After hours

[DoS Archive]

From: vladimirimpaler@aol.com (Vladimir Impaler)
Date: 29 Aug 1999 09:15:18 EDT



He stood by the bar, his shoulders set in a perfect line, one hand resting by a glass of watered red wine upon the counter. He was pensive, or so the expression on his youthful face might have indicated.

The Arena was empty save for the serving boys and a few patrons that were winding down after their last duels, it was quiet enough for reflection. The voice cut through the virtual silence like a knife, spearing Vladimirs' thoughts with unwanted brutality, "So, are you going to buy me a drink, or not?".

His eyes moved first toward the woman, his body turning completely to follow. She had dark hair, kohl-lined eyes and her scant clothing revealed more than it covered. She shifted beneath the gaze, her smile remained inviting.

"Are you bereft of funds?", his voice was deep and rich, but it held little inflection as he spoke the question.

The slight hint of surprise showed within her gaze as she pressed forward with her ill-omened meeting. "No, m'lord. I just thought you might want some company and I am here and most of the men here do not mind my company.", the last of the words she allowed to drift off into an implied situation.

"You will forgive me if what I say sounds harsh. In translations sometimes there are tones that are not implicit in my native language. You are similar to the torches upon these walls, your fire burns only when someone tends them.", a slender fingered hand motioned to the flickering fires that were close to dying. "I find no beauty in such fleeting flames. That which I love is eternal and fuels itself from within. You are no more useful than a
handful of sand in the desert to a man that seeks water." He paused to assure she was listening, the wide-eyed indignation told him that indeed she was, "Take comfort in the knowledge that most women I have met in this town to present are exactly like you with different facades."

"Comfort? You are the rudest man I have ever met! What makes you or your love so special? You have no right to judge me by my appearance and a single line of conversation!", her raised voice attracted little notice by any, her cheeks tinged slightly by a crimson blush.

"As you say. But you will leave my company now yes?", his cold tone spoke volumes to the woman that sputtered before him. He watched as she turned upon her heels and stormed to the stairs, leaving with a din of stomps and muttered words.

Vladimir waited for a long moment before flagging down one of the serving boys, "Young man, a word if you would."

The boy paused, perhaps a bit surprised at the address of something other than the diminutive "boy" he was more accustomed. "Yes?"

"The rooms above, they are free from vermin?", as he spoke he laid a coin upon the bars' counter, more than enough to pay for the wine plus a generous tip.

"As free as they come in Rhydin.", the boy grinned slightly, more for the tip than anything else. The boy waited until Vladimir had moved from the money and taken a step toward the door before speaking again, "Hey, Mister, are you always that blunt with the women?".

"Blunt? I am a man that speaks his heart. Some simply should not try to peer into it.", Vladimir spared the boy a grin.

"Right. Women are hard enough for me without spurting out what is really always on my mind or heart.", the boy said with a toothy grin.

Vladimir chuckled softly as he continued toward the door,"Some women are hard as diamonds, and those are the ones that shine despite, or perhaps because of so blunt a speaker and if I am lucky I will find the jewel I seek."

The boys chuckle followed his up the stairs and into the Inn above, tired but satisfied that he could remain here for at least a short time.

((Authors Note: This is meant as an introduction to a storyline. Please note that this is not public knowledge, it's not a paper hung up on the boards. They were generic NPC's, the woman, serving boy and the mulling patrons. Thank you. ))

[DoS Archive]

From: vladimirimpaler@aol.com (Vladimir Impaler)
Date: 12 Sep 1999 14:21:32 EDT


There were rumors of her passage, tantalizing fragments and echoes that bespoke her presence.

Some recalled only her eyes, penetrating pools of emerald, within which dwelled amber lights. Some, less astute, remembered a woman who, with a thick accent nearly drowning a pleasant voice, spoke broken common. Others recollected the torc that encircled her slender neck; the gold delicately and painstakingly molded to represent the images of a raven and a wolf.

It was the last that haunted Vladimir. The man that had recounted his brief conversation with the woman Vlad sought was the only one that confirmed, beyond a doubt, that she was near.

So close, he imagined he could detect the faint fragrance that she wore drifting through his senses as though to tease him. She was somewhere in this town, Vladimir could perceive it within his soul, he would behold her visage soon.

"Ya tebya abazhayu."*, his tone flooded with an emotion he dared not name. The moonlight, her accomplice, enriched her natural beauty with a supernatural illumination that beguiled him.

Vladimir rose from his chair, moving away from the table and through the rabble that seemed to infest the Inn. He had to continue his search and find the one that inhabited his dreams and stole his thoughts. He would either possess her or find a way to be free of her forever.

[DoS Archive]

From: vladimirimpaler@aol.com (Vladimir Impaler)
Date: 12 Sep 1999 14:27:03 EDT

((Author's Note: This got cut off from the previous post, Ya tebya abazhayu translates to I adore you.))