Timestamp: Mia, 23rd, 81379 Character: http://shadowlack.com/persona.php?id=317Vyjabaj</a> <p align=justify><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='font-family:Arial'> Pushing the offending blonde strands from his pale face, Vyja gently cupped his paws around the little candle. A simple fire spell was murmured, and soon the wick was alight and adding its glow to the overall effect. His paws still cupped, he brought them to his face, and, eyes closed, his thoughts went to Fronima, and to his grandmother. Vyja loved the temple, loved the way the shadows danced accross the dimly lit ceiling, revealing and masking the sacred runes that covered the walls as it did so. He loved the silence, loved the serenity which he felt right then and there. <span style='color:goldenrod'>"Who would have thought, eh?"</span> he thought to himself, smiling. Who would have though indeed, that he, the ever effervescent Vyja would thus enjoy silence and loneliness? He who could barely stay still for more than five minutes, let alone keep quiet? It was quite a miracle, really, that he had kept quiet for this long... Those thoughts seemed to corrupt his seriousness and break his composure. They made him restless, uneasy. He felt a sudden urge move, to speak... To do something, anything, anything to break the silence. That golden silence that had seemed so soothing seconds ago was now oppressing him, like a heavy paw clasped over his mouth and muzzle that would not let him breathe. What would happen, he wondered, if he were to suddenly shout? To suddenly break into a run? Would that be considered blasphemy and would that condemn him forever? What stopped him from fulfilling his desires, but the mere fear of their repercussions? Did that make him a coward? His tail swayed uneasily, yet Vyja stayed where he was.</span></span></p>
Talon silently walked in, planning to pray for salvation for him and his brother, and get out. Not really the religious type, but there was always a first for everything. He noted one person already there, and kneeled beside him, palms and face to the floor, his partisan dropped to his side. He managed to do this without a rustle of his robes, or a clatter of his partisan, which pleased him. Noise in a sacred place was considered a major offence in his eyes... He prayed silently for a few moments, and went to rise, very pleased he was doing good so far. But that was when his overconfidence caught up to him. He reached for his partisan, but as he was raising it, his fingers slipped, and his partisan clattered to the floor, the thick wood attached to the blade acting musically, letting out a clear, audible tone, like a windchime... He stiffled a gasp, and waited to see the other's reaction, now praying he wouldn't get in trouble for the noise...
Travelling again. It wasn't unusual for a femme like Kien to travel. But it was unusual for Kien to travel to a place like this. She rarely goes to any places like this and she wonders what had made her come. She stepped silently into the temple, bag slung her shoulder and beautiful light brown eyes studying the temple's designs. She headed for the altar, noting that there were two other pendragons already in the sacred place. She kneeled down and began to pray for her parents. Her parents who are probably enjoying life together again in Fronima. Tears were threatening to come out of her. It would have, had it not been for Talon's partisan which created a sound that sliced through the silence. It wouldn't have been deafening in normal circumstances like if it was outside... but the temple was so silent as if a vacumm sucked out all the air and nothing was left but silence that the clatter of his partisan was like an explosion. Kien jumped at the sound and her cranium automatically turned towards the source. She saw Talon with a funny expression on his face. <span style='color:skyblue'>He must be the culprit.</span> she thought and smiled. She knew how he must have felt. She'd been in a situation like his before. She waited to see how the other male would react. At first she thought that the other would be angry at the disturbance, he would break a fight. But that was silly was well as stupid, of course. Who in their right mind would break a fight in a place like this?
<p align=justify><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='font-family:Arial'> Swish. His bright blue eyes danced amusedly as they focused, burdening an object with their heavy gaze, only to lose interest and unfocuse instants later. They mimicked the erratic movement of his thoughts as they now raced through his mind. Swish. His tail still swayed, a clear indication of his unrest. Its barely audible sound spoke volumes to his ears, tantalising, tempting him to add to the racket, to finally break the silence around him. Swish. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he never noticed the presence of the two other 'dragons, let alone their entrances. And so, as the metallic clatter of the partisan resounded loudly besides him, Vyjabaj nearly screamed out in shock, nearly unleashed that impatient voice of his which so begged to be freed, to be heard. Yet he managed to restrain his voice and instead turned to face the stranger. Or rather, turned and lifted his head to face the stranger, for newcomer was easily two heads taller than him, even as he knealed. As he did so, he spied the other 'dragon in the corner of his eye. She was dark, like the other 'dragon, and Vyja subconsiously noted that she had very pretty brown eyes. He shot her a shy smile before turning his attention back to the male newcomer. Slightly unnerved by the strangers white eyes, he eyed the partisan with caution. A weapon in a temple? <span style='color:goldenrod'>"Thank you."</span>, he uttered to him in whispered tones. His blue eyes, partly hidden by his blond locks, shined with gratitude and new found admiration. It hardly occured to him that the newcomer would hardly understand him. </span></span></p>
Talon heard the words loud and clear, and felt ashamed at himself for being so clumsy. <span style='color:orange'>What do you mean?</span> Talon asked, standing now, his expression changing to one of curiousity. <span style='color:orange'>Why are you thanking me for making a complete and utter fool of myself?</span> He tapped his partisan against the ground, and leaned on it, suddenly feeling old again, the curse wearing on him, the spirit struggling to get out. He knew something inside this holy place was setting the spirit off now, maybe his noise had awoken more than the two others from their worship...
<p align=justify><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='font-family:Arial'>His bright gaze shifted uneasily under the weight of the strangers question. But, having discerned neither mockery nor ill-intent in the dark 'dragons voice, Vyja thought it safe to answer the truth. Not that he'd ever been good at lying anyway, he mused. <span style='color:goldenrod'>"As strange as this might sound Dark One, I have wanted to do exactly as you have done for what seems the longest of time. As blasphemous as this will sound, I do not think I could have stood the silence any longer. It is not in my nature to stay so quiet, and for so long. Yet, you must believe me when I say that it was never my intent to be disrespectful, either. Like others I had come here to find peace and to pray for those long gone. The noise that your partisan made as it fell against the floor was to me like music, like the sound of liberation. My name is Vyjabaj."</span> All of this he had once again whispered, his voice clear and his words softspoken. He ended his odd speach with a small and foolish grin. And then, slightly louder, he added, <span style='color:goldenrod'>"Are you two together?" </span> </span></span></p>
The stranger, who was disturbed in praying, smiled at her and she smiled back. It was rare that anyone smiled at her before since she traveled alot and hadn't the chance to get to know many 'dragons. Kien watched and listened to the scene curiously. Though she couldn't catch much of what Vyja said, but she was sure that he wasn't angry or annoyed by the sudden noise. All the while she'd been listening, she restrained the urge to laugh out loud. To her, the whole incident was amusing. With Vyja, whispering so silently, calmly, and Talon confused as to why Vyja was taking it so easily. Then a question was directed to her and the stranger who created the noise. Funny that anyone would think she was with him. Again, restraining the urge to laugh, she replied with a smile, <span style='color:skyblue'>"No, no. I came here alone."</span> By now, she completely forgot about her sadness over her parents earlier. She was also enjoying the company and the amusement after several days of utter boredom. <span style='color:skyblue'>"If you don't mind me asking, what are your names? I'm Kien, if ever anyone was curious."</span>
<p align=justify><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='font-family:Arial'> Vyja gave a subconsious mental sigh of relief at the negative response. So she had come alone. Vyja nodded in her direction, silently acknowledging her question. His blue gaze turned to her. <span style='color:goldenrod'>"Kien, tis a nice name. I should be so lucky. My name is Vyjabaj...",</span> [he winced jokingly],<span style='color:goldenrod'>" ... but people usually call me 'Vyja'."</span> , was his simple response. Vyja, though not outrageously flirtatious nevertheless enjoyed being polite to newcomers. Glad he no longer had to endure the silence alone, he silently awaited a response from either of the two 'dragons. </span> </span></p>
<span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span> <table class=ooc><tr><td>Sorry for posting out of order, but I'm waiting for Kutz k? Then I will.</td></tr></table>
Kien smiled at Vyja's reply. <span style='color:skyblue'>"Thank you,"</span> she said. Then, nodding towards the two and whether or not the two replied, she added. <span style='color:skyblue'>"Pleased to meet new strangers."</span> Getting off her praying position, she sat crossed legged. She was very glad to be metting new pendragons and not be alone everytime. The company the two were giving was good. She should actually come to the Temple more! <span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span> <table class=ooc><tr><td> sorry late post.. hee hee. busy life</td></tr></table>
Talon grinned, obviously his fault had ended up not as bad as he had thought. <span style='color:orange'>Talon Galdon, at your service</span> he said politely and then bowed with a sweeping of robes. <span style='color:orange'>I just came here to pray as a last resort for something... I really do apologise for the inconvience... But alas, it has already happened, and thus here we are, meeting each other when perhaps we may not have...</span>
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='font-family:Arial'><span style='color:goldenrod'>"Don't be sorry Lad, things happen for a reason." </span>replied Vyja softly.<span style='color:goldenrod'> "Odd meeting place, eh? I'd say it is one of the most beautiful of places to meet, the Temple is. It makes me proud of being of these parts and knowing that the very same blood of those who built it flows in my veins. But then, every part of Ramath has their treasures. Where are you from?" </span></span></span>
Kien nodded her head in agreement to what Vyja said. Normally, she would have spoken. But being in a place like this made her quiet. Even so, her mind had went blank. Either she was too sleepy or had lost her ability to socialise. "<span style='color:skyblue'>I'm from Janardan. Just having a break from books and papers.</span>" she replied Vyja's question, whether or not he was actually talking to her. And all this while, not a single soul entered the building. It was quiet with only the whispers and talks that the three pendragons made. Kien wondered if this sacared place ever had any visitors. "<span style='color:skyblue'> Do you come here often? This place is really beautiful. I wonder why this place feels so lonely. It's quiet and I suppose not many people come here.</span>" she said, finally fishing out a topic from deep inside her head.
Talon nodded. <span style='color:orange'>I'm from the desert, and this is my first time coming here...</span> He slumped down into a crosslegged position, watching the sand colored gem embedded in his partisan dance and flicker. <span style='color:orange'>I honestly don't know anything about my ancestors, I really only came to pray as a last resort for a problem my brother and I have...</span>
<p align=justify><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='font-family:Arial'> ... as a last resort for a problem my brother and I have... Vyja knew better than to press Talon. Though he was curious as to what might be troubling the 'dragon he knew it was none of his business and certainly not his place to ask. Once again, Vyja's blue gaze sought out Kien's as he answered the question she had directed to the both of them. Once again, his paw automatically came to push a blond lock away his as the offending strand came to mask his good natured face. <span style='color:goldenrod'> "As for myself, well my story is rather boring really. I was born and bred in Mansukh and have never left my homeland. One day I will though. I have plans to visit the rest of Ramath... But I disgress, don't I? I haven't been to the Temple in ever so long. Not since I was a nioti, in fact... My Aunt Geetha, bless her soul, used to bring me here often when I was little. You see, she was Priestess, a devotee to the Goddess Tanastlasei. She used to tell me all kinds of stories about the Temple and those who built it. I can't quite remember the details but she claimed that the Temple was full of secrets of sorts. Secrets relating to those runes above... They're all over the place! On the walls, on the ceilings, in the gardens... And none have been able to decipher their meaning. Perhaps there was some truth in her tales... But I speak too much."</span></span></span></p>
Kien was quite curious in what problems Talon and his brother might have. Heck she'd been curious all her life! But this is the time when she know to keep her mouth shut. Asking a stranger about his personal seem a little weird and rude. Her tail swung through the air. Left, right. Left, right. She listened to Vyja's tale. She found it quite interesting. Her brown eyes looked around the Temple, maybe trying to interpret what those signs and codes mean. But of course, she can't. <span style='color:skyblue'>"No you don't talk much. I would like to hear more. It's really interesting to me."</span> she told Vyja, her eyes tearing away from the ceiling and meeting his. <span style='color:skyblue'>"Unless, of course, you would rather talk about something else?"</span> Then Kien's attention was grabbed by the flickering of gem on Talon's partisan. It reminded her of stars. And stars reminded her of the many nights she spent looking at with her mother. A feeling came over her but she tried to push it away. Oh, how she misses her mom!
<span style='color:orange'>Well, I've never been to a temple worshipping good or light before, I didn't really have any clue as to how to beg the gods... It was a foolish idea, only those who have devoted their whole life would have their wishes granted...</span> He paused, still watching the gem, before it erupted in light, making him wince and the spirit inside him go for the chance to escape. Talon forced him back down however, and watched as the gem projected a story in the air and on the walls around them... A warrior, sand colored fur, welding a partisan that was almost an exact replica of Talon's. He wore only a loincloth, the sun free to beat down on him. He was facing down a cloaked figure, dark and insidious, standing silently on the dune that let the two see the desert that stretched for miles around them. The warrior let out a war cry in some ancient, unknown language, and charged the cloaked figure, swiping high with the blade of his partisan. The partisan's gem in the story danced and blazed with an unatural fire as it struck the cloak, and it fluttered to the ground, shorn in half. The warrior turned around to reveal a black furred creature with pure white eyes. It wore a suit of heavy purplish black mail, and it brandished a halberd, swinging a heavy blow and catching the warrior in the thigh, striking him to the ground in a spray of blood. The sand warrior howled with pain, and forced his partisan upwards, the gem dancing with rage as it pierced the ancient european earth armor and drove straight into the heart of the foul dark beast. The cloaked figure laughed, and in a twirl of his black red lined cape he fell upon the sand warrior and in a spray of sand both were gone... Talon stared, open mouthed at the story, never witnessing his partisan doing this before. He felt the evil spirit inside him, and felt the tremor far off of his brother in a similar struggle. He gasped, and before he knew it he was seping dark energy and The Dark One was in control...
Vyja had opened his mouth and was about to continue the tale in the softspoken tone of his but it was shut almost instantly, it's owner distracted by the images that even then continued to flow out of Talon's weapon. His mind strained to comprehend and keep up with the story as it unfolded. The youth was both thrilled and terrified by the suddenness and novelty of it. He mentally reproved himself for being afraid. After all, it was only illusion, fiction. How could it be real? And yet Talon had seemed genuinely in pain when the gem projected its story. He had vainly tried to reach out for him to help him before being both mesmerised and immobilised by the tale. The story... It was both strange and unpleasant. Was the soldier Talon? Vyja couldn't tell but he had the fleeting feeling that the gem was very real and that something terrible was about to happen. And then it was over, the soldier, the evil spirit and the sand... All gone. And yet it wasn't over. He could sense a change in the surroundings... The Temple, it wasn't the same. The candles... The candles were flickering unnaturally, causing hectic shadows to dance accross the walls. He could feel the unrest of the Spirits. "It has disrupted the balance!" He mouthed, aghast. He didn't know what the 'it' was, but Vyja knew what had just happened was ver serious. And very, very bad. Tearing his gaze away from the Sacred Runes, which now seemed to stand out more than ever, he turned to face Talon, or at least whom he hoped was still Talon. "Wh-What just happened? And are you okay?" his voice faltered as he spoke.
She listened to Talon. Her tail was still swinging and her eyes were still watching the shining gem. Then suddenly her swinging tail came to a stop in mid-air and her eyes opened in shock. There, from the gem came out the most vivid thing she'd ever witnessed. What the... She watched as Talon, or who looked like Talon, let out a cry and attacked a figure which she couldn't quite identify. The story happened so fast. When it was over, her face matched the surprise of the two with her. The candles that flicker gave her the thrills up her spine. She could feel the hairs of her neck stand. Her heart was pumping wildly. Kien was not the type to be easily scared but the feeling she felt somewhere inside her was unpleasant. It was... evil. She went a little closer to the two. Safety in numbers and safety when there's two males around. <span style='color:skyblue'>"What was that? What 'it'?"</span> she managed to say in a near whisper. And all eyes, where now on Talon.
Talon's mouth was open in shock, he froze for several moments, before opening his mouth to speak. <span style='color:orange'>It's never done that before...</span> He muttered, <span style='color:orange'>I guess both the evil spirit inside me and my partisan, an ancient artifact I took from my ruined village, have a major reaction to this place, What do you two think?</span>
