Find content
Not Telling
I hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. (On another note, it's not quite finished yet, I'll update soon).
Part 1:
Despite her predicament, Vhaira could not argue that Athkatla was indeed a beautiful city. It may have just been a comparison, the elf soon reminded herself, between the slums and the new government district. It was rather obvious that the rulers of this city did well to pamper the wealthy and keep the less fortunate huddled in dirty street corners. Vhaira could not help a toothy grin as she examined her other teammates.
Jaheira, who had taken a place at her side, could not help herself as her green eyes drifted up to the tall spires and architecture of the mansions that clustered together. There was a frown on her face, though, as the druid?s thoughts wandered off. It was obvious that the more worldly woman could see the corruption of the city brimming forth like the suns rays? and that she did not like it.
On Vhaira?s other side moved a much larger, much happier figure. Minsc, his expression a rather lopsided grin, stared through (or rather over) the mass crowds that waded through the district. Many stares were directed to him and the huge broadsword that was strapped to his back. Minsc took them all in stride, though, nodding politely as a hero should at those who managed to catch his mighty gaze.
Yoshimo did not find his usual place in the shadows, but rather stood up strait behind the warrior. The rogue?s smile matched Vhaira?s as he watched the other people that brushed by him. The duelist noticed well the subtle shifts of his hands as he brushed by some wealthier folk, chuckling to herself as Yoshimo pick pocketed the unsuspecting nobles. She would have scolded him if she hadn?t had the same thought in her own head.
The last and latest addition to their group trudged along beside the rogue as he whistled a quiet tune. Haer?Dalis found his eyes roaming higher up as he observed the city in wonderment. The tune on his lips began to fade as his attention was completely held by the life around him. Vhaira did not know much about the strange bard, but judging from what she did know, he was completely captivated by the city he knew so little about.
?Tell me, m? raven, are all cities on this plane as magnificent as Athkatla?? The bard said in sheer awe as Vhaira shrugged, a grin on her face.
?I really haven?t seen many others? or at least ones this big. Maybe you should ask somebody who?s seen more? like Jaheira?? The duelist said calmly. Jaheira?s glare caught her where she was, though Vhaira could only smile wider.
?Child, please don?t sick the bard on me? you know how insatiable he is with questions?? She almost pleaded in a quiet voice. Vhaira shrugged apologetically, trying as hard as she could not to laugh.
?Perhaps? perhaps yon woman would flatter me with a tale or two?? Haer?Dalis wondered innocently. Jaheira hissed out a sigh.
?Perhaps if yon ?sparrow? would stop annoying me.? she responded.
The bard caught her gaze for a moment and let his eyelids droop romantically as he stared at her, a small smile playing across his lips. Jaheira glared at him as he blew her a kiss, barely containing his wide grin.
Yoshimo jabbed Haer?Dalis in the side with his elbow as he chuckled, a fair warning to the bard not to get on the druids bad side. He blew a stray wisp of his blue tinged hair out of his eyes as he kept up his pace, drifting politely behind Jaheira.
?Eh? What might this commotion be?? came Minsc?s booming voice as he glanced down at Vhaira before his eyes turned back up to the scene playing out before them. The duelist followed his gaze. A ruckus of shouting came from a the nearby central building, a small crowd of bystanders stopping to get a view. A small group of guards walked in as some walked out and the shouting intensified.
?The council of six building. Something must be causing trouble.? Came Yoshimo?s suddenly quiet voice.
?Perhaps it is time for some heroes to go solve whatever problem presents itself! A new opportunity to kick evil in it?s ugly head, right Boo?? Minsc clarified as he offered one of his huge fingers to the tiny ball of fur that sat diligently on his shoulder. The hamster sniffed it in conformation as the warrior took a step forward.
?Looks like we needn?t bother.? Jaheira said carefully as the scene continued.
A group of armored soldiers marched out of the main door of the building, hauling a smallish elf by the neck of his purple-hued robes as he kicked and shouted. Vhaira peered closer, but was unable to get a good look at the trouble maker through the wall of armor that was the guards. As they descended the brief flight of stairs leading down, the two guards holding the man finally heaved him forward, sending the poor fellow flying through the air, only to crash into the cobbled road face-first.
With a groan, the elf hauled himself to a sitting position as he glared back up at the laughing guards.
?Fine!! Don?t help me! You and you?re doomed city can go rot in the nine hells for all I care!? He shouted, but they only laughed lauder and turned back to re-enter the building. The elf sighed mournfully as he brought himself up to his feet and dusted off his robes? and he couldn?t help but turn back to the now closing doors of the council of six building. ?I hope those damnable thieves rob you blind, as well!! Maybe it would show you a bit of sense!? his vigor did not last long, however, as he turned back shut his eyes briefly before popping them back open to glare at the remainder of the crowd.
?Well, go on. Don?t you have anything better to do now that I?m done being humiliated?? The bystanders cleared away fast enough as the elf trudged over to the nearest wall and none to gracefully dropped his head against it. He seemed to immediately regret the act as he clutched his forehead and cursed to himself.
Vhaira moved forward as the crowd dispersed, and the others could not help but follow her. It had always been in her nature to be helpful? and also to be annoyingly inquisitive. The other elf seemed not to notice her as she walked closer.
?The poor guy? why do you suppose he?s so--? The duelist stopped in her sentiment and she stopped all together for a brief moment as her eyes widened, finally getting a good-enough view of the trouble-maker.
?Holy hells, it?s Xan!? She shouted gleefully as she broke into a full-out run towards her old companion.
The wizard had barely turned around before she barreled into him with full force. The slightly smaller elf still knocked him down as he yelped, trying to squirm away until he finally saw who his attacker was.
Vhaira was sitting on top of him, her dark hair having fallen out of its bandana and into her eyes, a huge smile on her face, and for some reason both of her hands firmly on his cheeks.
??Vhaira?? Xan?s dark eyes widened completely and his face took on a rosy color as she laughed heartily.
?Xan! My gloomy little mage, what the hells are you doing here?? The mage looked as if he was about to answer before he looked down to her hands, which for some reason hadn?t yet left his face. He swallowed with embarrassment as he quickly plucked her hands from his cheeks and ears and Vhaira flushed in turn, realizing her actions.
?It?s nice to see you?re so glad to see me, but please? get off.? He said as politely as he could as the duelist none too gracefully removed herself from atop the enchanter and he stood up. She couldn?t miss the gleam in his eyes, though.
?ahem? sorry ?bout that??
?It?s quite alright. A little unexpected? but alright.? He responded as the smiling girl repeated her initial question.
?What are you doing in a place like this?? She clapped Xan on the shoulder apologetically as he cleared his throat, the typical worry lines creasing his brow.
?Greycloak duties. I?ve been sent on yet another futile quest that will again most likely end in my death? but what of you??
?I?d recognize that optimistic voice anywhere? Came Jaheira?s voice, obviously trying to put a warmer hint to it. Xan looked up and a small smile flashed on his lean face as the druid clasped his outstretched hand ?it is? good to see you again, Xan.?
?Jaheira. It is good to see you still here. I heard about Khalid? I am sorry.? The wizard stuttered as the druid cut him off with a wave of her hand, looking away quietly.
?Look, Boo! Our little elf friend returns to us!? Minsc exclaimed. The mage sighed dejectedly as he extended his small hand, and the warrior took it gladly. The elf looked surprised when Minsc did not crush his fingers in his grasp, but another sigh escaped him when the huge man thrust a small, orangey hamster into his face. It took him a while, but he finally mustered up the courage to pat the little rodent on its head before quickly retracting his hand. The other two watched the exchange with a bit of merriment, if not confusion.
Xan finally turned back to Vhaira, but noticed her grin gone as she assessed the last question he?d directed towards her. A darkness settled in her eyes as she glanced at him nervously.
?we? we were kidnapped, Xan. Some awful mage? he tortured us, it?s all becoming a bit of a blur, actually?? the elf felt his throat constricting as the girl shuddered. He could only imagine what she?d gone through that had caused her to visibly darken so. He could not help but feel pangs of guilt on his own behalf. Vhaira suddenly looked back up to him, her smile gone but an ambitious gleam returning to her eyes. ?They took Imoen, too! The Cowled Wizards, I mean? she tried to defend us and? well? we have to get her back!?
?I? I see,? Xan said quietly before he sighed helplessly ?Corellon doom me for saying this, but? do you happen to need a good enchanter??
The last word hadn?t left his lips before the duelist rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him in a surprisingly warm hug. ?Oh, it would be great to have you with us again!? He sucked in his breath as he carefully and tediously placed his own arms around the other elf, his eyes never leaving her. Soon enough she pulled away slightly, her hands still on his waist and her shining eyes on his.
?Well lucky you, because we?re just about to go hunt down some outlaws that have been terrorizing the bridge district.? Xan could only sigh as she chuckled again.
Before she pulled completely away, Vhaira stepped up onto her toes and snaked a hand under the enchanters chin. Too quickly for him to react, she planted a light kiss on his cheek, just barely glancing his lips, and deftly danced away.
The mage just stood there for a few moments, another blush beginning to crawl up his neck.
