Fate

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

Date: 2008 October 03

The prince, tired of the daily grind, had made his way out of the sewers for the day. He had been practicing in the underground passageways and climbed out after his daily training. Shirtless, and clad with sweat, the man was grateful for the moonlight that cloaked his identity. He would go unnoticed, even in the city of New Jersey, by all but those with a trained eye. The only trained eyes he suspected were even within a 3 state radius were those working with the B.P.R.D. Including that hulking mass of hell that they kept around. While he usually would have gotten along with Agent Hellboy, the demon seemed to chose the holocaust of the humans, believing he was more or less one of them when he was feared by his 'kind'. While the Prince had not yet met the demon, he had words selected for when their paths did cross.

Nuada forced the thought of the demon from his head, he had made good progress in his training in the tunnels, but now he felt refreshed in the night air. The cool breeze against his skin was rejuvenating and suddenly Nuada was filled with energy and desire to continue training. He crossed to the park from the sewer he had exited, and was relieved to find the park covered by trees and other elements of nature, along with fountains. It wasn't like the forests he used to know, but it was closer to nature than the sewers had allowed him.

Moving with the wind, the Prince wielded his spear, carefully avoiding the lightning bugs that gave the area a surreal feel. He quite enjoyed the sound of the leaves brushing in the background, the ambiance they had supplied. Being so close to nature was what Nuada had hoped to restore for all of his people. The chance to once again live above ground without the fear of hiding or extra concealment. With out the fear of being seen by men and murdered for their differences. But in a world filled with peace, tranquility, and lust for life. Not death. Not greed.

His training became more and more intense as the thoughts passed through his mind. Humans. How had humans allowed themselves to forget the Gods? To forget what true happiness was? To destroy the planet to sate their greedy hearts? Not paying attention enough to avoid hitting the lightning bug, Nuada's spear pierced through the core of one, tinging his blade with the insects glowing entrails. The prince felt saddened by the loss of even an insect. He, in his time, had seen many species go extinct, and it was always difficult to predict which one was next. Humans, after all, had such a love for destruction, and industry. Money, among other materialistic things that had no true worth or value. Soon. He told himself. Soon, they will have a wake up call. They will again fear the dark, they will remember their purpose, and this ignorance will end.

[kahndranegahl]

Softly, almost too softly for human ears to pick up in more than normal ambience, a muffled clapping sound could be heard after Nuada's practice had ended. The sound came from just above the elf, gazing mournfully upon his glow splattered spear edge, not from upon a bench or something, but from the nearest tree. Just as soon as it had started, the clapping stopped, but the tone of voice that came after explained why the clapping had come about in the first place.

"Mmmmmm. Such a performance requires the audiance to pay their dues in any way possible, no?"

The thoughtful but amused voice itself came from Kahndra Negahl, Karesh of the Eastern tribes, merchant extraordinaire. As the young cat-woman but woman none the less watched one of her idols practice his spear work, she couldn't help but smile. The dappled light filtering through the branches shone upon her white coat to distraction, but the shadows mixed with her rosettes, allowing her relative camoflauge.

Her purring speach revealed where her position was, and from there her body's form could be seen. As she had watched the Prince work, she had stretched herself out upon a rather thick branch, careful to sheath her claws as she climbed so as to not alert any observant humans. Her head was tilted to the side as she lay belly down on the branch, tail and legs drapped over and around the trunk. Her hands pillowing her head as her braided hair hung down a good foot below the branch itself.

Though her facial muscles could not quite achieve the same range as those of a human or elf for instance, they could still animate for amusement and animate they did as what she smiled slowly, not showing much teeth save for some pearly white. She was attempting to immitate the human creation "The Cheshire Cat", at least in action as her eyes moved more like an elf when showing amusement.

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

The prince's eyes followed the sound of the cushioned clapping, in the strangest of directions. Illuminated by the pale blue moonlight was a strange creature to behold, resting in the branches. “How long have you been there?” He inquired skipping introductions. It was a pleasant surprise to meet something other than a human abroad in the park at this time of night.

Even more surprising was the fact that the creature was a Karesh. An endangered tribe of mythical beings who were rarely spotted anymore, by humans nor mythical folk alike. For the most part, the Karesh were a species recognized for being attracted to shiny objects almost as much as the goblins. They were also noted by the elves to have a seemingly ritualistic approach to pain, the more damage they take in their lifetime, the higher their reputation is. While many Karesh were renowned to be merchants by preference, Nuada knew them to be skilled fighters as well.

He had been traveling years ago during his exile when he had first stumbled across this race. Intrigued by their kind, he stayed in their village and learned the ways of their people, their language, and even how to put new techniques to use in blacksmithing. Nuada, although a skilled warrior, and a noble by blood, took pride in knowing how to assemble, build, and tinker with things. He had learned many of his tricks from the Goblins and the Karesh. At one point in time, the goblins were rumored to have formed a pact with an unknown race in exchange for goods, perhaps the Karesh was this race?

“A performance?” Nuada wondered. “It's hardly a performance if the performer is unaware of his audience.” He pointed out. “Enlighten me, friend. What brings a Karesh out to Jersey of all places? There are no hills, or wilderness to be have here, even though the humans believe the city is a jungle.” The prince stated, remembering the kindness of their tribe. Never again, however, did Nuada expect to cross paths with one.

[kahndranegahl]

"Mmmm.... An answer to the first, long enough. You arn't quite as stealthy as you'd like to believe my lord."

A chuckle resounded from her then, as she smiled widely, showing that she was jesting with the prince. As she had lain there upon her branch, she had enjoyed watching her idol move, learning from his movements his particular ranges, styles and techniques. He seemed to prefer the typical sweeping slashes his weapon would afford, as well as sudden lunges that turned from sweeps to stabs.

"As to the second, any movement like yours is a performance even if the performer is unaware of his audiance. And as to the third... well. I am seeking my name, as it were."

It was a tradition among the Karesh people for those coming of age to make a journey or Pilgramige to seek their worth and their name. Their home was as inhospitable as it could possibly be at the worst of times, and they needed productive members for their villiage. Thus, the pilgramige gave their people a chance to prove their worth outside of their home, to either bring back a skill or a source of materials for their people.

She gave a slight purring sound, deep and thrumming and very clearly audible in the still air of the park. She blinked her slightly luminous eyes at the Prince, and shifted herself to relieve some of the missplaced fur.

"There is still opportunity to be had My Lord, as I had heard you were here, returned from exile and legend. My home may be remote, but we still hear things. Our ears arn't decoration after all."

With a slight groan of tightened muscles and movement, she lifted herself from her branch and stretched, limbs quivering from strain before suddenly relaxing after a series of ligiment pops. Her aforementioned ears twitched as she grasped her branch and lowered herself down, hanging by one hand as she judged the distance to the ground below.

20 feet, give or take from her Had'jik to the grass below, for she was watching from about 30 feet above the ground. With barely a sound, she let go, falling quickly but with an assuredness that came with physical prowess. Just before she landed, her toes spread wide to catch as much ground as possible, and then with a muffled but still audible thump she landed. Her outstretched legs collapsed underneath her, absorbing her weight and momentum, pushing an umph from her lungs before she stood up again, shaking herself to get her fur straightened out again.

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

The prince quirked a brow as the feline jested, latching his spear back into its rightful place upon his back. A purr like chuckle filled the would-have-been awkward silence, his eyes not leaving her. Still surprised by the presence of a karesh, Nuada found himself awestruck. “Seeking your name.” The prince repeated. He was familiar with the process. It was a tradition of her kind to bring back a skill, or artifact for their people.

Curiouser and curiouser. The prince listened as the feline landed in the soft earth beside him. Still soaked in sweat, his muscles ached as a result of proper training and conditioning as the karesh spoke again. The natural ambiance was welcomed by the prince, so was the crisp breeze and the moonlight. Being so accustomed to darkness, he was at peace with his surroundings.

”There is still opportunity to be had My Lord, as I had heard you were here, returned from exile and legend. My home may be remote, but we still hear things. Our ears aren't decoration after all..”

Nuada smirked playfully, there was something about this race he had always enjoyed. Sarcasm. “There is always opportunity to be had, my friend.” He said plainly. “But tell me, what opportunity is it that you come seeking? Getting a name for yourself is quite a challenge if I remember your traditions correctly. Have you come seeking my assistance?” The prince asked curiously.

[kahndranegahl]

"In a way, yes. And also in a way, no."

As her voice unconciously took on a slightly sultry tone, she made her way towards the panting Nuada, taking in the scents of the surrounding area, residue from exhaust, the sickly sweet scent of it, coupled and mixed with the earthen scents of the park itself. She brought her hand up to her face, one finger tapping at the side of her nose as she walked, contemplating her next words very carefully.

"The opportunities here are mutually benifitial, my dear Prince. I shall accompany you upon your travels, lending my skills to your cause for however long I am needed or want to accompany you. And in return, I get contacts, suppliers as well as supplies for my people."

As she spoke, her tail wound itself around her, curling itself as if it were a piece of light cloth blown by the wind. Her eyes gazed upon one of her idols, and she barely kept her excitement reigned in, for here he was in the flesh.

"Do you accept my terms? My traveling with you, providing my services in exchange for your assistance in me gaining my name?"

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

"In a way, yes. And also in a way, no."

Nuada waited patiently, this particular karesh seemed interested in keeping others in suspense, regardless of their rank. Disinterested in the element of surprise, Nuada folded his arms and stared the creature down intently. Still lured in by such a rare encounter, the prince could hardly believe his luck. He had gotten mixed up once in the past with a tribe of karesh, though they had seemed different somehow than the one standing before him. This karesh seemed more the merchant type, where as the tribe he had known were warriors, at least at the time. Perhaps comparing a modern karesh to the karesh that he had met during the war of man was a bit inaccurate.

Seemingly lost in deep thought, the karesh articulated her words with care, her tail winding around her. “I have no doubt that the opportunities are mutually beneficial, daughter of the karesh.” Raising an inquisitive brow, Nuada wondered aloud as she spoke of contacts and supplies. “I would be happy to assist you in obtaining such goods, friend, but might I be as so bold as to ask your name?” He wondered. While she was seeking her 'name' surely there was something he could call her. Calling her 'cat' or 'karesh' seemed impolite and unfriendly.

“I will accept your terms, but will you accept mine?” He asked as he considered this partnership as well. “Can you stay out of the way when necessary? Or pick up arms if you are called to do so? .. Though I speak of it very little, my secondary objective is my sisters safety, can you promise not to harm her?” Though the nature of being brutal without being first threatened was rare in a karesh, he had to take precautions. A shared soul was far too precious to jeopardize.

[kahndranegahl]

"In my experience my prince, it is never bold to request the name of those to whom you speak. My given name is Kahndra Negahl, of Nila by Nudgen."

With this formal greeting detailing the names of her mother and father respectivly, she knelt at the prince's feet, bowing at the waist and lowered her head. This was a formal greeting, as was benefiting someone of his rank, and she intended to make full use of it.

After a moment and a beat or two of her heart, she stood once more, back to her normal self, and smiled at one of her personal idols, eyes practically glittering at the prospects of working alongside such a renouned figure. She was silent a little longer, definatly pondering her next answer, for it was an answer that would either close everything for her here, or open everything for her.

"I, Kahndra Negahl of Nila by Nudgen, do accept your terms. If nessesary, I shall stand aside. If nessesary, I shall take up arms for you and yours, until the time either you or I decide it is no longer to our benefit. I also agree to not bring harm unto your sister, my dear Prince. If I ever meet her, I shall guard her however way I can."

[NUADA SILVERLANCE]

The heavens twinkled beside the glow of the half moon. Setting surreal, the fireflies danced above the karesh, providing yet another good omen. It would seem the goddess favored his judgment. Nights in the city were always breath taking, but it had been several years since he had been able to observe this scenery. In fact, the last time he had been here, it was not a park at all, but a vast open space. Alive with the music of the elves, and mythics, celebrating the harvest. Paying no heed to the karesh's bow, as he deemed it unnecessary, he remembered.

Everything. Gripping the trunk of a tree, he waved his hand to his companion signaling he was all right. These flashbacks were becoming more frequent, but he did not understand the reasoning behind it. “Bowing is not necessary.” He acknowledged in a respectful manner. He extended a finger, standing up to his full height, as a firefly landed upon him. Leaning in to observe the firefly, as he had done many times as a youth, his eyes were filled with contentment of the memory he held within himself. Face illuminated by the tiny ray of hope the firefly symbolized to him. He knew the karesh was pondering her answer while he was remembering his past.

“Nuala.” He whispered with a crooked smile. “You'll find she is very capable of taking care of herself, she is...” He trailed off not finishing the sentence. “And I Prince Nuada of Silverlance hereby declare that I will take up arms to defend you for as long as you stand beside me seeking your true name.”

[THE STAFF]

Closed due to completion.
Closed on: 2011 May 02, by The Staff