RP:A Spark In The Mines

Synopsis: Krystan, a formidable assassin, discovers a hint of his humanity remains, as he meets the pretty elf, Lanara, in the Xalious Cavern. The two have pleasant small talk, and discover that they are attracted to each other, however it's short lived, as Krystan realizes he's enjoying their time together, and vanishes.

Lanara lowers her pick axe as several chunks of rock break from the wall, and scatter upon the cave floor, mussing her boots with debris. Bending at the waist, the brunette dusts off her knee-high leather boots, and a hint of flesh is visible, and bares an intricately designed pentacle tattoo. Small traces of iron ore are extracted from the pile of rocks, and tucked into a satchel, before the elf rises to her full height, and scans the area with intelligent, chocolate brown eyes. Long lashes flutter against high cheekbones, and lustrous, chestnut hair is tucked behind a pointed ear, as the beautiful brunette offers a curt nod to any other miners that may catch her doe eyes.

Krystan seems to simply appear from out of the shadows that dominate the mine at this time of day, the man's form cloaked by the darkness that seems to writhe about him as if it was alive. He studies the woman that is the only other person left to try their hand at finding riches this day, those icy blue eyes of his seem to glow from beneath the cowl of his cloak. He is as silent as the grave, and would have remained unnoticed save for the very highly trained eye, but he steps forwards and sheds the darkness that conceals him to appear fully before the stranger. His cloak seems to have come off, but in reality the magical article of clothing simply stays melded with the shadows. She sees him now, garbed in simple attire. She does not see the murderer, the fiend, nor the hunter. With simple leather leggings of a light brown hue, a black shirt that contrasts with his lightly tanned flesh and simple worn boots, Krystan seems a normal man as any. His hair is kept back in a ponytail, save two bangs that refuse to flow into the back as smoothly as the rest of his mane. Those cold eyes are now simple pools of a clear, sky-blue hue. Given that his features are usually always hidden by his cowl and the high collar of his cloak, it’s hard to say if the simple look upon his face was a farce or not. But, for now, the assassin turned hunter for the seaborn known as Zirael goes about his own business. What that is, is still unknown. Though he does venture close to the woman, before he kneels down and picks up a chunk of ore that shines in the rare beams cast by the moon. “You missed one." Says the killer, a charming smile at the ready as he takes a slight step back to once more offer her the space to feel comfortable, while holding out the platinum chunk for her to take.

Lanara freezes in place as the male lowers himself near her and examines the rubble, only to procure a decent sized chunk of platinum. The shine of the gem mirrors the shine of his sky blue eyes, and Lanara stares into the majestic pool for a moment than is longer deemed appropriate, before seeming to catch her breath. Full lips purse into a curious pout, though she doesn’t near the gem, or the stranger. Charming? Check. Handsome? Check. The only other being remaining in the mines, and also a stranger? Check. Lanara motions to the shiny rock, and takes a hesitant step back, as though she were being cautious for a reason. Perhaps she had been cornered or abused before? Maybe she behaved shy around good looking males? Whatever the reason, the elf seems uneasy, though she desperately tries to hide her uneasiness, and offers an easy half smile. “Thank you for being so observant, but finder’s keepers! I insist that you take it, as you found it. It only seems right…” Lana’s voice trails off as she moves a few feet to the right, and readies her pick axe again, preparing to aim at the wall. Making friendly conversation, she concentrates on the task before her, and gives Krystan a sidelong glance. “I’m Lanara. Are you new to the lands? I don’t believe I’ve seen you before…”

Krystan allows his lips to curl into a small smirk as she backs up, his hand grasping the platinum piece before he'd chuck it out of the mine towards the oft traveled path. The stone skips across the ground before resting right next to the main path, in clear view for someone to find it. "Then let it be found by someone who needs it, I'd rather have the karma." Her body language is seen, so he eases a bit more back himself to try to make her feel comfortable. She offers a name, and for a very brief moment he pauses. Names were not something he was used to, but he wasn't the hunter right now. He is simply. “Krystan." As for the rest of her inquiry, he replies with. “I’m not from this far west. I live closer to the ocean." A bit of information, but not too much. He has his own guard up as well; as casual conversation isn't something he does often. He leans back against the cavern wall, and brings out a water skin to take a drink from. The refreshing and revitalizing waters within quenches his thirst with just a small amount, as well as renews his energy for the trip back down the mountain. Moving towards his pack, the man opens it to reveal several herbs stored within, freshly gathered. Many of them are of the local variety, found only this far up the mountain. The particular ones that can be seen, if one is knowledgeable in such matters, will show that he too isn't picking up pretty things as he goes along. He is gathering particular plants. Maybe this is why he is in the mine at this hour? Who knows? After a moment, the man turns his gaze back to the woman, and asks. “It’s rare to see such a woman in the mines; surely you've found a suitor back home? Some noble gentleman with wealth beyond measure has come calling for your hand?" His tone, as well as the smirk that has once more found its way upon his face, shows he is playfully jesting. But his knowledge of how things work in the higher social circles throughout the land hints at his own heritage. Not many mock the wealthy, so openly.

Lanara lowers her pick axe, and doesn’t even bother to glance downwards, to discover what small riches may have scattered across her footwear. Turning her figure to give the male her full attention, she leans against the wall and begins to braid her hair, leaving the result hung over one shoulder. “Krystan…” She murmurs, as though tasting his name on her tongue, and finding that it was a unique and fitting name for the male. “That’s a nice name. And I visit the ocean area, sometimes. Though… My favorite area tends to be Frostmaw, Sage Forest, or Xalious. I love animals and am often rescuing them, in those parts… I am from Kelvar. It’s very far from here, and I miss it terribly. Well, I miss what it once was… The drow took over my home, and that’s why I came here, to make a home and to find my sister.” Glancing at her rune tattoo, which was on her left wrist, brings the mention of ‘karma’ back to her mind, though she doesn’t know the male well enough, yet, to discuss his views on religion. And being a witch, she wasn’t certain if he would approve, considering some were good and others were evil. Beautiful, she was, though intelligence was what had gotten her to where she was today, and she wouldn’t lower her guard, at least not quickly. At the mention of having a lover, Lanara actually laughs, a girlish, contagious, giggle. “No! I… I am not with anyone. Haven’t ever been, actually. I… I think I’m intimidating. Or ugly. Or… I don’t know, actually. But I’m happy… I have animal companions, and a sister… What about you? Do you have a pretty wife and little ones back home? Waiting for you to make a healing poultice? I… I have used some of those herbs, before.”

Krystan raises a single slender brow as he listens to her claim to be ugly. In a world filled with lies that he so often dwells within, such an obvious one makes him laugh slightly. “You’re very far from ugly, Lanara." he does not use titles like Lord or Lady. Again, signaling his own lower bred status. In his world there were no lords, and the "ladies" only came when you had the gold. At the mention of animals, he nods, replying honestly. “I’ve never owned a pet. I do not feel it’s my right to ever bind what should be free to me, though I cannot say all pet owners do such, it’s just I have a... thing... about it." Slavery. He hates it, any form of it. And given that many pets were often abused in Cenril, or abandoned when their owners couldn't take care of them anymore, Krystan just views pets as another kind of slave. “But I shall never abide the abuse of any animal before me." His tone signals a deeper story there, but at the same time he catches himself being chatty. This is a bit unsettling for the man, as words are never really exchanged in his line of work. A name, a place and an exchange of coin before someone's life were snuffed out. Never any children and only woman who were known killers as well. He has his own code. Plus there are plenty of thugs, would be crime lords and various others to make sure he never had to take such a job. Though he often heard of whole families being slaughtered, children and women being abducted. He knows the end game for those poor souls, and it sickens him. Cenril was hell on earth, yet built to seem like paradise, if you have the coin. Most times you ended up in an ally, with the best outcome is you're broke. The worst is you ended up in the gutter in that alley, food for the rats to feast on while the city guard got paid by whatever crime lord owned that particular part of the forsaken city just feet away. Yes, the mountains of Xalious were a good getaway. And some it was nice to remember that he was in fact a human being still, and not just some soulless killer for hire. It’s what kept him grounded, what gave him an edge. Kill enough people and one starts to believe themselves above death's grasp. So ever so often Krystan allows himself to "live" a normal life. He even has a small place in Cenril, though he spends most of his down time travelling. His mother taught him to harvest various herbs for cooking and medical purposes. So that is what he was doing, gathering herbs to bring back and make salves and some teas. He finally answers her last questions with. "I've no one." While he says it with no particular tone, he isn't aware that such a claim often catches others off guard, so he still goes about his own business as if what he said wasn't anything at all.

Lanara feels her cheeks burning, as though a flame were being held upon them, as crimson floods her fair face. The young elf was blushing at the compliment, and not knowing how to take one, she clears her throat and merely stares at the rock wall, waiting for the heat to leave her face. As the talk about pets surfaces, and is a more neutral territory, the woman regains her composure and returns her hypnotic gaze to the male. “I don’t –make- animals my pets… I merely help them when they need it, and set them on their merry way. Though… Some do choose to remain as my companions, of their own free will. And since I travel alone and don’t exactly have a home to call my own, I welcome their presence.” As Krystan mentions that he is unattached to a family or woman, she merely nods in response, unsure of what to say next. Normally, she would touch the flesh of whoever she was speaking to, and use her empath abilities to gauge their feelings or mood. Though, this male was a stranger to her, and it would seem odd for a petite elf to latch onto his appendage. So instead of relying on her empathic tools, she relies on the witch inside, and rummages in her satchel, once more. The glimpse she took at his herbs showed he was likely going to make a tea, perhaps a salve and if so he would need some mint. After rifling through her bag, the witch extends a dainty hand and holds a few sprigs of fresh mint before the assassin. “Here. I know mint is easy to come by, if you know the right places. This is from Gualon. I work at a farm, there… It’s fresh, and will really add something to your tea.” Lana takes a step nearer to the male and looks into his face, expectantly, hand outstretched and waiting for him to take the small bundle of herbs from her hand. She wouldn’t offer how she managed to travel such distances daily, let alone in such a short time, lest he should inquire.

Krystan catches the blush for a moment, before she turns away. He'd act as if he didn't notice, as to avoid making her uncomfortable, before the conversation returns to animals briefly. He'd add in, to clarify his own stance on the matter. “That’s fine; I am not anyone to judge anyone else. If an animal chose to follow me, I'd welcome it, but I'd never leash it and keep it against its own will, as often happens with some types of pets." His voice is calm, smooth and easy to listen to, yet, there is a command within it that lurks beneath the tone, hinting at something more. But before anyone could look into such, the mint is brought forth and offered. Smiling, a very rare occurrence, he was indeed relieved to be gifted such. “Thank you!" He says, as he reaches out to claim the offering. It was in this moment that the two touch for a brief moment, as his fingers brush against her hand. If she is indeed an empath, she may pick up on things. He hasn't lied once to her, nor does he wish her harm. If her power is such that it picks up on emotion, than she may feel a bit of attraction or curiosity and perhaps even a bit of shyness. He wasn't used to this either, ya know. But, again, if her powers were great, and honed, she could dig deeper. Feel the darkness that lurks in the hearts of killers like him. Of the pain of his childhood, of the anger, loneliness and despair of the slavery he experienced. But then, pain, suffering and a deep darkness. If she picks that up is all upon her own abilities, and not knowing that she has such abilities, Krystan maintains that smile, that rare expression, as he moves back again, and their touch ends as he carefully places the mint into his pouch. “This will save me a great deal of time, so again, you have my thanks."

Lanara is pleased that Krystan accepts her small gift, and responds with the warmest of smiles. Though she was an often guarded individual, the witch loved to help others, and the breathtaking grin she was giving to the male showed that he literally just made her day, with his gratitude. As their fingertips touch for a brief moment, Lana feels the strongest emotions that were emanating from within the male, and her cheeks redden once more. He was bashful and possibly attracted, though she couldn’t discern over what, exactly. She was mining, and likely had dust in her hair and looked a ragged mess! Though, as they quickly pulled their hands away, she was grateful, for if he had such abilities, he would have felt the same awkward inclination of attraction that was surging through her, as well. The empath considered digging deeper, but she didn’t think it fair, as he was a friendly stranger, and not asking to have his emotions made public. Also, their hands parted too quickly for her to develop a more intimate reading. “You are most welcome, Krystan.” She states, matter of factly, as though it was her duty to please others. She also, doesn’t use titles, as she didn’t hail from a privileged upbringing. Not much of an upbringing at all, if you ask those close to her… She was sent away in her teens to an academy to fine tune her empath abilities and magic, and when she returned her mother was murdered, home was demolished, and her sister was missing. Life. Though the witch still managed to smile through it all, and show kindness to others. Letting them in her world… That was the challenge, though.

Krystan was glad that he chose to come to the mines this day, and that fact suddenly dawns upon him. He was enjoying himself, and as soon as that fact set in the husky chuckle of his sensei rattles in his mind, mocking his attempt at being a normal person. "You cannot have this, boy! You are a weapon. Soulless. Do not dull your own blade by day dreaming of things you can no longer have!" A master of his own emotions, Krys is able to not allow any of his own inner turmoil to show. Though he does retreat, once more putting space between himself and the beautiful woman. Once more the darkness beckons. Once more the shadows whisper his name. His time pretending to be a normal person was over; he had stayed too long in this dream. Moving to gather his things, the assassin pauses a moment, just a moment. Part of him wants to stay. Wants to hear her voice. To talk about animals, or the weather, or anything. The child in him screams out to be freed, but the darkness swallows everything. He can never have such things. He gave them up a long time ago to obtain what he has now, the power that makes him one of the best killers in the land. From the shadows of his own mind he sees his master's grin. The red door, once again it’s painted black. "Goodbye, Lanara." Comes the man's voice from over his shoulder. Without anything else he starts off deeper into the man-made chasm, the darkness within swallowing him. His cloak, seemingly made of living shadow, slithers from its resting place to once more crawl up upon the hunter. To coat him in its symbiotic essence, before he too melds within the darkness and simply vanishes, just as the life in his sky blue eyes dulls, to be replaced by the lifeless glow that haunts many people's dreams in the underworld of Cenril. And like that, the man is gone; the only thing left behind is a platinum chunk that shines in the light cast by the moon.

Lanara glances away for a split second, as a small black cat enters the cavern and winds his way through the rocks and debris and plants his bottom against Lana’s boot. Bending down to scratch behind those black velvety ears, she raises her head to introduce Krystan to her beloved companion, only to discover that the man had vanished. Frowning, the witch picks the feline up from the ground and pulls him tight to her chest, glancing around the area to see where the male could have gone. “He… He vanished.” She whispers, as a petulant pout remains on her face, the woman suddenly sad. He was just a stranger, she would probably never see him again, she plays in her mind, the mantra bringing her more sadness than comfort. She wanted to converse further, maybe make a friend, as she had so few… Maybe spark something more in the future… But no… Krystan, with those mesmerizing blue eyes, had vanished on her… And left her with nothing but a gleaming platinum chunk, sitting alone at the edge of the cavern, and seeming out of place and isolated. Much like Lanara.