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Post by Christian on Jul 24, 2007 20:12:39 GMT -5
Cristin waded into the river; his cool water rushed over his legs and soaked his brown robes. In the heat of the midsummer’s day, the river was refreshing and cooling to Cristin, who by now had become quite weary. The soft body of the river shifted under his weight and the mud sunk his feet into the river floor slightly. Cristin stooped down and cupped some water into his hands and splashed some on his face, pulling back his light brown bangs. He stood back up and took a deep breath. It was good to have a break for a moment. Cristin took off his belt and sword and placed them on a rock that was protruding from the water and then went a bit farther and submerged him underneath the river. He stayed there for a moment before rising back up, his brown robes, now looking black because of how wet they were. He turned back to the shore and looked towards it. Something moved in the tree line, but Cristin couldn’t see what because of how thick the undergrowth was. His sword was still about ten yards away.
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Post by Kayla on Jul 24, 2007 20:24:18 GMT -5
Eyes the color of mithril, and almost as hard, watched the warrior from the treeline as he ventured into the river. Dangerous business, leaving a sword unwatched. Especially one as nice as that. Best not to steal it, though. Leave that to her. Whatever she wanted was fine with me. Where was she, anyways
With serpentine grace, the eyes moved fluidly about, scanning the dense undergrowth below him. Ahhhh, there she was. Almost invisible. Silver met blue as she locked eyes with him, perched soundlessly above.
She, too, was watching the stranger. Unusual, he was, leaving his armor on like that. Though, by the looks of it, it was no ordinary armor. Rare indeed, a sight like this. Well, he looked like he was tired, and rather world-worn. Maybe she should question him. After all, he did not look like he was entirely peaceful. She began to move along the forest edge, watching him all the while.
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Post by Christian on Jul 24, 2007 20:31:21 GMT -5
Cristin could see the forest brush moving a bit more down the shore and Cristin moved towards his sword. It took him a moment because the current of the river picked up a bit and cause him to exert more of his strength, causing him to temporarily slow down. He reached his sword and buckled it around his waist. He shrugged the cloak off of his shoulders and laid it on the rock where his sword had previously been. He then moved a bit closer to the bank of the river, his hand on his hilt. As of this moment, he had no reason to draw his weapon; he had no seen a positive threat. He moved to the bank and out of the water, the stream lapping against his ankles as he stood, looking into the forest. He could make out the slight figure of a woman, and something else that he couldn’t identify. “ Come show yourself!” Cristin exclaimed, his hands gripping his sword’s handle as he looked into the forest.
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Post by Kayla on Jul 24, 2007 20:54:28 GMT -5
"Stay here," she whispered almost inaudibly to her companion. Then, she moved just enough for him to catch a glimpse of her, but not enough for him to conclusively see her. She watched him warily as she called back, answering his challenge. "Why? I see no reason to reveal myself to a stranger who has wandered into the woods of Mirkwood. And an unintelligent stranger at that." She allowed herself a small smirk as she waited for his reply.
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Post by Christian on Jul 24, 2007 21:25:56 GMT -5
Cristin jerked his head, his eyes focusing for the split second the person was revealed. He couldn’t get a complete composite image and drew his sword just slightly from its sheath. Anyone that didn’t want to be seen had a reason for it, and it usually was something that they were hiding, which most cases were dangerous and threatening. He listened to the stranger speak and he could tell that the stranger’s voice was a female’s. Ah, yes, of course. He should have known, only women play tricks on men. Only women had the capacity to do so. He smirked at her remark that stated his unintelligence. “ Oh, and you are so sure about my unintelligence after simply seeing me?” Cristin retorted, his eyes scanning the foliage for another view of the stranger, “ How can you be sure that I am not in fact rather sapient?” Cristin asked, “ Or perhaps you would wish me to prove that I am?”
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Post by Kayla on Jul 25, 2007 8:45:39 GMT -5
Her strange blue eyes flashed as she heard his retort. Well, maybe he was worth talking to. Edgy, though, judging from his readiness to defend himself. Males. Always looking for a fight. Though this one seemed ready for one if it ever came along. She stayed low to the ground, her brown pants and mottled green shirt blending almost seamlessly with the forest loam. She called out again, her voice calm and smooth, "Well, I did not just see you, stranger, I observed you. There is a crucial difference you seem to have forgotten, or maybe you just never knew it to begin with. You see, in observing you I have now judged that you are unintelligent because you not only left your sword, but you left it out of arm's reach. Not a wise thing to do. Secondly, you left your cape on. If there was one thing that needed taking off while in the river, it would be your cape. Now it will take a quite a while to dry, seeing as it is soaking wet from your excursion. Thirdly, you left your armor on while in the river. Although," she added with a hint of mystery, "it seems to me there is more to your armor than one would first observe. In any case, so far you have not proven yourself to be overly intelligent, hence I do not judge you as so. First impressions and all that." She peered out of the thick undergrowth, watching his eyes scan the forest, looking for her.
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Post by Christian on Jul 25, 2007 9:12:35 GMT -5
Wonderful, she was one of those overly intelligent women. Well, that just meant she enjoyed toying with men even more than regular women did, and had the brains to do it. Cristin smirked and nodded his head calmly as he listened to her nice little speech. “ All can be easily explained. You see, I know that I can defend myself very well without my sword, and thus be leaving it; I am not that much at a disadvantage. Secondly, no one can steal my sword; it won’t let him or her. My cape is a rope by the way, and I wish it to be wet so that it cools me when I continue on my journey later this afternoon, when I am sure the weather will be rather warm. And you are correct about my armor. I would take it off, if only I could.” Cristin said with a smile. He bested her in that. He wondered if she had any other arguments to rise. “ Truly, if those are you only observations, I have found the fallacies in them and you have no reason now not to show yourself.”
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Post by Kayla on Jul 25, 2007 9:28:36 GMT -5
His silvery eyes narrowed to slits of pure light. Arrogant elves! Always fighting and arguing. He tried to avoid them, except for her. His metallic talons reflexively tightened, gripping the peeling bark on the branch he perched on. Glaring at the bold stranger, he waited, waited for her to let him attack.
She raised her eyebrow in surprise. Like his armor, there was more to this male than one would assume. Maybe this elf possessed more intelligence than she originally judged. Well, she felt no reason to reveal herself yet. She sneaked a quick glance above. He was still there, though by his slitted eyes and clenched talons, he looked as if he wanted to attack this bold stranger. She sent a thought his way 'Calm down. He has not threatened me yet. In fact, it has been a while since I have met an intelligent being.'
He let himself relax. She was fine, despite this irritating stranger. Ah well. She could handle herself. She knew the forest almost as well as he himself did. If it came to flight, the stranger would be easily lost.
She focused back on the powerful stranger. "Hmmm. It would appear that you are more intelligent than I originally judged. One can never tell nowadays, especially with stupidity spreading so rampantly. But still, after being pursued, one would think you would be more wary."
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Post by Christian on Jul 25, 2007 9:51:14 GMT -5
Cristin noticed the pause in the dialect between them. He didn’t say anything about it, but made him curious. Something was going on that he wasn’t aware of. That made him cautious, more cautious than usual. His eyes still scanned the forest loam and then the canopy. A shimmer of silver caught his eyes, but that was all, nothing but the slight intrusion of a silver glisten in the treetops could be seen. Cristin looked down towards the tree line, still listening to this woman. He raised his left eyebrow when she mentioned him being pursued. How would she know that? “ How do you know someone is hunting me? Why would you assume you aren’t the only one pursuing me? My actions do not give that much of my life away, lest I would have been subject to much more ridicule and punishment before.” Cristin replied. He took a few steps up the bank. His feet were still sinking in the soft sand. He gracefully bound up onto a rock that stuck out from the sand. Still nothing. Cristin was becoming irritated.
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Post by Kayla on Jul 25, 2007 10:43:21 GMT -5
She smiled to herself. Well, that sure put him on the defense. She saw his muscles tense and tighten, ready to take on all comers. His face took on a harder, keener look. His hand was still on his sword. She debated with herself. Should she reaveal herself? After all, she did not wish to fight this stranger, but still, she enjoyed her secrecy. She decided to see how willing he was to be peaceful. "Well," she called out, "it would seem that I have misjudged you, strange elf, and for that I offer an apology. I know you do not like the unknown, but neither do I. You do not like me judging you on what I observe, yet you do not offer different information. I rarely reveal myself to strangers, and that is exactly what you are. So, unless you feel fit to introduce yourself, I shall leave."
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Post by Christian on Jul 25, 2007 12:01:30 GMT -5
Cristin listened once again to this strange woman. He breathing was heavy. He did not care for the situation one bit. The more mysterious this woman was, the more cautious he became. Yet, now she was giving him a legitimate chance to make her reveal herself. It was about time. Any normal person would have done so long ago, and if they were meant to fight, they would be fighting. Not so with this woman. Cristin calmly answered her, at this time just wanting to develop the situation more by being able to see his enemy, or observer as she called it. “ I am Cristin. I am a traveler, refugee of myself you could say.” Cristin replied, hoping that it was enough to cause her to approach.
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Post by Kayla on Jul 25, 2007 12:17:11 GMT -5
She listened to his introduction, slightly surprised that he would give his name so easily. Refugee of himself, hmm? She could understand that. Traveler, too. Not surprising, given his edgy demeanor and hair-trigger senses. It was time. "Well, Cristin the traveler and refugee, I am a traveler also, and an outcast. I do not wish to fight you, only to know who would intrude into Mirkwood." Stepping out just beyond the treeline, she boldly met his gaze. "I am Kayla."
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Post by Christian on Jul 25, 2007 12:23:52 GMT -5
Cristin was finally getting somewhere. After who knows how long of pointless talking, Cristin finally saw the woman that had been stalking him. She was elf like in her slender figure and hair. He could see a slight point to her eyes, but not as distinguishable as regular elves. She was probably half elf then. She was stunning either way. Cristin slowly let go of his sword, letting it slip silently back into its sheath. He took a few steps forward and took a better look at her. Yep, she was quite striking. It made him wonder what she was doing alone in Mirkwood. He also wondered why she was an outcast. An elven outcast was hard to come by. It wouldn’t simply be because she was half elven. Of course, he didn’t even know if she was yet so he asked the question, “ Are you half elven then?” He asked in a gentle tone. His voice didn’t carry as it had, for he had no reason for it to now. He was no proclaiming anything to the whole forest as before.
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Post by Kayla on Jul 25, 2007 13:10:55 GMT -5
He stayed where he was, steely gaze still on this Cristin. Not a threat, then. At least not now. He allowed his muscles to relax. Merely curious now, he scanned the tall stranger. Armor, such pretty armor. Caught the evening sun, it did, glinting and sparkling. What would Kayla do with him now?
Still wary of the stranger, she watched him silently for a moment. Powerful shoulders, strong face. Probably a very capabable warrior. Not unpleasant to look upon, either. She relaxed slightly, though still posed for flight. She replied to his inquiry, "Well, now, an observant male, what a rare find! In answer to your last question, yes, I am in fact half elf. In answer to the next question you will probably ask, mind your own business. I do not discuss my past with strangers."
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Post by Christian on Jul 25, 2007 13:18:22 GMT -5
Cristin smirked as she replied to the thought in his mind. He didn’t think she was telepathic, just smart. In which case, she mine as well have been telepathic. In any case he smirked and then replied, “Well, I introduced myself, you introduced yourself. We are no longer strangers, acquaintances would be more prompt I would imagine.” Cristin said with a smirk. He was right, but this was interesting. If this woman was as smart she seemed, he was sure she would figure out a comeback. Cristin took a few more steps towards her. He hoped that he had not posed himself as a threat and she would not flee at his approach. Of course, there wasn’t much he had figured out about this woman yet, so she very well might. In that instance, Cristin was still debating whether he would pursue her or not. She had done so for him. Perhaps she had a good reason, what was his?
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