Timestamp: 12 Dyo, 81382 Who: http://shadowlack.com/persona.php?id=1551Fautal Vliemd</a> Wearing: Long nylon pants with a grey t-shirt. After coming back from a long excavation in the cold harsh area of Dhruv, Fautal wanted to relax and explore something different from the typical resort. He thought about no better place than the Mank Swamplands. It had just the different kind of feel that he wanted to experience on a vacation. It had several hundred square miles to explore. Plus it had plants and animals that he thought were facinating. He also enjoyed going out on a kayak into the watery areas that would normally be inaccessable by foot. This time he went out on foot, taking some trails that he occaisonally found. He had to be sure to mark where he went as to not get lost in this area. If it came down to it he could survive for a few weeks while he wandered around trying to find any part of the sparse civilization that he could find. While he was out he remembered local warnings about disappearances in the land. He thought that his chances of being kidnapped were slim to none. Taking no heed to his thoughts he continued on the trail to enjoy more of the land.
Xavius hummed to himself as he examined the animal before him. What it was in life could not be identified now, for it was maimed and skinned beyond any indentification. It was laid upon a stone slab inm a small clearing outside. His backyard so to speak. To his left was some thick swampland sludge, behind the trees. It was here where he discarded a great deal of dead. He wiped the Anubi knife he had been using upon a white cloth and laid both on the slab before him. Begining to whistle through the white mask he sat down on a folding chair of sorts, behind a small portable table and began to write. This was not the most interesting of subjects and in truth, now a days most of them were devoid of interest. He enjoyed slowly piecing a part an unwilling 'dragon of course but as of late his studies had gone back to the practice of his dark arts. His fascination in the Anubi also had been comeing back. But then again, what better way to practice dark magic then upon a living being. OOC: sorry I didn' reply right away and sorry it sucks, I'll do better promise^^
OOC: No worries. I've had some threads where it took days before anyone posted again. IC: After awhile Fautal was getting bored of the trail and decided to go cross-country. Why not? he thought to himself I have a compass with me and a small map, and I know what the trail is called. With that he grabbed a long stick off to the side of the trail to help him stabalize himself and to check for any sinkholes. After about another hour of walking and admiring the scenery. He got the strange feeling that he shouldn't be in the area. It was as if the air around him suddenly dropped 10 degrees. He was a little unnerved at this and he got out his map. He found that another trail was approximatly 2 miles away from his current estimated possition. He headed off in that direction. He had been walking for only 10 minutes when he reached a clearing. In the middle of it he saw another 'dragon sitting at a table and writing things down. Fautal said, "I'm sorry for the intrusion. I'll just pass through. I didn't know someone would be in the middle of the back country."
Xavius looked up, quite suprised. An arden had walked into his clearing and seemed to think nothing of it. Xavius glanced over at the dead meat on the stone slab and back at the arden. He was about 5'8 and of a rather large build. His hair a bright blue along with his eyes, and his fur teal. He wore a grey teashirt and a pair of nylon pants. Xavius was baffled that the arden hadn't had much of a reaction to the corpse and knife on the bloody cloth. If indeed he even noticed it. Xavius rose from his chair and put the pen down. Moving around the table he gave a very slight bow. <span style='color:red'> "Not at all sir, not at all! But before you pass on perhaps you might tell me exactly why you are here?" </span> Xavius was used to local law ocaisionally atemping something against him, there were even a couple of bounty hunters sent out for his head. He had every right to be at least a little suspicious.
After getting over some of the initial shock at the other's appearance he replied, "I was just doing some hiking in the area. I think the area is beautiful. Though unfortunatly some people disagree with me." After he finished he had another sensation that he shouldn't be there. Something about the arden he was talking to was just simply wrong. Then he noticed off to the side the bloody remains of some unfortunate creature. That he thought to himself isn't simply butchering something for food... That is total torture of a living being Though this was unnerving, he kept calm. Fautal then said, "Now I'll just be leaving. Again, sorry for the intrusion" He started to walk around the arden and to the other side of the clearing.
Xavius moved infront of the newcomer. Xavius hadn't had any good excitement for a great deal of days. <span style='color:red'> "Oh, but you only just arrived. And I do so rarely get any company!" </span> Xavius made an obvious glance over to the corpse as if just remebering it was there. <span style='color:red'> "I suppose a gruesome sight such as this might frighten most people away. I assure you its not as bad you think. I am a scientist of sorts you see. I am constantly researching and studying." </span> The masked arden put a friendly tone to his words, attemping to relax the hiker. It was then that he noticed the cling of the dark arts to this arden. <span style='color:red'> "Tell me, what is it exactly you do?" </span>
"I am an archaeologist," Fautal said. He still had that wrong feeling. Even though this arden was being friendly he kept himself alert. "I have been doing so since I was young. I have recently been overseening a dig in Dhruv. It's a cold place. You don't want to be there unprepared." He then glanced over to the bloody remains. He noticed something about it that he knew meant that this thing was obviously alive when it was being disected since it had blood everywhere. It hadn't simply dripped out of the body, it spewed out since there were splatters in almost every direction. Such cruelty... he thought.
<span style='color:red'> "An archaeologist. Interesting." </span> Xavius repeated what the arden had said in thought. He had never really met an archaeologist before. They were frequent in these parts. However Xavius had a healthy fascination of the Anubi, and of course he had studied books on them but he would be most interested in knowing more if he could. He gestured towards the knife. <span style='color:red'> "Perhaps you know something of the Anubi then. I have something of an interest in them. Would you care for some tea? Some sustanince? I imagine you are quite hungry. Perhaps you would like to step into my humble abode?" </span> Xavius would drop his name, but he didn't wish to in case this other had spoken to one of the locals and heard of him. That wouldn't do at all.
"I'm sorry but my knowledge of the Anubi is very limited. I know that they are a race that doesn't like to give up its secrets easily. They ae also a race that has great talent for dark arts," Fautal said. He then looked and saw that the knife on the table was indeed Anubi. This person must be where I am getting these dark feelings. I should stay out here, in case this arden proves dangerous. I must keep on guard. "Some tea would be nice, and I'm not to hungry I know my way back so food isn't needed."
The fact that he knew little of the Anubi was dissapointing to Xavius but not very much. Still Xavius was usually interested in things related to the ardens line of work. Not to mention he would be interested in the ardens abilities in the dark arts. That he could smell. Xavius moved his arms from beneath the enveloping black cloak. <span style='color:red'> "Well sir, I must insist upon tea then. I have found many herbs that taste exquisite! And of course I would very much like to know of some things you have found in your dig." </span> Xavius gestured to a path that lead to a large rock. An entrance to his home. Usually he didnt leave them open, this time however he did seeing as how he was right by it. He decided to give his name, his first anyway. He didn't go by it very often anyhow, and most people who knew him, knew him by Acheron. <span style='color:red'> "And where are my manners! You must be wondering who lives in the middle of a swamp. My name is Xavius." </span>
Oh, well. This other arden proves to be innocent enough. The least I could do to repay his kindness is to give him some conversation "Why thank you," Fautal said as he walked in the direction the other arden motioned towards. "What would you like to know?"
Xavius followed behind the arden, as they walked to the entrance. <span style='color:red'> "Anything! Why not start with your current dig?" </span> As they aproached the opening a gaping black maw could be seen descending into the earth. A set of stairs spiraled down into the dark. <span style='color:red'> "I know what you are thinking, who would live under ground? Well obviously I. For you see I am a man of privacy, but it is nice to have some company, so do forgive the location. But I assure you it is no mere cavern." </span> As they entered the darkness lights upon the walls began to illuminate, awoken by movement. It was a good five minute walk down the stairs. Xavius wasn't worried that the arden would see anything he wasn't supposed to yet. He always kept the more sensitive things hidden. Once at the bottom they hadn't long to walk until the parlor, it being one of the closer rooms to the door just for such purposes. As they entered the lights flickered on again revealing a comfy room, with red carpeting a cozy fireplace, a fancy wooden table and a pair of comfortable chairs. On the wall hung various paintings, most of which stolen. A bar along with a bookshelf of more popular books was the finishing touch. As Xavius had to wear a mask so too did his sanctum. Xavius flicked a switch on the wall by the entrance, calling for service. <span style='color:red'> "Come in sir and have a seat. The tea will be along shortly." </span>
"Actually I wasn't wondering why you'd live underground," Fautal said "It is warm in the winter and cool during the summer. Earlier civilizations did so to survive." Fautal was lead to a lavish room. He was, though, surprised at this fact. "Forgive my rudeness, you've introduced yourself and I haven't. My name is Fautal and am pleased to meet you," he said as he sat down.
As they sat down Xavius nodded at Fautal, accepting his name. <span style='color:red'> "Tell me Fautal, what do you know of the dark arts? I myself have a certain... afinity to the dark and as such I can detect it upon others. </span>
I knew it! Fautal thought then said "I know enough to effectively defend myself and others from anything that may wish to harm us. Why do you ask?" Fautal had earlier thought about the fact that Xavius knew some dark arts because of the corpse that they had left on the surface. He thought it strange that earlier the arden wanted to know about his work, then he suddenly switched the topic to his knowledge of the dark arts without Fautal even saying anything about his work. He was even more on edge now, though he faught hard to keep a calm demeanor.
An arden entered the room carrying a tray of tea. His face was hidden by a very old helm. Xavius grimaced behind the mask. This was missuse of the dark arts! Certainly you could defend yourself with them but the dark was by nature offensive. This was practically an insult. Xavius placed both his elbows upon the table and clasped his hands together. All the while the tray was set upon the table and the arden servant walked over to the bar and moved a small box upon it which began to play soft erie music. <span style='color:red'> "My good sir, the best defence IS and offense." </span>
"It is not so when you do not wish the harm of others," Fautal said. He was surprised at the apparent change in tone with Xavius. What could this arden be leading to? Fautal's eyes narrowed, his suspicions were confirmed. He didn't want to make the first move just in case this was only a friendly opinion. He sat and waited for the arden's reply.
The arden stood in the corner watching as Xavius conversed with the newcomer. He glanced at Xavius who looked back at him. Xavius shrugged and poured the tea for both as a gracius host should. He was in truth however far from gracious, but he knew how to act like a host. Xavius had no intention of drinking any, not yet. He wore his mask and could not drink any without a spell. None the less he picked the cup up by the handle and held it with both gauntleted hands. <span style='color:red'> "The darkness is something offensive by nature sir, so you will forgive me if I seem shocked by your statement. If not for means of harm how exactly and in what way do you use it?" </span>
"Sometimes, on a dig, there may be some animals or other 'dragons that wish us harm. All I do is make sure that I keep myself and others safe. Most of the time all I do is either scare them off or harm them a little to make theme leave. If worse comes to worse I may have to kill in order to make sure that we won't be bothered," Fautal said as he picked up his cup and took a sip.
Xavius shooks his head. <span style='color:red'> "That is like useing somethig against its own nature. But tell me what sort of artifacts are you looking for in your current dig? Anything special." </span> Of course if it was something Xavius was interested in, the next thing the dig may have to defend would be an assualt by him and his minions. Either way Xavius saw fit to send a someone to keep an eye upon the dig. <span style='color:red'> "Where did you say it was again?" </span> OOC:Apologies for the late post.
