meet, Cyrus had a familiar smile that shown equal parts playfulness, mischief, and desire.<br/><br/>"Surely you know by now how much I enjoy your company and always welcome it.  Please, have a seat."  He replied to her question, patting the ground immediately next to him.  Given her earlier statement and how much supple flesh she had shown him, Cyrus felt a flutter of excitement travel through his abdomen.<br/><br/><em>"I'll, um, take the last watch then, I guess... but... are you sure it's safe to sleep with... y'know... with them out there?"</em><br/><br/>Cyrus looked over toward Ceara who was clearly unsettled by something.  Only providing a bit of credence to what he had been unsure of catching in his peripheries.  "Whatever is out there hasn't made a move yet."  His tone was casual as though having beasties carefully watching for an opening to strike was commonplace in his life.  In a lot of ways, it was.  "Perhaps they're not hostile.  Maybe they're drawn by the fire's warmth or some vague representation of civilization in this wilderness.  We won't be sure of their intensions until they are ready to show them to us.  In such situations it's best to remain calm yet alert, and most importantly never let them see fear or otherwise give them the impression that you are potential prey.  That's some of the best advice I'd ever received whenever I was starting out, even if it did take me a little while to get a firm grasp on the practice."  Cyrus added that last part to help reassure Ceara.  After all, he had seen the situation from her perspective before, as does anyone who spends time outside the safety of town walls.  Those who don't react with the same wariness as Ceara had during their first time in such a situation rarely lives to tell about it.  Arrogance is more lethal than any blade to a green recruit.  As if to punctuate his statement, his eyes flicked to the ground at his side opposite of Pantea where his naked blade lay less than an inch away from the hand that supported his weight as he leaned back.  With a wink, Cyrus returned his attention to Pantea while keeping a portion of it directed at the woods behind him.