Adventure Horizon~{KayLove&GrinningGentlman}

[KayLove]

Species Description:
Rakshasa: Mostly considered Demons, or Unrightous Spirits, the Rakshasa is a rare creature, mostly considered children’s tales. Stories of the Rakshasa are often used as scares, to keep children from graveyards at night. Most will know these Demons as Desecrators of graves.
Most of these stories, deprives off of one particular Cult of Rakshasa, who worshiped a Deity of Death, stealing skulls and bones from graveyards, for their various, mostly devious rituals. This Cult is known as: Death’s Paw.

The Rakshasa is a Shape-shifting species, who take many various forms, but majorly the large feline hybrids. The race is extremely fast, and while physically stronger than humans, nowhere near as strong as some other species. Many Rakshasa, who are born within a Pack of their own, become quite adept in illusionary Magic, as capable of fooling their opponents, as they are at tearing them apart.

The Rakshasa is not set on wickedness, as the children tales suggest. Many of them live in packs, peacefully, in Savannas. Many Rakshasa have a strong family bond, and mostly stick with their roots. But some are born with a natural thirst for adventure, and become quite exceptional explorers. Many Rakshasa’s is the cause for some world maps, used by common folk in this age.

The reason Rakshasa’s are so rare, is because they rarely get known as what they are. If a Rakshasa doesn’t want anyone to know who they are, they never will. They can change between their shapes, at will, and isn’t bound by any rules. Some Rakshasa’s go the majority of their lives, in a Human shape, blending in with the general populace with no problem.

The Rakshasa’s claws are -always- venomous, even in their human forms. It is rare to see a civilized Rakshasa, not wearing gloves.

General~

Birth Name: Rakshahid Val’saroth

Used Name: Rake Saroth

Gender: Male

Age: 162, looks about his late twenties


Appearance~

Visual:

(In his human form, wearing his travelling gear)



(His most common Shape shifted form.)
[URL=http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/gentlemensroyalsociety/media/Rake-Beast_zpsja1bdo1s.jpg.html]


Physical:
Rake has dark brown eyes, and dark orange hair, going to just below his ears. However, his hair grows fast, causing it to often get quite long, when on long journeys. He stands a 5.8 in his human form, but gets up to 6.8 in his shape shifted form. His human skin tone is a light tan, but his skin is very susceptible to the sun, and very quickly turns much darker, but never receives a sunburn. His musculature is quite athletic, and not particularly bulky.

Features:
Rake has a large tattoo of a skull on his right shoulder, going around it and to his back. The tattoo is rather faded, and was clearly recieved in a young age, causing it to degenerate slightly with his muscle growth. There is a large scar, over the right eye of the skull. (This Skull tattoo, is known as the mark of a ‘Death’s Paw’ member. Not known to most, is that the scar means he is a defector.)
Down his right arm, is four tattoos of runes, gotten from various Shamans and Witches, through his many journeys. Each of these tattoos, empower him in one way, or another. Two of the runes are faded, and damaged, having already used up their effects, and is now just simple tattoos.

Clothing/Armor:
A variety of leather, fur and cloth, makes up his armor. His armor is very flexible, and can be altered, depending on the area he is travelling, to either make it lighter, for warm weather, or heavier for colder areas. The leather of his armor, is quite thick, and serves as great protection against most slashing attacks.




Personal~

Personality:
Rake, on the contrary to the rest of his family, is a very positive person. He sees the beauty in almost everything, and always takes the long way, in hopes of seeing more beauty on the way. He is adventurous, daring and brave. He has been considered a liability quite often, doing dangerous, and often stupid, feats of strength. Of all things, he treasures an entertaining, and exploratious day to day.
He has been found to be quite over defensive of ancient architecture and artifacts, as well as other creatures, incapable of defending themselves.

Likes:
Exploration
Thrills
Ancient, and old items
Treasures (Not for their values, often leaves them in their place when he finds them)
Learning new cultures
Entertainment (In any way.)

Dislikes:
Greed
Senseless cruelty
Sleep
Staying in one place, for too long
Graveyards

Powers/Abilities/Skills:
Shape Shifting (Tiger Hybrid): Rake takes the shape of a furious Tiger, walking on two legs. Taking this shape, he grows in size, as well as strength. He is still capable of talking, whilst in this shape.

Shape Shifting (Vulture): This isn’t a natural ability, but a Shape-Shiting technique he learned, from a Cult of Witches. He is not highly profecient in using this ability, and mostly prefers climbing high, rather than flying. To him, it feels like cheating. But it is a handy ability, when getting out of his depth, or when a stone slips.

Illusionary Magic (Doppelganger): Thanks to his inherited, as well as one of the runes on his arm, he has learned the ability to split himself into two shapes. This second body, will act, and fight, completely out of it’s own volition, but is more of a shadow, than a physical being. It’s attacks can only distract, and confuse, not actually cause harm, but will instead just flow through the opponent.

Weaknesses:
Rake has a deep respect, bordering on fear, for the Dark arts of Magic. Corpse manipulation, Blood Rituals and the likes.
Rake’s main strength, is his speed. Being slowed down, or kept still, is a great hinderance to him.
Mud

Weapons/Items:
A one handed Scimitar, hanging from his belt. (Wields along with Dagger) https://www.awesomestories.com/images/user/a41c0600c6.jpg
Dagger Hanging from his belt. (Wields along with Scimitar. Quite an old Artifact, handed down by his former Pack.) http://en.zlatoust.com/upload/iblock/c0b/c0b7921284ebab26bb27833e3c0a6cef.png
Magical Torch (Basically a piece of wood, with a mechanism on top of it, to attach a small baseball sized orb. He carries three of these orbs, and when heated up(Without actually getting hot) they get empowered, and starts glowing quite powerfully.)
Ropes, hooks, and various other climbing gear.


History~

Bio:
Rake was born Rakshahid Val’saroth, as a son to one of the oldest warriors in a Rakshasa Pack; Death’s Paw. In Ancient times, Rakshasa cubs had to grow up fast, to be able to quickly learn to protect themselves. At an age of eight, they were capable of defending themselves, and at that age, Rake’s training began. He trained for eighteen years, under his father, a ruthless man. Harsh Disciplinary action was taken, whenever Rake made a mistake. He was taught, never to make a mistake, which made him an amazing combatant. He became the envy, of many other young, and even elder warriors, in the pack. Proud of his achievements, he walked towards his initiation into adulthood at the age of eighteen. But here, he saw the horrors of the Magic, his Pack praised. In a graveyard, the Elder Shaman of the Pack, summoned several undead warriors for Rake to fight, whom he handled easily. But when another Cub of the Pack, who’d failed her initiation, was sacrificed for him to grow stronger, he refused the offering. He would not have her blood on his hands, nor desticrate her corpse upon her death.
His defiance changed nothing for the other Cub. On the day of her execution, Rake saved her, and got her out of the Pack’s grounds, helping her escape. He, did not.
Because of his father’s position, he was not executed, but instead banished, and branded a traitor of the Cult. This brand meant, that after fifty years, he would be a target. If ever his Pack met him, after that time span, they were to kill him, on sight. A prolonged execution.

Rake did not mind his banishment. He wanted nothing to do with the Cult’s practices, so leaving the Pack, meant freedom to him. From that day, Rake became an explorer. He turned his life into an Adventure, and never stood still from that day. Always on the road, he sought nothing specific, and found his calling.

Now, Rake is a very experienced explorer. He has seen many things on his travels. Toils, pain and joy all accompanied him on the way, and became companions on his lonely road. He was not avoid of actual companionship, but always left in the end. Others met their death, places to live or others to love. Rake never stopped walking. Never stopped learning.


~~~~~~~


This world is much like our own, many creatures inhabit it, but unlike our own this world has magic. Creatures that you have only read in stories. And anything could happen to an unsuspecting soul of the world. But this world has aged slower than our own keeping it in the primitive times of knights in shining armor, wenches in taverns, and beasts stealing babies from villages. In this world there is prime opportunity for evil to take its hold on unsuspecting people. And so came King Stefan, an evil king with but one desire to rule no matter how cruel the consequences. This causes conflict in the lands.
So literally anything from a fable or a story is real in this world. So many possibilities

My Character~

Species Description:
Gargoyle: a creature crafted from stone and brought to life by stone magic by a skilled craftsman. They are rare creatures that live for as long as their stone bodies are still assembled. These creatures are in a flesh form during the night and slowly turn back to stone as the sun comes back up, completely reverting back to stone when the sun is fully in the sky and then slowly changing back as the sun lowers over the horizon. These creatures have stone Magic and are able to control rocks, crafting them or bending them to their will as well as very hard flesh skin and will take on any features that their stone form is made with. Gargoyles are loyal creatures and will stay with their creators until death of either creator or gargoyle. Gargoyles are not the fastest or lightest creatures, they weigh a ton, literally, and sink very easily in water. Unless they have another mode of transportation they are slow on their feet but can be trained to fight fast in battle.
All in all they are protectors, to protect whatever the original creature desired them to do

General~

Name: Athena Lynn Deligh

Gender: Female

Age: 248, looks about 23

Appearance~

Visual:
General face profile picture:

How her wings and clothing look during the night:

The pose that she returns to every day:

Physical: Athena has light green eyes and dark red hair that is usually braided down her back. She stands at about 6'0". Her skin tone is tan because of the type of stone she was carved out of, with curves that could stop a man in their tracks but her muscles are defined in a highly feminine way.
Athena has spiraling horns that curve just below her ears, thinner than in the picture, that are as hard as stone even when in flesh form.
The feathers of her wings are a golden color that she can fold into her skin when in flesh form, although it is highly painful. They are about as long as she is tall when spread out and touch the ground. She doesn't like showing her wings to anyone that doesn't need to see. But since she has to have them when returning to stone from she has to take them out every night.
In her stone form Athena is a dark bronze colored stone, her surfaces are slightly jagged but firm and impenetrable.
Features: She has slightly jagged features on the sides of her face as well as a carved poem down the outside of both her legs, she doesn't know what it means.

Clothing/Armor: Athena when she does rarely take off her armor she wares a light long sleeved shirt in a dark blue color, with long black pants that tuck into her boots. She can also always be found wearing her makers necklace with an amethyst stone on the end, resting on her breasts. She also wares a cloak that during the day she pulls over her head and covers her eyes.

Armor: As shown in the pictures she wares a dull bronze corset and arm gauntlets.




Personal~

Personality: She has a slight anxiety disorder when she gets close to people and they leave her before she can wake up during the night. Abandonment issues. But other than that she is fiercely protective creature and had troubles knowing when it is ok to be protective and when it isn't. She doesn't talk much but when she does it is sophisticated and she tends to over think things. She is not one to try and hurt anyone's feelings but will tell you bluntly what is on her mind.


Likes: The night and moon.
Being in good company.
Reading a good book.
The taste of wine.
Exploring and protecting those that she loves.
Men who try to protect her when in reality she can protect herself.

Dislikes: Sunlight.
Watching others suffer.
Petty arguments.
Frozen Lakes.
Winter.
Mirrors.

Powers/abilities/Skills:Athena even when in her real almost human looking form her skin is still almost impenetrable but that doesn't mean that she cannot be hurt, it just takes a lot for her to be hurt.
She is stronger than a human but not fast unless she is flying and even when flying she can only go at a fast pace for a few seconds before slowing.
She also has the ability to use stone magic, so trolling stone to make anything from a path over a river to a weapon. She only uses her magic when absolutely necessary because of how much energy it takes out of her.


Weaknesses: obviously when the sun fully comes up she turns back into stone she has to finish whatever she is doing before that time.
Water, deep enough for her to sink into and unable to return before daylight returns.
Horses or any large animal.
Loud noises.

Weapons/Items: two scimitars http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs48/f/2009/218/1/a/Scimitar_by_Bearman88.jpg
Strapped upside down on her back.

History~

Bio:Athena was crated by an older man who desired to have someone that he could teach and pass down his name to. Being unmarried and without child be chose to study how to create a gargoyle.
And so came Athena, she was his everything, she was finished by the second year of his hard work and by that time the old mans body was weakening from making her.
Athena entered the world with the loving man that treated her like a daughter and taught her everything she knows, and in return he said that she gave him joy. But as years passed and Athena stayed the same her father became ill. She could only watch as he withered away and she cried, stains now forever on her stone cheeks when daylight came. She stayed at his small cabin in the middle of nowhere protecting it from intruders for numerous years.

Role play sample:

Athena could feel the itching feeling that she always felt in the back of her mind as the sun started to fall from the sky, it was always the longest part of the day. But ever so slowly the sun disappeared from the horizon and she could feel as her stone form slowly started to become softer and she slowly started to move her muscles, inch by inch the stone turned to her tanned skin tone. Her insides were the last to become flesh as she felt her heart slowly begin to beat and lungs gasped for air.
Her green eyes opened wide as she quickly stood from her kneeling position and felt a pang of jealousy as she saw wished one day she could see the sun in its full glory instead of weakly rising above the earth and feel its full heat on her stone cold skin.
Her ears perked when she heard a scream behind her in the ally way, she turned and followed the sound at a quick pace, pulling one of her swords out from her back holster. She watched with suspicion as a man attempted for force himself upon a women in the small ally way. She stopped a and decided that a blade was not the weapon for the job, sliding it back.
Concentrating for a moment as the cobblestone ground below the man started to move and stones flew up from the ground and separated his body from hers with force and continued to push him away from the women finally pinning him against the opposite side of the ally way. The women looked at he man with wide eyes before looking at Athena and running behind her savior.
Athena didn't need the thankful stumbling a from the women as she pinned the man to the wall and slowly made her way in front of him and without a word used her elbow to punch him square in the temple.
As soon as he was knocked out the stones dropped along with him, she guessed that he would be bruised form how hard the stones were against him but she simply looked back at the women in silence making sure she was fine before walking off in silence, pulling her hood over her head.

 

[KayLove]

The sound of drums and panpipes could be heard throughout the grassy hills, an enchantingly beautiful sound as it was filled with peaceful and celebratory notes. The songs that were sung clinging along to the music in perfect harmony. Bonfires were lit next to the Crystaline River, people dancing, drinking, all in thanks to their lively hood. Nox was a gorgeous little village located next to the grand river and before the rolling hills of the west, known for harvesting the flower that the town was named after, Noxentine. The purple flower was not only beautiful but contained many healing properties in its roots and leaves. And this spring was bound to be a prosperous one. Their bounty to be sent across the continent to magistrates, medicine men, healers, and anyone who desired the flower to brighten their home or health.

Unknown to the innocent villagers who drank the night away with carefree love for life. A creature watched from the shadows, her golden green eyes sparkling in the faded light of the grand bonfire, a booted foot tapping to the music, and a small smile playing on the edges of her lips as she watched the women attempt to catch the eyes on the man they desired. So young, innocent, and in love. She enjoyed this night, and over the years had chosen to come back again and again each year to see the laughter and love that these people showed. She even cared for them all in her own way, often watching the children grow each year, fall in love, and have children of their own.

Her love for the village was something that lasted the ages as she traveled and saw so much darkness in the heart of man, she returned only to find the kind people of the remote village of Nox to be what kept her hopeful for the souls of mankind.

"Guardian?" Chimed a soft lithe voice, one of a woman, as she slowly walked away from the town and into the small woods to the south right before the river dropped into a gargantuan waterfall that could be heard from miles away , "Lovely Guardian?"

Athena straightened from her resting position against a grand oak tree, the familiar voice causing the fire haired gargoyle to push back her hood and gracefully slip from the thick branch of the old oak tree. Her feet left imprints as she took several steps toward the blonde, barely a woman, but a beauty none the less even as the scars upon her face and eyes gave a sheen in the moonlight filtering through the tree branches.

"Like every other year little one, I am here, and like every other year I shall tell you th-"

"That I should not be out here, there could be unfriendly creatures lurking in the shadows." The human giggled after she cut off the gargoyles speech. The girls name was Kianna, she had been born without the ability of sight and when she was only a babe she got stuck in her home that had caught fire. Athena had been the one to save her life, taking her from the flaming building and straight to the river to cool her wounds. They had soaked the injured child in milk of Noxintine and it had healed her wounds enough for her to live. Ever since then everyone thought she was a blessed one, one with connections to the Old Gods. That she was flavored and could see what no one else could. But she was simply a girl, a girl with the purest heart Athena had ever seen.

Athena gave a smile and took several more steps toward the human as she outstretched her hand, "But you never learn." She took the girls soft hand in her own calloused one.

"I have something for you Guardian." The hand in which resided behind her back came forward and she held out a beautiful crown of flowers, wild flowers of all shapes and colors created a beautiful circlet. "Here, let me crown you." Kianna couldn't see the utter look of shock upon her features mixed with love and happiness. The human gave her hand a squeeze before letting go and reached out with both hands to crown the horned creature. Athena guided her hands and bent her knees to allow the woman to reach the top of her head.

She stood and Kianna, as if she could see, smiled brightly, "You're beautiful."

"No my child, you are." Her voice was soft and could have been carried away by the wind but she knew the human heard. "Now," Athena's shoulders straightened and she gave a soft laugh, only to cover the fact that tears had gathered in her eyes "Thank you for the gift, but it's late and you must get back, they will be wondering where you are." She gave the girl a soft touch on the cheek with her fingers and backed away into the forest.

She watched as the human smiled proudly and slowly walked back to the celebration.

~~~

"Well that was.... Unexpected..." Said the gargoyle to her own reflection, touching a small red flower at her temple gently almost lovingly, a small tight smile on her face.

Athena had only headed back home once the last fire had been put out, the humans going to bed for the night was late and the moon was bright.

'Home' for the time being was simply an old abandoned temple built by the worshippers of the forgotten gods of long ago. Before even Athena had walked the Earth. It's rectangular base, delicately carved alter and ancient white marble columns were the only remnants of the once revered holy place. The towns people thought the place was haunted and would never cross to the west side of the river, at least no where near the ancient place. Unknown to Athena she was the reason why it was thought to be haunted as she would appear there for several nights and then disappear without a trace. But then again it kept them from the place in which she slumbered.

The creature that looked back at her from the waters wore the delicate crown atop her head proudly, her long braid had come loose in the gentle winds and caused strands to frame her etched features. Using the will of her inner magic she threw a pebble into the reflection and stood.

She knew she only had a couple hours before the sun rose so she would take the time to bathe in the cool waters. She removed the crown first, along with her amulet, letting them both hang on the thin branch of a dead tree. Her armor unhooked from around her waist easily enough, the gauntlets around her wrists, her swords from her back. Her leather boots joining the pile before she tugged her shirt off as well as slipped out of her pants. They all laid in a messy bunch upon a stone along the side of the Crystaline River.

Naked and calm she let her fingertips trace the scars of scripture wired from hip to anckle in elegant lettering. Athena walked into the water, unbraiding her red hair and let it drape down her back in soft waves. She only walked until she was neck deep in the water, allowing the gentle flow the the inlet wash the dirt from her body. She took a deep breath and submerged herself under the water, letting herself sink to the bottom where she rested, only rising to the surface to breath again. She found serenity in the waters, peace even from her own mind. Liked looking up at the moon and imagining it was the sun. All she had to do was swim to the surface and night would turn to day with every inch that she swam towards the surface.

She had been down there watching the fish swim around this stone still creature for what seemed like ages. And in fact it had been.

The familiar tingle in the back of her mind suddenly returned and she gasped under the chilled waters, bubbled rising before her eyes as she looked up to the surface only to see the lightening of the night sky.

Her walk to the shore was rushed, waves being made by her legs, and curses coming form her lips in all different languages. She got dressed quickly, just in time to feel her wings begin to force their way from her very being. They were gorgeous golden wings, but no matter how beautiful it still hurt as they unfolded from her spine and returned to their rightful position behind her, as if revenge for keeping them cadged for so long.

"By the Gods..." She hissed in pain as the sun began to rise and her heartbeat began to slow, she only just reached the steps of the temple and onto the platformed entrance and turned to see the weak golden rays of sunlight come over the horizon. The pain seemed worth it to resist, 'just a moment longer, only a moment,' she thought to herself but there was a jabbing pain into her chest that caused her to gasp and her knees crippled below her into the familiar kneeling position. Her legs now stone as the rays touched the earth, her hand drawing one of her swords from its sheath, slowly as her elbows locked into place and she stabbed the tip into the ancient marble making a scraping dent into the stone. Her hands rested upon the hilt of the sword, stone as well, her head bowed, hair down her back and eyes closing. Her wings formed an elegant arch behind her, every single golden feather turning one by one...

No one would have ever known... That this statue was anything but the stone it was... The only evidence of a creatures existence was the forgotten necklace glittering in the morning sunlight, petals of the crown falling sadly into the crystal waters below.

 

[GrinningGentleman]

Nothing could invigorate a lone traveler, than the sound of celebration. Tireless eyes had gazed towards the fires, with a glow of joy, as well as excitement. The normal traveling pace, had been tuned, and his step made a run, as he rushed towards the celebration. The last few days, his travels had been uneventful, and his adventurous heart, longed for company. Company, he would soon find, in the small village of Nox. He knew nothing of this village, but entered it with a wide smile, and open heart. He wanted to learn, what he did not know. Wanted to see, what he'd not seen before. Wanted to feel, what he'd once again forgotten.

Nox opened her arms to him, letting him embrace the celebration of a village by her name, finding joy under her moon. Asking the villagers, not even all of them knew that they were also named after a God, as well as the powerful flowers. The village embraced him, not only as a guest, but a valuable friends. He gathered crowds, telling stories about the mysterious God, their village had also been named by. He joined crowds, dancing hours on end, romancing, flirting with the local girls, as enchanted by his smile, and steps, as he was by their open, joyous hearts. He felt welcome, as he'd done before. Something he'd never be tired of.

The mysterious man, was appreciated for exactly that. He had powder, that invigorated their bonfires, causing it to lick the night's shadows even harder. He had wine they never tasted, that sweetly soothed the elder's throats. And he shared everything he had, freely, like they were all his friends, and demanded no payment for what he gave. This generosity, made him part of the family, and brought him deep into the celebration. He even met someone they called a 'blessed one'. That this culture could consider someone, who would possibly become an outcast in other cities, a blessed one, was magical to the mysterious man. He allowed the blind girl to touch him, to know him, and the way she could ignore the scars she carried, and still smile and giggle like any other girl her age, was a blessing in itself to behold. The man spent the rest of his evening with this girl, making her feel as special as she was to him. This blessed them both, with a night neither of them would forget soon.

~~

The morning after the celebrations, the man would take his departure, to many's displeasure. He claimed to have places to be, and thanked the village many times for their hospitality. He tried to thankfully decline the gifts he was offered, but the villagers insisted to repay him for the wine he'd shared. He received foods, and drinks, for several nights ahead, as well as a good bundle of the magnificent flowers they were known for. He was also taught how to use them, in various ways, and he thanked them many fold for this blessing. There was always a side of him that hurt, when taking his leave and saying goodbye to the ones he learned to love. For his big heart, had found a place for the little village, named after the Goddess of the Night.
The worst was the farewell, to the muse of the late evening. The young woman, scarred and blinded by her past, but still smiling with her present. He left her, with a kiss on a scarred cheek, and the words:

"Never change.. You are the most beautiful woman, I've seen in ages, and you warmed a cold heart tonight. Never change.

Once again, this mysterious man left another beautiful place in his wake. He left, them both richer with a new experience.

~~

The reason for this rushed departure, was the stories of a 'Haunted Temple'. A place few would tread. Many stories of a mysterious figure, appearing and then disappearing from the Temple again. To some, it was not as much fear, as it was respect, not wanting to tresspas on this creatures home. They had not said it directly, but the traveller felt he knew why. They thought the figure linked, with the forgotten gods. Either a messenger, or the remnants of a God's manifestation. His adventureros heart, could not ignore a tale like this. A meeting with a manifestation of a God? If Ancient Ruins were not exciting enough, that meeting was enough to lure the traveller towards any horizon.

Arriving at the Temple, he could see several connections, with old Gods he'd heard, and read about before. The most evident of this, the Goddess of Night: Nox. Not really a surprise, but still made the man smile proudly at his own insight. He walked the steps with a mixture of excitement, and pride. Once again, he braved new grounds, left, forgotten and feared by so many others.

Brown eyes ran over the many broken solaps, and dented surfaces, of the old Ruins. With slow, respectful steps, he walked up the platformed entrance, eyes focused on the shape standing out the most. A beautifully crafted, and maintained, statue. His brown eyes widened, with every step he took towards the creation. Beautiful. The details was enchanting, and almost unbelievable, to a very non artistic person. He'd often wished, that he'd been artistically creative himself, but never felt he had to the time to practice. He had 'things to see, and places to be' as he'd said so often to himself, and others.
The lightly armored man, crouched down before the statue, once he was within reach of it. His eyes was enthralled, as they looked over every inch, and crevice of the statue. As he had done so many times before, he lived himself into the life an artifact might have lived. Imagining what it would have seen. Experienced. That is were his joy for old things came. The many things they must've seen.
The man reached out a hand, placing delicate, gentle fingers on the statue's cheek, tilting his head down to see it's face.
"What birthed the pain, that made you kneel in such melancholy? Did you watch your home crumble, while you remained intact? And how did you manage this? To maintain this beauty, while the walls around you took the hits of history?" The man whispered. The first symptom of loneliness. The man always did this. Asked objects, what they'd seen. He never expected an answer, but always hoped for one. He wanted to know. He wanted to hear. He wanted to learn.
The man smiled, as he stroked one of her horns, before reaching into a small pouch on his belt. Out, he brought a Noxentine, looking back to the statue with a smile.
"This is for you." He whispered again, placing the small flower in the small hole between the statue's hand, and lowered head, making sure it would stay, grabbing her hand afterwards, stroking it with his thumb. "I leave it with you, asking for an invitation into your home. Promise, I will not take anything from her. It will leave it, as I find it." He whispered, before raising to his feet, letting go of the statues hand. Man had called him 'crazy' before, talking to inanimate objects. But it eased him, whenever stepping onto someone else's grounds. Now, he felt like he'd asked permission, and that he wasn't just invading. He placed a hand on the statue's shoulder on his way past it, as he braved the dark temple, bringing out a torch-like object from his bag, heading into the dark of the Temple.

~~

Half way through the day, a group of Scavenger's arrived. Half drunk, throwing their empty bottles around, like the world was their trashcan. They did not speak to the statue, as most of them passed it, two of them remaining to keep a lookout. They were as surprised by the undamaged statue, as the man before had been, but respected nothing. Instead, they brought out pain, as well as pencils from their bags, starting to draw the most outrageous, vulgar drawings on the stone, laughing at their own malice, as they destroyed an object of beauty, hoping to leave it worse for any other visitors. They'd heard the stories from the little village as well, which had probably fueled their destructive hearts, knowing this was a Temple for old Gods. People like this, cared so little for History, and found pleasure in destroying, what had been precious to others.

The Lookouts didn’t get much more than an hour, spent on drawing and splashing paint over the statue, before the group that had entered the Temple, came running out. Their fleeting feet, was followed by a thunderous roar, ripping through the silence of the dark Temple. One of the men had been badly bruised, holding a hand to his aching face, as they met up with the lookouts. As they did, a figure appeared in the doorway, slowly making his way down the steps. The figure was just the man from earlier, but the men who’d been running, clearly had more respect for him, than as a simple man.
“The freak is a shapeshifter.. Fucking tossed Alak through the room, with one punch..” One of the men groaned, snarling towards the man who slowly approached.
“What’s his problem?” One of the lookouts asked, looking over Alak’s bruises.
“I don’t fucking know. We met him a few rooms in, just looking over some things.. He seemed content to ignore us, until Alak broke a vase… Didn’t even look valuable, or anything..” The man complained, starting to back away from the man who was approaching them.
“What’s your problem? What gives you the right to claim this place, huh?” One of the lookouts shouted at the man, who still slowly approached. The man just stared him down, before looking to the statue, eyes widening. The man’s grip on his sword tightened, as his eyes darted back to the lookouts.
“Leave… Leave this place, and don’t ever come back!” The traveler’s voice, was no longer the sweet, gentle one, the village and the statue knew. It was a grumbling roar, with an intimidating tone that would cause even the fiercest of warriors to falter for a second. And the Scavengers did, stepping back slightly, keeping the distance that was now between them. The lookout who’d called him out, looked to the statue with a grunt.
“Don’t like our alterations? Pitty.. Think it improves on the piece.. Suit yourself, fucker.. We got what we came here for, anyway.. Our score is big enough already, don’t need whatever this stupid temple holds..” The man shouted, continuing to walk backwards, before turning around to set a fast pace away. The others followed.

The traveller didn’t stop walking, until standing right next to the statue, glaring in the direction of the Scavengers. Closing his eyes, he shook his head, before looking back down to the statue.
“Filthy Scavengers.. Wretches. I almost pity them.. They’ll never see true beauty.. A sad existence..” The man whispered to himself, before sheathing his weapon, looking over the statue a little closer, with another shake of his head.
“What did they do to you? Erh..” He whispered solemnly, as he moved a hand to gently stroke over some paint on the statue’s hand. The paint was waterproof. The man sighed, standing back up as he looked towards the river.
“Don’t worry.. I’ll get you fixed up again.” He promised, looking to the statue for a moment, with a smile, before heading towards the river.

The man came back with three canisters in arms, crouching down in front of the statue, bringing out a piece of cloth, and another small canister of some sort of liquid. The liquid was a soap, created to remove paint like this. He always carried things like this, having learned through experience, the destructiveness of lesser men. This was not the first time, he sat down to clean an ancient artifact.
The man was kind, and gentle with the stone. Neither the liquid, or the coarse surface of the cloth, would damage the stone in any way, but it cleared the paint easily. Like water, being swiped away by a piece of cloth. The man was thorough, and almost treated the stone like a person, making sure to be both gentle, and humble, as he washed away the sins of others.
Many hours were spent like this, and the sun was nearing the horizon, when the traveller finally took a step back from the statue, looking over his work. The man smiled to himself, nodding a single time.
“There.. Good as new.” He whispered, before noticing that the flower had been dropped to the ground, and squashed. Again, the man rolled his eyes at the sins of others, before crouching down, handing the statue a new flower.
“Beautiful flower, for a beautiful girl…” The man grinned at his own hints at insanity, before finally stepping away from the inanimate object.

The man spent the last hours of sunlight, preparing a campfire, just down the stairs, and to the left of the platform for the statue. Here, he sat at the fire, roasting a piece of meat he’d salted a few days back, keeping it good till now. Having himself his dinner, he lay down to rest, just as the sun disappeared in the distance. He smiled to himself. Another day, well spent.

 

[KayLove]

Athena's day went smoothly, well, as smooth as the inner day dreams of a gargoyle could get. She often dreamed of watching the sun set above the clouds, dancing in a ballroom like she had seen so many beautiful women do, or even laying in the midday sun and simply doing nothing. But even those faded after a while as she sat in the darkness of her own cavernous mind boring herself on the sunny day. Her mind-self seemed to be her, simply encased in a forever nothingness, she could walk for hours upon hours without moving her stone form in some desolate plane that was for her and her alone.

Usually the gargoyle was very good at blocking out the sounds from around her form but the gentle male voice caught her off guard... As well as the foreign feel of a hand upon her cheek. 'He's... Talking to me?' She gave an arch of her brow and lowered herself into a sitting position, her legs stretched out and simply stoping her movements as if that would really help her listen better. 'I'm just made from better stone is all,' she replied, her words echoing around her. A hand moved to touch her horn in wish he touched, the highly intimate place one she had never allowed anyone to really touch other than her closest friends... All of whom were for the most part dead and gone, other than the young Kianna. His touch moving to her hand and his words soft. She approved of his wish to enter somehow knowing all would be fine for the stone temple behind her.

Minutes turned into hours and Athena had gotten back to her dat dreams. This time simply wondering what kind of human would talk to a piece of stone like she had heard or perhaps she had simply imagined the whole thing...

Over the years Athena had been forcefully moved, humans had attempted to break pieces off of her, chip away at her, anything they so desired during the day. So she had learned to simply ignore them and reseed further back into the recesses of her mind to ignore the intrusion upon her stone form. So when she heard the ruckus she knew to expect the worst as she curled into the dark oblivion and let her wings wrap around her body in a tight embrace of comfort.

She forced herself to ignore the touch and block the sound. Only mentally peaking from the feathers of her wings at the roar of the familiar voice, but she still hid herself away up until she felt water wash over her and the male say he was done. A flower once again being placed upon her. 'Strange human...' She mused.

Hours once again passed and the stone dried by the gentle winds and setting sun. Her own inner voice humming to herself. Gargoyles had rather beautiful voices, but only if you could get them to sing for you, that was the catch. Unlike the sirens of the sea they seemed rather shy about this fact.

Like any other night the sunset made the gargoyle antsy to be free. But with the eventful day and the seemingly distant fire she could hear she shoved her impatient needs aside and waited until the sun had been down for an hour or we before the transformation started. Her hands, feet, and tips of her wings started first. Athena's rough rocky surface turning to smooth skin, stone wings to soft feathers, and hands gripping the slowly reverting leather hilt. Her transformation was utterly silent as she did not breath, nor did she have a heartbeat. Yet. But her sight returned to her and her head rose from its bowed state, only to see that the seemingly distant fire was anything but distant but rather at her front door.

Panic set in and the natural instinct to flee kicked in but not before the need to breath did. She gave a sudden choke of a gasp and her wings a small flap to keep her balanced as she quickly stood, taking her sword and before the man could wake from his slumber she had disappeared into the temple. Two swift beats of her wings and she was perched atop one of the many large white columns. A hand going to her chest to touch the familiar stone... But to her horrified surprise she felt no chain, no necklace, and fierce panic started to pound through her veins.

 

[GrinningGentleman]

The traveler's sleep, was as thin and light as it always was. Sleep was an unnecessary luxury, at this current time. He'd slept a few hours in the village as well, and it had only been four days before that, since his last full night of sleep. The only reason he slept this night, was the beauty of the place. Sleeping in front of an ancient temple, bellow a star lit sky? The man didn't want to pass that opportunity. He always slept best, when in exotic areas.

Sleeping this lightly, however, meant he was pulled from his sleep, by a sharp gasp, and the flap of wings. The man instantly opened his eyes, sat up quickly, and pulled the sword from the sheath next to him. His eyes didn't look around for long, before his ears caught the faint flapping of wings from the temple. He calmed down, as the danger subsided, realizing the one who made noises, weren't attacking him. Instead, he slowly turned around, looking towards the temple with a raised eyebrow. He wondered how the noise-maker had been that close to him, only to run away from him again. He was certain who ever it was, would've surely made noise before that, which would've alerted him. Curiosity welled up in the man, and he raised from his fire, to reach into his bag. From it, he took a wooden stick, and one of the orbs he'd been heating up earlier. With a mechanism in the orb, as well as the wood, he attached the two together, tapping the orb a few times with his gloved hand. This caused the orb to flicker weakly with light, before starting to shine quite brightly, but without hurting the eyes.

The man started approaching the Temple, holding his sword at the ready in his right hand, torch in the left. On his way, he passed the statue, giving it only a short glance, before stopping in his tracks. There were no statue. The man tilted his head, looking towards the empty platform, amazement in his eyes. How? How was the statue removed, without him hearing it? His mind didn't have to race long, before remembering an old myth, he'd ben told by a craftsman in the Eastern deserts. Gargoyles. The man who told the story, didn't really believe in them himself, just thought them misconceptions of Automatons and Golems.
"Gargoyle?" He murmured to himself, before turning his gaze towards the temple. He readied his shoulders slightly, before setting a slow pace into the temple. He couldn't pass that opertunity. There were no battle in his mind. No tiny voice, telling him, that facing a Gargoyle, might not be profitable. He had to see this creature.

As the man entered the temple, he slowly moved the torch in his hand, lighting as much of the massive room as possible. His careful eyes looked over the tall pillars, corners as well as open areas of the ruin. While he carried a sword, he carried it low, clearly not intending to use it, but keeping it handy.
"Hello?" He called out at first, realizing how non interactive that gesture was, rolling his eyes a bit at himself.
"Erhm.. Sorry.. For intruding upon your Temple. I.. Well, I didn't exactly expect it to be.. Occupied.. I'm sure you can.. Understand. It isn't really a common occurrence, to run into a Gargoyle." He called out, spinning around, to look behind him, but continued walking in the same direction now backwards. "That is what you are, is it not?" He asked, but without giving time for the other creature to answer, before continuing. "I knew a man once, who thought your kind was a myth. Thought you were just.. Really pretty Golems. I'd.. Like to tell him wrong, one day?" He chuckled lightly to himself, as he raised the torch towards the ceiling, lighting it as much as the torch could, which was fairly decent for a torch.
"I don't know, why you hurried away from me, Lady, I really have no interest in h..." The man paused, as he realized what he'd done some hours ago. He closed his eyes, groaning a little before continuing.
"Uhm.. I am. Sorry. If I stepped over some boundaries earlier.. You know.. Washing you? Reeally just thought you were a beautiful statue." He apologized, biting lightly at his gums, finally stopping his tracking. Now it was her move. If she wanted, she could float right out the door, and he'd never get to really see a Gargoyle. He wouldn't hunt her, if she did. Or would he? He really wasn't sure, at this point. This whole thing, was far too exciting to really tell how he'd react.

 

[KayLove]

Athena shaded her eyes from the dim light and stood from her crouch upon the column. She felt her insides turn with emotions and questions. 'Was he the man that took her necklace from her neck?' .... But if it had been on her it would have changed to stone... 'Could he have done something? With the wash that he had given her? Taken it without her even realizing?' After all he had used a strange ingredient to wash off the markings, her tongue licked her bottom lip and instantly regretted it as she tasted the soap...

But he had been so kind to her, even if he had thought she was only a statue. The war within her raged on even as he kept speaking. He could be a complete liar, look at the blade he holds, or he could simply be a curious hearted human, see the shining eyes he possessed.

Even as he moved she stuck to the edges of the temple, hiding in the many shadows, gracefully walking the tightrope like edges of stone between each pillar.

His words finally stopped and she stood in silence before she took a step off of the edge of the wall, only to land with a soft thump and a flutter of wings to slow her fall. Before he could turn around to catch a glance at her she slid behind one of the grand marble columns with ease. She had given her position away but she also knew where he was, any vibration upon the stone she could feel.

"You said you would not take anything... You promised me at that very door...." Her soft words echoed through the temple, "But it's gone..." The sadness and panic was leaking into her voice, she was a two century old being and she was upset for loosing a simple stone and chain. "Or did you lie like every other human?" Her words sharpened at the end and a audible sound of one of her swords unsheathing made a deadly hiss into the night.

She kept moving while she talked, from one shadow to the next the light or his orb as he followed her catching a feather, her red hair, the tip of her sword for him to see but nothing more. Her wings folding painfully into her skin to make her body smaller and easier to walk silently. The gargoyle moved from one side of the temple to the front alter, silently, as silent as stone in her natural habitat. "Answer me!" Her voice was strong and demanding. She stopped moving then and allowed his orb to shine fully upon her, the light was warm, and welcoming. Making the microscopic crystals in her skin shimmer ever so slightly. She truly looked like a deadly being, both blades were out now, one in each hand at her sides. Her golden eyes glinted even as the edges of her tight lips turned down.

 

[GrinningGentleman]

The creature was in the room, there was no doubt about that. His sense tingled, telling he was being watched, and he'd learned to trust them. But the creature let him talk. Let him wait. He was basically ready to plead for it, to show itself. He so desperately wanted to communicate with it. Maybe it couldn't? Maybe it was just scared? There were so many things, he wanted to learn about this creature, but the most important one. He wanted a reason, to not think of it, as an -it-. Right now, for all he knew, the creature could be based off of animal instincts, and remain hidden until he gave up. Or it could have a personality, and actually respond back.

The man was about to put away his sword, when he heard a flutter of wings. The man spun around, quite quickly, but saw nothing in the wake of the sound. And as a voice broke the silence, his sword was lowered slightly, and a smile crept up upon his lips. A smile of relief, and joy. She was intelligent. And possessed a beautiful voice to back it up. The fact that her tone was rather accusatory, and the words suggested a betrayal, didn't really play too much on his mind. He knew that he was innocent, and had the intellect to explain that fact. Or the speed, to get the hell out, if she turned out to be violent. He also lowered his sword, removing any suggestion of a defensive posture, as he was about to take a step before the sound. But as he heard the unsheathing of, what sounded like a sword, his own was raised slightly again, taking on a defensive posture again. That is were the emotion of the creature, became a little more clear, and his smile dimmed. She was clearly distraught, with the loss of something. Something, the Scavengers had undoubtedly taken.

Each time she moved, he did so as well, the light following her, but never quite catching a glimps. The man remained quite, not wanting to speak, with something in the shadows. An old principal, he'd learned from a former mentor, long since passed away. Never, reply back to something in the shadows. So he remained silent, with the little dance of hide and seek. But finally, she stepped out from the shadows, letting the light of his orb reveal her. His brows slowly raised in unison, as did his jaw, in awe of what he saw. She had been a beautiful statue, but now, he beauty was intoxicating. And it wasn't just the simple fancy, of a man watching a woman. In no way meant offensive, she was a creation, created by someone's hand, and not by birth. And the amount of love, and heart, required to create something like this woman, was true beauty to this man. While the woman showed no love towards the Adventureros man, she was a shining example, of the amount of love creations were capable of.

The man stood in awe for a few seconds, before finally snapping out of his thoughts. Realizing he was still in a very defensive position, he relaxed his legs, slowly moving his blade out in front of himself. But rather than showing the blade towards the Gargoyle, he pointed the blade upwards, and the side of the sword towards the woman. As he did, all but his index finger, and thumb, released the handle, to show a palm towards her.
"Okay.. Okay, let's think about this.. Alright? I'm going to put this away, there is really no need for it, right? We can be civilized." The man explained what he was doing, as his hand slowly moved the blade towards his left side, sheathing it into his belt. He wasn't going to tell her, just how fast he'd be able to draw the sword, and defend himself, meaning he didn't really disarm himself. He was still capable of defending himself. But it was still a gentle gesture. After sheathing the sword, he held his hand up again, still showing his palm, clearly not interested in fighting.
"I did make a promise.. I did. A promise that I've kept. As I always do. I can turn my pockets, inside out for you, right here.. And we can go outside, and I can empty out the rest of my things as well. I'd even strip for you, so you could make a thorough search, even though that'd be rather inappropriate, right?" He chuckled lightly, shrugging his shoulders.
"And, remember. Your lovely abode, had several visitors today. Hm? And the difference between these?" He looked to his side, only for a second, before moving the light slightly, so a broken vase was more visible, which he pointed to.
"One visitor, broke that vase. The other, chased the vandals away." He continued, then pointing towards her. "One visitor, draw ugly imagery on you.. The other, washed you.. Which, yeah, inappropriate to do without consent, but.. Well, at the time, you were a beautiful statue, and not the very beautiful woman you are now." He added, holding his hand out to his side a bit, smiling warmly again.
"I keep my promises. I have taken nothing from this Temple, that I did not bring into it myself. It is clear that something very valuable to you, has been taken. I'm making a pretty strong bet, that the Scavengers took it, if you are certain you did not just replace it. -They- did come here, to desecrate this beautiful place. I came here to watch.. And learn. Something, I am hoping you can help me with. Perhaps, if I help you get back, what was stolen?" He jumped directly from defusing a situation, to offering a deal. He remained calm, and respektive. He didn't show fear towards her, but still expected trouble. He wasn't sure she'd see it his way, or be stubborn, and he wasn't quite interested in tangling with those swords.

 

[KayLove]

The gargoyle simply watched him, taking in every detail, his familiar clothing, the deep orange hair, molten eyes... A memory flickered before her eyes, one of long ago, of beings she used to know. Perhaps she had encountered this man... No, she would have remembered his voice, perhaps she had known someone of his kind. That might be it... Athena believed him, her heart giving a loud thump in confirmation that she knew his words to be true and she was at fault...

She wasn't very good at hiding emotions as they crossed over her features. Her head cocked to the side as she wondered his origins. Her distrusting eyes turning to that of confusion and frustration. Sadly, the gargoyles memory was not like it used to be, memories often slipped from her grasp now a days as if the accumulation of nights was too much for her mind to keep all together in the forefront of her mind.

Her golden eyes slipped from his visage and looked upon the long forgotten piece of pottery, it's graceful lines now shattered onto the stone floor. Athena felt her breath give a sharp intake and she let the blades fall from her hands, they clattered to the floor loudly even as he kept speaking of who had truly done wrong in his eyes. She agreed with everything he said even as they faded into the back of her mind and slowly walked to the vase, as if to not suggest she was moving to hurt him. It was plain to see upon her features that she was heartbroken that she had failed in her only goal, to protect, to guard.

Athena tucked a piece of scarlet hair behind her ear and let her knees crumble before the ancient piece, a heavy thump onto marble sounded through the temple as his words finally ceased and she could feel his warm eyes upon her. But she needed to do it...

She gathered all the pieces into her lap, sitting as if going to pray with her knees below her, the clay pieces fragile as they clinked together, jagged shapes a sad reminder of the violence that occurred during the day. It had been a long while since she had done something like this, shifting through the pieces she found the solid base of the old clay.

She held it before her, her eyes brightening ever so softly, "Restituere...." She whispered in a soft voice her free hand picking up pieces of the vase and they began to remake themselves, the edges of each piece softening as they began to become whole once again. "Restituere..." She whispered once again, it was more to herself than to the clay as it hardened once again and became the graceful creation that it had been.

Her eyes dulled and she stood, "Stop staring it's not polite, human." She told him as she gently placed the creation back upon the pedestal in which it had once sat. The vase gave a soft tap onto the stone and if triggering a memory she remembered where she had put the necklace. She gasped and walked swiftly past the man to the door, running down the stairs and to the dead tree by the river. The only remnant of what she had placed was the wilted crown, broken and upon the ground. She picked it up gently, "Gods damn it all..." She said with a sigh.

"You'll help me?" She asked in a somewhat louder voice so that it would carry back to the man a ways behind her. "For what? To learn?" She gave a sarcastic chuckle, "Strange creature to offer that," she said as she tossed the crown into the river and watched it float away. "In all my years I've never had someone ask that of me..."