Potential
<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: Erlind on 13-07-2014, 18:51:11</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Potential</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Erlind</strong> on <strong>13-07-2014, 18:51:11</strong>
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				(http://sourcererblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/cropped-armor_magic_wizards_sorcerer_artwork_diablo_iii_1366x768_3117.jpg)<br><br><br>Lightning cut across the night sky in beautiful jagged arcs.&nbsp; A man stood out on a balcony in the storm watching as the might of nature was thrown down from the heavens.&nbsp; Rain plastered stray dark hairs against his face, but he remained still despite the raging winds.&nbsp; He stood in a strange stance with fingers spread and arms outstretched in deliberate position.&nbsp; As another bolt of lightning raced towards the ground the man’s grip tightened and he suddenly seemed to pull at nothing.&nbsp; Before striking the ground the lightning suddenly changed direction and struck a sandy river bank.&nbsp; The storm continued and bolt after bolt was directed to the same spot of beach along the river.&nbsp; The tall dark man was wrestling the heavens themselves to pull lightning where he wished.<br><br>Once the storm had passed its crescendo, the man pushed past heavy ornate wooden doors to return inside.&nbsp; There in a bedroom a meek excuse of a servant waited for him, but the man ignored him.&nbsp; He shed the rainsoaked robe and tossed it to the floor, deep reds, golds and blacks had been saturated by the storm.&nbsp; <br><br>“Master Zhao?” ventured the man in plain robes at the edge of the room.&nbsp; The call went unanswered.<br><br>“Master Zhao.&nbsp; There was a girl in the village asking to speak with you today.&nbsp; She was making everyone very nervous.&nbsp; I think it needs your attention.”<br><br>Zhao the Cindersong turned to his underling and stared hard, causing the man to shrink back.&nbsp; “Strangers always ask questions.&nbsp; What gives you the authority to direct my attention?”<br><br>The craven servant suddenly started shaking his head and waving his hands in protest.&nbsp; “Nothing.&nbsp; Nothing.&nbsp; It’s just that this one is different.&nbsp; She didn’t ask who you were or even anything about you.&nbsp; She only asked to see you.”<br><br>“Then let her come.” <br><br>Dark rumors always surrounded the little village of River’s Edge.&nbsp; The village itself was nothing out of the ordinary, a small fishing village that traded with those that came down the river and cultivated some crops in the verdant fields nearby.&nbsp; What each whispered bit of gossip centered on was the mansion on the hill.&nbsp; Zhao Cindersong owned much of the village like his father before him, but he took little interest in the daily affairs of the village.&nbsp; There was a reasonable tax levied each year and the decrees made by Zhao’s head servant were never outlandish or tyrannical.&nbsp; Still, something remained wrong in the village.&nbsp; Unnatural storms would fill the night, strangers passing through the village would disappear without warning, and lost spirits were seen wandering the forest surrounding the lord’s mansion.&nbsp; Mothers told their children never to play near Cindersong Manor, it wasn’t safe.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Potential</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pretty in Pink</strong> on <strong>14-07-2014, 12:31:21</strong>
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				The young woman in question wasn't actually a young woman, but a young Kitsune.&nbsp; She stood under one of the porches of the local inn, staring out at the night sky.&nbsp; Blood red hair contrasted against her pale sun-colored fur that covered most of her body, including all <em>nine</em> of the tails that swirled and spun behind her.&nbsp; Each tail had a white tip marked with a black crescent opening toward the base of it, fur fluffing and smoothing almost on its own.<br><br>She was here, not to investigate the rumors that abounded about the place, or put an end to the 'darkness' and strangeness that seemed to plague the area.&nbsp; No, she was here for a much simpler reason, evidenced by the youth evident in her eyes, and the complete lack of a form more suited to the area, even in spite of having the highest number of tails a kitsune was ever rumored to have.<br><br>She was here to ask the master of these lands, supposedly a powerful warlock and black mage, to teach her, to help her awaken the latent powers of her kind, powers she'd never managed to quite tap into.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Potential</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Erlind</strong> on <strong>14-07-2014, 20:07:53</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The stranger had made the village more than just curious, she had made them nervous.&nbsp; Kitsune were rare and did not often show themselves willingly.&nbsp; The only thing that kept the villagers calm was the knowledge that their lord dealt with threats to the village with brutal efficiency.&nbsp; If she was here to harm them, the frightening stories of Cindersong would turn on her.&nbsp; Knowing this, the people of River’s Edge did their best to stay away from the fox woman, but remained polite.<br><br>The sodden robe was brought away to be dried and without shirt Zhao left the bedroom and moved into his library.&nbsp; Books and scrolls filled the walls coveting the secrets of the arcane.&nbsp; The sorcerer took a seat in a formal straight backed chair at his back and began to sift through the materials he had set out earlier.&nbsp; The night had been productive and he was in a good mood.&nbsp; <br><br>“Lord?”&nbsp; Zhao’s eyes shot up and centered on his servant again who stood timidly in the doorway.&nbsp; He hated the cowardice, but it proved much more convient in a servant.&nbsp; The warlock waved the man in.&nbsp; <br><br>“What is it?”&nbsp; Relieved, the man scuttled inside and stood reverently before his master’s desk.&nbsp; Zhao was not always happy to be interrupted while he studied.&nbsp; <br><br>“When I said the woman was different, my lord, I’m not sure I was clear.&nbsp; She’s not human.&nbsp; I think she’s a Kitsune, my lord.”&nbsp; The servant had the sorcerer’s attention.&nbsp; Kitsune were rare especially to show themselves naturally and not hide their form.&nbsp; More importantly Kitsune were a natural well of arcane power.&nbsp; The fox spirits had the potential to be the strongest practitioners of the arcane the world had ever seen, but it was rare they ever applied this talent instead choosing to act as guardians or pranksters.&nbsp; Such a waste.&nbsp; Perhaps he could find another use for such power.<br><br>“She’s staying in town then?”<br><br>“Yes, lord.”<br><br>“That won’t do at all.&nbsp; To have such a guest in River’s Edge and allow her to stay in an Inn like a common traveler.&nbsp; No.&nbsp; Pan, you will extend a formal invitation.&nbsp; And find out if she is hungry after her journey, so we can have a meal prepared.”<br><br>The servant bowed and left at once.&nbsp; It was unlike his master to extend such hospitality to a guest of the village.&nbsp; Sages, agents of the empire, and even other local rulers were usually ignored or at most seen at the convenience of his lord.&nbsp; An invitation to be extended late in the night was unheard of.&nbsp; Pan changed into the slightly more formal clothes he wore when going into town representing his lord and left immediately.&nbsp; As Pan approached the Inn, he saw the woman everyone had spoken of to him.&nbsp; The fox stood on the porch of the Inn looking out at the clearing night sky.&nbsp; An unearthly beauty clung to her like a fine morning mist and Pan was suddenly unsure if he could even speak to her.&nbsp; He approached, but left a good distance between them and bowed his head.<br><br>“My … my lady,” Pan began unsteadily, but recovering the dignity that working as the Cindersong caretaker demanded of him.&nbsp; “Lord Zhao Cindersong would like to extend a formal invitation for you to stay at a room in the manor.&nbsp; While he is proud of his small community here, he believes that he would have more to offer you than the Inn.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Potential</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pretty in Pink</strong> on <strong>21-07-2014, 12:10:46</strong>
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				Chocolate colored eyes came down and fixed the man in place for a long moment, ears flicking forward toward him.&nbsp; She pushed off the railing she'd been leaning against, and stepped around it, tilting her head as her tails swirled.&nbsp; "So he DID get my message.&nbsp; I was beginning to wonder if it had even been delivered.&nbsp; What you see is what I own," she said, and inclined her head.&nbsp; "I would be honored to accept," she said, and gestured.&nbsp; "Please.&nbsp; Lead the way."<br><br>She tilted her head the other way for a long moment.&nbsp; "Oh, and don't worry.&nbsp; I don't bite... unless I'm asked nicely."<br><br>((Kinda short, I know.&nbsp; Sorry!))
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Potential</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Erlind</strong> on <strong>21-07-2014, 17:03:27</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				(Not a problem)<br><br>The servant paled, but said nothing and recovered quickly.&nbsp; There had not been a message.&nbsp; Pan would have known about it if there had been and he knew his master would not be pleased.&nbsp; Without someone to hold accountable it was possible the onus would fall on him.&nbsp; The man nodded and quietly led the fox woman up out of the village to the man.&nbsp; <br><br>Standing before the heavy gates, Pan rang the ornate bronze bell and shortly they were unbarred and swung uneasily open.&nbsp; As they made their way across the moonlit courtyard, the servant remembered his other given duty.&nbsp; Did Kitsune even eat or were they spirits?&nbsp; He wasn’t sure.<br><br>“Are you hungry, my lady?&nbsp; Anything you like can be brought for you.&nbsp; He does not want you to be without.”&nbsp; The question was asked without directly looking at her.&nbsp; Years in Zhao’s service had taught him to avoid direct eye contact.&nbsp; <br><br>The hallways of the manor were dark, but the way to the private dining room was short and not complex.&nbsp; Even if she didn’t need anything, the master would likely want to see her here.&nbsp; Dignitaries and the like were often seen in the main hall as a display of power, but Pan knew a guest seen in the depths of night was different.&nbsp; This is where the master took his meals and tea.&nbsp; The room was small and the table afforded space for only two settings, but so late in the night it was bare.&nbsp; The trappings of the room were simple, but elegant.&nbsp; White hibiscus set in a vase, a painting of a man looking up into the mountains, a rug of ornate origins worn from years of use.&nbsp; <br><br>“The master will find you shortly,” Pan told her while he lit a small lamp in the corner.&nbsp; Then he took his leave.&nbsp; Zhao would already know she was here.&nbsp; It was more important to begin arranging her room and be ready for anything she might request.<br>
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