Shadow of the Moon (Roketto & BrilliantDays)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Roketto on 25-09-2012, 07:16:17</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>25-09-2012, 07:16:17</strong>
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				The festival that had followed the arrival of the odd caravan into town was unlike any the small village of Tarrinsvale had ever seen.&nbsp; The brightly colored carts and wagons had given way to equally eye-catching tents filled with strange and wondrous attractions of all sorts; from the brightly garbed exotic dancers with their jangling and scandalous outfits, to the fortune tellers, acrobats, and freaks of all shapes and sizes, the normally quiet little town was quickly consumed by the excitement of the celebrations.<br><br>Jaunty music filled the air as the smell of exotic meats, alcohol, and spices drifted along the breeze to tantalize and entice.&nbsp; Booths filled the streets and central square of the town as foreign peddlers boasted their wares and entertainers vied for the attention of each passing person, all while criers called for an audience for each bizarre show.&nbsp; <br><br>Though many shops and homes shuttered their doors to the revelries with mutterings of ill omen toward their gypsy visitors, the majority of the town seemed to welcome the change of pace with open arms and joyous laughter.&nbsp; The nomadic troupes were widely viewed to be little better than a pack of liars and thieves, yet with every town they visited, so many still welcomed the strange spectacles and trinkets they brought with their arrival.&nbsp; These eclectic caravans tended to be one of the few places the strange and bestial races could live and work without as much fear of persecution as if they attempted to do so alone; and as such, half-breeds were a fairly common sight among their number.<br><br>Amongst the crowd in the town square, a cheer erupted from the crowd there as a small band of minstrels started up a catchy, up-beat, tune from around the main fountain where they had set up.&nbsp; Soon enough, the crowd was clapping along to the beat and a whole new round of hooting and hollering going out as scantily clad dancers emerged from seemingly thin air among the crowd.&nbsp; Scantily clad in flowing outfits laced with bells, beads, and shiny trinkets, colorful scarves tied about their waists or draped around their shoulders, their lithe bodies moved in time with the music.&nbsp; There were both men and women among their numbers, though all seemed to possess an entrancing beauty regardless of race.&nbsp; A young elven woman garbed in bright oranges and reds danced among a throng of practically drooling young men, another dark-skinned beauty in blue distracting the baker's wife with his performance while a curvacious woman of orcish descent managed to catch the eye of a pair of the town's guardsmen.<br><br>The most exotic of their lot, however, was a remarkably agile creature that drew a gasp of awe from the crowd as he made his dramatic entrance in a whirl of smoke and shimmering energy when the band started their next song.&nbsp; His features seemed more suited to a creature of the night, slender horns swept back and up from his brow while his skin shone a deep jet-black.&nbsp; It was a stark contrast to his long, white, hair; a shock of which graced the tip of his long (and rather dexterous) tail.<br><br>Slitted crimson eyes scanned the crowd as he began to dance with the music, keen, pointed, ears listening for more than just the next notes of the smooth, almost haunting, tune of the bards' song.&nbsp; The deep violet of his revealing clothes left little to the imagination, vast expanses of that dark skin exposed for all to see as he moved through the entranced crowd with an almost unearthly grace.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>25-09-2012, 08:19:57</strong>
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				During his travels through the lower kingdom, the elven mage Laenyr made a concentrated attempt to keep a low profile. He made his way through small towns a ways off the coast, avoiding port towns and cities surrounding the capital. Such resulted in a longer journey, but it was a small price to pay for safe passage. A small price, true enough, but a maddening one. Had he not carried such precious cargo on a charge from the King of Adresil himself, he might have been less careful. For an elf of his years, he was a strong spellcaster indeed, but he had long since decided that a mission of this caliber was not the time to gamble with his safety.<br><br>Tarrinsvale had, upon his arrival, been more accommodating to his needs. Most notably, it was quiet and out of the way. He had found a cozy little inn to set his things and stable his horse, and with the town square only a short walking distance to the east, he had all that he needed within reach. Initially, he had planned only one night's stay in the town, but fatigue had won the battle and the mage chose to stay another. One more night, he had reasoned, surely couldn't make that big of an impact on his plans.<br><br>Laenyr awoke the next day to discover that his plans had not yielded the results he had so desired. Rather than a quiet day in the square, the silver-haired elf met with quite the spectacle. Hordes of citizens had left their homes to gallivant in the streets, mingling at the epicenter of the revelry itself. Gypsies. Nomads who traveled the continent in search of new towns in which to host their festivals and pawn their wares. Any other time, Laenyr might have looked upon the goings-on as exciting and wonderfully colorful. Now, however, his golden eyes looked upon the lot with some concern. On his person, he carried two silk pouches of some worth, and it was with some distress that he discreetly sought each out. Just to be sure of their presence.<br><br>This was truly the last thing he had expected.<br><br>Folding his hands inside the long sleeves of his robes - black in color, with brilliant patterns of silver spiraling out from the waist - Laenyr wasted no time. He made haste to the nearest shop with its doors still open, purchased what he would require for a meal, and departed. For the early hours of that afternoon, the long-legged elf remained away from the square, choosing instead to spend his time at the window of his room at the inn, reading through pamphlets which he had gathered on his journey through the lower kingdom. This occupied him for a good while, but as before, the need for sustenance arose. Many of the shops in town had closed. Most shopowners, Laenyr suspected, were either protesting the festivities or joining them at this hour. As such, it was with great reluctance that, come sundown, he journeyed back into the thick of the revelry.<br><br>As before, Laenyr did his utmost to walk on the edge of the crowds, preferring not to close himself in between the exotic dancers and various performers. Nonetheless, the spectacle was quite a marvel indeed, and the elf quickly found some interest in watching a group of dancers near the fountain. All were quite beautiful, he observed, all of them with skin dark from the sun, beads in their hair, and clothing as flamboyant as the banners on their carts.<br><br>The mage felt quite out of place among them in his colorless robes, with his fair skin and his long but unadorned mane. That was, granted, by design as a means to avoid attracting attention to himself. Still, he felt a touch envious of their freedom. Just for a moment, Laenyr wondered what it would be like to live as a gypsy lived, dressed in vibrant colors, spinning exotic tales for audiences, dancing in the streets... 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>25-09-2012, 09:52:25</strong>
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				While he worked to keep the crowd both entertained and distracted, the dancer in violet kept a close eye on the people around him.&nbsp; Mostly shopkeeps and the local citizens, there weren't many marks worth pursuing in the crowd when items of value were the order of the day.&nbsp; Parting a fool and his gold was simple enough, but in the smaller towns like these, robbing a person blind was rarely worth the hardship it would undoubtedly cause.&nbsp; The troupe, though thieves the lot of them, were not the sort to ruin a peasant's life when they could easily move on to larger cities and find far more enticing targets.&nbsp; Of course, that didn't stop the caravan from occasionally teaching a lesson or two with their swindling and shenanigans, but their aim had never been to bring simple folk to ruin.&nbsp; <em>That</em> great pleasure was reserved for the greedy merchant, the high and mighty noble, and the robber barons.<br><br>Still, it didn't take much for the dusky skinned gypsy to pick Laenyr out from the locals, his so-called bland clothes and fairer features setting him apart from the humans surrounding them.&nbsp; <br><br>Leaving a group of the town's young girls sighing as he bid them farewell with a blown kiss, the shadowy fiendspawn made his way back toward the center, signalling to the minstrels and other dancers with a series of melodic whistles to gather and start a new set.&nbsp; With a few hushed words exchanged, there were several nods before the group of dancers moved to a central clearing and raised their hands to hush the crowd.&nbsp; Stepping forward, the young man smiled brightly from behind the sheer veil over the lower half of his face and took a sweeping bow before clearing his throat.<br><br>"Thank you, everyone," his voice rang out over the crowd loud and clear, though distinctly accented, "I hope you are all enjoying your evening!"&nbsp; The cheers that arose from the crowd only seemed to fuel his excitement and he let out a bit of a laugh before gesturing for quiet once more.&nbsp; "Fantastic!&nbsp; Well, let me tell you, we have a treat for you tonight!&nbsp; All the way from the Eastern River Nations, the great - the talented - Madame Mirayam!"<br><br>As he gestured back toward the fountain, a sudden cloud of smoke burst forth, only to disappear to reveal a busty woman clad in fiery colored silks.&nbsp; A swift gesture of her hand set all the hanging lanterns about the square alight with a flare before they flickered to life, lighting the dimming streets with a dramatic flourish.&nbsp; As the music started again, she began to dance, the others of the troupe fanning out into the crowd to give her center stage while working their wiles on those they sought to entertain or distract.<br><br>With such a grand display like that to keep the attention of the crowd, the young man in violet danced and weaved his way back toward the elf, looping one of those silken scarves of his around the man's shoulders as he approached from behind, hoping to catch Laenyr's attention.&nbsp; "Hello, there," the dancer purred, flashing the other man a fanged smile as he sidled up to him, "What is the rush?&nbsp; Why not take some time to enjoy yourself before scurrying off..."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>25-09-2012, 10:20:35</strong>
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				Perhaps it was clear from the way Laenyr merely stood at the edge of the festivities, rather than join in, that he was not the sort for revelry. It was no longer a matter of enjoying or not enjoying the idea; at this point, it was a matter of his royal appointment. The prestige of his position had long since forbade him from joining in on the dancing, the drinking, the merry-making. Truth be told, he didn't miss it much. But he could nonetheless understand the allure of the nomads and their lifestyle.<br><br>Only the knowledge of the danger he would put himself in kept Laenyr from making some excuse to linger. As such, he recomposed himself, straightened up, and turned to leave. Best to have his pick of the smoked meat and cider before the villagers in the streets emptied out the reserves. The gypsies had a few attractive-looking stands, but Laenyr was wary of them. Perhaps it was merely his paranoia speaking, but he could have sworn that he felt a few eyes on him a few moments ago.<br><br>Only a few steps away from the same little stand from which he had purchased his afternoon meal, the elf stopped dead when a luxurious scarf circled his shoulders and prevented him from advancing. Laenyr stiffened for a moment, his sharp features maintaining a neutral expression but his golden eyes were cautious as he glanced aside, eyeing the dark-skinned gypsy. His voice, exotic in accent and melodic in tone, had a silken quality to it that made the mage want to melt, not entirely unlike the group of girls he had left swooning only a short minute before. Prestigious court mage or not, Laenyr had a weakness for the rakish sort. And the fanged gypsy dancer was just that.<br><br>"Ah. I'm afraid not." The elf inclined his head subtly, trying to take a good-natured tone in his attempt to brush him off. "I'm not quite the sort for festivals and the like. You'll have to forgive me." <br><br>Raising a hand to detangle himself from the clutches of the silken scarf, the fabric of the elf's sleeve slid down around his elbow, exposing a length of unmarred porcelain skin so different from that of the dark-skinned gypsy that he gave pause to appreciate the contrast. Only a moment, however, before he took a step sidelong to distance himself from the stranger. "There are plenty of other locals here for you to charm, I'm sure."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>25-09-2012, 10:48:08</strong>
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				Unaware of the other man's prestige or the importance of his mission and the item he carried, the dancer continued to pour on the charm, hoping to sway the man's decision in his favor.&nbsp; "Oh, come now," the gypsy all but pouted, batting those long lashes of his at Laenyr as he stepped in closer to keep the other man from getting away so easily, "Surely you can spare a moment to join me for a drink?"<br><br>He'd seen the look in the elf's eyes, that momentary flicker of weakness, a slight falter in that cool, distanced, demeanor; and the scoundrel fully intended to exploit it.&nbsp; "We do not often see people such as yourself in human kingdoms, you must have the most <em>fascinating</em> tales of your travels...&nbsp; If it is the crowds that bother you," he murmured, gently running a delicate, clawed, finger down the other man's chest as he gave Laenyr a rather suggestive little look, "I am sure we could find somewhere more peaceful to go..."<br><br>As he spoke, the sultry fiend slowly moved in closer, his tail languidly swaying behind him like a contented housecat.&nbsp; For the most part, the gypsy spoke the truth when he said that their troupe didn't often come across many elves, and there was a part of him that wanted to know more about the fair-skinned man.&nbsp; Of course, there was also a part of him that wanted to see what other sorts of things he could get out of Laenyr besides just stories.&nbsp; Like coin, or trinkets.&nbsp; As well as, perhaps, an evening of entertainment of another sort...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>25-09-2012, 11:04:19</strong>
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				Inwardly, Laenyr began cursing himself for the split-second break in his cool facade. He had learned long ago to remain stoic in the face of such temptation, and how did he apply his knowledge? By virtually going weak in the knees when <em>one</em> dashing gypsy flashed him a smile. The elf was composed and regal by nature, but he was not made of stone, and it had been long since he had last enjoyed someone's company in a more laid-back, carefree environment. He hated how weak it made im feel.<br><br>Golden eyes blinked down at the sharp-tipped finger moving along his front, just managing to part the top layer of his robes, and it was with considerable haste that the mage gently batted the hand away. He took care not to come across as overtly offensive, mostly for fear of angering the other nomads as well, but it was clear from the gesture that he was not about to let one little touch sway him from his resolve. No matter how devilishly charming the gypsy was.<br><br>"I can see there is no dissuading you," Laenyr sighed. Something told him that if he tried to walk away, the dancer would resort to other means to keep his interest. Perhaps by latching on with his tail and purring into his ear again, flashing those fangs in another of those wicked grins until he got his way. This frustrated the elf to no end. At the same time, however, it intrigued him. His position, however prestigious, was also considerably boring in parts, chock full of doctrine and rigid protocol. The gypsy was a change from all that.<br><br>And so, with great reluctance, the mage gave in. "One drink," he replied, holding up one long finger for emphasis. "And if it is all the same to you, I would prefer to remain near the crowd." The crowd was half the problem, but he knew that if it was just him and this dashing rogue, he would be in even more trouble. Best to stay somewhere relatively well-lit and populated, if at all possible.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>26-09-2012, 05:03:04</strong>
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				The dancer pulled his hand away after he'd been brushed off, a look of cool displeasure crossing his features as he'd already begun to think of other ways he might try to persuade the man, but...&nbsp; It didn't seem as though he'd have to worry about that!<br><br>Just as quickly as it had faded, that rakish grin returned in full force as the fiendspawn chuckled.&nbsp; "Smart man," he cooed, turning to lead Laenyr toward one of the numerous open-faced booths serving all manner of food and drink, though he did glance briefly back over his shoulder with a coy little grin, "And handsome, too~"&nbsp; As he turned, that slender tail of his brushed against the side of the elf's thigh, almost curling against it before he sauntered on ahead with a quick gesture toward the woman behind the booth's counter.<br><br>The gesture itself was fairly innocent, simply two fingers held up to indicate the number of drinks; but the wink he gave her while his back was to his mark told her the rest of the story.&nbsp; Smiling with a nod, she started to prepare a couple of drinks for the two as the dark-skinned dancer lead Laenyr over to a rather cushy seating area with numerous colorful pillows strewn about the place.&nbsp; Moving over, the scantily clad fiend sprawled back on one pile of the pillows, gracefully falling into what was obviously supposed to be an alluring position as he smiled up at the elf.<br><br>"Please," he purred, shifting a bit to get comfortable, "Make yourself comfortable."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>26-09-2012, 05:32:08</strong>
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				Laenyr very nearly groaned at the compliment thrown his way. He didn't believe it, not for an instant. Although he was not among those who demonized the gypsies, the elf was no fool, and he knew very well that they would say anything to charm people out of a few coins. As of yet, however, he wasn't sure what this one's game was, or what he wanted. So far, al he had requested was company. That was innocent enough.<br><br>But that tail certainly wasn't.<br><br>"Careful," he warned, shying away from the dextrous appendage. He wasn't sure whether that tail was after his coins or something else, but he wasn't willing to allow for either eventuality. Smoothing out his robes, the elf shuffled along after him, dropping the occasional "pardon me" to make his way through the crowd. Even in a less precarious situation, one in which he didn't carry a precious item in the satchel on his right, he wouldn't have been any more suited to the festival. Watching it, perhaps, but participating? It wasn't quite his style. He didn't know how to keep up.<br><br>Once they reached the little watering hole, Laenyr tried his utmost to relax a little. He already stood out, much to his chagrin, and he didn't care to draw any more eyes. For all his effort, though, he couldn't quite contain his surprise when the dancer sprawled out on the mess of pillows, the vibrant purple cloth just barely falling in a way that concealed parts of him which Laenyr had no desire to see. He was a modest elf. Not naive by any means, nor entirely passive, but quite modest. That the dancer was not came as no surprise, but it was no less... difficult to endure.<br><br>"Yes, well. As comfortable as one can be under the circumstances." Keeping a good arm's length between himself and the dancer, Laenyr sank down into the pile of cushions, one knee drawn up against his chest with the opposing leg flat, balancing his weight. "If I'm going to drink with you," he noted, observing the dark-skinned rogue, "I should have a name to call you." He half expected to be given a false name in response.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>26-09-2012, 07:04:21</strong>
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				Though he'd heard the warning tone in the other man's voice, it didn't stop the devious little scoundrel from trying to mess with him.&nbsp; He let Laenyr sit where he chose, giving the man his personal space as they waited for their drinks to arrive.&nbsp; For now, anyways.<br><br>"My name?" he cooed, shifting a bit with a stretch that brought that silky cloth dangerously close to slipping off in ways that would leave him rather exposed.&nbsp; "Well, it is rather difficult to pronounce for most people, but if you must know," he purred, his tail languidly curling near his bare feet before giving the other man a heavily accented answer, "It is Rhylaun."&nbsp; Considering how society viewed the gypsies, let alone his fiendish ancestry, he knew the man wouldn't believe it to be the truth, so why not just go ahead and tell him?<br><br>Smiling as his troupe-mate brought them their drinks, he sat up to accept his, with a murmured thanks in a decidedly foreign language before he held it out toward Laenyr with a little smile.&nbsp; "Cheers."<br><br>Now, while both drinks looked and smelled, even tasted, the same, they were decidedly different.&nbsp; They were both sweet and spicy, but the elf's drink had been laced with a far more potent alcohol; the drink's design was to taste completely innocent while getting the imbiber very, very, drunk as they'd consume several without realizing they were even intoxicated.&nbsp; One would get the average man buzzed, two would see him a bit more tipsy.&nbsp; Three would leave him rather inebriated, while four usually had him falling down drunk in no time at all.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>26-09-2012, 07:41:02</strong>
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				Although the dancer hadn't seemed very hesitant to divulge his name, Laenyr wasn't inclined to believe that it was his real one. Gypsies like "Rhylaun" were crafty. Perhaps especially gypsies who looked like the dancer, with horns atop his head and a tail behind him. No, believing a word that he said definitely wasn't an option. Not a good one, anyway. The elf suspended disbelief only long enough to offer the server a small smile of thanks as he took his drink.<br><br>It didn't occur to him that there was anything wrong with the concoction. It smelled just as he had expected, rich with exotic spices and mildly bitter with some foreign drink. Laenyr didn't recognize it, but it seemed interesting enough to give one go. One drink never killed anyone. And so, trying his utmost to put on a more pleasant expression, he offered a quick, good-natured clink of his glass against Rhylaun's before trying a sip of the sweet brew.<br><br>The taste hinted at notes of citrus and some spice which Laenyr didn't recognize, but its potency was lacking, the result of which saw him taking a large drink at once, downing a good portion of the serving. "I don't quite recognize the flavor," he remarked, trying to keep attention off himself by directing the course of conversation elsewhere. "Some sample from your travels, I gather." Nomads like Rhylaun traveled endlessly, and from those travels came a rich culture which, if he was honest, fascinated the elf.<br><br>In truth, Rhylaun's entire culture was as alluring as it was enigmatic. Shrouded but wonderful. So much so that he had to consciously keep his eyes from wandering, taking in the sight of the gypsy's elaborate (if revealing) wardrobe, so different from his own - or any other that he had seen. To mask his traveling gaze, Laenyr busied himself with another sip of the spiced drink.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>26-09-2012, 08:34:15</strong>
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				Try though the elf might to hide where his eyes traveled, the very fact that they did certainly didn't escape the notice of his drinking companion, who simply smiled and took a sip of his own (far less potent) drink.&nbsp; The way the gypsies dressed, especially the dancers, could easily be attributed to their eclectic culture; picking up bits and pieces of fashions from around the continent as they saw fit.&nbsp; Of course, they were also well known for favoring apparel that would shock and entice those from cultures where such scandalous things were taboo and the stuff of secret, well hidden, fantasies.<br><br>Surprised at how quickly Laenyr was downing his drink, the gypsy ran his forked tongue along his lips with a sly little grin.&nbsp; "It is," he nodded, the rich flavor of the spices still lingering on violet painted lips, "A recipe gifted to us by the natives of the far east islands...&nbsp; But speaking of travel," he leaned forward a bit, pulling those long, bare, legs of his up to rest his arms against, "I am sure <em>you</em>, my friend, have many stories to tell of your travels, considering how far your people's lands are from here..."&nbsp; As he moved, the little bells on his jewelry seemed to make just the softest of sounds, their silver surfaces practically glittering under the dim, flickering, lights from the lanterns and torches around the square.<br><br>Though he made sure not to invade the other man's personal space just yet, Rhylaun rather shamelessly positioned himself in such a way that, should his guest's eyes continue to wander, they would be treated to the slightest glimpse of more silver jewelry peeking out from the edge of that violet cloth where few would dare to consider wearing such things.&nbsp; <br><br>It was obvious the dancer enjoyed his jewelry; seemingly every expanse of exposed skin decorated with glittering, jingling, decorations, as well as some far less mundane pieces.&nbsp; Those long, pointed, ears of his had numerous piercings along their length with little silver chains connecting some while shiny little baubles hung from others.&nbsp; There were even a tiered pair of chains that ran from the piercing in the base of his left earlobe to a small jeweled stud in his left nostril, the decoration more obvious when he lifted that sheer veil to take another sip of his drink.&nbsp; He even seemed to have a pair of hoops pierced through his lower lip, almost in line with those wicked little canines of his, not to mention the pair of shining silver hoops baring little dangling bells that pierced the impossibly dark skin of his nipples.<br><br>"So, my friend," the devious little fiend purred with a smile, "Now that I have given you mine, perhaps I may have the pleasure of knowing <em>your</em> name as well?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>26-09-2012, 08:56:00</strong>
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				At this point, Laenyr wanted little more than to concentrate on finishing his drink, closing the evening, and retiring to his room at the inn. By and large, it was a much better idea than remaining out in the open among a throng of people, most of them scoundrels. His paranoia was well-placed, he decided, and it was with that thought in mind that he brought the glass to his lips again for another quick sip.<br><br>But then, he thought, the paranoia was likely to make him stick out even more. After all, what was more conspicuous than an uneasy drinker? With this, he lowered the cup, running his spindly fingers over the rim of it, tracing the tiny drops of liquid left behind on its edge. "I might," he replied, his tone quiet in his attempt to recompose himself. "Unfortunately, you've caught me on a rather exhausting night. I'm not much for storytelling in this state."<br><br>Nor would he be if he kept drinking, yet the sight of the dancer's many adornments left him parched. In all his years, traveling from his homeland and into Adresil, he had never seen a man quiet like Rhylaun. As though the contrast between that stark white hair and dusky skin wasn't enough, he had more than his fair share of ornament to draw the eye from his face all the way down his body. Beneath the violet cloth, the elf could even spot the sparkle of more silver...<br><br>Swallowing deeply, Laenyr turned his head and sighed. He felt a bit warm now, and he immediately attributed it to the fluster when in truth, the drink was the culprit. He hadn't had nearly enough to feel disarmed, only warm and perhaps a little more pleasant. That, too, he attributed to the reaction which the gypsy had caused. Deliberately, at that.<br><br>"Hm? Ah... I suppose that is only fair." He inclined his head, sitting back, his gaze seeking that of the dancer's. "Laenyr." After all of one drink, the elf had divulged more information than he cared to. Rhylaun couldn't have possibly derived his status or position in society from his given name alone, which settled him some, and the alcohol content soothed him the rest of the way. Suddenly, he felt less wary of the man. Rhylaun hadn't been <em>too</em> inappropriate with him... why worry?
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>26-09-2012, 09:53:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Aw," Rhylaun pouted a little at that, truly having wanted to get at least one story out of the other man before the evening was through.&nbsp; But, he supposed, a name would have to suffice for now.&nbsp; Besides, he'd already caught that flustered blush and the way the other man's eyes kept wandering to places he obviously wasn't thinking about before he'd realized where he was looking.&nbsp; "Very well, then," he sighed, finishing off his own drink before gesturing for another round as he settled back into the pillows.&nbsp; <br><br>When the elf relinquished his name, Rhylaun brightened right back up as he repeated it right back, "Laenyr..."&nbsp; Despite his accent, the gypsy pronounced it correctly, though the way it rolled off his tongue was rather decidedly seductive in tone as he smiled at the man.&nbsp; "An attractive name well suited to such an attractive man..."<br><br>He couldn't have guessed at the Laenyr's status, nor his connection with the king's court, so all the gypsy could really gather from the man before him was that he was most definitely not from around these parts.&nbsp; He was well dressed in a rather subdued sort of way, obviously not wanting to call attention to himself.&nbsp; Perhaps this traveler was simply not one for socializing; it certainly seemed as though the idea of such interactions was enough to put him on edge.&nbsp; Perhaps another drink and a bit of time would loosen him up enough to let him relax...<br><br>"You are obviously uncomfortable," he sighed, disappointment apparent in that smooth voice, "Is there something I can do to fix that?&nbsp; A story, perhaps?"&nbsp; Rhylaun watched the elf intently before he flashed the man a sly, rather suggestive, grin as their second drinks were delivered, "A dance?&nbsp; <em>Please</em>, is there <em>anything</em> I can do for you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>26-09-2012, 10:13:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				For a moment, Laenyr actually felt somewhat guilty for his suspicions. Thus far, Rhylaun had proven overly flirtatious and enthusiastic, but... not criminal, the way he had initially feared. Due to the potency of the drink he had just finished, the elf's senses had begun to dull. Considerably less sharp than before, he thought that perhaps his fears had been misplaced. Perhaps he had been hasty. Perhaps he had simply kept to himself for too long.<br><br>Yes. Surely, that had to be it.<br><br>With the second round on th eway, the mage actually laughed a bit at the options presented to him. A story was harmless, but dancing? "Oh, gods, please spare us all that disaster in the making," he muttered, nudging away the empty glass. For a moment, his eyes lingered on Rhylaun's elegantly long legs, before he again sought out his gaze. "You... You make dancing look so easy. As much as it shames me, I'm far less gifted in that respect." The elf had a long, lean body, certainly befitting of a dancer, but he had not the knowledge. Dancing hadn't been part of the curriculum when he had begun his apprenticeship those ages ago.<br><br>By now, Laenyr's head had begun to swim. The alcohol, potent as it was, had quite the effect on him. To begin with, the elf was not much of a drinker; two more of those and he would be completely useless. The concoction was as crafty as the brewers, however, and so he didn't quite feel its effects. Not yet. But as he picked up his second round, he was well on his way to exactly the state Rhylaun wanted him in.<br><br>"Tell me," he said, relaxing into the nest of pillows behind him, his eyes more bright now than before, "of the town you visited last. Then, perhaps, I will be more inclined to dance with you." He regretted that statement the moment it left his lips, but there was no taking it back now. "You travel extensively, yes? You must have such knowledge of the land."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>26-09-2012, 10:47:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				All too familiar with the effects of that insidious little drink, Rhylaun was more than a little surprised to see his companion already so influenced by its subtle effects.&nbsp; He almost regretted ordering a second round of the same stuff for the man, but figured he could pretty easily distract Laenyr before he finished the next one and ended up too drunk to be fun.<br><br>The compliment to his skill at his profession made the gypsy smile with a slight nod of thanks before he raised an eyebrow at the man.&nbsp; A story and he might get him dancing?&nbsp; Oh, now that was just too good an opportunity.<br><br>"You know, I was simply offering to dance for <em>you</em>," he batted those long lashes before grinning deviously, "But if you would rather join me, I can certainly trade you a story for the honor."&nbsp; Before the other man could take back his words or attempt to back out of the deal he'd just accidentally made, the gypsy started into a long and sordid tale of their troupe's experiences in the last notable city they'd been in.<br><br>They'd passed through numerous smaller little villages, but hadn't done anything terribly exciting until they'd come to the dwarven crossroads city of Stonehaven, right along the kingdom's western border.&nbsp; The troupe had received a wary and suspicious welcome, but after a few days the locals had seemed to warm up to them.&nbsp; They offered their usual celebrations and revelries to the locals, and soon enough everyone had seemed to join the party.&nbsp; In fact, everything was going so swimmingly that even the guards had gone and let themselves get distracted by the festivities and in the middle of the third night, a goblin war-band had laid siege to the town.<br><br>Well, that was, until the foul little creatures made off with one of the troupe's casks of their most potent liquor.&nbsp; Within a few hours after the goblins had gotten a hold of it, the entire band of them (which numbered in the hundreds, mind you) was out cold.&nbsp; Now, the townsfolk, being good and honorable people, weren't willing to just slaughter them while they were helpless.&nbsp; So they waited until morning to sound the horns, sending the now severely hungover goblins into a panic and the whole lot of them was easily driven off as the little pests clutched their aching heads and ran for the hills.<br><br>All the while as he relayed the story, Rhylaun gestured in a rather animated way, doing his best to reenact the whole thing on his own as he spoke.&nbsp; Partly, he just loved to share the exciting stories from his own life with others, but he was also working to try to distract Laenyr before he got more than halfway through with his drink.<br><br>"By the time the last of them were driven off," he laughed, relaxing back into the pillows with a grand gesture, "Not a single person involved could keep a straight face!&nbsp; Behold, the great Goblin Horde; defeated by a single cask of liquor!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>26-09-2012, 20:32:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Laenyr wanted to take it back the second he had said it. Now, even more so. Hanging his head, strands of his long, lustrous silver mane fell over his face, hopefully hiding his shamed expression. Not only had he misinterpreted Rhylaun's intentions, but he had also <em>voluntarily</em> submitted himself to almost certain embarrassment. He was no dancer and it was very likely to show, but he was a man of his word and so, with a light exhale, he sat back to listen to the gypsy recall his last adventure.<br><br>For all his initial reservations, the elf found himself fairly engrossed in the story, and he actually laughed with utter amusement as he saw where the tale was headed. He had expected a retelling of the festivities Rhylaun almost certainly encountered on a regular basis, so when instead he focused on the aftermath, Laenyr found it difficult to feign disinterest. This, of course, had quite a bit to do with the dancer's knack for storytelling. Gypsies had a reputation for spinning elaborate yarns, some true and some not.<br><br>"A single cask? What a stroke of luck for those guards, hm? And what a scare for the war-band!" The elf laughed good-naturedly, and with a touch of irony, he took a sip from his second glass, no doubt laced with the very same liquor that had the goblins passed out drunk. By this point, he had taken only a small amount of the second serving, which left him good and cheerful, not to mention light-headed. Yet his vision was clear, which blinded him to his true state.<br><br>"Ah, what an exciting life you must lead... Traveling as you do, you must have a good many stories like that." As a spellcaster for the king, Laenyr was fairly well-traveled himself, but his journeys were significantly less exciting. His treks across the kingdom called for a different tone altogether from the jovial nature of Rhylaun's travels. The elf was far from jealous, but he did admit to a bit of intrigue.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>27-09-2012, 07:20:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"A single cask," the gypsy reiterated with a nod, noting the man's progress on his second drink.&nbsp; He wanted to get the other man drunk without going overboard, still intent on getting a bit of his own entertainment out of Laenyr before the night was through.&nbsp; Whether that resulted in a story of the man's travels, a few coin, a dance, or even something involving a bit more exercise than that, it didn't matter, so long as there was fun to be had.&nbsp; Over the course of the story, Rhylaun had subtly inched himself closer to the other man to the point where they were both now easily within arm's reach of one another.&nbsp; <br><br>"So, Laenyr, now that I have told you a story, I believe it is your turn to uphold your end of our little deal.&nbsp; However, I am willing to offer you a couple options...&nbsp; You can join me for a dance, as you had originally offered," he flashed the elf a knowing smile, though there was still definitely mischief in those crimson eyes, "Or you can tell me about some of <em>your</em> travels.&nbsp; As you can see, a story can bring great entertainment to those who hear it, and I do so <em>love</em> a good story."<br><br>"Unless, of course, you have another form of entertainment you would like to suggest," Rhylaun purred and fixed the elf with sultry look, arching his back in a stretch before draping himself back over the pillows.&nbsp; As he did so, that tricky tail of his brushed against Laenyr's ankle in a not-quite-accidental manner while he did his best to look appealing for the other man.&nbsp; Sure, it was a rather bold move, but he'd been flirting with the man the entire evening so far, and (if nothing else) it might prove to be such an outrageous offer that the other options would seem far more mild and appealing in comparison.<br><br>And, hey, if the other man <em>did</em> decide to pick that option, who was he to complain!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>27-09-2012, 08:17:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Influenced enough by the spiced concoction, Laenyr didn't quite realize how close Rhylaun had gotten until he was within arm's reach. Indeed, had the elf desired, he could have reached out and touched the dancer wherever he liked, from the lean surface of his chest to the devastatingly lengthy legs below... and then some. At this, he very nearly blushed, mortified by his train of thought. He had never once harbored such thoughts about a man he didn't know, and this unnerved him greatly.<br><br>Had Laenyr been in his right mind, he might have thought to blame the drink. As it was, however, he still regarded it as an innocent component and took one last sip, leaving the glass only half empty when at last he set it aside. His body had begun to process the stuff, leaving him quite intoxicated indeed. Had he stood, he might have had to rely on the gypsy to keep him on his feet. Truly, drinking was not his strongest suit.<br><br>"Oh, I have more options now, do I?" The elf chuckled, sitting back, his long silver mane cascading over the surface of a ruby red pillow. "Ah, let's see now..." Much to his surprise, Rhylaun had grown bolder with his advances, allowing that wicked tail of his to touch his leg. The shock, however, no longer registered as disdain or general concern. A side effect of the drink, of course, and nothing more. "Well... I suppose I could part with one story." It seemed a far better option than letting the gypsy drag him out to dance. And <em>certainly</em> better than that third option...<br><br>And so, Laenyr did his utmost to spin a story worthy of the one he himself had just received. He told the dancer of his initial journey away from his omeland, the time when he had made the biggest change of his life by leaving behind his old life in the small town of Balath for a bigger, more advanced city in the upper kingdom of Adresil. His tale was considerably less comedic in value, however, the prose centered on the vast differences between the two kingdoms and the challenges he had encountered. Namely how overwhelmed he had felt during those first few days, knowing not a soul and fumbling with the local customs.<br><br>Back then, the mage had spoken only Elvish, which had proven his biggest disadvantage. The languages in Adresil proved more complex than he had expected, and only after a few horrific (some amusing) mishaps had he managed to conquer the kingdom's higher dialect. "To be honest, the syntax still baffles me." He chuckled, fingers idly tracing over the rim of the glass sitting nearly forgotten at his side. "I sometimes forget myself and prattle on in my native tongue until someone corrects me."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>27-09-2012, 09:44:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Smiling as his little plan seemed to have worked, the dancer settled in to listen to Laenyr's story.&nbsp; Even if it wasn't a tale of high adventure and excitement like the one the gypsy had spun, it was a fascinating one nonetheless.&nbsp; Rhylaun couldn't deny that he lived an exciting life, in fact it was something he thoroughly enjoyed to its fullest whenever he had the opportunity to do so.&nbsp; However, if there was one thing he'd learned from swapping stories with others throughout the kingdoms, it was that <em>everyone</em> had a story worth telling.&nbsp; So he listened, intently, to the other man speak as he relaxed next to the elf.<br><br>It was obvious the drink had definitely taken hold in the way Laenyr spoke and acted.&nbsp; He didn't seem nearly so tense as he had before; he was relaxed, smiling, even chuckling at his own difficulties with languages.&nbsp; It was a good sign, in the gypsy's opinion, as now he at least seemed to be enjoying himself.&nbsp; After all, that <em>was</em> the idea behind a festival, was it not?&nbsp; Sure, ulterior motives were always at work when it came to how and why the troupe did things, but the nomadic group had never been particularly malicious in their underhanded dealings.&nbsp; A touch sinister, perhaps, but even when they lightened a few coinpurses, it was never with the intent to do serious harm. <br><br>Over the course of the elf's story, Rhylaun found he simply couldn't help but enjoy the man's company.&nbsp; Laenyr was certainly different from his usual marks, his modest, yet calm, demeanor both impressive and rather frustrating at the same time.&nbsp; Only once before had he ever put this much effort into flirtations, only to find himself getting nowhere fast.&nbsp; And that unfortunate incident had nearly ended with the gypsy swinging from the gallows.&nbsp; It wasn't an experience he ever intended to repeat, but the fact that the elf seemed both interested, yet reluctant, only made the dark-skinned dancer keep at it.&nbsp; <br><br>Deciding to up the ante a bit, he let his tail brush against Laenyr's leg again, but rather than a passing touch, he simply let it rest there for a time.&nbsp; Slowly, as the elf seemed to get more engrossed in the telling of his tale, Rhylaun let that dexterous appendage just casually drape around the man's ankle.<br><br>"Even so, you are so well spoken!&nbsp; On the bright side," the fiendspawn smiled, recalling his own difficulties with mastering the languages of the regions they traveled, "At least your native tongue is pleasant on the ears?&nbsp; If I had to pick any language to have to listen to prattling in, I can say with certainty that yours would easily rank among the highest on my list."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>27-09-2012, 10:11:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The more Laenyr spoke of it, the more he missed his homeland. The upper kingdom reminded him of it sometimes, with its rolling green hills and streams of crystal clear water running through, but the two were never quite the same. Occasionally, he pined for the simple little town, the easy pace of it. But only occasionally. Despite his occasional frustration with his post, he did enjoy the life he led. Restlessness was simply an unfortunate aspect with which he had learned to live.<br><br>Briefly, the mage glanced between them, more amused now than annoyed when he spotted the gypsy dancer's tail draped over his leg. The layers of clothing he wore did well to disspell any unwanted attention, and if he was perfectly honest with himself, he found the attention somewhat... appealing. Not enough for him to act on the base urges he felt creeping to the surface, but enough for him to allow the flirtation. For now. He would probably think differently if Rhylaun tried anything else with that dextrous limb of his. Probably.<br><br>"You have been around other elves, then?" Once the question had left his lips, he felt silly for asking. Nomads like Rhylaun traveled endlessly; no doubt he had been in an elven village at least once in his lifetime. Or at least encountered their little communities in his travels. Ah, that dusky skinned nomad was an interesting one at that... Laenyr almost felt guilty for having suspected him so strongly of villainy.<br><br>He might have felt more guilty, in fact, had the liquor not begun to dull his sense of morality and propriety. By no means was he intoxicated to the point of nonsensical thought, but he was certainly drunk enough to entertain a few more uncensored notions. Namely how intriguing he found the gypsy's body jewelry, maybe especially the rings he sported in his ears. Rhylaun's pointed ears were only slightly longer than Laenyr's, and for a moment, the mage reached up to the unmarred pieces of cartilage, curious. He would never have dreamed of enduring that sort of body modification, but he had to ask.<br><br>"Your ears... Did you feel pain when the jewelry was placed?" Gods, and what of all the other places Rhylaun had been pierced? Laenyr had no inkling of whether this was a common practice among the gypsy's kind, but on this particular scoundrel, they looked rather dashing.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>27-09-2012, 10:47:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"A few.&nbsp; Of course, the festivities there tend to be rather different than in towns like this," he chuckled at the man's first question, practically able to see the train of thought after it had been asked.&nbsp; Laenyr was, actually, quite correct in realizing that the nomadic troupe had come across a few elven communities, though they rarely ever threw quite the same celebrations there as they did in human and dwarven lands.&nbsp; They tended to involve far less drunken debauchery and far more communal dancing and storytelling.&nbsp; <br><br>While he knew the other man was certainly intoxicated, Rhylaun hadn't really expected that gentle contact, though he <em>certainly</em> didn't try to stop it.&nbsp; Smiling at Laenyr with an amused sidelong glance, the gypsy let those fingers trace along his decorated ear even as they caused a slight shiver to dance its way up his spine.&nbsp; His ears, among other locations on his body, were particularly sensitive to the touch and the fact that the other man was making such contact only seemed to encourage him.&nbsp; <br><br>"Mmh, yes," he admitted with a bit of a shrug, still grinning deviously as he shifted himself ever-so-slightly closer to the elf, "But the pain was brief and I rather like the end result.&nbsp; Besides, those were certainly not the most painful of the ones that I have."&nbsp; Piercings, in general, were fairly common among the nomadic gypsies; the decorations favored for their aesthetics, the shock value among most other cultures, as well as the fact that there were <em>other</em> uses for them beyond just looking pretty.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>27-09-2012, 22:30:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Laenyr only realized the extent of his actions by the time it was too late to take them back. He remembered being mildly curious about the gypsy's piercings, and the next thing he knew, his long fingertips took to grazing one of them, marveling at the thin chains connecting them. At this, he came back to himself, quickly deciding that the touch was very much inappropriate and thus drawing his hand away again, slightly more flustered for it.<br><br>"You'll have to forgive me," he muttered, folding both arms inside his long sleeves. "That was rather out of place, no?" A self-deprecating chuckle fell from his lips, and it was all he could do not to turn positively red with embarrassment. It wasn't like him to <em>touch</em> people whose names he could barely pronounce. It seemed horrifically out of character for him, and although he knew he should have been absolutely mortified by his actions, he seemed only amused by them. Certainly not the actions of the elf he had been a short while before.<br><br>"I confess," the elf added, shifting about until he could neatly fold his legs beneath him, "your entire culture is quite overwhelming for me, in a manner of speaking. My people are quite sedate in comparison. As a consequence, your... ornamentation," namely the multiple pieces of jewelry dangling from his body, in addition to the bright colors he sported on his clothing, "is fascinating to me. New and quite fascinating."<br><br>The nomadic troupes were certainly not among the kind Laenyr encountered in his work. Oh, certainly, he mingled with members of other races in the grand galas held by the royal family, but they had never quite matched the exotic nature of Rhylaun and his fellow gypsies. No, he was a very new breed entirely. A very alluring one, at that.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>28-09-2012, 06:18:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Even if the touch was practically feather-light, Rhylaun had been rather enjoying it.&nbsp; So when Laenyr suddenly seemed to come to his senses and withdraw, there was a momentary look of surprise before one pale eyebrow raised at the man's words.<br><br>"Oh?&nbsp; I <em>have</em> to forgive you, do I?" he purred with a mischievous little glint in those sultry eyes as he leaned in close to the man, invading his personal space a little without actually touching him yet, "And what will you do if I do not?&nbsp; I find it hardly <em>fair</em> that you should get to touch as you like when it is clear that <em>you</em> would not allow <em>me</em> the same pleasure..."&nbsp; The gypsy simply couldn't help himself when such a ripe opportunity to tease the other man arose, though his taunting little pout soon turned right back into an amused grin as he settled back against the pillows with an exaggerated sigh.<br><br>"But I <em>suppose</em> it is alright," the dancer rolled his eyes with a slight laugh, enjoying the flustered look to the elf.&nbsp; It was subtle, a testament to the strong self-control Laenyr possessed.&nbsp; He'd remained far more stoic and dignified than the vast majority of anyone the fiendspawn had ever worked his wiles on, and even after such a little slip up like that he was willing to take accountability for his actions.&nbsp; Very noble, indeed.&nbsp; Still, Rhylaun couldn't help but flash the man a sly grin and a wink, "But only because you are so cute when you blush like that."<br><br>"Besides, if you are so curious, I am sure I could show you <em>far</em> more <em>fascinating</em> things than a few bits of jewelry..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>28-09-2012, 07:37:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Laenyr couldn't remember ever blushing in his life, but when Rhylaun leaned in like that, so straightforward in his desires, he was almost certain that his fair features had flushed with pink. This, in turn, only flustered him more, and it was with an awkward clearing of his throat that he managed to regain some semblance of composure. Had he not indulged with the exotic drink, he might have handled himself better, or at least had the presence of mind to shrug it off.<br><br>But such was not the case. If anything, the potent concoction had made Laenyr quite vulnerable to the thoughts he usually repressed. More specifically, vulnerable to the self-indulgent notion of throwing caution to the wind and simply enjoying the flirtation. He had a mind to participate, even. Consequently, he smiled, shoving down the unease in favor of the warm, fluttery feeling he entertained in the pit of his stomach each time the gypsy flashed him that wicked grin.<br><br>"Oh, I have no doubt." The elf chuckled. "With that kind of confidence about you, you must know of a great many things that would fascinate me. But are you so sure that I'll indulge you?" With a mind to challenge Rhylaun, the mage leaned forward a bit, his gaze slightly less focused as he sought those devilish scarlet eyes of his. Thus far, Laenyr had been a bit too passive for his own liking, allowing the dancer to best him. Now, he wanted nothing more than to make Rhylaun work a little harder for his attention.<br><br>Laenyr had something of an impulsive streak. He kept it well-hidden for the sake of preserving his reputation and making better use of his skill set, but he did have it in him to have a bit of fun. Rhylaun presented an opportunity to do so. Why not indulge a little?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>28-09-2012, 08:21:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The moment Laenyr issued that little challenge of his, the dancer froze for a moment, stunned as he stared at the man.&nbsp; His tail halted mid curl, eyes and expression clearly betraying his surprise at this sudden turn of events.&nbsp; He hadn't expected <em>that</em>!&nbsp; With how the elf had been acting, Rhylaun had pretty well come to the conclusion that, at best, he'd be helping his companion back to whatever inn the man was staying in, with maybe a little coin lifted in the process.&nbsp; <em>This</em>, however, was a far more interesting twist to the night's tale, and one he wasn't about to pass up.<br><br>Quickly recovering from his surprise, the gypsy's expression quickly twisted with devious intent as he flashed a sly grin at the man.&nbsp; "Indulge me?&nbsp; Well, I had not been expecting anything of the sort, to be honest," Rhylaun purred as he practically slithered closer to the elf, "But now I am beginning to wonder..."<br><br>With an ease and grace befitting one of his profession, the dancer closed the distance between them until he was on his knees right next to Laenyr, leaning in with his hands braced against the pillows to either side of the other man's hips.&nbsp; Careful to get as close as he could without actually touching his fair-featured, blushing, companion, Rhylaun leaned up to purr into his ear.&nbsp; "So tell me," his breath ghosted over the elf's skin, even through the sheer fabric of his veil, "What would I have to do to earn the privilege of such an opportunity?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>28-09-2012, 09:16:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Truth be told, Laenyr had no intention of allowing anything to continue beyond words. Rhylaun was a horrible flirt, that much was clear, and while the elf was willing to give back at least some of what he received, his end game was not to see himself and the gypsy tumbling into bed together. He simply didn't operate that way, much as he sometimes wished that he did. Oh, it would've been nice, but it was beyond him to allow.<br><br>That didn't mean, however, that he couldn't flirt back just a <em>little bit.</em> Surely there wasn't any harm in that.<br><br>Raking his eyes over the dancer's scandily clad frame, the silver-haired elf grinned to himself. There were certainly worse fates than this, he decided, and although some part of him was still cautious, he couldn't quite bring himself to suspect Rhylaun of anything other than impure thoughts. And at this point, Laenyr had enough of those to go around. He thought about mapping out the other man's body with his hands, counting all the piercings he bore, exploring every bit of that dark, lovely skin. Only his modest nature kept him from reaching out and touching him again, despite the close proximity.<br><br>"Ah, Rhylaun... I think we have neither the time nor the opportunity," Laenyr chuckled despite himself, allowing a brief graze of his fingers to the soft, sheer veil over his mouth. "Lovely as you are - and you <em>are</em> lovely... I'm afraid it would take more than one night and two drinks."<br><br>Granted, those two drinks had begun to go to his head, the combined effect of which made the number of servings equivalent to four or five, and he was just beginning to notice as much. When he moved to slide out from beneath the gypsy, his movements felt rather awkward, like his body was not his own. Consequently, he very nearly fell back into the pillows, catching himself only by grabbing onto Rhylaun's upper arm for balance. Was he really such a lightweight...?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>28-09-2012, 09:49:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The look in Laenyr's eyes, the way they looked him up and down, it made it perfectly obvious that the elf's thoughts were less than chaste.&nbsp; Even so, he managed to keep his hands to himself, much to Rhylaun's great disappointment as he came to realize that which the other man told him mere moments before the words were even uttered.<br><br>Sighing, the gypsy's shoulders and tail sagged a bit while the deviousness and mischief faded from his expression.&nbsp; "Now that was just <em>cruel</em>," Rhylaun gave him a mock pout as he sat back on his heels, though the moment the elf's balance faltered he moved to help the man to his feet, "I think it is time to get you back to the safety of your bed before you fall and hurt yourself."&nbsp; He offered Laenyr a slight smile as he slid an arm around the man's waist, though his disappointment at the situation was rather clear.&nbsp; Getting one of the taller man's arms draped over his shoulders for good measure, he helped to provide balance and support so that his inebriated companion would be able to walk.<br><br>Despite the fact that he was now making a fair bit of physical contact, the flirtatious dancer actually kept it appropriate to the situation, not taking any liberties or advantage of the fact that Laenyr was more than a little impaired at the moment.&nbsp; "You will have to tell me where to go, my friend," Rhylaun chuckled a bit as he helped the man along, "I do not know where you are staying, nor am I actually a mind reader."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>28-09-2012, 23:05:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The elf offered a small, apologetic smile. Even while significantly intoxicated, he wasn't quite capable of doing that which Rhylaun had hoped. Laenyr had his pride, his modesty; those were hard to overcome. Dropping into bed with a man he barely knew would have greatly compromised his chaste lifestyle. Oh, but what an appealing option... If he was to ever throw care to the wind and indulge himself, it would almost certainly be with a dashing rogue like Rhylaun.<br><br>Sadly... not tonight.<br><br>"A bit, perhaps..." Laenyr sighed, still reeling from the initial shock of his sudden drop, relying on Rhylaun's weight to keep himself from tumbling into the pillows. Fortunately, the gypsy didn't seem inclined to let him fall, and it was with great relief that the elf began working his way back up onto his feet, once more supported by the other man.<br><br>Only then did he realize how strongly the liquor had affected him. Up until now, he had felt only mildly inebriated, but as he stumbled trying to stand to his full height, he very nearly felt the ground begin to fall out from under him. Quite confused, the elf reached up to palm his forehead, as though that would help to clear his line of sight. "I only had two, yes?" he murmured, trying to determine how he had managed to reach such a state.<br><br>"Hm? Oh... The north path leading out of the square." He couldn't remember the name of the little inn to save his life. "A few doors down from the baker. I could probably manage on my own," he insisted, although it was clear that his current state would not allow him to wander about on his own. Not safely, anyway. "I would hardly want to trouble you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>01-10-2012, 09:09:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helping him along with a bit of a chuckle, Rhylaun shook his head.&nbsp; "No, no I do not think you could, my friend.&nbsp; You are quite drunk, it seems, and I would <em>hate</em> for something to happen to you after such a lovely evening."&nbsp; The gypsy did rather regret ordering the second drink as they made their way up the main road toward the baker's and the inn beyond.&nbsp; Had he realized just how easy it was to get the elf inebriated, he would've ordered something far less potent for the man.&nbsp; But oh well, no sense in dwelling on the past.<br><br>Walking along with the sounds of the festival behind them, the fiendspawn kept an eye on their surroundings, easily spotting the inn as they approached.&nbsp; "This is the place, no?&nbsp; Which room is yours?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>02-10-2012, 23:03:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				On some level, Laenyr knew that he should have been somewhat cross with the rogue for talking him into drinking at all. Had Rhylaun left him be, he would have purchased a few items of food to get himself through the night, returned to his room, and gotten a relatively decent night's sleep. Now, instead, he was horribly drunk, more so with every step he took, relying on Rhylaun for support. Without him, the proud elf would have easily wound up face down in the dust.<br><br>"Ah. Yes. Right place, but..." Much to his embarrassment, Laenyr couldn't quite remember which room he had rented. There were only three rooms in total, and he chuckled at his sudden lack of clarity, covering his face with one hand. "Oh, gods, I can't quite remember which room... The third, I believe, at the end of the hall?" He took a moment to reflect, stealing a quick glance at the dark-skinned male at his side with some fascination. Rhylaun's arm felt warm around him, comfortable; and from up close, those piercings looked even more lovely...<br><br>Clearing his throat awkwardly, the elf straightened up a little ways, flustered by the sudden wave of heat beneath his clothes. Now was not a time to become aroused, but with the dancer so close, he had a hard time suppressing all of his heated thoughts.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>15-10-2012, 01:37:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The way Laenyr seemed to be getting flustered certainly hadn't escaped the fiendspawn's attention, but he pretended not to notice for the time being.&nbsp; If he was lucky, the longer he let the man stew in his repressed desires, the more likely he was to convince such an up-tight, controlled, person to let loose and maybe let the gypsy under those robes after all.<br><br>Grinning as he heard that chuckle, Rhylaun lead the drunken elf carefully up the stairs and down the hall of the inn, stopping outside the third door.&nbsp; "You have a key, yes?" the gypsy tilted his head as he looked up at the taller man with an amused expression, "If it does not work, we could always just try the other doors."<br><br>While he normally wouldn't have had an issue with sticking his hands into the man's clothes looking for a key, the dancer didn't think Laenyr would really appreciate such 'friendliness' in his current state.&nbsp; And, really, the last thing he wanted to do was set the man off before he got him safely to a bed, or at least a room, where he wouldn't have to worry about the elf coming to serious harm.&nbsp; Sure, Rhylaun was a thief and a con artist, but he was certainly no thug!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>15-10-2012, 10:25:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With the alcohol in his system, Laenyr had a difficult time remaining objective. His goal was to get back to his room, lay down, and go to sleep. But for the life of him, all he could think about were the gypsy's devilish good looks. That dark skin, the array of jewelry adorning his body, the barely-there shreds of clothing... He was exactly the sort for whom the elf would, in better circumstnaces, throw caution to the wind.<br><br>But at that point, all he wanted was sleep.<br><br>"A fine state I'm in," he muttered, reluctantly drawing back from Rhylaun's arms to fish through his robes, "when I can't even remember my own room." He laughed at himself. The other man's easygoing nature made it difficult for the elf to remain perturbed for long.<br><br>Finally, his fingers latched onto the brass key, which he used to unlock the door. Thankfully, he had remembered the correct one. Relieved, he tottered inside, minding where the ceiling dipped in places, and without thinking, he tossed his belongings onto the flat top of a clothes chest - two purses, each of equal weight, one clunking against the wood while the other jingled with coins. He didn't think to guard them any longer.<br><br>"Thank you," Laenyr offered at last, reaching for the dark-skinned gypsy's arm when he felt himself close to stumbling again. "For taking me back. I might not have made it without you." If only he had known that Rhylaun put him in this predicament in the first place, his words might have been considerably less appreciative.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>18-10-2012, 00:34:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hovering by the man as he fished out the key to his room, Rhylaun did feel a <em>little</em> guilty about getting him so darn drunk, but how was he to know how much of a lightweight the elf was!&nbsp; The dancer was used to the fair folks having a tolerance built by such potent drinks as Fey Wine, with the ability to give dwarves a run for their money in drinking contests.&nbsp; It seemed, however, that his drunken companion was not one such individual, and that it was entirely possible that an average youth could likely drink the man under the table without much effort.<br><br>Sighing with an amused grin as he watched Laenyr stumble as he entered the room, the gypsy kept close just in case the taller man's alcohol-induced gracelessness got the better of him.&nbsp; And, of course, it did soon enough, though the fiendspawn's presence and proximity allowed him to move in to help stabilize the inebriated elf.<br><br>"Careful, now," Rhylaun cooed, helping his companion over to the bed so he could get the man off his feet.&nbsp; The thanks had the dancer smiling in return as he lowered himself to his knees before Laenyr, hands sliding down long legs to gently lift one foot.&nbsp; "You are quite welcome," the gypsy purred, deft fingers loosening the laces before removing the first boot as he spoke, "As I said, I would hate for something to happen to you after such a lovely evening." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Observing Trifles</strong> on <strong>26-10-2012, 09:56:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Had it not been for the gypsy's hands on him, he might have had a less graceful tumble into bed. Fortunately, Laenyr managed to hang onto some semblance of his dignity, if only just, although he couldn't help the tinge of red on the apples of his cheeks as Rhylaun bent down before him to take off his shoes. This was more than he had prepared himself for, and it was all he could do not to trip over his own words.<br><br>The elf wanted to assure him that the effort wasn't necessary, that he could manage this much on his own, but he couldn't find the words, and it was with a weary sigh that he dropped his back against the thin sheets, just managing to stay conscious. The alcohol had a numbing effect on him, however, and he couldn't find the enthusiasm to remain awake for more than a few extra moments.<br><br>Laenyr managed a last incoherent murmur before his exhaustion took hold, and without much of a thought to the well-being of his belongings, he fell right to sleep. With one boot and even his robes still on, he was out cold in seconds flat, his long mane fanned across the sheets and the modest pillow up top. Clearly, he was not a man one could trust to drink.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shadow of the Moon (Roketto &amp; BrilliantDays)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Roketto</strong> on <strong>08-11-2012, 06:59:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rhylaun could see that inner struggle, drunken though it may have been, and grinned a bit when Laenyr eventually gave up and flopped back with a sigh.&nbsp; The gypsy had intended to help the man get undressed and maybe try one last pass at the inebriated elf, but as soon as the mage's breathing evened out, he realized he'd lost the chance.&nbsp; <br><br>Rolling his eyes with a smirk, the dancer shook his head and quickly got that other boot off, "Next time, perhaps I will just get you juice and <em>tell</em> you it is alcohol..."&nbsp; As he set about getting the man's robes off, that amused attitude seemed to fade somewhat and the fiendspawn gave an exasperated sigh.&nbsp; "Of course, there would have to <em>be</em> a next time for that," he muttered, moving Laenyr up to actually properly lay on the bed before pulling the covers up over the man.&nbsp; He'd been a tad disappointed to see him wearing those simple undercothes, but considering the man's uptight disposition, he wasn't terribly surprised.<br><br>With the elf's robes neatly folded and set on the chair near the bed, his boots resting on the floor in front of said chair, Rhylaun couldn't help but glance at those tempting belt pouches.&nbsp; Sauntering over to them, he'd fully intended to take a handful of coins, but before his fingers even touched the cloth, he'd hesitated.&nbsp; Sure, he'd gone out of his way to help the man, but it had been <em>his</em> fault that the mage was so drunk in the first place.&nbsp; If he'd better gauged the man's tolerance...&nbsp; <br><br>He sighed, plucking only one from the bag before turning back to look at the sleeping form of his companion for the evening.&nbsp; "You are just too good of a person," he smiled a bit, removing his veil as he approached Laenyr one last time.&nbsp; Leaning down he placed a light kiss on the man's cheek, his painted lips leaving their deep purple mark before he deposited the sheer cloth of his veil delicately on the man's robes.&nbsp; "Sleep well, my friend.&nbsp; May our paths cross again."&nbsp; And with that, the gypsy quietly left the room, locking the door behind him before returning to the festivities in the town's square, hoping to make up for lost time by finding a gullible mark.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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