A Different Path {open}

[Azazealyn]

The high priestess was settled at the edge of the plains that bordered the mountains, away from everything she was familiar with at the time. The drow city had become a handful and she had designated one of the older priestesses to make decisions in her stead while she traveled Yviex. It was time for her to decide if she wanted to keep her position or not. She had begun to grow bored with the city miles underground, and instead was focusing on expanding her curiosity.

Sighing, she tucked her hair behind her ears as she tilted her head back to look up at the stars. It had already been a month since she had left the city and at the moment, she had no intentions of going back. Summoning a small light to her hand, she played with it, smiling faintly as she watched it dart around her fingers and the rocks here, where she blended rather well.

A breeze picked up and she shivered slightly, the wind tossing her hair around and tugging at her cloak. She wore a shirt that exposed her stomach and pants instead of her usual outfit, the only thing that dictated she was a high priestess was the power that lingered around her. She had come to enjoy her time at the surface, and sighed once, catching her hair with her hand, pulling it back as she dismissed the light.

So far she had not run into other creatures looking for a fight, the few other races she had come into contact with were content to point her in the direction she wished to go and warn her of other dangers, rather than attempt to kill her. It was a small blessing and Azazealyn found herself wondering if perhaps it was time that the old feud was best forgotten. It was a thought she toyed with, content to relax and let the night bring to her what it would.

[Robin 'Hood' Locksley]

The plains were such a peaseful place at night. And usually any other time of the day, but sometimes, battles were fought here. Robin had frowned when he had arrived, thinking of all the bodies that might have been buried right underneath his feet, but then he thought that these grounds also supported life. But Robin didn't like to dwell on the past, even if it was only a few hours ago. Robin was now silently and comfortably positioned leaning on a rock. It felt nice at night, noticing that the air was cool and freely brushed his light clothing and face. His tosseled hair only became more tosseled and his unshaven face seemed to be lightly colored underneath the light moon light. It was odd how he always seemed to find himself at ease at night.

Robin closed his eyes briefly, thinking of the future, of what will become of his kingdom. Sadly, Robin had not had the pleasure of loving someone. Sure, there were flings and such, but none of them ment anything to him. The people, yes, just not the actions. Sighing to himself, he twitched around, trying to find a more comfortable positon. Then light was shining in his face, but as soon as he opened his eyes, it was gone. Sitting up, Robin looked around in surprise, looking for the source of the light. His eyes caught up with the frisky thing, but it lead him to a female elf. Her skin looked dark, could have been a Drow, but he was unsure with the lighting here. But her hair was silver, body slender, and she held a staff. His eyes widened as he recognized it immediately.

Images came back to the fight Locksley happened to have had a few days ago. It could have even been a week ago, but Robin was always mixing up time. He rested his back back onto the rock and smiled to himself. What an odd coincidence. Resting his hands on his head, Robin sighed, trying to listen to her movements. A light rustle by the wind brought her scent to his nose. It smelt nice, at least he thought so. Taking a risk, Robin spoke."The stars are nice tonight, the wind strong. A nice night to fall asleep." He tried to act like he was talking to himself, but thought that it may have been a bit cheesy.

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn started slightly, her eyes adjusting into the infrared spectrum, causing them to glow a subtle shade of red in the darkness as she swept her gaze around the rocks before finding the elf. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she relaxed into the rocks, letting the words linger in the air between them. She knew that he was speaking to her and trying to act as if he weren't, but it was a debate as to if she was going to answer him.

The wind kicked up again, heralding the coming winter and she sighed, shifting her eyes away from his form as they swept the plains again, her momentary peace shattered from the other elf. Technically, this was his element and this was where he had been first, but she didn't like to think so, preferring to think that there were at least some areas that belonged to no one, such as there were in the Underdark.

It would get cold, she knew, she had traveled to the surface in winter before and while the others had not liked it, she had been immensely curious about the shifting weather up here, often coming to the surface whenever she could, just to explore. She was already fluent in the surface tongue as well as a few other tongues, so it wouldn't hurt her to play nice once in a while.

When she did speak, she had a lingering accent that was pleasing to hear, a result of only speaking the drow tongue for centuries. "If you say so," she said, her voice soft as she kept her gaze turned away, instead watching the nocturnal creatures of the plains.

It wasn't to say that she wasn't aware of his presence when she was, acutely. His movements echoed off the rocks and she couldn't help but trace them, part of her training kicking in as she could paint an accurate picture of his position if she had to. She shifted again, drawing her cloak around her slender frame as if to ward off the chill.

[Robin 'Hood' Locksley]

The chilly air continued to bash the rocks, but Robin pretended not to notice as his hair flowed about. His thoughts were remaining on the priestess, still happeneing to piss him off that he had no idea what her name was. He even eventually realized that she would attack him without warning if he probably tried to get closer to her. But that was a risk and a challenge he would have to take. What would life be without those rewards after putting your life in someone else's hands? Robin tried not to think of that, for that was exactly saying what would life be with chocolate. Its right up there, next to world destruction. The crystal eyes were still staring at the starry sky, but his ears twitched as she spoke.

Four words. He only was given four words. Really? Like really? His eyes narrowed in determination as he dutifully jumped up from the rock he was leaning on and quickly climbed on. He sat down silently, very close to his orginal spot on the ground. He didn't want to suddenly advance on the drow, but slowly inch forward. Time for phase two!"Why are you out here? And aren't you a bit cold?" Robin just happened to have noticed her thin cloak and the tough wind, but he shouldn't be saying anything, considering his poor choice of clothing; thin shirt and skinny pants with lightly sown shoes. His usual outfit.

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[Azazealyn]

The high priestess arched an eyebrow at his line of questioning, taking her time in answering as she always did. It was something that set her apart from many and helped her earn her place, she thought before she spoke unless she was truly angry, then it was more likely a spell to come out than anything else. She shook her head, clearing her thoughts as she settled back further against the rocks she was leaning against, almost as if she were trying to become one.

"No I'm not," she said, her voice even and still soft. "And I'm out here because I choose to be. Could not the same questions be applied to you?" she asked, the end of her sentence lilting to show it was a question and her source of hidden amusement.

It was a partial lie, she was growing used to the temperature changes, rather than the constant heat and humidity of the Underdark. While autumn was on its way, she knew that it would get colder and the snow would land, then she would probably retreat back into the eternal darkness that had been her home for centuries. It was the one time of year that the surface was safe from the drow; none of them particularly liked the snow because it was so cold.

Azazealyn turned her attention back to the elven king, eyes dancing with some sort of hidden amusement, most likely at his expense, if he became too brash or forward. Azazealyn was an oddity among the drow, always amused with others and she never grew jealous or spiteful of others, seeing no point in those emotions. She was calm and thoughtful for her age, preferring instead to think before she spoke.

She let him hold her attention for a few moments before she tilted her head back to look up at the sky again, ignoring his movements for the time being.

[Robin 'Hood' Locksley]

The drow didn't seem to care of his advances, so Robin, not actually caring anymore, stood up, and walked on the rocks toward her, until he eventually sat by her. He gave her more than enough elbow room, feeling that she still may stab him with some sort of dagger or something if even he bumped shoulders with her. He then looked at her, and gave a generous crooked smile, one of his best. Looking away, Robin focused on the flat prairie lands as she spoke, words accented by the tongue of the drow."Why, I guess words could be thrown back at me, and the sole purpose of me being out is because-" Robin paused, actually thinking for the first of what his purpose is in being here. "I guess, fate just beckons me." Robin looked back at the drow and smiled.

A thought suddenly struck the elf, one that hit harder than rock."If you don't mind me asking, may you finally speak your name. One of which I may stop calling you priestess, or drow? I find it a little disrespectful to be calling such a pleasant elf names that don't fit the meaning, of which in the context most say." It amazed him how he hadn't thought of this sooner. Robin placed his hands behind him, leaning on them as she leaned on the rocks. This was completely ironic on how they acted before, when they met.

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[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn hummed lightly, weighing her words before she spoke and debating if she really should give him her name. It wasn't as if she were unknown, but she wondered if it were wise to actually give him her name. She spoke before her thoughts had finished, surprising herself a bit. "Azazealyn," she said softly, keeping her attention on the stars for the moment.

The irony of the situation was not lost on her and her lips quirked with her thoughts, lavender eyes dancing with amusement as she dropped her head down, preventing him from seeing her thoughts. And here they should have been at each other's throats again, she thought.

Shifting slightly, she pushed her hood back so it lay falling down her back and actually exposed her face in the starlight. She still had a faint scar on her neck from where he had leaned on his sword, but that didn't bother her at all, it would fade soon enough. She almost touched the spot with her thoughts but checked that reaction, instead forcing her hand to continue to rise to capture her hair in the sudden gust that picked up.

She closed her eyes briefly, keeping her hair from stinging them before she pulled the wayward strands into a braid, nimble fingers flying as she finished it before letting it trail over her shoulder. When she finally opened her eyes again, she observed the elf more out of curiosity than anything else before turning away again.

She drew one knee up and wrapped her arms around it, almost as if she were hugging herself for warmth but the priestess would never admit to it aloud.

[Robin 'Hood' Locksley]

The wind blew harder, brushing the far off trees, moving their branches and causing the leaves to move and float away. Robin was even able to noticeda red leave floating towards them, but it was a good 200 yards away. Suddenly, he felt like he was utterly alone with her, the drow and priestess. Azazealyn. Robin couldn't help but look at her give a little laugh."Az. I bet you never imagined to be talking to me." His eyes suddenly locked on the faint scar on her neck as she looked away from the sky. The crystal eyes were fogged suddenly, Robin remembed that day. In the woods, bodies, and an angry day. He looked down, eyes a bit sad. Robin really did hate to cause others pain and sadness.

Another gust was brought down upon them, this one making the cloak's hood come down off Az. His eyes were finally looking at her fully. He really did just marel in her silver looking hair, finding it as beautiful as the stars above. It was even more elegant to see her eyes facing the sky, her dark skin lighting up. Robin looked down and smiled. He mustn't stare. As Robin's eyes traced the ground, he thought of something to fraction the beauty of Az. He rested his hand on the ground, and warmed it slightly. A leave popped up from the ground, and then grew taller and taller as Robin kept a finger on it. Suddenly a rose unveiled itself to them in the night. The color was red as blood. Locksley smiled at his handy work and gently plucked it from the ground. Turning back to Az, he placed it in her lap as he moved only inches from her ear."I like you Az. And this flower only holds a small fraction of the beauty that you possess." Robin pulled away but not until he placed a gental kiss on her cheek. He hoped it wasn't too much.

Sighing, Robn stood on the rocks, and then jumped off. He turned around and gave a last look at Az and smiled his crooked smile."I'll be on my way."

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn had opened her mouth to snap at him for calling her that, hating the nicknames people gave her. It was affection and she hardly believed that affection would ever come her way. Amaji was a different story, they had pretty much grown up together, but they teased each other all the time. When he kissed her cheek, she promptly closed her mouth, shocked by his actions and words.

She managed to get one word out past shocked lips, watching him with wide lavender eyes. Her voice was soft and it showed the surprise she felt. "Why?"

The question encompassed much of the past few moments as well as his actions, but it was enough to get her point across, whether or not he wanted to acknowledge it. She dropped her gaze to the flower that he had placed in her lap and had the distinct feeling that if she had the capacity to blush, she would be. Although, she may very well have been, it was hard to tell with her dark skin.

She knew she should find a place to sleep soon or shelter, there was something on the air telling her that tomorrow would be a miserable day as well as cold. She was growing to hate the cold on the surface, instead preferring the warmth provided in the caves and tunnels that she was used to. She shivered slightly, ignoring it as she bit her lower lip, eyes daring back up to the elven king, full of questions.

[Robin 'Hood' Locksley]

The tall grass swayed with the on going night, barely showing its golden color by the silver showing of the stars. Oh how they twinkled in the dearest moments of life. Robin had his hads in his pocket, bow hooked around one arm and his sword sheathed on the same side (left). His head was pointed at the stars. It was odd, he thought, because no matter how many times he stared in the vast space of the sky, he seemed to discover new things every day, or rather night. But he wasn't looking up there to discover, but rather his thoughts were taking over his body. He was inveloped of his previous actions, the rose, the kiss. His head was pointing towards the sky because the sky was beautiful, a wonder, and so was Azazealyn.

Robin stopped in mid tracks and turned around. There was only word uttered from her mouth, which made Robin laugh."You know, its always a good thing to speak with more than five letter in a sentece." But he soon cut the happy act and became a bit more serious. "Why what? Why I kissed you? I thought I already whispered it into your ears."Robin gave a his famous smile and then walked back towards Az. He extended his hand in offering."Come with me." The smile was still there.

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn looked at him, still a bit stunned by his actions and words, her mind racing to try and keep up with the situation at hand. She still didn't know exactly what to make of it, but she knew the king meant her no harm, it wasn't his nature to do the sneaky and underhanded dealings of the drow.

She bit her lip, still uncertain of things before she finally decided to throw caution to the wind for the time being and accept his offer. She rose gracefully from her seat against the rocks before placing her smaller hand in his, more looking at how they contrasted against each other before she nodded. "Okay," she said, a small smile flirting over her lips.

Amaji would most likely be pissed if he learned of this, but at the moment she couldn't bring herself to care enough and instead focused on here and now.

[Robin 'Hood' Locksley]

The small dark hand was placed on his smooth tanish skin. Her skin felt as incrediable and smooth as his, but it was much colder than his. He was oddly warm, or maybe he was actually numb and his body told him he was warm. Robin didn't care, so he turned around and began to walk. But no sooner did he start did he stop. Clenching his right hand, he whispered a spell into it and then opened his hand. A small light orb floated up and began to move around them, as if it was happy to be alive. Robin liked to think of them as a hybrid of fireflies, even though they were made entirely of magic. The only reason they were so happy was because when Robin makes them when he is happy. He puts his emotions into them.

Wind continued to blow past them as Robin led the way. He was planning on taking Azazealyn to a special place, one the very few, if any, actually knew about. It reminded him of when he was theif, oddly enough. But those were one the best years of his life. Turning around, he passed a smile to her and felt like they shouldn't walk in silence."Do you always talk in sentences less than five sentences? I thought I already covered this a few minutes ago," Robin laughed."Why don't you want to kill me Az? I was sure that you would probably kill after the meeting we had a few days ago." Robin smiled and continued to fight the wind, as they headed for the woods.

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn glared at him, the fire in her personality kicking back into place. "Don't call me that," she said, her tone indignant despite being the younger party. "And you haven't tried to kill me yet," she said, glaring at him with lavender eyes.

She took in her surroundings as they walked, watching the light with idle eyes. Her lights were usually purple in color, for some reason the color didn't bother the drow's sensitive eyes. She closed her eyes briefly when the light flew into her face, opening them when it was a safe distance away. She was far too used to the lack of light in the caves and the suddenness in her eyes was almost painful.

"And I don't trust you at all as far as I can throw you, but if I have to, I'm willing to kill you first," she said, her tone becoming neutral as she followed him to wherever he was taking her.

[Robin 'Hood' Locksley]

The tree line was in the horizon, but still a good 200 yards or so away. Robin's warm had was still gentally wrapped around Azazealyn's dark one. He liked having her hand in his, it made him feel happy. The meadow's thick tall grass was starting to thin out some, but Robin didn't seem to notice too much as his light danced in his face. He frowned at and grabbed it. Whispering another spell into his hand, Robin let go of the light, now shining a dark red. He was a little annoyed with the light, mostly because it danced in his, and Robin knowing his light so well, knew that it was Az discomfort. So he merely changed the light to accomadate her needs. A small sacrafice."My apologies about my light. I hope this one is better to your liking."

His ears twitched as she started to strike back, claiming she didn't want him to call her Az. This only brought a smile to his face, but he didn't want to show it to her, feeling like she would only disapprove. And then she continued about trusting him. Who said anythingt about trust?"Of course, Azazealyn, but who said anything about trust? I was just going to bring you to your doom." Robin clearly was sarcastic, but he quickly said he was joking, and that it obviously wasn't true."I just wanted to bring you... there." Robin pointed into the forest as they reached the border line. This place was very special too him.

Their footsteps became a little bit more noisy as they entered the forest and stepped on fallen branches and golden leaves. Soo n, they appeared infront of a large oak tree, clearly has been alive for atleast a thousand years or so. Robin let go Az's hand and looked at the tree with marvel. He hasn't been here in quite some time. Silently, Robin rested his hands on the large oak. In a second, there was a large rumble and the tree began to open up in the center of it. The bark was breaking apart to accomindate a new hold in the center bottom of itself. Once finished, heavy vines laced the tree, followed by branches. Turning around, Robin looked at Az and smiled."Would you like to follow me?" Robin gentally placed his hand on the covered entrance and the vines and branches moved away so they could enter.

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn scowled, resisting the urge to stick her tongue out at him behind his back. She could see well in the dark period, light or not, it was a benefit to her race. Rolling her eyes at his tone, she had her own come back. "Oh yes, because you are just so sneaky and underhanded. You wanted to be out of the open," she said, her tone clearly sarcastic as well. She was a little spitfire when she wanted to be.

Following him in the forest, she let her eyes adjust to her surroundings, instantly at a bit of unease in the new surroundings. After being surrounded by rocks and darkness for hundreds of years, it was easy to see that she would be uneasy in a new element, especially after their last meeting.

She pushed a few strands of hair out of her eyes once they stopped, watching him with wary lavender eyes. She instinctively took a step back when the tree began shifting, her eyes narrowed. It was rather similar to their last battle and her aura shot up as a reflex. She tamped it down, knowing he meant her no harm at the moment, and sighed, biting on her lower lip as she crossed her arms over her bare stomach.

It was slightly warmer in the forest, the trees creating a sort of barrier to the wind, but she still was out of her element, so to speak. She hesitated slightly before nodding. "I've followed you this far and I doubt you'd be foolish enough to actually try to kill me at this point," she said, her tone showing that she had practically pegged his personality.

He could deny it if he wished, but she had figured him out since their last battle, how he hadn't killed her and instead let her live, something that could have proved foolish if she hadn't been such an anomaly. She moved forward, more to follow him than anything else. She wasn't about to go first.

[Robin 'Hood' Locksley]

The woods seemed to stand still as Robin waited for an answer. Considering their last fight involved the woods... and trees, he was hoping that that hadn't become a traumatic experience. But once she said fine, in her own little way, Robin smiled brightly and walked into the hole in the tree. There were stairs, oddly enough, made right from the hole, leading them downward. There weren't too many, only about 12 or so. Inside, it seemed even more lifeless and still than out there, but that was clearly wrong. The only light was coming from the dark red ball Robin had made a little while ago. When Robin finally reached he last step, he moved aside for Az to step down as well. He smiled confidently.

The light zoomed around the large room, but when it came by Robin, he caught it once more and whispered a spell into it. It turned into the bright white Robin was use to, and it illuminated around the room. However, Robin had to make another one so the whole room was visible with light. Crystal eyes looked over the room that had been forgotten for quite some time. It was large, yes, with a small bed to the right and a heavy quilt on top of it. To the left of the room, there was an unusual sight. There was gold, and silver almost covering the whole are on that side. Necklaces, coins, cups, and there even was a elegantly woven dress laced with golden yarn. It hung gently on a vine that came down from the ceiling. It was also accompanied by a necklace. It was a simple gold chain with a modest sized ruby wrapped around it. Turning around, Robin smiled. "I use to live here for a little while in my earlier days. You're welcome to pick out anything in this room." The room also held some potions, and maybe even a scroll here and there.

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn arched an eyebrow as she followed him, lavender eyes dancing around as she took in the sights and listened to his words. Her mind was already forming sharp comebacks for him calling her 'Az' and he had just unwittingly provided her with ammunition. A wry smile quirked her lips as she memorized the details in the room, eyes flicking back to the elven king once before she shook her head in personal amusement that was about to come at his expense.

"You are either telling me you have the tendency of a dragon or you secretly pretend you are female," she said, her tone sweet but it was unmistakable that she wasn't impressed by such things that were displayed in the room.

Her eyes had adjusted to the light somewhat and it was tolerable to her now, but she ignored any discomfort as she had been trained to do. She crossed her arms over her stomach, watching the elven king with that amusement still dancing in her eyes. She lifted a small hand to brush a few strands of hair behind her ear, tucking them there for a moment. It was a lost battle on her part because they just fell right back into her face and she ignored them for the moment.

[kuloki]

White hair danced in the cold wind, which also tugged against the crimson red jacket and brown leather trousers. The man sighed, standing up. Why couldn't it be cold more often? He hated the warmth. He looked up; the moon was bright tonight. He offered a quick prayer to Rever, before looking to the north. He had been listening to a conversation happening between the two elves for a while now. A hot female drow, and a not-so-hot 'female' forest elf who likes dresses. Oh boy.

He grinned, scratching his head. The two of them plainly hadn't noticed him - he didn't notice himself either. He was completely silent beforehand, but now let out a little chuckle, before raising his hands into the air. A surge of magic shot through his body, which he found transforming. His teeth became shape as his face elongated, silver fur sprouted from his body the same colour as his hair, and his eyes became wolfen. That's right, he used one of his new shapeshifting powers to turn into a wolve!

He howled to the moon, before quickly padding across the ground towards the two elves. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but he bared his fangs and smiled. He was larger than most wolves, almost as big as a hell hound. Maybe he wanted the adrenaline, being the junkie that he was; or maybe he just wanted to get close to the hot female drow chick.

Probably the latter.

[Robin 'Hood' Locksley]

Robin was so freaking tired of being treated like shit! He showed her this place, one that means a lot to him. It wasn't about the gold, but the books, scrolls, history. He sighed and looked at her hopelessly. She was just going to make fun of him for being kind to her? I guess it was true, you couldn't talk nicely to a drow without them stabbing you. Robin turned around and sat on the bed. With an emotionless face, Robin whispered a spell and an ancient scroll came from a dark coner on the book shelf. It landed in his lap, and was full of dust and the page was brown and slightly torn. "I was going to give you this, since you are a priestess and a drow after all. But, I guess you wouldn't want it anyway." Robin got up and walked towards Az, handing her the scroll, not really caring if she wanted it or not anymore. It was a scroll written by the drows many thousand years ago, and it was believed to have some spells in it. Robin had no use for it. "You could leave now, if you don't like me that much."

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn sighed, knowing she'd been out of line. "Then I apologize but last time I was near a tree, you tried to kill me," she said, holding the scroll and crossing her arms over her stomach. She couldn't quite figure out why she felt bad about upsetting him when her thoughts were cut short by the howl.

She started, her eyes darting to the entrance as she hear something moving out there, definitely making its way to where they were. She raised her hand to her mouth, whispering something to her palm. Her hand glowed faintly as she finally opened it, holding what appeared to be a silver spider. It shimmered, darting around her hand, almost as if it were not there. It's form changed, reflecting what was around it as it formed a small silver flower. It was clearly a magical being that the priestess had summoned.

She took one of Robin's hands in her smaller one and put it in his hand. She knew he was mad at her and she didn't care. "If any of your people get taken again, this will lead you in the Underdark if you ask it. It can also find me if you need the help. It will also enable you to see," she said, her own version of a peace offering. "All you need it to ask it to take you and it will."

She didn't look at him when she dropped her hands before stepping back and putting the hood back on and hiding her face once more. She'd deal with the wolf on her own then, since it was obvious she had upset him. "I'm sorry," she murmured before turning away.