Fight Against Darkness

[Chrono Blackwyng]

"Shall we continue this conversation upstairs... before we get back to our fornication?" Jacob asked, leaning against the dining room wall with a smirk on his face. He waited for Rachel to look up, and mouthed "Eat when you're done, she won't care" then yawned. "Does the Jester or Elizabeth harbor the Darkness, or is it just you?"

[Aldrea945]

Tabitha smiled and pulled him toward the stairs.  "Are you sure our conversation can't wait till after, dear?"  She winked, hurrying up the stairs, laughing.  She quickly disappeared around the corner, her dress flowing behind her.
 
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Rachel smiled at him in thanks, heading to the kitchen with the dishes.  Jacob's scraps sat on top, and it was only seconds before they'd been scarfed down.
 
She started quickly on washing the dishes, running through where she'd go for help once out.

[Chrono Blackwyng]

Jacob heard the chorus return in full force as he followed her up the stairs. Once Rachel was alone, she could see a flickering light come from the room she was 'experimented' in. There were no whispers or maddening voices, just a warm wave coming from the source of the light.

[Aldrea945]

Rachel finished quickly, hurrying out the door.  Snow was beginning to fall again, making her shiver.  Wind whipped her hair about her face as she ran down the street.  "There has to be someone I can ask for help."
 
Lights had gone dark in the windows of most houses.  Street lights eluminated the walk, guiding her forward to where ever she dared venture.  Rachel slowed to a jog, looking around.  The area was unfamiliar to her.  Too rich.  She groaned.  'The docks have to be here somewhere...'

[Chrono Blackwyng]

As she continues down the street, she can make out someone with a book in hand. When she could get a better look, the figure stops and closes the book. He is a navy-blue dragon dressed as a scholarly wizard, complete with reading glasses on the end of his snout and a chain linking his book to his robes. "Your clothes tell me that you not only are too poor to have a home in this district, but that you're the type for outside work. Would you like directions, or maybe somewhere to stay for the night?"

[Aldrea945]

Rachel smiled and stepped toward him.  "Directions please.  I need to find the docks.  I know someone I need help from."  Without her cap, it was more than clear she was female, even disguising her voice.  Her hair fell in curls around her face, highlighting the brown of her eyes.

[Chrono Blackwyng]

The dragon chuckled warmly, letting the book drop and hang from the chain. "The docks are not the best place for women like yourself... so would you mind if I accompany you? Before you ask, I have no intention leading you to a trap, and the paths we will take will have plenty of open space for you to flee in case you feel too scared."

[Aldrea945]

Rachel paused, uncertain.  She didn't like strangers, and she hated the dirogatory comment toward her gender enough to want to punch him.  But if he was giving directions, she might as well.  Besides.  She knew how to get to the roofs if she had to.  "Fine.  But if you dare say that about my being a woman again, I'll knock your lights out.  Got it?"

[Chrono Blackwyng]

He nodded, and had gained a smirk. "It still does not change that most women often meet a more jarring experience for 'losing' than most males at your age. Instead of a mugging, you might also lose your maidenhood to any that might not have enough to afford a prostitute." He lead the way towards the docks, whistling a drinking song and occasionally swaying his hips and stepping in rhythm.

[Aldrea945]

Rachel looked away.  "I need to find my damned cap.  It's safer, and warmer, that way."  She tugged at her coat as she followed him, sleet soaking into her shoes.  She yawned.  'Hopefully I can grab my blankets.  Tonight's gonn' be cold.'

[Chrono Blackwyng]

The dragon stopped his humming and stood still as he tilted his head. He then held his left hand out in a cupping motion before breathing out fire and letting it gather over his hand. When it got large enough, the fire gained butterfly wings and floated next to Rachel. Its proximity seemed to melt away the snow and sleet while keeping her from getting too hot.

"I know we have yet to exchange names, but I feel that you're not going to last long on your own... especially with that mental handicap you've got going on."

[Aldrea945]

Though thankful for the heat, she reached out and smacked him, leaving a large red welt.  "Funny considering you're walking with a theif.  I can tell I'm not welcome.  Thank you for the bit of help, and good riddence."  She hurried to an escape, quickly climbing to the roof.  On the way up, she snatched a cap from a clothing line and situating it on her.  She tucked her hair in quickly and resumed her modified voice.  "Might want to get home 'fore we catch you."

[Chrono Blackwyng]

The dragon got on all fours, his 'direction' aimed at Rachel. If she could read mouths, Rachel could see 'By the grace of Wind, grant my limbs flight!' before the dragon literally leaped over her and landing on the same roof in the matter of an instant. His voice took on the tone of an instructor warning his apprentice.

"Your mind is affected by energies you are too ignorant to control or resist. I never meant to insult or belittle, "young lad", but a thief has no defense against the power nested inside your skull. Eventually the person you are bound to, will call for you, regardless of you hearing the voice."

[Aldrea945]

Rachel narrowed her eyes, far more on edge than before.  "How do you know of that?  I just met you, and I've told said nothing of THAT."  She shivered involuntarily in the falling snow.  If she fought him, she'd lose.  No doubt to that.  If she ran, he'd catch her.  Her breath quickened.  It'd have to work to the best.  Rachel had no intention of falling at his hands.

[Chrono Blackwyng]

The fire butterfly returned with a twirl of his wrist as he smiled at her. "I have been exposed to so much magic, I can see and smell it. Yours forms around your skull like a collar, and if I concentrate hard enough it is possible for me to see who it is linked to. Of course, for the sake of privacy, I will not read who has you around their finger..."