don't draw the queen of diamonds -- ryan

[ayath]

desperado
why don't you come to your senses, you been
out riding fences for so long now, oh you're a hard one
but i know that you got your reasons

- - - - - - - - - -

Another day, another town. Ayath had actually been here a few times, but she never got any word of Marianne. She had just finished telling a story to the people eating in the inn she was residing at, and had politely excused herself when a few travellers offered to share their tables. Every now and then the burden on Ayath's heart grew so heavy that she needed quiet time to think about it. The best way she did that was to abandon herself to training for a few hours.

Ayath was quite proficient in the use of a sword and a bow, though she didn't often kill. Her bow was mainly for hunting, though she was certain that her shot was true enough to take down an enemy if need be. It was her sword, however, that had saved her life numerous times. Bandits on the roads, even guests where she was staying that got a little too bold. She couldn't imagine what it was like for girls to not know how to defend themselves with how many times it had saved her.

She reached the barn where Belladonna was and slipped inside. Her horse looked at her and knickered affectionately. Ayath couldn't help her smile; this horse had been her only true friend since she left the home of the noble man who had taken her in. She hadn't entirely trusted his household either, though, so Bella was her first true friend since Marianne. Ayath patted the horse on her nose and went immediately to the saddle. Her sword was lashed to it, and she undid the leather ties and removed it. After giving Bella more hay as compensation for leaving her side, Ayath strode out of the barn.

It was dusk and most people were in their homes. This fared well for Ayath, considering a bard carrying a sword looked a tad out of place. She made good time to the woods, and it wasn't long until she found a clearing to her liking. She leaned her sword against a rock and began her transformation from gypsy to avenger.

The billowing skirt and blouse were removed and placed onto the rock. Underneath it was hardened leather armor clinging to the curves of her body like second skin. Ayath breathed a sigh of relief; she always felt much better when in only her leathers. Next the pulled out a leather cord and wound upher hair so it would not be in her way. Lastly, she tied the scabbard to her hip. With the sheen of metal sliding from a scabbard, a sound that never failed to thrill her, Ayath pulled her sword out. She stood for a moment, completely still, before she began to go through the motions of hre training. This was the perfect thing to keep her mind from wandering to the dark place where her heart was, and she was very glad that she had something to keep her occupied.

- - - - - - - - - -

tag;; ryan/samuel
outfit;; gypsy garb, then leather armor.
status;; not done
notes;;
song credit;; the eagles -- desperado
template credit;; me.

[ryan]

The sun was beginning to come down, Samuel had been out in the woods for a few nights now. He had told his father and mother that he was going to make another venture into the woods, after promising to be careful he left. He hated now how protective his mother was. Always questioning him. Ever since he made the mistake of fighting a few wolves she clang to him. He was hardly even injured, he had nothing to fear out in these woods. Even if it came down to it, he knew the woods better then anyone local, he basically lived here. A few common bandits held no threat to someone as trained as Samuel. He knew his limits, and knew he was quite proficient with his bow, if it came down to it he knew he could kill a man.

He slowly began to rustle around in his hidden position. He was close to packing up, and calling it another night. Maybe he would have luck the next day. He planned on staying for a few more nights, his father and mother did not mind. It kept him busy, and out of trouble in the town. Whenever he was bored back in Aroughs he would tend to go back to his childhood habits, and cause mayhem. He rolled his neck a few times, and let the constant popping ease it's way up and down his upper back. It was a satisfying feeling, he knew he could now go and sprawl out at his campsite, and not worry about remaining motionless. As soon as he stood he could hear a rustling. He quickly snapped down to his resting position, and drew his bow.

Out from behind the brush, a large deer began to trot out, Finally, a kill. He went through his usual rituals, he waited for the deer to take his bait. As soon as the deer became distracted by the salt lick in the tree, Samuel readied his bow. Aiming right for the neck of the deer, he closed his eyes, and began to visualize the shot. He could see himself killing the deer in his mind, watching as the blood spewed out onto the dying grass. He could almost smell the insides of the deer as he cleaned it in front of the smell of a campfire. These were the nights he dreamed about. This was his sanctuary, his get-away. He pulled the string of his re-curve bow, and let the arrow slice through the evening's air. Another kill.

As he made his way toward the deer, he laughed hysterically. He knew he was a good hunter, he knew he could prove his father wrong and show his patience. He knew that if he had packed up hours before, like he had wanted to, that he would miss out. He was pleased with himself for waiting for such a time. Now that he had his first kill from the adventure, he now had confidence, which was the one thing he lacked the most. His father told him never to get a big head, which he would after a kill, but before a kill he always let the thought of failing soar through his thoughts. If he failed he would let his whole family down, they depend upon him, and his father. But now that fear was out of his mind, and it was truly the time to hunt. He pulled his skinning knife from his belt, next to the assortment of others. But before he could let his blade cut through the soft skin of his new victim, he heard another noise.

This was the sound of a blade slashing through the air. This was no animal, but a human, at least Samuel assumed the person was human. He quickly stuck the blade back in his belt, and through the bow over his shoulder. He quietly made his way through the forest, making sure he did not step on any twigs to make his presence obvious. He did not know the power of this person, nor did he know if they were alone. So he took his time, and crept up to the clearing. In the middle of it was something he had never witnessed before. He had never seen such a beautiful woman before. Her tan colored skin complimented her curves. Samuel's mind began to race as soon as he set eyes on her. He could not help but stare, she was an extremely beautiful woman. He watched as she began slashing, and going through motions with her sword. A woman who knows how to fight? The only thought that ran through his head, before the process of drooling over such an gorgeous specimen.

[ayath]

desperado
why don't you come to your senses, you been
out riding fences for so long now, oh you're a hard one
but i know that you got your reasons

- - - - - - - - - -

Ayath felt her frayed nerves begin to sooth as she went through the motions, the hum of the blade like music to her ears. This was her passion, even if it was only ignited to save her sister. The music of the blade was far more beautiful than the music of a bard in her opinion. The songs and stories she told were mere trifles compared to the orchestration her blade was capable of.

Suddenly her hairs stood up on the back of her neck. Someone was watching her. Swift as if she was an elf, Ayath took one of her miniature daggers from hiding and whipped it around to the source of her discomfort. She was rewarded with the dll thud of metal against bark, and cursed her aim. she had missed who or whatever it was that was watching her.

"Show yourself." she called out. Her voice was strong, not a hint of fear in the tones. Her sword was held at the ready, her body in its familiar battle stance. She had no idea who it was who would answer, or if they would even answer at all. For all she knew, she could have scared him away when she threw the knife.

Her mind raced with possibilities. This always happened whenever she got in a fight. If anything happened to her, no one would find Marianne. That thought was the one thing that drove her to continue, made her strive to defeat any enemy in her path. She felt as though every fight brought her closer to Marianne and the bastards that stole her.

- - - - - - - - - -

tag;; ryan/samuel
outfit;; gypsy garb, then leather armor.
status;; not done
notes;;
song credit;; the eagles -- desperado
template credit;; me.

[ryan]

Samuel could not help but watch as the angel in front of him moved around the clearing flawlessly. He was still amazed by her beauty, someone could have came up behind him and stuck a sword in him with how strangely distracted he was. He watched as she would swing the sword back and forth in her hands, she was obviously well-trained. Where, or who trained her, a woman, he had no idea. He had never before seen a woman warrior. Someone who could use a sword effectively. Most women, like his mother, spent their time at home, or doing some sort of job void of physical demand.

As soon as he began to regain his composer he noticed a swift movement from the woman. She had snapped her hand toward her belt, retracted it, and let an object fly. It flew straight toward Samuel, but he was locked in place. The path of the dagger was not toward him directly, he knew that this time he was safe. He watched as it soared through the air, thrown decently, if she had meant to miss, and embedded itself in the tree a few yards away.

He snapped his head back toward her as she began to speak. "Show yourself." He had an opportunity to run here, he knew the forest here, more then likely he knew it more then this woman. He had never seen her about the town before, she was most likely a traveler. With her ability to wield a weapon it was almost obvious, someone in this town with that ability would have been noticed. He decided not to run, he did not feel as if he were in danger.

He rose from his crouched position, he had his hunting knife back in his belt, and his re-curve bow was safely on his back. He held no weapon, and as of now he was at the whim of this woman. He made his way toward the tree, and pulled the dagger out of it, his eyes locked on her at all time. "I'm no enemy," he bellowed as he made his way closer to her. As he drew nearer he continued to notice the flawlessness of her physique, maybe he was crazy, or just surrounded by ugly women in his town. He flipped the blade over in his hand and handed her back the dagger, hilt facing her. "I apologize for sneaking up on you."

[ayath]

desperado
why don't you come to your senses, you been
out riding fences for so long now, oh you're a hard one
but i know that you got your reasons

- - - - - - - - - -

Time slowed down for Ayath when she was preparing to enter battle. It was something her master had taught her; not a spell, more a state of mind. She could feel every beat of her heart, hear the slightest movement of her enemy. She heard nothing coming from the brush, however she didn't lose her stance. If she was overly confident that she had chased him away, that was when she would be killed.

"I'm no enemy,"

Ayath stayed stone still as a boy younger than she emerged. He had a bow on his back and looked as though he was a hunter, probably from this area. She raised an eyebrow as the boy flipped his dagger and offered her the hilt. She looked down at it. It looked decently well made, like something she would expect a village hunter to carry. Her eyes flicked back to his face, and she made no move to take the dagger. For all she knew it was a ploy.

"I apologize for sneaking up on you."

"Drop the dagger and bow and back up." she said calmly. For all she knew this boy was one of the Riders she was looking for, or at least helping them. Ayath couldn't afford to take any chances when Marianne's life was on the line. She kept her sword at the ready, more irritated now that she hadn't brought her bow. That's another mistake I won't be making... she thought to herself.

- - - - - - - - - -

tag;; ryan/samuel
outfit;; gypsy garb, then leather armor.
status;; not done
notes;;
song credit;; the eagles -- desperado
template credit;; me.

[ryan]

Samuel started to watch the woman's every move. He was now in a sticky situation, with a hostile, and he had never killed a human before. He had sparred a few times, but it was never to the death, he alreay had a knife thrown at him. He slowly set the dagger that he held in his belt. He could not lose his weapons, but on the other side he could show that he was as friendly as he said. He truly was no enemy, but he understood her precautions. He did not care nor did he take this offensive in any way, he could only now explain himself. He slowly began to speak. "My name is Samuel Cainson, I'm a resident of this town. I pose no threat to you."

Drop the dagger and bow and back up

Her voice was almost as flawless as her body. It was an entrancing feeling of euphoria. He let his mind snap back to it's normal state and responded. "You are well aware of the circumstances we are both in. You lack the knowledge of my abilities, and I lack the knowledge of yours. This could be a life or death situation for the either of us, or the both of us. Might I make a suggestion?" He continued on, "You are not aware of how fast I can notch an arrow, and fire, so your life is at stake. I lack the knowledge of the speed and constancy of your swing and body. Before either of us make a mistake, let's calmly sheath our weapons, and go from there."

((Weak post. I'm tired, I apologize.))

[ayath]

desperado
why don't you come to your senses, you been
out riding fences for so long now, oh you're a hard one
but i know that you got your reasons

- - - - - - - - - -

"My name is Samuel Cainson, I'm a resident of this town. I pose no threat to you."

Ayath stayed completely still and silent, you could probably hear a twig snap from a mile away. She had no idea what this boy was capable of. Without really removing her eyes from him, she sort of felt out her surroundings. In the middle of a grove of trees, her in the very center. He was near the trees on the edge, giving him the advantage of immediate shelter where he to step a few feet to either side. She was at a definite disadvantage, and she wasn't liking it.

"You are well aware of the circumstances we are both in. You lack the knowledge of my abilities, and I lack the knowledge of yours. This could be a life or death situation for the either of us, or the both of us. Might I make a suggestion? You are not aware of how fast I can notch an arrow, and fire, so your life is at stake. I lack the knowledge of the speed and constancy of your swing and body. Before either of us make a mistake, let's calmly sheath our weapons, and go from there."

Unfortunately Ayath didn't see another option. She could try to surprise him, but he was right. Though she doubted that a mere hunter from a small village could best her, she didn't stay alive this long by underestimating her opponents. She hesitated a moment, then slid her sword back in its sheath. If he tried to kill her now she'd have to rely on her dodging and possibly her throwing knives to keep her alive. "Now you."

- - - - - - - - - -

tag;; ryan/samuel
outfit;; gypsy garb, then leather armor.
status;; done
notes;; ehh, mine is too. don't worry about it.
song credit;; the eagles -- desperado
template credit;; me.

[ryan]

Samuel let out a sigh of relief after he had begun to spoke. He had learned his lesson before from attacking first. You would give up the advantage of learning your enemy. The last time he made this mistake he was face to face with a pack of wolves, all bloodthirsty. He did not plan on making that mistake ever again in his life. If it had been a bear, or worse then he would not be in this situation right now. But even know he knew that he could die. He watched the woman. He knew she was atleast weighing her options right now.

He slowly watched as she made her first move, she had finally put away her sword, and with the weapon away he let out a breath. He had never been so calm in such a situation, maybe it was something about her. Maybe, for some odd reason, he trusted her. He let the idea go to the back of his mind as she then spoke up.

Now you

With a nod he put his weapon away. It was only a measly hunting knife, he never expected to really use this. It was more for show, if it had come down to it he would have drawn his bow, but exiting from where he was hiding earlier with a bow in his hand would have been considered hostile. "Once again, i'm sorry for sneaking up on you... I, uhm, was just admiring you're 'training'."

[ayath]

desperado
why don't you come to your senses, you been
out riding fences for so long now, oh you're a hard one
but i know that you got your reasons

- - - - - - - - - -

Ayath watched with narrowed eyes as he put the small dagger he was holding away. He still had his bow though, so as long as he was in range of her she was still going to consider him dangerous. Her body was loose though, she looked rather like a lazy cat. If her muscles were tense it would be easier for him to tell where she was going to go if he was in fact hostile. It had taken her a long time to be able to accomplish this, and it was quite useful indeed.

"Once again, i'm sorry for sneaking up on you... I, uhm, was just admiring you're 'training'."

Ayath tilted her head. He was admiring her forms? They were basic... then it hit her. He looked to be all of eighteen tops. He was admiring the fact that she was a girl, it had nothing to do with her fighting. Slowly she placed a hand on her hip, her curls massing to one side. "Where you? Why?" Her eyebrow was raised as she watched him. She wondered how he was going to answer this without saying something that would offend her.

- - - - - - - - - -

tag;; ryan/samuel
outfit;; gypsy garb, then leather armor.
status;; done
notes;; ehh, mine is too. don't worry about it.
song credit;; the eagles -- desperado
template credit;; me.

[ryan]

Samuel was extremly pleased that this confrontation did not turn into a violent one. Now all he had to do was try and play cool, and hopefully soon he would be back home with his catch. He had almost forgetten that he had killed a deer just a few moments ago, even though it felt like hours due to this nervous situation. He watched as the woman infront of his continued to eye him, he felt as if he were being interagated by her eyes, and he could do nothing to escape it all. He just shook his head a little, and decided to speak, but before he could she had said something.

Where you? Why

For some odd reason he felt this question was going to be asked. He watched as she shifted her weight to one side, her hands were placed on her hips, and this drove him crazy. He stared up and down her curves one more time before realizing she was watching him. He gulped, hoping that she had not noticed this. It felt like an eternity before he came up with a remark, but he was able to finally come up with one.

"I've just never before seen a woman wield a sword. I'm surprised by your skill. That's why." He knew it was partially true. But only partially, he could assume that she knew he was checking her out. Enjoying her own curves. He was only a seventeen year old.

[ayath]

desperado
why don't you come to your senses, you been
out riding fences for so long now, oh you're a hard one
but i know that you got your reasons

- - - - - - - - - -

Ayath watched him struggle with the answer to her question, which confirmed her suspicions. This made her think of him as less of a threat, but didn't dismiss him entirely. She just didn't trust anyone; in her eyes, everyone was an enemy. She raised an eyebrow as he still tried to come up with something. She'd be amused if she wasn't so annoyed.

"I've just never before seen a woman wield a sword. I'm surprised by your skill. That's why."

She supposed that was plausible. Ayath had been to his village , most of the women there stayed home. She'd never seen one with anything more dangerous than a kitchen knife. A boy his age would probably be astounded by a woman holding a sword. She crossed her arms, tilting her head. "Thank you." she said. She wanted him to leave so she could get back to training in peace.

- - - - - - - - - -

tag;; ryan/samuel
outfit;; gypsy garb, then leather armor.
status;; done
notes;; now would be a good time for him to bug her with questions about who she is, where she's going, etc. XD
song credit;; the eagles -- desperado
template credit;; me.

[ryan]

From the minute he stepped into the clearning, Samuel could tell this was not a woman of many words. She was obviously a trained warrior, or atleast had some experience in combat. One with this sort of trait had to have a reason behind it. Maybe a past accident where she could have done more, maybe the fear of being attacked. She was a beautiful woman, and Samuel could tell that many men would gawk at her beauty. Or just stare at her backside. He laughed inside of his head for a moment. He decided that it was time to break his death stare, he felt a little comfortable with her now. He would sense any on coming attack, and right now the worst she could do was either throw some hidden dagger, or try and charge. Either one, Samuel had the advantage of knowing his surroundings.

Getting lost in the woods is an extremly easy feat. Many of done it, and some have never returned. But if he were to run off she would be the one who decided her fate. She could chase him down, and risk getting lost, or be content with the fact that he was gone. And leave herself. These were Samuel's woods, this was his domain, his second home. He slowly brough his gaze back down to her as she spoke up

Thank you.

Again another short response. Samuel just sighed at her attempt to get him to leave. He actually decided that maybe he could ask her a few more questions. Learn more about her. If he were going to do this then he was going to atleast accomplish something with the rest of his day. "One second," he muttered as he jolted into the bushes he was once hidden in. He resurfaced a few moments later, dragging the deer behind him. "You don't seem to be one who has a home around here, i've never seen you before. If you planned on staying out here, maybe best if you had a meal?" He withdrew his hunting knife, sat on a rock, and began to work at the deer that lay infront of him.

[ayath]

desperado
why don't you come to your senses, you been
out riding fences for so long now, oh you're a hard one
but i know that you got your reasons

- - - - - - - - - -

"One second. You don't seem to be one who has a home around here, i've never seen you before. If you planned on staying out here, maybe best if you had a meal?"

Ayath watched with an indifferent look on her face. She knew that it was obvious that she was never around here. And now that he had seen her in her leathers, she couldn't really go with her gypsy cover... she shifted her weight to her other leg as she watched him begin dressing down the deer that was in the trees.

"I'm not hungry. But thank you." she replied calmly, crossing her arms under her chest. He seemed to think that she was camping out here. That was fine, she could pass off as a mercenary for hire to him, she guessed. Plenty of people did that, though it was rare to see a female, it wasn't unheard of. If she played cool, it would be okay.

- - - - - - - - - -

tag;; ryan/samuel
outfit;; gypsy garb, then leather armor.
status;; done
notes;; now would be a good time for him to bug her with questions about who she is, where she's going, etc. XD
song credit;; the eagles -- desperado
template credit;; me.

[ryan]

The carving knife that Samuel was using to skin the deer ran under it's skin like butter. The skin was peeling away easily. He cut the stomach of the deer, and pulled out all the organs, and let the blood splatter onto the ground. He had done it many times before, but not with people watching him. It really was a gruesome process. He tried to stick his body infront of all the work so the woman behind him did not have to sit and watch him as he continued to work on the animal. The smell of a dead animal reached his nostrails like it had hundreds of times, no matter how many times he had done this, the smell always made it's way in. He just shrugged it off, he was used to it now. Atleast it was not a hot day out, that always makes the process more difficult.

I'm not hungry. But thank you.

He heard the voice behind him. Maybe she was shy, or maybe she just wanted to get rid of Samuel. Whichever one it was, he probably would not take no for an answer. He was to stubborn for that. "If you're staying out here then it would be wise to eat atleast a little. It would make you sleep much better, especially after training. And if you're just going back into town, even though it's already getting late, then this could save you some money. I'll be out here all night. No need to let some of this meat go to waste." He turned backed and looked at her, wiping his hands on the ground. The blood had made it's way under his fingernails, but the majority of it was off. He repeated this process with his knife, and stuck it back in his belt.

He picked up the stack of meat and a few leaves that were around, and made his way to the middle of the clearing. He set the meat down, and placed the leaves on the bottom of the meat, and around it to cover it. He made his way back to the carcass, and began to put all the organs, and any scraps in a pile. He pulled the skin of the deer away, and brought it over to the pile of meat. It was a bloody mess, but he was used to it. And he had learned a few tricks to ensure there was the least amount of blood as possible.