Change is in the wind...

[Neko]

((Open story. Actually happening on the outskits of town, but placing it here anyway. Might be short, might not. It all depends on what the characters do and how involved they wish to get.))

It was going to be a clear day in Wistvale and as the sun rose a lone figure appeared with little notice on a hilltop overlooking the town. By the time breakfast had past and townsfolk had begun their daily work there were two, and still hardly anyone noticed. By midday there were 5 and word began to spread. By the afternoon the number had grown again to at least 10 and it was the talk of the town. Sentinels on every gate watched for any sign that would mean an attack was coming. Weapons were honed and always kept within easy reach, even during breaks, and the most dedicated Sentinels stayed well past the ends of their shifts, just in case...

[Tauer]

From the top of his tower, the demon prince had caught sight of these mysterious figures, appearing one-by-one throughout the day. Tauer had thought nothing of it until he had gone to the marketplace for lunch. There was talk among the locals about it. Many of them seemed worried about a possible attack on Wistvale. Even the Sentinels had grown visibly uneasy; the sharpening of swords, the constant nervous glances towards the hilltop, the frequent moments of ominous silence.

It was more than the demon could take. Something had to be done.

As he ate lunch, Tauer continued monitoring the situation from his tower's balcony, watching for any developments outside of town. There were now at least 10 unknown figures gathered upon the hill and, as he finished off some cherry pie, Tauer was determined to find out what was going on.

The demon, using his dark magic to move past the guards, slipped out of town undetected and headed for the hilltop...

[Aegil]

The strange appearances were a blessed relief for Aegil, whose own appearance moments before the first was quickly forgotten. In those moments between she had attracted more uncomfortable attention then she cared for. But the continued arrivals eventually gripped her curiosity, and she found herself staring up at the hill, cloaked in the shadows below the outer wall. After long moments of this she grew disinterested and, deciding she would scrounge up enough for a drink, she started towards the gate. Her mind on plans as she rounded the corner, she did not notice the approach of a certain silver haired prince until it was too late for her to avoid collision....

[Neko]

Tauer had safely slipped past the guards and was rounding the corner of the wall when he was stopped by the sudden appearance of a robed woman who ran straight into him.

Luckily they were out of sight of the guards inside the gate as the woman was dressed eerily similar to what could be seen of the figures on the hilltop...

[Aegil]

With a barely suppressed oath, Aegil fell back uncerimoniously on her rump. Her staff skidded to the side, book landing on her head and papers that had been neatly tucked into its pages now floated down about her in a slow spiral. Biting her lip to keep from speaking some rather choice words, she lightly picked the book off her head and peered from the shadows of her robe at the silver haired man whom was to blame, as far as she decided, for her unsightly landing. Her shadow seemed to quake for a moment like a soft ripple of a pond, then stilled, and with it a voice touched her thoughts like a cruel caress. What those words were, she didnt care, ignoring what it was her shadow had spoken. Something rude about the man before her, no doubt.

[Tauer]

"Oh my gosh, are you alright?"

Tauer felt extremely embarrassed. He had been concentrating so much on getting past the guards that he hadn't been paying attention to what was just around the corner. So much for a stealthy approach! Immediately, the demon prince offered a helping hand to the stranger dressed in grey.

"I'm ever so sorry, I...my mind was elsewhere."

[Aegil]

Aegil was a little caught off guard by his curiosity, used to harsh treatment or otherwise ignorance in response to her demeanor. "It is... fine" she spoke with a faint but unplaceable accent, her voice a thin voice like a whispering breeze. She ignored his hand, reaching for her staff and using it as a support as she slowly and with some effort rose to her feet. Lightly she dusted herself off, which made little dent in the dirt and grub that caked her from much time spent roughing it. She even had a slight stench, as if it had been at least a few days since she had bathed. Her gaze fell to the mess of papers with a brief flash of dispair, but she swallowed the emotion quickly and stooped, leaning heavily on her staff to try and gather her papers, effectivly ignoring the strangers presence. Many of them were encoded, but some had diagrams of shadow creatures and the like.

[Tauer]

Tauer withdrew his hand, feeling rather awkward at the shunned offer of help. Some people just preferred to do things on their own, the demon guessed. But it seemed odd that this one would since she looked like a beggar, or at least he presumed. Why else would someone go around with grubby clothes? Should he give her some gold by way of apology and to help her buy some food? No, he thought, it would probably be taken as an insult.

The prince caught sight of some of the scattered papers, as the stranger struggled to gather them up. He noticed that some were decorated with diagrams of bizarre creatures and wondered what they meant.

"Are you a witch?" Tauer said, somewhat excitedly.

[Aegil]

Aegil paused in the midst of placing the papers haphazardly in the book. "Something of the sort" she stated shortly, wrapping the book in twine and throwing it over her shoulder. With some effort she stood and glanced at the boy with a vauge expression of interest. "Why do you ask?" It was obvious he was quite excited at the prospect. He wouldnt be so excited if he knew my road of study, she thought to herself.

[Tauer]

"Oh, no reason. I've just met one or two before, is all."

It wasn't the whole truth but there was no need to divulge everything to someone he'd just, literally, run into.

"Are you new in town?"

[Aegil]

Aegils shoulders stiffened a little. She had hoped to avoid that question what with the latest arrivals after her. "Not too new" she lied, then quickly diverted the topic. "Have you any thoughts on the other new arrivals?" she nodded in the vauge direction of the hill.

[Tauer]

Tauer wasn't going to mention the mystery people on top of the hill, but he supposed it was the talk of the town by now. Unless this grey-clad stranger was changing the subject. The demon shrugged in his mind. Who was he to go uncovering others' secrets? He had some of his own he didn't feel comfortable bringing up.

"I was just on my way to find out who they are. Any ideas?"

[Aegil]

Her frown deepened and she hesitated. "I couldn't see much, but I didn't try to get close...I suppose if your on your way though..." she let the suggestion of her company linger in the air awkwardly. Her social inadaquacy was obvious.

[Tauer]

"Safety in numbers, I suppose."

The demon prince turned his attention towards the hill, to avoid the awkward vibe, if nothing else.

"What should I call you? I mean, do you have a name? I mean, of course you have a name. What is it?"

Oh, golly. His discomfort was causing his words to tumble out unchecked. Being in this woman's presence was making Tauer feel uneasy.

[Aegil]

"Aegil" she replied after more hesitation. "And you?" her social ettiquet was not entirely beyond repair. She followed his glance toward the hill and, with a forboding feeling, took a step in that direction and waited for him to lead on.