::With a hushed tone so as to try and not be overheard by the people around them.::
"Try to keep up ok? We need to keep moving if we don't want to be seen."
::With that said, still holding Joff's arm, she slips out of this crowd and into another heading down the street. They make a few other changes like this before joining up with a group that appeared to be going to an area lined with small vendor stands selling goods from the local farms. ::
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]
"Ooh! Tarts! Can we get some tarts? And maybe some cookies!"
::Nissa::
"Joff, you know those are hard to get. The crowds are too thick there. Besides, they don't travl well. We'll settle for whatever we can grab.
Prince, do you think you can manage to find us some more fruit? Joff and I will go looking for bread."
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 gave a nod and went forth to mingle with the crowd. This shouldn't be too difficult. He'd done this many times before. There was so much to choose from that the demon only wished he'd had a bag to carry and conceal more of the delectable items.
As he was peering past the other browsers to see what was up for grabs, Tauer's nose picked up on a sweet aroma coming from further down the line of stalls. The demon made his way through the crowd and soon located the origin of the enticing smell. A wall of people stood between him and the stand selling what looked to be freshly baked fruit pies. Tauer's mouth watered at the vision of yumminess - apple pies, peach pies, blueberry pies, strawberry pies - and knew he had to get his hands on one...or several.
The demon prince took off his jacket and laid it over his left arm, before wiping away imaginary sweat from his brow. No one was taking much notice of Tauer (that he could see) but it was always a good idea to put on a small performance for those who may have been, reducing the suspicion levels a little. Then Tauer squeezed through the wall of pie-admirers and soaked up the full display of tasty goodies, including a cherry pie he had not previously noticed.
The vendor was currently distracted by a couple of eager buyers. This was the demon prince's chance. He adjusted the jacket on his arm; making certain it was stretched the entire length of his lower arm, so as to increase the amount of concealment. Then Tauer used the power of the shadows to pull the closest pie - a beautiful blueberry - from the edge of the stall to it's new home beneath the veil of the drooped jacket. The temptation to grab a second was too great and the hungry demon tried the same trick, to win himself a cherry pie, before stepping back into the swell of locals.
::Tauer was able to grab the first pie on his own, without incident. The second would have been trouble, had it not been for the sounds of a well timed ruckus coming from further down the street. It caught everyone's attention just long enough for the second pie to make its way safely under his coat. ::
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]
What's going on? Tauer thought, hoping against hope that Nissa and Joff hadn't been the cause of the ruckus. The demon slipped his right hand under the jacket, grabbing hold of the blueberry pie before another distraction made him lose his shadowy grip on both desserts. The second pie continued to hover above the first as Tauer retreated, searching for the kids.
::Tauer searched the street, heading up to where the sounds had come from. Even stopping by the bakery stands where the bread they were after was being sold.
Nothing.
The wear of using his magic to keep the pie afloat was begining to show its signs when Tauer caught a glimpse of a cloaked figure standing near a side alley. The figure seems to look right at him before giving a nod of its head in the direction of the alley and turning to limp into it, not waiting to see if Tauer follows. ::
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's heart sank. Someone had been watching him. The magically-supported pie dropped on top of the first - with a splat! - and weighed too heavy for the demon to carry with one hand. Fruit and pastry cascaded to the ground at Tauer's feet. Where were Nissa and Joff? And who was the cloaked figure?
The stranger nodded in the direction of the alley and limped away. Had Piper's rats and birds grabbed the two siblings? Was this a trap? Even if it was, Tauer knew he had to go - he had no choice. But he was fatigued; hungry and tiring. Protecting himself, let alone the children, would be difficult. His power would be next to useless.
Tauer let the remnants of the pies fall from his hand before throwing his jacket on to his back. A deep breath and the demon prince moved towards the alley.
::Slipping into the alley, Tauer sees the cloaked figure leaning against a wall. Tho it's head is turned to hide its face, Tauer can tell it has a flute to its lips and a soft gentle melody is coming from it. Dispite his nerves and worries, he can feel a slight easing of his emotions as he closes the distance.
When he gets close to the figure, it stops playing and pushes off the wall to turn and face him. It's right leg stiff and unbending, Tauer catches the light reflecting off a metal brace that encases the leg.
Throwing his hood back, the person is revealed to be a redhaired cathian male in his mid to late twenties. His cloak and clothes dusty from neglect. ::
"'Ello, Princeling. Changed your mind about the pies 'ave you?"
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 [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]
So this was Piper! The children hadn't mentioned that he was a cathian. Tauer mentally kicked himself; this wasn't the way the demon hoped to meet this character. His plan had crumbled.
Don't harm the children. They didn't know what they were doing.
Maybe he could convince Piper that Nissa and Joff had been under his control.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure they did, mate. But have no fear. Any harm that may may happen to them won't be of my doing...
...it'll be yours.
You see, even now we are being watched, and any action you may wish to make against me will be matched to your little friends.
All I want is a bit of a chat, if you'ld like."
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]
That was lucky. Tauer didn't have the energy to put up much of a fight anyway. Perhaps they could call a truce on the whole matter.
Ok. I just arrived in town today, Piper, and don't plan on leaving for a while. You appear to be an intelligent guy. I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement that will suit both of us.
You've led my people on a bit o' a merry chase today, and I'm not scared to admit, frightened a few o' them to boot. But I am willing to work with you.
Way I see it you have two options...
First, you turn your back and walk out o' this alley to whatever you call 'ome 'ere, wash the pies stains from your clothes, and forget everything that 'appened today and everyone you met. Do that, and I will do the same. Young Nissa and Joff will rejoin the fold and you can live a 'appy life as if you never met them.
The second option, well, it's a might more interesting. From what I 'ave 'eard you got some skills I might make use o'. Do a job for me, no questions asked, and I will let the nippers go. They'll be free to stay in town or go where ever they please.