[Laroo River Park] The Dance of Crowns (Auer Please)

[Black Waltz]

(You can make up the Timestamp since I'm clueless as to what would work for you lol)

It was as tranquil and silent as it possibly could have been this day at the famous Laroo River Park. Birds chirped gleefully as they soared above the sky, taking random dives into the water to see what treasure they could acquire. The fishes sometimes jumped into the air from below, taunting the birds as they quickly slipped back into their underwater sanctuary. Occasionally, the unlucky fish would have simply been gobbled head first by a suspecting predator. Oh well, it was all part of the food chain.

In the nearby scenery, a rather sad-looking young man laid down quietly on his own, hands stretched out and legs as well, looking straight at the sky as if some divine intervention was to be expected. He rolled in the grass, almost tasting the repugnant flavor of the earth beneath him. Forcing himself into a seated position, he spoke out loud to himself, "Oh why does life have to be so cruel sometimes!" He kept on eyeing the sky with a bitter remorse. With a resentful expression to his discerning face, he grasped a small rock in his palm, closing his eyes as he inserted his energy into it. Without opening his eyes, he threw the rock into the Laroo River, expecting a certain "plunk" or "plop" to occur. Instead, a "whack" was heard from nearby. The young man opened his eyes, expecting a ripple in the water. Instead, a fisherman leaned head first from his boat into the water, unconscious. "Oh crap!! Uhh, I'm sorry!" The fisherman sailed slowly, unresponsive. "GOD!" The boy slammed himself back onto the grass.

It slowly started to rain, sprinkling small showers of water onto the young man's face. He didn't bother sheltering himself, for he felt at home in the gloomy presence of the thunderclouds looming above. He sighed, caressing the snowy grass that slowly transformed into a puddle of water. He didn't mind though, and simply sighed. He took out his wallet, which just happened to be full of crowns, and smiled. "Maybe I can still have some fun."

[Auer]

6th Brightening of Kalendryas, Era XV

Auer and her constant companion, Zareh, made their way through the park. It was the female's dog that seemed to hold the greatest delight in the beautiful Zinn'Sunn scenery; on four paws, he bounded gleefully through the lush grass. At times he chased the birds that dared to land; other times he merely sniffed at the clean crisp air with a wag of his tail. The Aelyrian hunter's golden orbs looked around with interest at the variety of activities, not to mention the assortment of scents, the area offered. The dog's owner, on the other hand, moved through the park with constant poise and grace. Her violet eyes scanned the area more for cautionary purposes rather than with interest. Dressed in her usual black attire consisting of a black silken dress and her black fur cape, Auer held a sense of intimidation to her. It proved to be just as well, for the mixed Elf's long black hair contrasted with her pale skin leaving many of the male species with impure thoughts lingering on their minds. The intimidation then worked well in her favour and just like all the other times, the female simply ignored the other citizens as she continued with her walk.

And such was the case for the unfortunate fisherman whom had fallen into the water. Only her dog paid the occurence any attention while his mistress merely continued to stroll passed with a slight sway of her hips accompanying each of her steps. It then began to rain, yet even this did not worry the female. She always found the rain to be rather romantic in its sadness, like tears of the Angels themselves were leaking onto the earth. Auer's thoughts continued to flow undisturbed right up until her graceful steps were disrupted by an object - nay, that of a man, lying upon the grass right where Auer was about to step. Distractedly she heard the male's outbursts as she drew to a halt beside him. Her violet eyes fell upon his wallet full of crowns and she could not help but wonder what one had to do to earn as much as he? The question that entered into her mind next she could not help but voice. Somewhat reluctantly, Auer moved her gaze away from his wallet to look into his eyes.

In her silken tone the female spoke, her words carried the subtlety of scorn. "I would be careful if I was you - you would make an easy target for thievery...but then that might prove to be a better way for the crowns to end up, depending what you class as fun?" Many thoughts roamed through the female's mind - prostitutes, the bottom of a bottle, substances? She continued to look at the man as she silently worked out which one would be more to the man's style. Each being had their weakness after all...Auer's just happened to be her compulsive flirtatious behaviour and that which the man held in his hand. Upon that thought, Auer could not help but look back down again to the golden crowns that shone in the suns faint light, almost as if they were beckoning for her to reach down and grasp in her hands of milky white.

[Black Waltz]

Auer's voice would have caused the boy to literally jump up from his casual position, almost causing him to drop his wallet. Holy crap! he thought, as he gazed upon the black-clad woman. What a different style... thought the boy as he slowly snapped back into reality. Her question had troubled him slightly, in ways where he'd rather not reveal to the public. "I see my crowns intrigue you don't they?" Said the boy sternly, looking at Auer directly into her violet eyes. It was hard for him to keep a solid gaze on her, as she seemed so intimidating, so seductive on many levels.

"Well, if you're here to warn me about thieves, I guess I'll thank you for your concern. I'm not a native here after all." He was actually a mix between a Vagaran and a Rhagrnd, retaining a rather lean figure despite his sensitive behavior. He seemed to be in good health despite his weery face and his rather saggy eyes - indicating his lack of sleep. Her dog seemed to spark quite an interest in the boy though. He bent slightly downwards, appreciating the dog's jovial behavior.

[Auer]

Auer tilted her head slightly upon hearing the young man's question. A ghost of a smile lingered upon her blood red lips as she answered him in her silken tone; her amusement coated the words. "Intrigue? Yes slightly... One cannot help wondering how such a young man like yourself came into possession of such riches?" Auer stepped closer to him and in a softer voice she continued to speak; fliratation danced in her voice, her violet eyes and in her movement as she gracefully sat down a few spaces away from him.

"You can tell me truthfully I am not one to pass judgement and one can say my hands are..." Auer gave a slight pause. "... Not completely clean of sin." Auer's demeanour seemed to change from intimidation to a rather truthful if not vaguely kind front. Auer was surprised at herself in truth for even bothering to speak with this stranger. She was a person who preferred her own company as she passed through city to city always in flight. She usually did not give anyone any of her precious time; she had sacrificed enough of it in her long eras of enslavement.

Auer moved into a more comfortable position on the ground. Her legs folded beneath her and it was in this movement, the man if observant, would see the tattoo on her ankle of a shackle. It was not visible for long before it disappeared benath the folds of her dress but the small sight reinforced the female's words and a brief glimpse of the true female was revealed. Auer heard his next words and with a toss of her long black hair over her shoulder she replied. "No I suppose you're not a native. But still - one should show more caution in any place and at any time..." Auer looked the young man direcrtly in the eyes and held his gaze for a few moments before she looked down affectionately at her dog who decided in that moment to sit down in the space between the two people.

[Black Waltz]

As Auer, in all of her mysterious grace, would have answered the boy's question, he would have found himself flashing a grin of his own. "That's for me to know, and for you to never find out." he said in a slightly playful tone. Her sudden change in demeanor confused him as he blushed slightly. What a girl... He thought as he attempted to confront Auer's violet orbs with his own hazel eyes. "Sin...I've gone through too much to believe in the church's ideals." He scratched his head, introducing himself as he did so. "My name is Azrael. What's yours?"

Azrael looked down, noticing a tattoo of what appeared to be a shackle on Auer's ankle. How familiar, he thought, taking note of it before it disappeared into the comfort of Auer's black dress. "Caution is what made me this miserable I suppose. Your tattoo reminds me of my childhood." added Azrael, regaining some of his composure and his confidence to speak.

[Auer]

Auer's violet eyes remained attentively fixed upon the man as he began to reply to her silken words. Upon hearing his comment about sin, Auer could not help but respond with a small smile whilst her violet irises danced with amusement. She then inclined her head in assent before her crown of long thick lashes lowered as she gazed down at her dog.

Her lashes rose to reveal the beauty of her unusual eyes when his name was spoken and her own was sought. In her silken timbre the female Elf spoke as she extended her milky white hand out to him. "Auer is my name. Those who do not know me by this call me the dark Angel..." Auer gave another small smile as she fixed the creases that had formed in her black dress and upon seeing his eyes on her exposed ankle, Auer added in soft voice of calm accompanied by the hand gesture to her tattoo. "Number 22 is another name I have been given by the men who branded me with this charming image."

Auer placed her dress back over her ankle before she placed her hands behind her and leaned back slightly. Her gaze roamed across the area but before it could complete its full scan from left to right, her full attention suddenly turned back to the man as she arched her brow at him in a show of surprise. After a brief passing of time she replied. "Caution should not make you miserable. Alas, caution is a mere affirmation and use of our knowledge that the world is a cruel place full of cruel people and that we must take every measure and do all that we can to survive."

Auer paused. When she continued her words were softer and threaded with bleakness. "And yet caution can only take us so far....if we can survive it usually comes at a high cost. We usually take away with us some damaging effects. Do you know what I speak of?" Her eyes gazed from one hazel eye to his other as if she had only to look to his eyes to find the answer reflected there. "Were you enslaved yourself? "

[Maven]

The boy looked back at Auer. "Enslaved? Me?! No..." he answered, shaking his head, "But I do know a bit about damaging effects. In my younger eras, I ..."

A loud SMACK interrupted his speech, scaring a nearby bird from it's perch into flight.

Azrael's head violenty rocked forward, as his hands immediately flew up to grip at the back of his neck, pain evident in his eyes.

"Ouch! That hurt!" he yelled, quickly getting to his feet.

He turned to find an aggressor, and found himself in front of a somewhat striking man. The human, who seemed to be at least 10 patterns Azrael's senior, was dressed in mostly black clothing, save for a silk buttoned shirt beneath a dark jacket. He leaned lightly upon the cane, making no attempt to appear in need of it. It was a beautiful item; a white stone atop a smooth base, seemingly made of obsidian or some other rare substance.

The man's eyes were just as one would expect from his garb; dark as night. However, his hair (which was absurdly white for his age) was straight, and fell passed the sharp features of his face to his shoulders. Though a few might consider the look of the man odd, most would find him agreeably unique, or exotic in a way. However, few would argue that he presence lent with itself an amount of gravity. The man was attractive.

Azrael's eyes went wide as he said, "Oh cra..." but was cut short yet again as the figures gloved palm slapped the boy across the face. The boy did not run or flinch, however, though he quickly clutched his face, rubbing eagerly.

"Mister Drummond, sir... I.. uh..."

"For the last time, Azrael," he said leaning in. His dark eyes searched the boys face. "The Laroo is off limits for you."

"Y..Yes, Mister Drummond. I know... It's just..." The boy looked down at Auer embarassed. However, whoever this "Drummond" was, he scared the boy too much to act on his embarrassement. Azrael looked around, searching for means of escape. "Truly sorry, sir... It won't happen again." He gave a short, nervous chuckle as attempted to walk by Drummond, but the older man grabbed the boy by his shirt, stopping him.

They stood there for a very slight, yet noticeable moment, before Drummond leisurely said, "Young Azrael. On your way back home, please be so kind as to fetch the poor man from the river. We don't want the watch combing the area for murderers, do we now?"

Without hesitation, the boy turned and began walking quickly to the river. He had fallen silent, and did not look back at Auer.

Drummond did look at the woman, however, and graced her with a most pleasant and comforting smile.

"I would say, young miss, that you have the look of a woman who is more than capable of making proper decisions. I wonder, however," he began, opening his hand in front of her, "why it is you choose such terrible company."

In his gloved hand, Drummond held to Shurikens.

Auer's Shurikens.

[Auer]

Auer curiously listened as her young companion began to reveal the details of his past to her. Out of the corner of her eye Auer saw a man come close. She paid him no attention; she thought he was merely a Zinn’Sunn citizen making the most of the tranquillity the park offered its residence. When the loud smack sounded its force Auer got to her feet in one swift motion of grace. She turned to the aggressor with a look of disapproval revealed upon her flawless face. The violet of her eyes danced with a cool severity. Her lips parted to make comment but as soon as her alluring eyes fell upon the stranger her lips pressed together again.

Her crown of long thick lashes fell before quickly rising in a visible sign of her surprise and appreciation at the appealing sight she beheld. Her lashes fell again rising only as her eyes slowly swept over the full length of his body taking note of his dark attire with a small smile of approval. Auer paid not the slightest of attention to the young companion who stood in a pained manner beside her. Her eyes finished its inspection at his face. She took in his striking facial structure, the unusual grey colour of his hair, though she thought him to be not much older than she was herself when comparing his human age with her Elf eras. And then her eyes of violet gazed upon his eyes that appeared as dark as night. Auer’s licked her blood red lips before she turned her attention to the conversation at hand.

Auer continued to pay Azrael no heed. The only thing Auer took in from the young man was the attractive stranger’s name, Mr Drummond, he expressed with respect tainted by fear. Auer finally drew her eyes away from this Mr Drummond when Azrael left with not so much as a parting word spoken to her; truthfully, it mattered not. Auer’s milky white hand swept through her long locks of dark hair as her violet orbs turned back to the man. A captivating smile graced her blood red lips as their eyes met. Deliciously devious thoughts filtered through her mind as the gaze held; it spoke in volumes and was accentuated by the two strangers’ smiles.

He then spoke. She arched her brow. Her compelling smile revealed amusement upon hearing his first sentence. His next sentence’s words were accompanied by the opening of his hand; it was not merely a gentleman like action as one would give when offering a female an escort; nay, he held out his hand and resting there Auer saw the sexy pair of silver shurikens. The smile faded from her blood red lips as she continued to gaze at her two sinister weapons. Auer did not completely believe they were hers however. Auer had had enough experience with men to know it was better to always doubt their words no matter how compelling they may seem and how believable the evidence was. Auer’s milky white hand sleekly moved down to her thigh. Her violent eyes returned to his whilst her fingertips trailed over the black silken material of her dress as she moved her hand towards her inner thigh. Her fingertips were only greeted by her smooth skin alone.

Auer’s slender pale hand then reached out to his as she quickly grasped her belongings. She looked towards where the thief had gone. Softly Auer said under her breath “That scumbag.” She was puzzled how he could have mastered such an act without her notice, especially there. She had to give him merit for daring such a task, but most of all, for getting away with it...almost. The sound of her silken timbre flowed into the air as she replied to the man. “Why, I did not choose his company I was merely waiting for better company to come along...” Auer gave him an alluring smile “And it seems I am in luck.” She ended her sentence with a wink before she continued speaking again, her words held undertones of seriousness.

“Azrael must have had a good teacher to become such a master at pick-pocketing... this teacher would intimately know the ways of his student and would also know when his student is taking advantage of an innocent woman.” Auer’s lashes gave a slight flutter, an almost angelic look showed upon her face of delicacy, however, the dark attire that covered her sensual figure and the chaos that swirled in her breath-taking eyes made what should have been her halo appear as nothing more than a crown of bloody thorns.

With eyes averted Auer stepped closer to the man. The scent of vanilla and wildflowers reached the man’s nostrils as she took another step closer. She then paused. Her lashes slowly raised to meet his eyes. Her violet irises swirled in a mesmerising manner. In a sultry tone she whispered, “Could this teacher be persuaded to teach one such as myself a few tricks of the trade?” Auer tiled her head exposing the milky white of her neck as she continued to intently gaze into his orbs of darkness.

[Maven]

The man listened to the woman's words as they floated through the air like a feather, unwilling to interrupt her speech. If he was taken aback by the seductive words of the half-elf, or her hidden, yet obvious assumptions, he was good at hiding the fact.

"It appears that pockets are not what young Azrael has been caught picking." The man smiled at the woman, looking deep into her eyes.

"In truth, however, he has proven to be less than a master at anything, as of yet." As if on cue, a SPLASH filled the air as the young boy, now attempting to pull the man from the river, fell in himself, completely submersing himself in the waters. Drummond did not steer his gaze from the woman however, but he did allow for a slight smirk.

"And something tells me, Miss....?" he said, allowing her to introduce herself, "That you are far from innocent."

Drummond's gaze swept the entirety of her face, stopping a moment on her lips, before returning to her violet eyes. "However, I think you may have been misled, dear lady. Perhaps I am a good sumaritan, merely keeping a vigilant eye upon the going's on of less than respectable tradesmen, such as our young Azrael." He winked playfully, saying, "Then again...."

Drummond looked down at his hand, opening it once again and showing Auer the pair of shurikens. Without allowing her to react to the fact that her belongings had been swiped yet again, he closed his palm and turned his wrist so that his hand was upside down. He then turned his hand back over, opened his palm to show the shurikens were now gone once again, temporarily tucked away at some hidden location.

"Maybe you are in luck..."

He jerked his other arm slightly, the motion popping his cane into the air, far enough for him to grab in the middle. He turned slightly to the right and bent out his elbow, offering his arm to Auer. "Let us walk, shall we?"

Drummond looked forward, saying, "Well, now. I may or may not know what you talking about. However, I'd find it nearly impossible to deny one such as yourself anything she wished. Though I can't help but wonder; Why would you be interested in learning such a dangerous trade, hm?"

[Auer]

OOCI'm ssooo sorry how long this has taken dear

Upon Drummond's pause the Elf smoothly filled in the gap "Auer" she then let him continue whilst she extended one hand out to him with a soft smile. The smile soon changed in nature as his sentence was finished; slyness displayed itself upon the curve of her blood-red lips and coyness danced in the violet of her eyes. Softly her silken voice conveyed her reply, "Hmm really? Something tells me you are the type who knows the pleasures that can be found in being of a not so innocent quality..."

Auer arched her brow. Her playful smile lost its effect only for a moment as the young rescuer found himself in need of rescuing. Auer did not turn her attention to the water, like her new and more pleasurable companion, Auer's eyes remained intently focused on his. With reluctance, her long thick lashes fell as she averted her gaze to focus upon his hand again.

Auer watched the game he played. This time she did not need to check her inner thigh to see if her shurikens were there. She was already sold. With the last opening of his palm Auer brought her gaze back to his dark eyes. Auer was not one to be impressed easily, however when she was, she did not hide it from view. Her tongue flicked over her top lip before she spoke. "I trust you know when to make your presence felt." Auer winked before her gaze lowered to his lips before rising again to his eyes.

Auer accepted his offered arm with the incline of her head. With three graceful steps she had closed the distance. She placed her hand on his bicep and they began to walk. "Such a dangerous trade? Yes the fact that it flirts with danger would be part of its appeal. Of course I do not have a death wish..." 'Not yet' she thought. "...knowing that I was being taught by the best would be reassuring."

Auer walked out in front of Drummond. She then came to a halt and placed her hand on his chest. Slowly her eyes lifted to meet his. "If you choose to grant my wish what do you wish for in return? Possessions or crowns obviously would not be a worthwhile payment. So that begs the question, what exactly will?"

[Maven]

Drummond looked back in Auer's eyes as her palm reached forward and touched his chest. He smiled slightly.

"This is true," he answered. "Crowns mean very little to those who have the talents to obtain them with ease." He saw no point in beating around the bush any longer. The woman had called him on his trade, and there was no point in denying it.

"In fact, such talents are wasted on those who see them as a means to an end. Children, such as Azrael, do not understand this, of course. He would rather thieve for pocket change. However, one as young or ill-adept at such a trade rarely notices the finer part of it."

"Pickpockets are poor men. If you would wish to learn from me, you must rise above such needles games of crowns and capital."

Drummond turned to his left and resumed walking. He continued to watch Auer as she walked along side him, looking away only a few seconds of time, before his gaze once again gravitated towards the half-elf.

"I accept payment of persons only. If you wish to learn from me, you must be my subject until a time at which you have proven yourself worthy of such a trade. This is the charge I require of all of my pupils."

"And once my subject, know this: What I ask is law, and in fact, is rarely asked, only told."

"Of course, such things are only business. I will not require that you accompany me to my bed, for example. Beyond that, however, you must be prepared for any and all charges that may fall upon your shoulders."

He smiled at Auer as he glanced at her lips. His eyes moved back up, his gaze searching every facet of her face before ending the journey on her violet eyes. "Well, what do you think? Is this what you wish?"

[Auer]

Auer gave Drummond a sidelong glance. The look said it all, it conveyed her doubt and suspicion over his words; the half Elf was doubtful that this was all he did want of her, which then led to suspicion... No one in life did anything out of the goodness of their hearts; gallantry was dead and selfless actions were impossible especially to the one's who walked on the wrong side of the law and were a long way off holding a vocation at the covenant. So then where was the catch?

Auer faced Drummond again, placed a pale hand on the curve of her hip and arched her brow. She stared at him for a long moment before her silken words flew on the breeze. "Proving myself worthy to you...this is all you require of me, truly? You were quick to say you do not want me to accompany you to your bed....did that take much contemplation?" Auer's eyes danced with amusement but as the words lost its vocal sound wariness returned. "So what do you get out of business arrangement?" Auer narrowed her eyes and watched him suspiciously.

She then sighed and gave a flippant shrug of her slender shoulder. "I can agree to these terms. I will do anything you bid me to do. I will dedicate all the time I have left in this Kermite city to you." Auer's eyes moved away from Drummond's as she quickly scanned the area out of habit; this action had become so instinctual she often did not consciously give her mind the command. After the search had ended, her eyes returned to his.

"Time is against me. Soon I shall have to be gone. But for the while I am yours." A ghost of a smile showed on the curve of her ruby lips. "As your student I will tell you this: I will not steal from those who do not deserve such treatment. I will not steal because of wanton greed. The tricks you teach me will not be used for a full-time occupation. One thing I have learnt is that one has to do anything they can to survive, anything." The steely look entered into Auer's eyes as she intensely stared into Drummond's own; the look revealed the dire seriousness she held and added resonance to her words.