Malachite's Throne

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:01 am

Houkiboshi paused in the midst of taking a step. "If by children you mean the humans in this house, they'll be fine. They're too terrified of Serpentia to try anything drastic; the father was killed a while back because he crossed one of her guards on a bad day." Her expression was stony. "If we ever create enough of a stir and Malachite learns my name, he won't be able to connect me to their babysitter. These two know me only as Shikibu. Besides, I can always change my appearance."

Post by **Prancing Mad** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:26 pm

"Sepentia will no longer be a problem. She is free from Malachite's corruption." He said. It was yet another of his ablities that he mysteriously earned over the 20 years. "That is good, at least they will be safe. We should move to the next town, and purify its leader."

Post by **Isaac** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:17 pm

Gil's ears perked up as he listened to more of the conversation. It seemed they would be leaving this village soon. The thought appealed to him, though he did not know what laid beyond it. He lightly squeezed Mordotz's hand with his own as his tail flicked back and forth.

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:32 pm

"That would be a good idea," Houkiboshi agreed. "And about Serpentia...that's good to hear. The girl wasn't that bad before Malachite messed her up." She looked around her. "Sure we won't be able to recruit anyone else from here?"

Post by **Prancing Mad** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:08 am

"We might check the tavern before we go, but I've noticed this town ismore of a breeding pool for thieves and beggars than warriors, except for the select few of us. What do you think, Houki?" (If thats fine to shorten that. >_>)

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:15 pm

(I guess it's fine. Typing out her full name could get annoying. xD)

Houkiboshi shrugged. "A thief would be a useful asset if we managed to keep it from stealing from us," she commented airily. "But if we're to visit the tavern..." She made no visible sign and spoke no word, but her appearance abruptly changed. She was now wearing a pair of dark brown trousers tucked into black boots, a white long-sleeved shirt, a buttoned vest over the shirt, and a thin belt. She glanced back at Mordotz and Gil, both hands in her pockets. "Shall we go?"

Post by **Prancing Mad** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:02 pm

"It might be best if I stay out of the tavern. You know how the drunken fighters get when they see me walk in. I don't want to hurt anyone this time." He said, turning his head slightly.

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:12 pm

Houkiboshi nodded turning to face Mordotz. "Let's meet outside the town borders then?" she asked the Iksar. "It would be rather calamitous for other people to see you and Gil in the streets. Especially if they saw Gil. Word of his escape would reach Malachite faster with more witnesses."

Post by **Prancing Mad** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:47 pm

The iksar nodded. "The eastern border. Good luck Houki." He said with a slight bow, leading Gil off.

Post by **Isaac** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 5:02 pm

Gil followed slightly behind Mordotz, glancing back at the woman called Houkiboushi with a small smile on his lips. He was glad that they would be seeing her again soon. As he felt a small tug on his hand, he realized he'd been standing still and that the iskar was walking without him. The kitten quickly moved up to follow him again.

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 8:32 pm

Houkiboshi waved at Gil when he looked back, then turned and made for a building not too far from where they had been standing. It looked a bit run-down, and most of the windows were curtained or boarded up. The door looked as though it had lost hinges more than once. She reached out, grabbed the doorknob, and twisted. With a loud screeching sound, it swung open. She stepped inside, closing the door after her.

The inside of the tavern was dim; only a few lanterns hanging from the ceiling provided any light. The bar took up a good portion of the nearest wall. The room went quiet for a moment, every eye on the newcomer in their midst. Then talk resumed, and most people lost interest in her immediately. She moved off to a less illuminated area, scanning the room for prospective companions. As most of the tavern's inhabitants were brawny workmen getting drunk off their shifts, she didn't see much potential in the group.

Post by **Silver** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 4:06 pm

A small white bird sat perched on the tavern's open window. The drunkards were always good for a laugh, fighting over the most trivial things and saying things only intoxication could make one say. As amusing as they were, her small, black eyes instantly shifted to the door as Houkiboshi entered. After years of nothing but watching, Mori's eyes couldn't be fooled by a little Kitsune magic. What's the fox doing in here...? I certainly hope she's not after a drink... She can't be that stupid, the bird thought, watching Houkiboshi intently. Normally she'd trying to make it seem as though she wasn't staring at anything in particular, but it couldn't be helped in this situation. The kitsune was the last person she expected to see in that... establishments... and plans to confront her upon exitting were already underway.

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:55 pm

Houkiboshi was in the midst of debating whether to take another look around when she got the sudden impression she was being watched. Intently. Trying to remain casual, she surveyed the tavern again, slowly. She noticed a small white bird by the window and nearly disregarded it, but it was the only thing looking at her. She gazed at the bird out of the corner of her eye while pretending to be contemplating the bar's menu. Now that she looked closely at it, there was a certain spark of intelligence in the bird's eyes she had never seen elsewhere. After finishing the glass of water she'd ordered and paying the barkeeper, she got up and left the tavern, hoping the bird would follow her out. She wasn't sure if its stare had been hostile, but it had definitely been interested.

Post by **Silver** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 9:00 pm

As soon as Mori was noticed, she knew it... but because Houkiboshi wasn't staring directly at her, she continued to stare herself without sparing it a thought. Just water, huh? What ARE you doing in there, fox? Huh... Guess I'll find out soon enough, Mori wondered as her target walked out the tavern door. The bird quickly left her perch on the window and flew to a tree banch right above Houkiboshi, assuming that she could easily find the bird's new location as soon as she spoke up.

"The local drunks make for such pleasant company, huh, Kitsune?" Mori asked sarcastically. She shifted lightly to get a better view of the person below her, "Or were you just visiting the tavern for the atmosphere?"

Post by **BionicleMandi121** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:46 pm

Houkiboshi lifted her head and smiled at the white bird. "Not easily fooled, are you?" she asked. She was, admittedly, quite surprised to find a bird who could talk and recognize her as a kitsune. Given her 1,081 years, that was saying something. "As a matter of fact, I wasn't visiting for atmosphere. I was hoping to find a traveling companion. No one in the tavern seemed up for it, so I was going to leave." She watched Mori for a favorable reaction; judging from its voice, it was female, and the kitsune liked her shrewdness.