To the City of Wind. [Open]

[Aleksei]

She leaned against her bag of sins, taking a small rest before going forward. The light under her eyelids became brighter as she walked by the angel with the flaming sword; a jaybird picking at the nightmares like a buzzard with a bone. Every letter to every story falling to the click of her heels; walking through the valley and over the bridge to go there. The smell of an eulogy at the very tip of the pen ready to mark the paper about an old man with no teeth or the little girl that couldn't run away.

They're on their way. Sad songs and word carved into bone - on they're way, on they're way. To the river that splits the heaven praised sky; beyond the forest of clouds till they reach tomorrow and today by the hand of god.To the City of Wind they are guided. Sweet fingers take their hands and off they go to the bridge, the path, the sky, the oak tree.

From her bag of sins her shadow shifted to stare at the stoic shoulder of the lady. Time slowed and coalesced into one endless moment as the darkness perched itself upon the slender shoulder like a song bird - tweet. Hues remained closed as she wandered between the darkness and light, staring at the reflection that smiled back. Appears it has found the meaning happiness; the two become one.

The whole world listened and held the pressure to its chest. Titans twisted in the dark while Gods walked the passages of light, both creating a roaring crescendo. They died together in the labyrinth of love and forgetfulness. Sobs cut the sea in two and the journey began.

The darkness licked the side of her face, leaving the smell of the sea tap the tip of her nose like the wooden spoon used for frosting.

Eir lifted herself from the ground - a temple to raise.

She stretched her tired body; her hands reaching for the sky to pluck a hopeful star. They had been waiting for the company of a stranger that walked a hollow course, but he did not come to them this night. Instead the empty air hung around them with eager ears that listened to the call of the sea captains sending their love home.

Together they sat upon the horizon, watching the waves beneath a sad sky.

[carrionjackal]

The stranger walked easily along the sea, boot heels cleanly clicking with each long stride. The sea air lifting his raven locks, the touch of salt kissing at his lips, he continued to stroll. It had been some time since he had last seen the ocean. Despite his withdrawn and often dark exterior, Litalis did enjoy the serenity, as well as the raw power, of nature. It never disagreed with him, never required or asked anything of him. Most of all it never tried to interfere with him.

He reached within the deep pockets of his cloak and found his pouch of tobacco and a scrap of paper. A slight grin rolled over his expressionless face. Long, nimble fingers slowly worked a few pinches of tobacco into a roll. He lifted the tube, and licked it, finally sealing over the last flap and tucking the tube between his lips. He cinched the pouch up once again, and dropped it back into the deep pocket of his billowing cloak. A simple snap, and the cigarette had formed its ember. The man drew deep, and slowly exhaled into the sea breeze. He sighed as he raised a hand to his mouth to remove his smoking implement. His pace slowed and he paused for a moment. He listened and waited, waiting for a disturbance, waiting for footsteps.

Pleased that he heard nothing beyond the usual sounds for the time of day, he decided it best to find a place to rest himself and enjoy the night. It had been some time since he was able to rest and not be working. Somehow though, his work was never done. But perhaps this night, he could have a few moments respite. Just himself, brandy, and a pipe, that would be the most comfort he would have had in quite a while.

The scent of blood still clung to him, the brine in the air was a pleasant change as he continued to stride down the walk. The even cadence of boots heels to the path amused him. He kept his pace even and hummed lightly, one of the many old tunes from his youth. Lifting the cigarette he took an easy drag once again, exhaling a sweet sigh, lace with smoke. What would this night bring him after-all? He knew trouble followed him, rather he brought trouble with him, everywhere. Foul-tempered, anti-social, and yet somehow absolutely charming when he wanted to be. Albeit it, he was rarely in the mood, unless the job dictated suave and seductive behavior.

Litalis sighed once again as his eyes drifted to the ground, more and more unaware of his surroundings. His focus became lost within the cadence of his heels. He drew again at the cigarette, and blew a cloud before him, striding right through it, leaving two clouds in his wake.

"What will this night bring" he growled quietly before taking another draw.

[Aleksei]

This stranger had caught the delicate interest of the shadow that had once clung eagerly to its creator. It tugged and pulled to get a little closer to this person who smelled like smoke and a dab of sea salt. Perhaps he was enjoying the calm song of the sea or maybe he was looking for something to stab. He smelled of something else - iron. Every body carried that one distinctive smell.

As he continued to walk the woman's shadow slithered across the pavement to catch up. Long and exaggerated fingers pulled forward to grab the strangers sauntering shadow. It grabbed the last little threads of the cloak and all the man would fell is a little lag in his step.

Eir had been watching lazily as the other half of her play games. She took this moment as a break from the flamboyant creature. She knew he was in no danger other than being pestered by some enchantment that bought a mind of its own. All it wanted to do was sate its curiosity before boredom overtook. She understood that need from time to time but now it was time to pull it away from this innocent stranger before he noticed the play between his shadow and her own.

[carrionjackal]

He exhaled quietly another heavy sigh. Tossing his head back lightly, he exposed his pale face.The long hair always bothered him, falling in his face and the like, but he would never cut it. The night was still fresh, young, and ripe for the taking. His feet carried him ever easily onward, towards his unknown destination. It very well could be there along the shore, could be the backroom of some tavern he has yet to find. His conscious drifted with the breeze, fading in and out like the tide.

He rolled his head to the side and gazed into the distance, lost somewhere beyond reality. His body carried him all the same, uninfluenced by his drifting, the cadence of steps continuing on the path. Something was out of sorts though, Litalis was still unavailable, but his body felt it. Danger? No, something though, there was something not quite right.

Lit raised his head and looked to the side, looking inland he scanned for anything of interest. He narrowed an eye and slowed his pace. He knew the feeling, but at the same time he did not. Something was with him, following him or watching him. He felt it, but could not explain it. It was not like anything the shadowmancers or weavers would typically use, but it also seemed to have a different intent. He stopped, and drew on his cigarette, tossing the idea back and forth between belief and disbelief.

It could be possible something was with him. It could also be possible he has developed paranoia. Then it struck him, there could be another option. Actually a host of other options, but one he was most keen on testing. Slowly he reached for a throwing knife he had tucked into the back of his belt. Emerald eyes still searching for movement, he pulled back the sleeve of his right arm. With blade in hand, he proceeded to make a cut across his forearm. Nothing devastating or disfiguring, just enough to bleed to his satisfaction.

"See if we sniff you out, filthy bugger" he muttered as he fumbled to roll another cigarette. He stood a chance of being wrong, but also a decent chance of being right. It wouldn't have been the first time he did something such as this. The circles he was used to traveling were wrought with foul and unsavory creatures. He tucked a freshly rolled cigarette in between his lips, just as he flicked the tired one away, and like he did with the first, snapped his fingers. He drew and began to wait. The smoke could dampen the smell, but likely it would just make him that much more obvious.

[Aleksei]

Dark hues flickered with some interest as this man had reached for a weapon but not to attack, just inflict a wound upon himself. She stopped to see if he had any other intentions on using that weapon beyond himself. There was no need for a fight to start, especially because of one playful little shadow.

The shadow resumed the playful game by tugging about with the other, wanting it to respond to this game of shadows. It watched the smoke from the cigarette fly upwards as he exhaled deeply. Finding something else to occupy its time the shadow moved forward to grab at the smoking stick. Here it played with it, lifting the stick away from the man.

"I apologize for it sir."

Eir finally made herself away. The slight breeze of the sea toyed with long strands of crimson hair, playing her green sight as she waited for the man to reply.

She looked at the shadow who dropped the stick and ran back to its original self.

[carrionjackal]

Litalis blinked, he was somewhat taken back at appearance of the young woman. Even more so by the playful shadow. He was gravely mistaken, he did seem to have a bit of paranoia, but it did come with the territory. He smiled a half smile, eyes following the shadow still, but trying to greet the newcomer.

"I would be much obliged if he kept his paws or whatever he might possess, to himself He seems nice enough, but there are those far fouler, that I tend to attract."

He eyed the female, the locks of crimson catching the moonlight just ever so lightly. He softened, and sighed before continuing again.

"Forgive me if I am intruding through your haunting grounds, but I was merely passing through. I would not have stopped but for your friend. But it seems I may have found my calling" he paused briefly, reevaluating his thoughts. " for the eve, as it were."

He withdrew his hands to his cloak, stashing the blade, feeling slightly foolish now. Slowly his hands reappeared, one seemed to have found a bit of spare cloth. He quickly wound it around his injured arm. A light smile came back to his lips, cautious, yet inviting, he tread the path carefully, still unsure of the woman's intentions or purpose.

[Aleksei]

"It is hard to keep it under control but in the end you learn to ignore the creature - then it moves."

The attention was now switched to other things as the shadow moved back to its original form. Once you acknowledged the creature it became a little rambunctious. It fed on the energy the curious gave off; feeling significant for a few minutes was enough to make it aware to take form. Eir did everything possible to keep tame but of course, there was always something to catch its tail.

Eir shook her head gently towards the man's words.

"No worries, this isn't necessarily my area. I believe the world is open to many and I claim no earth here."

She gave him a small smile, looking at his wound that was now wrapped snugly.

"If you don't mind me asking sir, but why did you cut yourself?"

[carrionjackal]

Litalis reached to scratch his jawline, before running his hand back through his raven locks. His eyes passed over the woman briefly once more before responding to her question. Lit's thoughts drifting back, over details, comments, and body language. He did not want to make himself vulnerable blindly.

"You see, I do not travel the most savory circles in this world. I'm accustomed to seeing all type and manner of creature, beast, and man on my travels. Shadows" he looked down towards the curious creature, cracking a bit of a smirk. " are not usually quite so tame. Nor do they accompany such civil individuals."

He formed a light smile as his voice trailed off, pleasant company could be definite change of pace for the man. This would be the first time in a while that he has actually said more that five words at a time. Beyond that, he was actually involved with a conversation. The twisting nether could very well surge around Litalis and cause him to vanish. Such drastic and unexpected behavior, but even the most cantankerous of old men understand the value of company at one time or another.

"What exactly brings you out on your own this dark eve? Taking our familiar for a walk are we?" Litalis said with a light air of playfulness in his husky voice.

[Malaysia NightReaver]

At a distance, she appeared out of nowhere. It was immediate, the sounds of the waves crashing up against sandy shore and the cool breeze that kissed her porcelain flesh. The anger and disgust that she had recently felt due to Xintylin, was taxing. However, with the sudden tranquility that this place had to offer, all she could do was sigh and with that sigh, the tension in her shoulders faded and the rigid strain seemed to melt away.

She looked towards the sea, quietly admiring the sun as it was quietly laid to rest behind the sea. There was a certain adoration that she had for the sun, maybe it was due to all of those years that she could never look upon it and all of its brilliance. The way it brought the world to life; without it, the life of many would pillage and burn. That was not the life that she had desired for herself and she no longer wished to be surrounded by those kinds of individuals. She felt as if Gabriela was right all along and it had taken her this long to really appreciate what all her sister had fought so hard for.

Perhaps it was high time that Malaysia had made a contribution, something much more than just being present on this plane..

Crimson ribbons were still visible from where her tears were. She took another breath and then stepped forward, her strong ebony appendages flared out brilliantly behind her as she stepped into the sea. The water was cool and welcoming as it ran up her feet and legs. Bending over, she scooped water into her hands and ran it along her visage, easily wiping away what was left over of her sorrow. However, there was a downfall to doing this. The salty water tasted disgusting, it caused face to scrunch up and cringe, shaking her head like a dog, trying to rid of the flavor. “Bleh!” But to no avail, eventually the salt melted on her tongue but tang still lingered. “Uh.” She spoke to herself.

Turning around and looking back up, she started to observe her surroundings. The lingering order of tobacco and fire littered the air, but it was distant and she really couldn’t see anybody in sight. So she started to walk across the shoreline, her legs and tips of her wings still being bombarded by the persistent waves.

[Aleksei]

"Well as civil as I may be there are moments in the day that call for otherwise. I believe this creature to just be a bit of a curse; maybe a kiss with cure it, but I'd rather wait to see if it is so."

The shadow appeared to wrap about its owner, almost pouting a bit as it knew that they were specifically talking about it. Eir made it very clear - like a mother to a child - that you had to appear proper in public. It was their only way to appear reasonable in the eyes when the sun was out, but when it was night it didn't matter as much. Not many enjoyed traveling the beaten path knowing what nasties haunted the dark.

Before answering his question Eir looked over her shoulder for a quick moment. The wind carried a message but her eyes were unable to see such. Whatever or whoever it may be that wanders about this shoreline was more than welcome to drown their worries of the day.

"You could say that. Mostly just clearing the air of heavy thoughts."