::A pair of children about 12 years old are playing at the entrance to the alley that Nissa and Joff disappeared down. Panhandlers roam about, and the birds continue their song. None seem to notice the shadows playing about Tauer in his nervousness as he approaches the alley. ::
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer approached the entrance to the alley, hoping these other children wouldn't bother him or ask questions. He began to second guess his decision to follow the young siblings. Was wandering through the ruinous part of town a wise thing to do? And would the risk be worth the reward?
There was only one way to find out. The demon hoped the brother and sister weren't too far ahead.
::Tauer rounds the corner of the alley and sees a couple more kids leaning against the walls. At the far end is Nissa, standing protectively in front of her brother and glaring at Tauer. The birdsong has stopped. ::
"Why are you following us?! We've done nothing wrong so why can't you just leave us alone!"
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
"Don't let them hurt him, Nissa. He gave us food..."
"Hush, Joff. He only gave it to us because he wanted something. That's how it always is."
::One of the other children in the alley steps forward.::
"Just on your way to the Inn, are you? Why then where's your coin, Chummy?"
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Chummy? That was a new one. It didn't look good for the demon prince but he was far from defeated. After all, they were just kids!
Look, pally, I have no need for money, I can get whatever I want for free.
Bravado. Maybe that would be his saving grace. Now time to get this Nissa girl on his side.
And you should listen to your little brother. I was just trying to help. You see, I can relate.
Ok, here goes nothing. Sob story, locked, loaded and FIRE!
I've spent the past year out in the world, alone, with no one to look out for me. My parents are far away now, my brother...gone, as well. I've had no coin, i've slept rough in all weathers, and i've had to resort to stealing from decent folk just to stop the hunger pangs. At least you two have had each other when you've been cold and scared and starving.
Tauer lowered his head and stared at the ground with a mournful expression. Inside he was grinning. The demon wouldn't normally resort to theatrics but children were often such gullible creatures.
::Nissa, for the first time, looked confused. Like she was trying to puzzle something out.
Meanwhile, the youth that had already spoken up draws a wicked looking knife from somewhere. Obviously homemade, it still would be extremely effective... ::
"Aww Listen to the poor sap. 'All I got is me fine clothes and not a friend in the world to help me out of a bad spot.'
That's a nice jacket you got there, Chummy. But I think it would look better on me..."
::And from behind comes another voice...::
"Oy! I want his shoes. I ain't never had shoes before."
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
There he goes again with the 'Chummy' talk. Tauer could stand this kid no longer and the fact he'd drawn a knife on him could not be ignored. The demon prince could feel the darkness stirring inside of him, like a handful of worms in the pit of his stomach. Then another kid called dibs on his shoes and the worms became restless snakes; thrashing violenty, begging to be unleashed.
But Tauer knew the ramifications of giving in to such shady temptations. He took a deep breath to calm the monster that threatened to take control of the situation. The demon was managing his gift - curse? - as best he could, but how long would he be able to resist the darkness? Surely it was only a matter of time before the metal leash he grasped tightly with both hands turned to mush, to slip through his fingers.
Oh, the joys of being the son of a demon and a witch!
For now, at least, Tauer held firmly on to that leash. These kids were trouble but that didn't mean he had to do them harm. There were other ways of diffusing the situation. After all, they knew nothing of his magic so he clearly had the upper hand. He just had to put the fear of the gods into the little troublemaker, without scaring off Nissa and Joff, because there was no way he was parting with his clothes.
Kid, Tauer said, addressing the child with the homemade knife, you would steal from an unarmed man? Shame on you. I think you've forgotten who you really are. Here, let me reunite you with yourself.
And on that note, the demon prince pulled the kid's shadow from under his feet, bringing it up to stand before the youth; it's featureless face a menacing sight. Tauer's fingers danced delicately at his side, like a conductor orchestrating a fine performance. And the piece de resistance: the shadow extended it's arms out to the side and moved in for a hug. He couldn't help but find the whole thing humorous.
::The kid with the knife forgot all about his desire for new clothes and froze in place. Dispite the dry day, he suddenly found himself standing in a puddle...
The voice from behind was able to keep himself a little more composed, being distanced from the shadow, and began to shout. ::
"Dark Mage!! Rats!! Birds!! GUARDS!! Dark Mage!!
Kill it!!!"
::The second unnamed kid in front of Tauer wanted nothing to do with this and turned to run, but Tauer could hear footsteps coming up behind him, and well as noises from the nearby rooftops of people scrambling to action.
At the end of the alley, Nissa's expression went from confusion to horror at the sight of the shadow and slowly began to step back.
Joff took that moment to slip around her and run towards Tauer, screaming. ::
"Don't hurt him!! Don't you DARE hurt him!"
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
The shouting broke Tauer's concentration and the hugging shadow slipped back down to the frightened kid's feet. That was a lesson the brat wouldn't soon forget but now the demon had other things to worry about. Tauer assumed he was the dark mage that was being shouted about - unless there was another like him being called to assist the children - but rats and birds? Were these codenames?
The demon prince panicked when he heard the footsteps coming up behind him. Had there actually been guards close by or were the locals coming out to defend their own? Either way, he couldn't let them catch him. But then there was the problem of where to run; Tauer was new in town and unfamiliar with his surroundings, he could easy find himself trapped at a dead end. He sighed. Why didn't he just eat that darn apple!
After some quick thinking, Tauer decided to make a dash towards Nissa and Joff only, before he moved two steps, he saw the younger sibling running towards him, screaming not to "hurt him". Was Joff referring to Tauer or the knife-wielding hooligan? There was no time to think further so the demon prince made a choice; he ran towards the little boy and scooped him up in his arms, then continued in the direction of Nissa, hoping against hope that she wasn't frozen with fear.
Nissa, can you get us out of here? I'll keep you safe, I promise.
::Nissa takes a few steps backwards as Tauer approaches, the fear clear on her face. Tears can be seen forming in the corners of her eyes as she looks at her brother clutched in Tauer's arms. ::
"Let him go. Please. We did nothing to hurt you."
::As she speaks these words, pleading with Tauer, the attacks come.
Stones, shot from slingshots coming from the rooftops rain down on them indiscriminantly. Most, fired hastily, miss their mark. One strikes Tauer in the back near his shoulder blade. Another hits Nissa's cheek, drawing blood and promosing of a healty bruise to come. The blow comes like a slap, as her fear turns from Tauer to those quickly approaching. ::
"You better, Dark Mage. RUN!"
::She takes off for the other end of the alley, glancing back to be sure Tauer is following with her brother. ::
"Leave us alone!" Joff shouts over his shoulder at the attackers.
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer saw the fear and sadness in Nissa's eyes and wondered what kind of monster she saw in him. Then the attacks came and the demon tried to use his body to shield the siblings. Maybe he deserved to be pelted with rocks, but they didn't. Tauer put Joff back onto his feet. If the demon prince was taken down he didn't want the boy to go down with him.
Tauer, now running only on adrenaline, hastily followed Nissa down the alley. Stones continued to rain down around him and he took another hit to the back. The demon wanted to turn and stop his assailants, but they seemed to be everywhere and he didn't have the time to seek them all out.
Whatever happens, Tauer shouted ahead to the siblings, keep going and don't look back!
::They quickly outdistance the attackers on the rooftops as they round the corner and take off down the street. Nissa and Joff make easy work of dodging thru the crowds of people as they make their way. The people turn their heads to watch as they run but make no moves to stop any of them. In areas like this, they quickly learn to mind their own business...
The footsteps of the children chasing after Tauer begin to fade as he continues to follow Nissa and Joff when they turn down another alley then another street, and finally another alley. Nissa makes for a wooden fence along the side and pushes back a loose plank for Joff to slip thru the gap. Uncertainty still on her face, she continues to hold it for Tauer as he approaches. ::
"Inside. Quick."
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer was out of breath and his energy was low. He'd need food and rest soon. He slipped through the gap in the fence, hoping that they'd lost those chasing them.