|
Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 6, 2005 23:10:58 GMT -5
The old man does not make a move, his resolve keeping the young man and Ssertzah apart. The young man seems to lose his steam and weakens his grasp on the weapon, though still boring holes into Ssertzah with his eyes. The old man pauses for a moment, digesting the yuan-ti's words.
You are from the Prime. Welcome to Ribcage, gateway to Baator. I am Francis, representative of the Fraternity of Order here, and I know exactly who you are, Ssertzah of Sseth. You eyes give you away. he says with a perfectly clear voice My nephew Lexon will not harm you, though I cannot say the same for the fiends outside. Stay a while and we will make sure you survive for the time being.
With an uneasy grunt, the young man lowers his weapon and sheathes it, standing up straight and still trying to intimidate Ssertzah with his size.
|
|
|
Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Feb 7, 2005 23:08:00 GMT -5
Her reptilian eyes widen. Amillion thoughts run into her mind, none of them calming ones. Baator!? As in hell itself!?H-how did I get here? Is this a trick from Set? As she continues rambling on with a million questions to Francis and herself, something new pops in her head, Wait, this may be a good thing. I may be closer to finding Sseth than I was before.
|
|
|
Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 8, 2005 17:35:40 GMT -5
Francis allows his stony gaze to break into a small smile as he slackens his stance and stands upright.
So... I ask again. Will you stay and accept our welcome, or leave and accept the city's?
|
|
|
Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Feb 9, 2005 2:23:59 GMT -5
The halfblood calms herself, and nods. It would an honor to accept the offer from someone who is actually hospitable to me. She bows to him and continues If there is anyway for me to help you, I would be more than happy to repay the debt.
|
|
|
Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 9, 2005 7:42:11 GMT -5
As a matter of fact... there is said Francis, looking over the yuan-ti I would just like a lock of your hair and a shaving of your flesh. Nothing extravagant; just enough to help me catalog your species.
Lexon steps forward, taking a smaller, almost scalpel-like knife from a special case at his belt, waiting for Ssertzah to present herself.
|
|
|
Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Feb 9, 2005 23:05:29 GMT -5
Ssertzah runs her fingers through her hair a few times. She chooses a lock near the front center and twirls it slowly. She then bites down softly on her lip as she, in one quick jerk, pulls it out. She extends her arm and watches Lexon closely as she braces herself for it.
|
|
|
Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 10, 2005 7:23:03 GMT -5
Lexon grasps her arm lightly, and with a surgeon' precision, inserts the scalpel into the skin just above her elbow, twisting the blade and collecting a small amount of juicy, red flesh. He palms it into one hand and very deftly removes a thick gray putty from his belt pouch with the other, stuffing the wound with it and smoothing it out against her scaly skin.
That should be enough said Lexon, in a soft voice, taking both samples back to Francis, who was ready to place them into a small wooden box. He closed the clasp on the box and lay it on the table.
Perfect. Now, Ssertzah, we will uphold our end of the bargain. Come here and let me have a look at you.
|
|
|
Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Feb 10, 2005 18:24:11 GMT -5
Not sure what he was exactly trying to see since her curent clothing left not much to the imagination, she walked over, holding on to her new wound which was stinging like no tomorrow.
|
|
|
Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 11, 2005 17:51:34 GMT -5
Francis, was far shorter when viewed up close; the top of his head barely peaking Ssertzah's shoulders. He went up to his tiptoes and put one warm hand around Ssertzah's cheek, two fingers digging firmly into her jaw, with another one holding her eye open. The old man looks into her eyes with a scholar-like appeal, almost as if he was studying a live specimen. Satisfied, he checks her left hand and arm, squeezing the muscles firmly and rubbing his thumb against her joints.
Interesting... he mutters to himself You're a sword wielder, hmm? A light one it seems... single-edged... a broadsword perhaps? Or a scimitar?
He walks around her to feel her back and shoulders, examining the muscle groups and distinct scaled skin. He presses both hands against the base of her neck and pushes inwards, causing slight pain as he stimulates her lymph nodes.
You have an excellent stamina. I can see why they made you a priestess; you can clearly stand up to the rigors of the job. It seems you've done some farmwork too. There are clearly twists on your torso from using a sickle.
He moves around in front of her, a smile on his face.
You're an exceptional specimen, Ssertzah. I'll need you alive for documentation later, so don't die out there! he jokes, his jelly-like stomach jiggling in his mirth Come child, let's get you some clothes.
Francis walks towards the wooden door which Ssertzah emerged from and went through. The tall, muscular Lexon stayed behind, eying the yuan-ti suspiciously, but keeping guard on the tent's main entrance.
|
|
|
Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Feb 11, 2005 22:37:04 GMT -5
Ssertzah felt quite wierd after the examination, but she shook it off and followed him. Then something he said came to mind. What makes you think I was a priestess? The other conclusions I understand...slightly, but what broght about that deduction?
|
|
|
Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 12, 2005 0:36:23 GMT -5
Francis makes his way to the back of the storeroom and opens a large wooden chest, digging through piles of clothes.
Ah, here we are he exclaims, pulling out an earth-toned set of tunic and robesThis was made for a tiefling woman a few decades ago. Similar size and shape, so it should fit you
He tosses the clothes in Ssertzah's direction.
As for your question: it was your aura. Strong devotion, moreso than even the average zealot. Strong, but wavering. Be careful, the fiends can read auras better than I can, and they'll exploit that knowledge quite well. he says, waving a finger in a patronly gesture.
|
|
|
Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Feb 12, 2005 1:43:49 GMT -5
Quickly slipping them on over the little sje was already wearing, Ssertzah manages to get out a Thank you.
Shifting them to the most comfortable position, she runs her fingers through her hair a few times and begins to braid her hair up in the way she usually did to have control over it, and, in her opinion, look less vulnerable. About halfway down, she looks up at Francis and asks, If you don't mind me asking, how is it that I was not able to understand you before and now I can comprehend every word both of you say?
|
|
|
Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 12, 2005 10:17:12 GMT -5
Francis's face erupts into a wide smile
You ask many questions, Ssertzah. Good: they will keep you alive. he exclaims, happily As a member of the Fraternity of Order, I was given training in finding logic in chaos, and bringing understanding to discord. As such, I've become very adept at learning foreign tongues given only a few sentences and a bit of telepathy. A fairly common trait amongst my group. Don't grow used to it, though
Francis ambles his way to the front of the storeroom, where the huge array of weapons lay.
|
|
|
Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Feb 12, 2005 22:18:23 GMT -5
Sighs and looks around again at the strange structural designm of the tent. And I take it that its something that can't be taught.
|
|
|
Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 13, 2005 12:18:08 GMT -5
Anyone can learn, given the right amount of discipline and the right mindset. After all, mindset and intelligence are what drives the planes. replied Francis, looking over his collection of curved swords When you wield a scimitar, what do you prefer for your off-hand?
|
|