Curious Whiskers

[DecoLamb 959]

The pale shadows of the forest soon broke away as a slender figure slinks along low to the ground, the pink of dawn streaking across the navy skies. One by one, the stars blink out as the sun rises, casting it's light over the glimmering entry of Haelun'or. Thick vines twist and curl down the polished brick, tiny leaves and pale blue blossoms covering the emerald flesh of the climbing plant as it swayed in the cool morning breeze.

The form trotted along, the distinct rhythm of four tiny paws pattering across the ground added into the song of early daytime. Colorful birds chirped and shrilled their sweet notes, eying the spotted feline form passing below the sparse trees and tall flowering grasses just above the city. A furred ear twitched, flicking back then forward to match its twin in curious alertness.

Pink tongue slipped out, licking flecks of dried blood from pale whiskers as light passed over them, shadow slowly melting away into daylight to expose the psuedo-manned kha known as Miian, though she no longer responded to that name. Her golden claws flexed, delicate engravings catching the early sun and almost seeming to come alive as the feline padded along towards the gate. She inhaled sharply before giving a sharp sneeze, a low growl escaping her. The smell of a male kha was on the air, though it was rather old at this point, faint and covered in the dusky scent of the city and it's inhabitants.

She hooked her claws into the emerald tendrils coating the walls, sliding upwards with ease as her stub tail twitched excitedly. After a short struggle, the small female pulled herself over the edge, perching herself atop the high gate tower as she looked over the city with curious azure eyes. She stood there on all four paws, head leaning back slightly as she drew in as much air as her petite chest could hold. Her jaws opened wide, white teeth flashing in the pink dawn as she let out a deep roar that rolled through the waking city, announcing he arrival and warning those of her presence.

Satisfied with her bellow, she stood above, staring down with half closed eyes in mock disinterest as she awaited any semblance of movement, hoping for one of the pale scholars to pique her thoughts and spice the dull morning.

[Slic3man 484]

[What of your companion curious George the Urlog?]

[DecoLamb 959]

[since when did I have a companion..? .w. If you mean the orc from the last story, you should have followed the link. He dead. ]

[Slic3man 484]

[since when did I have a companion..? .w. If you mean the orc from the last story, you should have followed the link. He dead. ]

[it is a curious George Reference, sheesh Deco come on.]

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3FzlFA2aj0 )

[DecoLamb 959]

[Never saw that as a kid. I was more into books and I never had any Curious George ones.]

[gabriel101x1 463]

Ionia Sullas sighs, placing another row of redstone dust along the hard stone floor of the docks warehouse she has claimed as her laboratory. She places another wooden slab next to the dust, and with it a glowing torch made from the same substance. She steps back looking over her contraption, the first of her self titled 'logic gates'.

Walking over to the bench in the corner of the room and rubbing dust off her hands she picks up a fresh looking leather bound journal. Prying it open and flicking through its contents to the last page she quickly notes down a sketch of the design.

With her drawing done Ionia snaps shut the journal and carefully places it back into its home on the work bench with her quill. Pausing for a moment she catches herself, remembering something she had forgotten. Cursing under her breath she walks to the door and out into the magnificent sunrise. After turning and drawing the chain and padlock across the threshold she walks away to the docks gate, towards the city.

On her way to the gate Ionia pauses, ears flicking up at a sound most perculiar.

The faint roaring of a far away beast carries to her on the wind.

She pauses, frowning for a moment, then continues on her path, thinking little of it.

[Esterlen 4499]

Carduin Maeyr'onn stood eerily on one of the paths circling Haelun'or College. He held the crystal vial up to the sunlight, examining it as always. He had memorized all the facets, run his finger along all the edges, and he still couldn't answer the old man's riddle.

The silver-haired elf closed his eyes partially at the audible sound of the roar, looking down at the Kha which had just ascended the wall. He doubted that she could see him at this angle and elevation, but his scent was probably on the air.

Within such a foul and predatory beast only a faint semblance of sentience remains, no doubt. I had best not approach without assistance.

[Mithradites 1168]

Brushing down his coat slowly and methodically, Lucion stepped outside his door into the morning sun. Brushing his silvery hair back into what most mali'aheral would call "relatively neat", he winced upon seeing the unruly vines growing around his doorway, and parted them slightly with his hands. They were untidy. Un-couth. Far too wood-elven. He made a mental note to prune them after he returned from the college; no doubt in higher spirits them to attempt such a loathesome task. Clearing his throat and brushing his coat down for a second time, Lucion tapped at the button beside his gate, allowing it to fall quickly with a quiet trundle. He began his journey, and walked at a measured pace down one of a myriad of grey, stone pathways. Passing the Lazul home, the sounds of baby Acaele, and his mother's scolding, meet his ears as he ambles by their door. His eye twitches at the sound, and quickens his steps. Having made a reasonable distance between the noise and himself, Lucion arrives at the gate. He pivots on his heel to his right, and makes his way up the steps towards the eternal college to begin his morning reading.

However, it seemed as if fate wished other things for the elf that day, as he suddenly jumped at the sound of a somewhat non-elven "roar", breaking the tranquil noises of his beloved city. Twisting around, his eyes darted this way, and that, seeking the source of dreadful sound, and finally made their way up to the top of the gate. The creature looked like a small Kha, but it hardly sounded like one. Studying it for a moment and raising his eyebrow, he regained his composure and straightened his back; pulling his arms tightly behind himself. He opened his mouth for a moment, but closed it, unable to think of words to describe his dissatisfaction with the "intruder". He opted, instead, for a more measured approach.

"Karin'ayla, Kharajyr", he began; his words nearly monotonous, but loud. "Might I inquire as to the purpose of yelping upon our city's gates? It's ever so early for such a noisy commotion, wouldn't you agree?" He considered adding a smile momentarily, but opted instead to keep his usual neutral gaze. "Perhaps one should come down from one's perch, so as to converse upon the city's laws regarding outside visitors?"

Keeping his eyebrow raised, he stands noticeably still while watching the creature with his usual, cold gaze.

[DecoLamb 959]

Miian stood there for nearly an out, watching the city below her. Her sides flex, drawing short puffs of air into her slightly opened mouth as her eyes squinted in focus, attempting to taste the air as she sniffed and huffed.

Her mouth closed as she stood suddenly, padding along the gatehouse top to reach its edge and stare downward. She sinks to her stomach as she stares at Lucion, an arm hanging languidly over the ledge as her ears flick forward in curious thought.

"Gem come 'ere 'cause luuk pretty. Luukin' fer one-eye some too.." She calls down, a gruff purring undertone in her voice. She rolls to her back, the thick brown locks of her mane-styles hair spilling over as her head hangs, staring at Lucion upside down, "Yer elf, myeah? Gem dunnae see many of yew..."

[Mithradites 1168]

Blinking for a moment, Lucion paused after listening to the Kha's speech. After she finished, he shook his head and blinked several times while clearing his throat; almost as if he were in a daze.

"My apologies for that unseemly pause in conversation that I propagated. I don't think I have ever head a Kha speak with such a..."He trailed off near the end of his sentence, searching for a word to best describe the Kha's tone.

"... such a "brusque" accent before. It's almost dwarven, actually. He breathed in slowly, and rain his fingers through his hair one more, flattening out what he presumed to be one of many loose strands from the overly strange conversation.

"Did you say you were looking for "one eye"? You appear to have both of yours at first glance, but perhaps I am mistaken." Lucion removes his hand from his hair, satisfied at its neatness.

And yes. I am an elf. A "high elf" in fact, if you wish for the common term. We don't really leave our city all that often. You might have a chance of seeing our cousins around Normandor."

[DecoLamb 959]

Miian flicked an ear, slowly sliding back until her torso sways in the air above the high elf. She gives a light smile as she arches inward, hind legs flipping over herself as she goes into free fall. Near the last moment, she twisted, landing delicately on all four paws and sending up a light puff of dust from the minor impact.

"Gem not need one eye, am looking for Gem's friend." She purred as her head lifted, peering up at Lucion with a curious glint, "He am a tiny, white face fur too, because 'e tiny leader."

She pads forward slightly, head shifting sideways as she passes the high elf and circles behind to his other side. Her nose nearly touches his hand as she gives a soft puff of air, then turns away to pad off a few short steps. "So yeh be a 'igh elf? Yeh dunnae look vurry 'igh.. moar ground level.."

[Mithradites 1168]

Lucion watched the Kha circle around him with a look of mild concern. As her nose neared his hand, he instinctively pulled it closer to himself to avoid possible licks. Pulling his arms firmly back behind himself, he tilts his head up slightly as he looks down upon the small creature. He raises his eyebrow.

"Well, it's really just a name. Represents... erm..." He flusters for a moment, thinking over his words carefully."We are rather tall, comparatively. We also live in towers. Which are tall. He awkwardly gestures around himself, pointing to the swathe of tall buildings littering the city-scape. "It's really just a name, honestly."After he finished the latest flustered sentence, Lucion shakes his head and looks directly at the Kha, his eyes narrowing."Cease your questions! I am the one inquiring! What are you doing in here? Shouldn't you be in the Mori-caves with that Morthawl fellow and Tiazar? I had thought that most Kha lived with one-another."

[DecoLamb 959]

Miian stiffens, eyes narrowing as she gives a low growl, the fur along her spine raising in a bristled ridge while her stubbed tail puffs up. Her shoulders roll as she stands, still a tiny thing of five foot three, yet easily imposing as her golden claws slip from a paw.

She edges forward a step, teeth bared as she hisses her words, voice dripping with malice, "Tiazar is a traitor.. he lies. Hurts. Steals. Dat one took wut belong to Gem."

Her muzzle opens slightly as a paw raises, eyes flashing with growing rage before she quickly looks away with a snort. "But that's nawt a talk fer yeh.." She grumbles, shoulders relaxing as she settles back to all four paws. Her stub tail flicks, head tilting to the side languidly, "Gem dunnae live wit other kha, dunnae belong."

A fore paw lifts, scratching at her chin lightly with the same golden claws, the intricate dwarven carvings across the surface gleaming as they catch the light, "An Gem told yew.. come 'cause its pretty~"

[Dio Astóre 69]

A flock of birds flying over the city toward the sea, a pair of the avians circling above a certain section of wall that would of made a suitable nesting area.

"Earlier than the usual; season is yet coming. What sends those feathers on their hasty flight for the feast?" Such reverie had recently become a norm for Dio, made easier by the section of wall which lay in arranged rubble. That had been a tedious task.

Leaving the partially ruined tower behind in the stillness he made his way along the stair that wrapped itself around Haelun'or College, meaning to glimpse Asul rising above the tree-line such as he had done before his time in Laurelin. Seeing Carduin scrutinising an item, the way the light broke as it shone through the crystal would of transfixed Dio, were it not for the startling call of a Kharajyr.

"So we find answers where we do not look for them", which he had said more for himself, thinking back to why the birds had fled the forest. Moving closer meant he saw Lucion on his way to the College, now conversing with that supreme air of composure he would display. A dreary serenity became an alert calm as the fur-covered one leapt forth from the rampart. Then he could hear the feline person speak and shortly after, he would do the same.

"That remains a name given to us by others; thought it is that we see with greater clarity, as one might from the high ground. Ascend too far one loses sight of the world; stoop to low we forget the sky exists. Our flesh is here, though our minds look for a mean between both."

Casting his face to Lucion and then back again - an elaborate gesture from the head and over the chest too - Dio continued.

"If introductions are to make others aware of our presence, you have performed this with exceeding proficiency. Tiazar arrived when no sanctuary existed for Kharajyr. Those days have passed now; what memory provides of them showing the well-birthed of your kin are disposed to the pleasures sight and sound offer yet you are here alone."

"One does not enter a city of the curious without risking curiosity. Indulge us, if you would."

[DecoLamb 959]

Miian lifts her head back slightly, looking Dio over as she turns. Paw over paw she slides forward, shoulders rolling under cinnamon spotted shoulders as her head lowers in an almost predatory manner. She steps past, just as she had done with Lucion, repeating the same puff of air through her nose against his side while she circles around.

"Yeh say many a word Gem dunnae know, but.. me thinks tha question yew ask is heard." She pauses, slightly behind and to the side of Dio as her head lifts, sides twitching as she draws in short puffs of air, "Gem dunnae care what Tia does no more. 'E be a kitten stealer. Liar, promise breaker."

The kha twists, still eying Dio as she pads in small circles around him, looking up and down as her stubbed tail flicks, metallic claws clicking against the walkway. Her ears flick forward and back as she gives her head a hard shake, thick mane frizzing as its carefully combed curls bounce and sway, "Udder kha.. dey not me kin. Dey 'avn't been fur a lawng lawng time. Nawt since they try tu kill Gem and kittens. Hnnn.. so Gem walk alune neow, is better, is safer."