"Marketplace Standoff" Log Date: 4/21/01 Log Cast: Maddock, Kaiulani, Akane and Ronan (NPCs emitted by Kaiulani), Epistal (NPC emitted by Maddock), Farris, Altair, Kallista, Jessop, Wahatu Log Intro: Ever since she's come to Haven, Kaiulani has been secure in the perception of her cousin and Decemvir, Sarojin, as a man who lives on a plane of existence entirely different from her own. To Kai, he's been a harsh man, unreasonably cruel, and yet with a genuine concern for her that she cannot deny; she has, after all, felt it in his mind as they've shared their thoughts. But that has begun to change, for in recent weeks Sarojin has seemed to turn fell and violent even past Kai's own experience with him; she has not been able to avoid the news of Pandion men he has slain, in evident retribution for assaulting Okalani. And for all that Kaiulani is an atypical Atlantean in the expressiveness of her emotions, she does share one thing in common with many of her people--aversion to violence. This, or so Kai has begun to fear, seems to hint that her cousin may be going mad. It does not help matters that her guards have cracked down upon her illicit escapes out of the Korallion to seek out her protector, Benja. Even Sangwyn, her newest guard, has abandoned his evident amorous intentions--and for all that Kai is relieved that she doesn't have to deal with _that_, it seems to mean that Sangwyn has joined Akane in the perception of her as a thoughtless, immature teenager. Thus it is a doleful Kaiulani indeed who ventures out into the Rialto under the watch of Akane and Ronan, desperate for a breath of fresh air and unaware that she is about to learn that lesson that Benja upon occasion can't save her from _everything_... and that she and her guardsmen are about to encounter a man who will rouse Akane and Ronan's suspicions in a way Kai cannot possibly expect.... *===========================< In Character Time >===========================* Time of day: Afternoon Date on Aether: Tuesday, March 8, 3908. Year on Earth: 1508 A.D. Phase of the Moon: Full Season: Early Spring Weather: Breeze Temperature: Cool *==========================================================================* The northern road leads right into the thick of the Rialto. The Rialto - Haven(#159RDJM$) Reigning over the Rialto is the very heart of Haven: the Delphic Citadel. It dwarfs the other buildings, which cluster around it like so many children seeking a parent's protection. Day or night, rain or shine, its walls seem to glimmer with a light of their own, as if, over the centuries, the magic within had slowly permeated the entire structure. The main tower soars higher than the tallest tree, and each side tapers inward so that it resembles a giant obelisk. Four smaller towers stand at the four points of the compass, representing the unification of each race under Delphi's government. And here is where they all gather. The Rialto is the famed marketplace of Haven, full of shops, stalls, and brightly colored tents. The shouts of merchants, the haggling of patrons, the music of entertainers, and the laughter of children create a nigh-constant cacophony that assaults the senses. But the Rialto is nothing if not exciting, and crowds often gather here for important events and public addresses. (Note: 'places' are enabled here.) Contents: Maddock Obvious Exits: Streets Delphic Citadel The Smithy Maddock leans against his spear, a quiet chuckle eminating out from something a similarly dressed Mongrel nearby just said. The laugh doesn't erase his scowl though, although it has eased back a few degrees. The Atlantean and Mongrel are also joined by a Sylvan, standing a little apart from both. The patrol is currently eating lunch standing up, various foods purchased from the stalls in states midway between completely to totally eaten. In her time thus far in Haven, Kaiulani has not learned nearly so much as she'd like to. There is an _enormous_ city here, full of a delightful mix of peoples and creeds and cultures, and she would like nothing better than to dive headlong into the unceasing tides of humanity that flow back and forth through Haven until she has explored everything it has to offer her. One thing -- or perhaps, rather, one person -- in particular she craves more than anything else, but it is as if there is an uncrossable chasm between them, personified by her own cousin... and the men that Sarojin has set to guard her. Even Sangwyn, who had looked at her with desirous eyes in the beginning, seems to her to have turned against her, joining with Akane in an apparent attitude that Kaiulani is acting like a mooning teenager. And so it is a disconsolate young maiden indeed that steps into the Rialto on this spring afternoon, desperate for a breath of fresh air, acutely conscious of the pair of guards discreetly trailing behind her yet so obviously ill at ease with them that one hardly needs to be a telepath to read the tension between the three of them. Nor does one need to be of the Children of Water to see the piercingly wistful look in the maiden's sea-green eyes as she catches sight of the Atlantean, Mongrel and Sylvan chatting with one another in perfect amiability and friendship, not too far away across the crowds. Perfect Amiability and Friendship would, arguably, be a stretch. At the least, Maddock would contest any claim made to such an effect. Opening his mouth to reply to the Mongrel's comment, he pauses, looking over his fellow's shoulder. And then barks out an order, where upon he starts to run headlong towards Kaiulani. His fellows give bemused looks to one another even as they quickly join in the sprint behind him. The crowds, startling at the yell, quickly part to form a path. Did I mention that Atlantean is Armed? And running directly at Kaiulani? And what was that yell... The maiden starts, and so do the two armed Pandion guards behind her. Akane's handsome dark face condenses into a scowl as he focuses upon this apparent threat -- while Ronan, shorter and stockier and seemingly less hostile towards their charge than his brother, looks swiftly about to see if there's something behind _them_ that might be a threat-- And as for Pandion Kaiulani, she can think of nothing to do except, well, get out of the way. Which she tries, throwing her small slender form hard to the right. What kind of madman _is_ this? And if there is no pair of strong copper-hued arms there to catch her and pull her to safety... well, she'll try not to think about that. Maddock Standing at an inch or two below six feet, Maddock bears himself with pride- arguably, with arrogence. His skin is the shade of finely ground sand, although there are traces of tan and grey intermixing as well, and his hair is a dark blue-green shade which shimmers in the proper light. It's kept cut short, perhaps half a finger-bredth long at the greatest extension. The eyes, deepset and faintly lined from a debt to sleep that has not yet been fully repaid, are a much lighter shade of his hair, and look watered out. His face is sleek, composed of the rounded angles of his sharp, short nose, strong chin, and barely visible cheekbones- although they're fairly pronounced for one of his kind -and close leaning ears. His left cheek bears what looks like a burn scar, which has left the skin permanently too-pale and puckered, a mark that turns his perputal scowl into a more menacing mode. Closely looking at his neck revels his gill slits, like six papercut thin indentatoins of the skin, three to the side. He is dressed in the guard uniform of a Hound; a sleeveless black tunic, edged in purple for the tunic, cut of a thinly woven, finely carded wool and matched by black leggings of a slightly heavier material. Over the tunic is a metal curiass, also darkly stained and emblazoned when the three headed dog Cerebrus. Above the emblem, attached to his color, is a single grey pip- marking him as one of the Espers, with some sort of affinity for sensing the aether. A pair of greaves rest on his arms, as well as a simple metal helmet that encases his head, both kept at a shining contrast to the rest of his uniform. A spear rests in one hand, it's wicked point shining from the same care shown to his helmet. Both feet and hands are webbed, a translucent, tough membrance between his fingers the lowest joints of his fingers, and thick enough between his toes so as to make walking without sandles a bit of a chore. The aforementioned sandles are flexible pieces of leather, well worn by now, with streps across both the toes and a slip on the heel, firmly securing them. His arms are wiry- not thick in the manner of a weightlifter, but closely roped and perfectly smooth. His gaze shifts from side to side, instensely examining the world- and, more rarely, upwards and downwards as well. Kaiulani With skin just a shade or two darker than the clearest, palest moonlight, and with delicate webbing between her fingers and gossamer fins accentuating her wrists and ankles, this young maiden can be nothing but an Atlantean -- and a noble-born one, if the confidence of her bearing and the beauty of her features is any indication. Her hair is long and flowing, the exact shade of the inside of an oyster's shell: pearlescent white at first glance, gleaming with subtle shades of pink and blue and violet in the right light. Eyes of a deep, rich sea-green meet the world with a regard as apt to change as weather over the ocean, sometimes moody, sometimes gay, but always full of a fearless, vibrant life. When she is actually standing still, she might be noted to stand no taller than five foot two, but her every word and action speaks of a spirit unbounded by her diminutive frame. Like most of the Children of Water, she wears very little. At the moment she's clad in a halter and breechclout of foam-green, around which she's wrapped a loose leyang of coral-colored gauze. A coral headpiece decorated with a single pearl keeps most of her mane of hair out of her face, guiding it backwards to spill in a glimmering wave down past her shoulders. On her feet, in deference to the need to walk upon the land, she sports fine, thin sandals. Maddock groans internally, as the shortish Empyerean, cheeks thin and wings molting in places from ill treatment jerks his head up at the commotion. Previously he'd been intent purely on lifting a purse- probally what set Maddock off in the first place. Now seeing the Hounds charging him, he does the only rational thing- pull his knife and get ready to fly. Until a hostage conviently throws herself at him- no coppery arms, these. He grins toothily, holding the blade out. "Stay back!" he cries shrilly, causing Maddock and his fellows to pull to a stop. For a fraction of an instant, Kaiulani looks around in evident bemusement -- almost as if expecting someone to magically appear out of the crowd, possibly to barrel into this ruffian who has dared lay hands upon her. But no, there's no one, and the keen disappointment in her eyes has only that instant in which to manifest before the reality of what's happening strikes home. "Let... me... GO!" she bellows as best she can, infuriated and now striving to wrestle against the grip of her captor. Akane and Ronan come surging forward, their own weapons at the ready -- Akane's spear, a long and wicked knife in the hands of Ronan. For all that she is not on decent terms with them at the moment, they _do_ know their duty, and Akane lets out an icy, derisive call of his own: "Release her, thug, if you know what's best for you!" Maddock stops a short ways behind the guards, scowl darkening into true anger. And not all of it's directed at the thug, either. "Epistal, do we have to through this /again/?" he asks in a deep voice which seems more bemused than actually worried. The Empyrean, for his part, grins manically and brings the knife flashing in closer to Kaiulani, holding arm straining to both hold and keep her from accidently slicing herself. "Hold still girl," he hisses, before flashing a grin at the two guards and three Hounds again. "I'll kill her! I swear I will!" Maddock seem unimpressed by the threat. "Three purse snatchings, and now twice they end like this..." he muses quietly. And the distracted minds of some people might notice he speaks oddly- there's a half-beat of pause before he starts which seems out of place. "Harm her," thunders Akane -- and the man does have an impressive speaking voice, for all that he is in fact Atlantean -- "and you will be dead before you draw your next breath, Empyrean." Strange, though. There's a look about the man, something subtle but nevertheless there, that suggests that he's merely carrying out an unpleasant duty rather than leaping to the defense of the maiden with the pearlescent hair out of the goodness of his heart. In fact, Kaiulani shoots _him_ a bemused look as well, as if not quite believing he is in fact bothering to confront the man who's seized her. "Lady," cries her other guardsman then, looking significantly more concerned of expression than his brother, "hold still, I beg of you!" Maddock clears his throat, leaning on the spear. "Gentlemen, please... this is business of the guards of Delphi." He seems unusally relaxed, considering what's going on. A crowd of people has also cleared a circle around the actives, watching and whispering amongst one another. "Yeah, hold still... Oh, by the bloody spirits that- Look, just let me go, and I'll let her go. Deal, Hound?" The Sylvan behind Maddock is watching his ranking officer in something resembling shock, although the Mongrel seems to be repressing a smile. "Oh, just let her go Epistal. You and I know you won't actually hurt anyone." Ronan pipes up then, grimacing towards Maddock, "He's laid hands on the cousin of Pandion's Decemvir, man, that makes it _our_ business!" Kaiulani might be impulsive, but she knows a sensible suggestion when she hears one. So she goes as still as she can manage in Epistal's grasp, though her heart is hammering against her ribs and her gills flex repeatedly in involuntary reaction. "If you spill my blood," she breathes out hoarsely to the man just behind her, "my cousin _will_ have your head." She hopes. She's not entirely sure these days of whether Sarojin would even notice if she were murdered. Epistal, not being a terribly stupid sort, slowly starts to reach a rather simple and obvious conclusion. This Was a Bad Hostage to grab. "She's *who*?" he blurts out in shock, eyes widening. Maddock's too, for that matter, as he stands up a bit straighter, suddenly much more alert. "She's within Haven. That makes it my concern. Now stand down or I'll arrest you once this situation is resolved," he growls quietly, before more loudly calling out, "Still feeling daring, vagabond? You're in /way/ over your head. Just put the knife and girl down, and you're free to fly." Epistal seems uncertain on that point, glancing nervously over his shoulder now. Neither Akane nor Ronan seem to take well to a Hound trying to usurp what should be _their_ authority -- but the two dark-skinned men, the taller with the blue hair and the shorter with the green, exchange hard and intent glances along with swift and intent thoughts. Grudgingly then they lower their weaponry, though the knife does not yet return to its sheath, and Akane does not put the spear back into its sling over his back. Not yet. Kaiulani's attention now flashes to the evident Hound in charge, and for at least a moment she has to smile faintly at the tone he takes with her own guards. She stays still, the threat of her high connections now properly delivered; it now lies with the thief as to whether he'll be sensible... or foolish. And it seems for one brief moment that he's going to be foolish. Epistal licks his lips nervously, glancing around at the faces around him. So many faces. They all know him. His name. With a startling swiftness he hurls noble and knife, before launching himself skyward. He's soon lost in the clouds. Of course, Kaiulani probally doesn't care, seeing as she's just been hurled to the ground. And Maddock almost certainly doesn't care as that knife, against all odds, actually hit blade first just under shoulder, forcing a shout of pain from him as he staggers to a knee in shock, good arm tightly clinging to the spear. The girl lets out a breathless gasp as she slams into the earth, but she catches herself before she falls. Akane and Ronan start, lifting their weapons in response to that hurled blade -- but since it does not actually hit _Kai_, they hurl neither spear nor knife after the fleeing miscreant. Neither, however, do they seem quite inclined to come and help up the maiden. Kaiulani is left to leap to her feet, just in time to see the Hound take the knife in the shoulder. "Waters," she cries, and she hastens to the man's side. "A healer, someone get this man a healer!" Maddock actually grins for a moment, although it's a weak and forced thing. Distorted all the more because of the scar on his cheek, it actually looks worse than his perenial scowl. "Next to Delphi itself, I daresay that won't be a problem," he mutters quietly. Keeping the injured arm still, he places the spear on the ground fixing his good and formerly spear hand on the injury. There's another wince at that. "Pardon me for not stopping that man. And for involving you," he adds, more subdued. The Sylvan has already run off towards the school, sprinting through the crowd of onlookers. Maddock stays still and bleeds. "I have a habit of getting in trouble, don't worry," Kaiulani says dismissively, waving a slender white hand -- and seeming to miss the strange, intent look that Akane gives the Hound and his interactions with her. The Pandion maiden's attention is far more occupied by the Sylvan running off towards Delphi's gates, and she does actually nod a bit in acknowledgement of the proximity of a plethora of healers, but... still, her brow furrows in concern. "What can I do to help you? Should we take that blade out?" Maddock is half-kneeling, half-laying near a spear and a cousin of Pandion Decemvir in the middle of the Rialto and a large crowd od now activly gossiping onlookers. Said cousin is currently hovering near the Hound, who is in his prone position mostly for having a knife embedded just under his shoulder with his opposite hand clamped around the wound, trying to staunch the injury or ease the pain. "Nono, just... wait for the healers. That's the best, really. Ah!- right... not moving that arm now, right..." he mutters to himself as he attempts the shift the injured arm into a less uncomfortable position. "Could you talk to me, though?" he asks, eyes closing. "Helps to distract me. What's your name?" Through the Rialto's flowing crowds walks yet another man with wings, though there is a subtle difference about this one - most Empyreans are not blue. Aware of a disturbance and the gossip ahead, he makes his way through the crowd to look at what has happened and perhaps even smile a little. Annoyed at being moved by a halfbreed, the edges of the place he has found himself grumble, but make no physical commotion - not overly surprising, though, since there is one Hound already present and presumably more on the way. He wants her to _talk_? Er, um, all right... "Pandion Kaiulani," the maiden replies, in a lilting chain of eight syllables that rise and fall in her high pure voice. "I, ah, I live in the Korallion..." Where's that healer, then? Aware that her skills at conversation have taken a bit of a decline as of late -- she's hardly been in the mood to make fluid, easy conversation, vocal or telepathic -- she blushes a bit as she tries to figure out how best to keep the wounded Hound occupied till help arrives. Behind her, her guards finally do draw nearer to her, Ronan shooting Maddock an anxious look of his own, while Akane sweeps a narrow-eyed stare around the immediate crowd. Maddock nods slightly, as he takes several steadying breaths. "Nailo Maddock. I usally sleep in the bay, actually. How long have you been in the city?" he asks quietly, strain obvious in his voice. At least the blood's not really flowing so much as just dribbling from his shoulder now, his shirt throughly soaked and sticking to the skin around the knife. Farris, as more than a few others in the crowd, is smirking just a little at seeing one of the mighty Hounds and worse, an Esper, bleeding a little. He's well aware that Delphi's Healers will get here soon enough to save the man's life, and decides not to call attention to himself by interfering. He settles for watching, blue wings furled tightly behind him. Every now and again, blood-red gill-slits flare open, dark slashes against pale blue skin. Altair enters from the eastern exit, narrowly missed by a clattering cart. Altair has arrived. Kallista enters from the eastern exit, narrowly missed by a clattering cart. Kallista has arrived. Jessop enters from the eastern exit, narrowly missed by a clattering cart. Jessop has arrived. "About a year and a half," is Kai's reply, as she hunkers down by the wounded Hound, her fine pale features crinkling up in more anxiety than one might expect for a maiden of Atlantean descent, especially one of noble breeding. Apparently, however, Pandion Kaiulani wears her emotions on her face. "I was brought here to live with my -- ah, my cousin--" A slight hitch in her voice there, at the mention of the Pandion Decemvir, and a slight tightening of her expression. It's a vaguely interesting sight that passes through the crowds of the Rialto. A trio of Empyreans, Altair walking alongside Kallista, and a child named Amaryllis is carried in her arms. Last in this entourage is an Atlantean youth clad in the white of the Delphic Caducean caste. Jessop doesn't look too happy though as the group wends its way to the Citadel. He looks like he'd rather be eating worms. Kallista steps through a tall set of gates and enters Delphi's grounds. Kallista has left. Jessop steps through a tall set of gates and enters Delphi's grounds. Jessop has left. Altair steps through a tall set of gates and enters Delphi's grounds. Altair has left. Maddock nods slightly, and seems on the verge of replying when the Sylvan returns, leading a hustling healer back to the wounded figure. There's a brief moment of intense pain on Maddock's face, as the knife is quickly removed, and then the empath places a hand atop his own. Their faces mirror for a second that feels like an hour, before Maddock groans and half-smiles. "Thank you. I am once more in Delphi's debt." The healer smiles back, before standing. "It's just a good thing... Well. You go easy for a few days." Assured that there will be no death today, the crowd drifts off, muttering ominously. It's been ages since they've seen any decent entertainment, after all, and the least the Hound could have done would have been to die after getting stabbed like that. But crowds are fickle things, and no-one should be particularly surprised by this attitude. Farris certainly isn't surprised as he too begins to move on like all the others, walking around the edge of the area now that the crowd has dispersed somewhat, with a destination on the other side. "Will you be alright, sir?" Kaiulani asks then, half-poised between remaining hunkered down on Maddock's eye level and rising to her own feet. Her guardsmen keep their discreet but watchful distance, and once, Akane's sharp gaze crosses over the strange-looking blue halfbreed, distrustfully. "Is there any other assistance my guards or I could provide you?" Maddock shakes his head slowly, pushing up to a knee with his good arm, still holding the recently healed one gingerly. "I think I'll be alright, Pandion Kaiulani," he replies lightly. The odd timing in his speech resounds again- just a half-beat off from where it should be. He carefully resumes a grip on the spear, leveraging himself slowly and unsteadily up with it. Farris keeps moving around the edge of the clearer area containing the pureblooded Atlanteans, obviously intent on going somewhere. He ignores, if he even sees, the glance that Akane sends in his direction. He's used to that and worse, after all. Blue wings shift and then subside once more as someone in the crowd hurls a curse in his direction. Wahatu enters from the eastern exit, narrowly missed by a clattering cart. Wahatu has arrived. Kai half-smiles, stepping back to give the man a little bit of space, though she does not yet move away. "Thank you," she tells him then, "for your quick thinking -- I... do not want to think of what might have happened if that man had... well." Again she makes a dismissive little gesture with her white hand, and again she casts a strange look left and right, almost as if expecting... something... that has not occurred. A slouched figure shuffles into Rialto as one among many who wander to and fro the market, a face among the crowd, though a noticable one, as the black eyepatch and the startingly green eye serve well in distinguishing Wahatu from the average Mongrel. Maddock takes the northeastern route toward Fairway and Vicina. Maddock has left. With that, then, Pandion Kaiulani inclines her head graciously to the Hound, even smiling a bit, though it does not quite reach her sea-green eyes. The maiden turns then, not even bothering to signal to her guardsmen... resigned rather than trusting in the knowledge that they will stick to her like remoras when she would much rather be travelling free through the streets of Haven. She strides off, and soon enough she has vanished southward, towards the Korallion and what passes for home. [End log.]