Timestamp: Mia 17, 81383 Who: Fautal Vliemd Wearing: Black Tuxedo. OOC:Boy, this post went on longer than I thought it would. IC: There was a gathering of people in the Museum of Science in Ajita. There had been talk about this event for some time now about how there had been a great discovery in the Machina Ruins. Advertisements have been hung around the museum for some weeks now and anticipation from this event had been building in that time. The find had lead to new theories about what may have happened during the war which ravaged the place. This was the opening night of the exhibit and it was by invitation only. Fautal was now getting ready for his presentation. As the site director he was obligated to go. He told his crew that he'd be gone for awhile presenting their finds. Fautal had prepared a fifteen minute presentation that he'd have to do every day at around 7:00. He had all his papers in order and he heard the announcer starting to introduce him. The red arden then started to say, "We have indeed a special treat for you all tonight on the opening of this exhibit. Would you please welcome the site director for the Machina Ruins dig, Professor Vliemd!" The crowd stood up and applauded as Fautal started to walk forward. Fautal walked forward and shook the hand of the announcer and then came up to the podium. When he got up there the audience then stopped applauding and sat back down. "Wow!" Fautal said, "I didn't expect there to be so many people invited. This is what I had wanted some time ago when I first started in the field of archaeology. The crowds in tuxedos and gowns in preparation to hear what my team and I have discovered. Shumc iyo ull vyj kynemd haja symedhs!" The crowd applauded again and Fautal waited again for the applause to die down. "I guess that you now want to hear about the discovery, or do you want me to shower more compliments to you," Fautal said in a sarcastic tone bringing chuckles from the crowd. "Now as you all may know, my team and I have found some old tunnels and passageways in the Machina Ruins," after he said that he signaled for the projector to turn on and show a layout of the tunnels that they had mapped out prior to coming to the museum. "To get simply to the point I'll say that these passageways were probably used as an underground base, we found remnants of ammunition shells and clothing with possible remains of clothing in here..." Fautal took out a laser pointer and pointed to an area towards the eastern section of the tunnels. "This area is what we have come to assume is the armory that was used during the war in the Ruins. This place had scattered rounds of ammunition that had been discharged. With further examination we have found scorch marks along the walls, ceiling and the ground." With that he pushed a button that made a picture come up on the screen showing the room. "As you can see firefight had taken place here. Obviously the attackers wanted the stores of weapons and ammunition that were stored here, but we have come to ask ourselves 'Is this where the fighting started, or where it ended?'," Fautal looked around the crowd, "To answer this question we then had a team go along more of the passageways to see what they could find. Luckily for us there was an obvious trail that led us along to what we hoped to find was the place that these events had all started." Fautal pushed the button again to go to a different slide. In this slide it showed a long hallway, in this there were several numbered tags that had been placed around to mark the locations of most of the blast marks and empty shells that had been scattered about. As the viewers would look around they could see rubble all around. "From this photo here you can see that the tunnel had collapsed in on itself. After running a thorough sweep of the rubble we noticed that there slim to no scorch marks on it. We had the thought that this tunnel had collapsed due to some either seismic activity or a possible explosion from the top. We had some architects come in and analyze the rubble to find that it had been collapsed by a skilled elemental sorceror or sorceress. The fighting had continued from this area...," Fautal used the laser pointer again to show the long trail along the tunnels,"...to here. This is where we noticed that there had been a break-in." For the next half-hour Fautal gave his presentation. This ranged from telling the audience what the living conditions were like and what the daily jobs had been. Of course there were still areas that had yet to be claeared and explored, and also many things that were still unknown to the team at the site. After finishing up the presentation he said, "Are there any questions?" Fautal looked out into the crowd and expected some hands to pop up.
Who: Xavius Acheron Wearing: All Black Tux (including the dress shirt), Black Tux vest, Black gloves, Tophat and carrying his cain. Also wearing a black collared dress cape. NO mask. IC: The night was cold and the air crisp and sharp. The museum, with its glowing lights, looked grand. Not to mention inviteing. Xavius slowly strode towards the front steps. He had heard that tonight there would be an intrigueing presentation. Even more intrigueing was the speaker. His old friend Fautal. He was not on the guest list, nor had he recieved invatation. But there were other ways inside other then the front door. The night air was cold upon his bare face. He was rather unacostumed to not wear his mask. But people would reconize the mask, but never the face. So it was doubtful anyone would reconize him. Even his voice would be diferent without the metalic ring of the mask. There were a few people who stared a little at his skull shaped face. But in all he passed by most unoticed, his black skin tightly fit around it's skeletal frame hid in shadow cast by his hats rim. As he neared the steps he made a sharp right towards the nearest shadow, acting as though he had forgoten something important elsewhere as to avoid unwanted suspicions. As Xavius walked into the shadows he slowly began to conjured up his powers. Once he was completly hidden in the dark he let loose the dark energies. As the magic engulfed him he could feel a hollow empty sensation coarse through his body. The next thing he knew he was in a dark stall of the mens washroom. He had aranged for that stall to be labled out of order earlier before checking into a hotel suite. As he stepped out an arden at the sink washing his hands noticed him and a suprised expresion imediatly crept over his face. <span style='color:blue'> "I say my good man, when did you walk in?" </span> He spoke with a trace of admirably hidden fear in his voice. Xavius ignored his words giving him a small smile and nod as he walk to the sink next to the middle aged arden. <span style='color:blue'> "Didn't you see the sign? Out of orde-" </span> The arden was cut off as a small retractible blade sliced cleanly through his throat. Xavius' dark magice quickly formed over the fatal cut keeping the blood from spraying but not pouring down the ardens body. Xavius quickly grabbed the ardens shoulders from behind and took the invitation from the ardens pocket. Xavius dragged the body back and placed it on a toilet seat. The magic would keep the blood from dripping to the floor but only for a little while. He made a small "x" on the left temple of the dead arden with his scaple. Xavius quietly shut the stall door, and locked it with a wave of his hand. He wiped the blade off in the sink water, replace it in his sleeve and walked to the exit. He turned at the door and touched the light switch. The washroom lights flickered and with a silent pop ,died. Closeing the door he place another "out of order" sign on the door. It would be enough to keep most 'dragons away without raising questions for a while. <span style='color:red'> "I can see I'm going to enjoy this night." </span> he said to himself as he walk out over looking the grand stairway. The presentation room was on the oposite end of the magestic room he was in now. Walking past the top of the stairs he tipped his hat, smiled and nodded his way through the crowd. Only a couple of guests had started to enter the presentation room. Xavius held up the invitation to the guard outside the door who nodded and continued about his buisness. Xavius slid into a chair in the far right corner of the room and waited. After about twenty minutes the crowd had finally settled in and the presentation had started. Fautal was introduced and a slight half smile crept upon Xavius' face. For the next half hour or so Xavius sat patiently and listened to the ardens speech. In all it was rather good. History lessons were always welcom in his book. Fautal then wrapped up his speech and looking rather satisfied awaited any questions. Many silently put up there hands, but Xavius didn't bother to. He went ahead and asked his question without even standing, not that fautal would reconize him without the mask. <span style='color:red'> "Sir if I may, has your team found any items of significance? Or was this just he explanation of an invasion?" </span> He asked putting on a heavy accent to disguise his voice a bit. Xavius sat, arms crossed, and waited. OOC: I'm thinking a german sounding accent.
"Yes actually. To our suprise we found one artifact in partucular that would amplify the magical power of a 'dragon. It is a sort of amulet that tap into extra reserves of energy from fronima and then transfer that energy to the user. We are still analyzing one to see how it works. There is one other that we found and it will be on display in the exhibit. I hope that answers your questoin," Fautal said. Something in that ardens voice sounded vaguely familiar. Fautal dismissed that thought and continued on with answering any questions that the audience might have.
OOC: ACH I meant to do this so much sooner, sorry holiday busy times and all that. IC: Xavius remained silent and allowed the quesitoning to continue. Several 'dragons asked about the recovery of remains, others about personal afects such as diaries. Xavius no longer listened rather his thoughts drifted to his purpose for being there tonight. And now perhaps a new reason came along. Though he himself would not be stealing this item. to many risks in magic these days to steal any sort of mysterious artifact. and Xavius as always felt his obssessive need to be extremely cautious. He decided that it would be better to assume the amulet was protected and let a lacky bring it back to his lair. Only then would he examine the artifact. Finaly, the presentation came to an end and young arden thanked the crowd for their time and slipped backstage. Presumably to make his way to where the guest would be gathering. Xavius followed the crowd into the maint entrance. By the time he got to the railing overlooking the crowd many 'dragons had glass' of wine in hand. Some gathered around display cases others were deep in conversation. <span style='color:yellow'> "Absolutly fascinating stuff, eh?" </span> The sudden and unexpected voice gave Xavius a bit of a start. He slowly turned to face the sociabale arden with a smile. <span style='color:red'> "Indeed, sir, fascinating." </span> Xavius said in the same accent he used earlier. The other arden apeared as though he were about to say something and Xavius suspected he would have to shake the ardens hand. However before another word could be said an aplause started up through out the crowd. <span style='color:yellow'> "Ah, and heres our host now!" </span> The other exlcaimed begining to clap. Xavius followed the direction the arden was now looking and sure enough Fautal had entered the room and already begun mingleing. Xavius took this opportunity to slip away from the unwanted company. Smoothly he made his way out of the room. His next stop was Fautals office.
OOC: No problem. I know how that goes. IC: After the speech Fautal had made he then went out to mingle among the guests. He'd often get congratulations from the crowd which was starting to bore him as they'd mostly be the same comments and Fautal would use the same reply of 'Thank you' or 'You are too kind'. After half an hour of the most boring conversation he'd had that evening, Fautal decided to slip out of the crowd and no one would notice him gone since the crowd was so large. He wandered back to his office that he museum had given him so that he could prepare presentations and also to coordinate the operations that were now happening in the Machina Ruins. After he got in he sat down in his desk to releive some of the stress that he had that evening.
Xavius watched the arden enter the room, and sit behind his desk. Or at least his temporary desk, Xabius had no doubt this office was his Fautal's until the operation in the digsite was complete. He was pleased when Fautal did not turn on the lights. Xavius sat in a chair in the darker corner of the room, so he was not visible. He breathed quietly, his hands clapsed on the top of his cain. A bottle of champagne he conjured up sat at by his right foot along with two glasses. Its purpose was to apear friendly nothing more nothing less. He had placed contact lenses to alter the color of his eyes, the only physical feature his enemy could possibly recognize. They were after all, other then a mask, all Fatual had ever seen of Xavius. Shineing a shad closer to blue, his eyes bore into the much younger arden from across the room. <span style='color:red'> "You'll forgive me sir, but security did let me in here. Hope you don't mind." </span> Xavius said in a completley new accent, prepareing for whatever reaction Fatual might have to sudden company.
Fautal was surprised with the sudden company that had come into his office. He was hoping to come into here unnoticed by everyone. Fautal sighed, he didn't want any company now, all he wanted to do was relax as much as was possible tonight in this office that had been given to him. "I'm sorry, but I am in no mood for company now. Before you leave, could you tell me what you wanted by coming in here?" Fautal asked.
OOC: Sorry. I was actually sicker then I thought... not a good post holidays. Any how I am back now. apologies for the shortness of this. <span style='color:red'> "Very well sir." </span> Xavius said, reaching forward to pick up the wine. <span style='color:red'> "I can see that you do not want the company. Far be it for me to make such a proposition, when you are in such a mood." </span> Xavius had expected such a reaction. Especially from a worn out arden. He was always one to come prepared. He began to rise and leave.
OOC: Ahhh!! Really short post! IC: "Proposition?" Fautal looked up, "What proposition do you have in mind?"
<span style='color:red'> "A proposition to fund your dig site." </span> Xavius said calmly. <span style='color:red'> "My employer, you see, has taken great interest in your work. He wants to insure your success and therefore wishes to fund your site as well as throw in a few helping hands." </span> Xavius placed a hand on the door handle. His face was now for the first time in front of Fautal, in the light. OOC: sorry no computer for a while there. I have a bad habbit of doing that to ya, haha
Fautal was shocked by the face of his company. He concluded that he was probably a Lukuo. The news that the arden gave him was exciting. More funding! "That would be wonderful!" Fautal said in an excited tone, "Before we continue, may I ask first who your employer is?"
Xavius smiled warmly, as warmly as his facial features could allow. He let the hand on the door handle drop to his side. "A powerful arden who. He has watched your career now for quite some time. He is not so well known but rest assured wealthy." Xavius explained as he put the wine and two glasses on the desk. "His name is Zaran."
The smile that the arden in his office gave was not very comforting. It was almost frightening. After he had finished telling him who his employer is Fautal had a thought. This one's voice sounded familiar. Fautal replied. "Hmmm, I've never heard of that one before. Still all funding is appreciated. Unfortunately for me I won't be heading back to the dig site for quite some time. I have a job here that I need to attend to. You know how it is when you've uncovered something new and exciting." He paused for a moment, "Have we met before? Your voice sounds a bit familiar.
"Perhaps I have seen you in such gatherings before? Perhaps You over heard my voice then? or we exchanged a few words." Xavius shrugged and went over to pick up the other chair in the corner. "Perhaps I just have one of those voices. Although I am certain you might remember my face. Most people do." Xavius gave a sigh as he said this and sat down infront of the desk. "A face like this, is unfortunately not the most welcoming. But its best not to judge a book by the cover, eh?"
OOC: Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I had no internet access these past few days. IC: "No, it couldn't have been a meeting like this one. It is my first," Fautal replied to the arden, "Maybe you do have one of those voices. Oh well, this is our first official meeting and that is all that matters as of now. I agree also that a book should not be judged by its cover. That could only get you into some trouble."
OOC: Gah short post. Xavius gave a chuckle. Not a sinister one that might be expected from one such as he. "Ah, if only my grandmother would have learned that lesson. You would think one would learn their lesson after it had been taught ten times."
