(LORE) HEALING

Post by **Emora Deen** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:22 pm

Rai giggled slightly as they began to follow Soran again. It was fun, following him around. She felt like a spy! She wondered where he was going and what interesting people he would meet! She hoped to meet them too!

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:54 pm

Soran knocked sharply on a heavy wooden door on a nondescript building in the darkest part of town. He had tried all of his 'friendly' leads, and learned nothing. Now it was time to dig a little harder, and risk turning the wrong heads. Even an innocent inquiry could sometimes mean enough trouble to get you killed in this circuit, and Soran suspected that the information he wanted about Sid was several degrees beyond innocent.

The bright moon that night was the only light, and there was barely any sound except the noisy wind. Soran had no idea he was being followed by Mizuki and Rai, though he was beginning to fear he'd worry them into coming to look for him if he didnt get back soon. The trail of clues they'd follow to find him would ultimately lead them here, and he absolutely did not want that. A slot at the top of the door flipped to the side and a pair of eyes looked out at Soran. Without a word, the slot closed, and the door opened with a low moan. Soran showed no hesitation; he walked inside with an air of authority and turned to the doorman.

"I have business with Micah," he said.

"Everyone has business with Micah," the man said skeptically, closing the door again. Even Soran's connections wouldn't guarantee him information, or even physical safety, in this location.

He acted calm and authoritative. There was no other option. "I have information he can use."

"What information do you have that you think Micah doesn't?" snorted the guard threateningly; he wasn't dumb, and he wasn't weak either.

"That's for me to explain to Micah himself," Soran countered coldly, showing impatience toward the man.

The guard leaned down into Soran's face; he was a good foot taller. "Watch your tongue, elf. Don't think that your pretty reputation will do you a damned thing inside this door. You're inside, you play by our rules, and you leave when we allow you to leave, am I clear?"

"Crystal. Lead me to Micah."

"Downstairs, second door. Go directly there. Make a wrong turn, and you don't see the other side of this door again."

Soran turned from the guard without comment, crossing the dim room to the stairs and walking down. He had a bad feeling in his gut, but he tried to pass it off as nerves. He had never met Micah, and had no assurance that the underlord would have use for what the rogue knew.

A lanky man with a wavy red ponytail, odd glasses, and a casual swing in his gait walked down the street, hands hooked in his pockets while a green laced-up tunic shirt bunched around his wrists. He looked eccentric, though he had a presence that suggested he was rather powerful. He did not appear armed. The man walked toward the den where Soran had gone, and paused, his eyes trailing to the left in amusement.

My dear friends, I'm afraid I know you're back there," he said in a pleasantly playful, yet dangerous voice. He had noticed Rai and Mizuki in their hiding spot.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:59 pm

'Blast,' Mizuki thought as she watched in despair as Soran disapeared into the building. They weren't getting into there. They'd have to wait outside, much to Mizuki's dislike. She hoped he'd be alright and wouldn't take too long.

"My dear friends, I'm afraid I know you're back there," a man's voice called out. Mizuki half jumped, she was so worried about Soran she hadn't even seen the man come up into their view.

"We've no buisness with you," Mizuki called back bravely, standing just in the light so he could see she was unarmed and truely meant him no harm.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:07 am

Soran glanced around an empty room as he entered the second door in the hall, the door swinging shut behind him. There was nothing there; a rickety desk, one rug that did not match the desk at all, bare concrete walls...

Abruptly, the rogue turned back to the door. His hand shot to the knob; it opened. The hall was as he'd left it. He wasn't being trapped, but he was appparently going to have to wait for his interview with Micah. He did not attempt to explore the hallway; he wasn't sure how the guard could make good on his threat when there was no one to watch him here, but he didn't doubt that it was possible. Instead he walked into the room and sat on the desk, watching the door with grim patience.

* * *

"You don't?" the man said in mock surprise to Mizuki. "But you appear to be spying on my house."

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:11 am

"Merely waiting for our companion to return from within," she told him as honestly as she could. She began to fear that this was going to get dangerous and her eyes darted to Rai beneath her hood. She told herself, once a threat appeared, she'd tell Rai to run back home.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:14 am

"Oh?" He looked upward and stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, don't stand out here in the cold. Come in and wait for your 'companion'," he said flippantly.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:17 am

Mizuki paused. Going inside would risk Soran's awareness of them... and the man seemed dangerous, sounded like he didn't believe them.

"We were told to stay here... we are quite fine where we are." She tried to sound convincing. She wanted this man to go away, all they were doing was waiting for their dearest to come back home safely.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:19 am

"I insist you come in," said the man, turning calmly toward the door. "I would hate for you to wait in vain." There was a distinct threat to his words.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:23 am

It was an iron door closing shut on them. They had to go in now. Soran wouldn't be pleased to see them there, but now it couldn't be helped. Taking Rai's hand gently, after whispering to the child to be silent and stay by her, Mizuki came out slowly and then pulled back her hood carefully. She tried hard to keep the protective and fear-filled glare from her eyes.

"We really meant no harm in staying out of sight to wait for our companion." she repeated, but curtsied low in order to show trust. "But if you insist..."

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:10 pm

Micah gave a them an almost playful smile, raised his hand and turned into the house, knowing they'd follow on their own. The door opened as if his help on the other side was already aware of his presence.

"We seem to have a guest," commented the man to the guard.

"Indeed. The throne room," said the guard solemnly, glancing at the woman and the girl with dull indifference.

"I suppose I shall have to see what he wants," said the man, crossing the room. As if it were an afterthought, he glanced back and Mizuki and Rai. "You're waiting for your friend, correct? I'm sure he'd be glad for you to join us in the throneroom," he said charmingly, his sharp gold eyes shining with some kind of dark amusement behind his false glasses.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:14 pm

Mizuki cringe inwardly. This was probably about to go down horribly. Soran was going to so angry that he'd probably just leave with them, not finishing what he wanted to do....whatever it had been.

"I'm afraid we might pose as an innconvience to him..." Mizuki confided, trying to back out. "He had us wait outside for a reason..." she kept her head bowed, like she was showing him respect, but she was really just trying not to show the fear and nervousness in her eyes.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:35 pm

Micah's eyes darkened just enough to be alarming, though his pleasant smile did not change. "You clearly don't know who I am, which guarantees that your rogue friend didn't choose to bring you here. That being the case, I'll forgive your ignorance of the one very crucial rule that you never, ever, lie to me." He was leaning close by her face now, the mirth gone from his expression as he spoke in a low, firm tone. "You will find that there is little in this city that escapes my knowledge. For that reason, your 'friend' Soran has come here to ask me something.

"ANd for the same reason, I am already well aware of what he has come to ask, and of the fact that he's spent the evening trying every possible alternative before seeking me out. A smart man, and I admire prudence. Thus, lest you do something inconceivably stupid, such as hesitate to comply with my hospitality again, none of you will be harmed this evening. Now, once again, let us join your friend downstairs." His deceptively casual tone had returned as quickly as it left, and he turned to lead them down the stairs, expecting no further resistance from the girl or the child.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:15 pm

Rai was confused by the man's big words so she looked up at Mizuki, tugging on Mizuki's cloak lightly. "Mommy, is daddy in trouble again?" she asked softly.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:11 pm

Mizuki's eyes widened in fear. She botched it up so horribly. The desire to keep him safe ended up putting him in more danger; put herself and Rai in danger.

"I don't know..." she whispered down to Rai, trying not to frighten the child by masking the fear in her voice. It didn't really work, but she took Rai's hand and squeezed it firmly in hers, trying to reassure her. Whatever happened they'd get out... she prayed. She followed behind the man mutely, not daring to speak now and kept her eyes lowered to the floor.

She felt... defeated.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:54 pm

Soran sat completely still on the lone desk that was sitting in the center of the room. He could hear something happening upstairs, but it wasn't until the door opened that he knew Micah had come. Wiping his face blank, he looked up at the figure that walked in with his defenses up.

"Soran Nightblade. You've gone through some trouble to find me," Micah said praisingly, his voice casual and almost friendly as he walked into the room. "I hope you don't mind that I brought your guests inside," he added while Mizuki and Rai stepped into the room.

Soran did a magnificent job of repressing his shock, his head racing with thought of how this could affect the situation and what they were doing here. He had come prepared to keep himself safe - probably, but maybe not all of them. For now, the best he could do was stick to his story and act like he didn't know why they were here. "I came to discuss business. Why have you brought my family here?"

"I knew you were coming, so I invited them."

"You knew I was coming. You did not invite them," Soran said knowingly. He had not expected Micah to be surprised by this visit after all the fishing he'd done that night.

"Clever, as expected. Your lady friend is clever as well; a shame you didn't anticipate that and explain to her your course of action to this situation."

Soran didn't blink, though this registered in his head. In hindsight, explaining what he was doing would have been a better idea. Even if it wasn't, he would not argue with Micah frivolously.

Micah suddenly laughed as if something was hilarious about this situation. "Brilliant, brilliant, your reactions are all priceless. Exactly what i would have expected. Now as I've told Mizuki here, I have no intention of harming you needlessly, so let's hear what you came to ask me about."

"You already know," Soran said sharply, irritated to be found amusing by someone like Micah.

"I am not the only person in the room, am I?" Micah spelled out gently, as though speaking to a third grader. Soran visibly bristled, holding his tongue as a retort tried to spill out of his mouth. He cast a glance at Mizuki, anger finally showing in his eyes now that he'd been discomposed.