"Let me be your muse, I'll dance and you follow the rhythm with the music, it will be fun, I love improvisation," Neera backs up a little to give herself space to let her body flow.

Beginning herself in an abstract still pose, she raises her arms up as her feet twirl her.  The dance is flowing with vibrant steps, and sensual atmosphere.  Everyone is becoming moved by Neera's dancing.  The dimmly lit tavern helped express Neera, outstretching her arms in very ballet like poses, but she emphasised on the movement of a gypsie.  

When all seemed to be filled with excitement already, Neera's hands and feet began to eminate some strange glow.  To everyone's surprise she started to disperse glittery explosions, like that of fireworks except they were very calm and quiet.  Shaden seemed to be awed even more than the rest of the people at the tavern, considering he has never seen anything like this before.  Neera was expressing a new kind of magic.  Through her dancing she actually was enchanting the air about her, causing everyone to grow excited and joyous.

Kari'Ti followed along with her dancing perfectly, as if their soul's were connected.  Neera and Kari'Ti both performed with their eyes closed as to show great passion in their art.  

Finishing her dance Neera tossed up a large quantity of gypsie pyro, and the audience cheered to a deafening degree.  Neera noticed Shaden and Morgan were glowing in their eyes by what they had seen.  Such beauty, such radiance.  

"That was fun, you did a great job Kari'Ti, I can't wait till we perform at the concert hall in Lyndonberg this spring.  We are going to revolutionize the way people see us as more than just silly little girls!"

Turning her head towards Shaden as she props herself onto the table Kari'Ti was at, Neera has never been one to simply sit in a chair, or lean on a wall, " Shaden how'd you like our performance?  I could tell by your eyes it was something unique to you." 

 A positive little glow came from Kari'ti's body as she watched the other woman's enthusiasm.The xylo-sphere was a set of silver bars circling a glowing white ring which would hover in the air just below Kari'ti's chest. Using the mallets, she first struck out a major chord then began a series of tonal and percussive sounds that did indeed match the intensity of Neera's dancing.  The xylo-sphere spun round and round, moving faster and reverberating notes that caught every little explosion and sway.  Through the song she weaved sentiments of kindness and generosity; for that was the least intrusive and most discreet enchantment for this setting.  Her mysteriously shrouded body bent into the slightest bow after the applause, nodding several times to the audience.

"Your spunk never deserts you," Kari'ti commented gently, juggling her mallets as if it were an off-hand gesture.  "Indeed, they will see- we will show them the power of art."  She caressed her xylo-sphere, put it away in its case, and went right back to her seat.  Kari'ti had to look around Neera's body to see portions of the tavern, but did not mind being allowed to relaxed behind the more sociable of the two.

Shianne returned several momentslater with a towel and a bottle of red wine from the cellar. "Here ya' go, sorry for the wait - I had ta' run down into the celler." She smiled cheerfully and took a seat across from the man. As the bartender, she took great pride in knowing everything about everyone who came in - some people took a lot longer to crack though - some would never return, but she still remembered every face.

"I'm Shianne, and you are who, my soaking wet friend?"

Shaden hadn't noticed his face was revealing all those emotions, and he quickly put back his mysterious eyes and straight smile. "That was amazing girls, you have a lot of talent. I'd love to hear you two perform again sometime. Curious though, how did the two of you come to know eachother, or when rather? Kinda' odd meetin' up with someone ya' know so well but never knew where they were," he finished casually witha shrug.

 "Oh . . . it has been so long since I thought of that day.  Well it all started when I was ambushed by these pesky goblins, they were frightful!  They tried to capture me, I didn't know how to defend myself then, I was but a silly girl, teehee.  A small group of musicians were travelling down that same road.  I cried out for help, and Kari'Ti, Mary, and Deidre came to my rescue.  Mary was the songstress, Kari' Ti was the xylosphere musicos, and Deidre . . . come to think of it . . I can't remember what she was. 

I heard later that their group had split up for personal reasons.  I found Kari'Ti not too long after that at a concert, she was playing such a beautiful song.  It was a free range concert, you know the kind where anyone can join in if they have the guts, hehe?  Well, I was enchanted to be apart of the excitement, so I walked my little feet over to the dance floor, and started to dance.  I got so excited I mistakingly conjured some magical sparks around me.  Everyone was in awe when I did this.  As if they had never seen anything like that before hehe."

"Ever since then," gently nudging Kari'Ti's shoulder, " we have been friends ever since."  

Neera leans forwardly slightly to see the weather out the window. " Hey look, it stopped raining.  Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow!  Which is good news cause I have to bail from this place.  I have been cooped up in here way too long.  I need fresh air to rejuvinate my spirit.  What do you say, we all pack up tomorrow and head south towards a much warmer climate.  I know of a place in Suthern, that makes the best food.  It is just over the hill's horizon."  Neera is smiling at the proposition, she has brought to Kari' Ti, and Shaden.

((edited the post, it is not snowing anymore, it stopped raining haha)) 

((It is actually raining, not snowing. =P))

Shaden nodded as the story unfolded of how the two... three, met. "Quite a tale there," he said, thinking upon the last question asked about travelling South. 

"I... I don't think it'd be good for my... body to travel south at this time. I'm sorta, uh, worn out from a previous trip and need some time to rest." He smiled weakly, "Although I wouldn't like leaving two beauties such as yourselves out there alone - you seem capable enough." Shadens stomach suddenly knotted up and his throat became dry. "You understand, right? Great."

"Oooh darn, that wasn't what I wanted to hear," frowning as her head props to the side for a second. "Well . . I suppose I can stay a little longer, get to know some of the other gentlemen here.  You and Kari'Ti can go play, I am going to stay here and have some fun with the boy at the back."

Neera, abandons Shaden and Kari'Ti's company, and strides comfortably toward Shianne and the mysterious spiky blond boy.  

Obnoxiously propping herself onto the table the two were sitting at.  Loungeing on her elbows as she leans back, her leg dangles off the table.  Neera says nothing, but smiles flirtatiously at the mysterious man.  Neera was never one to not engage in conversation with anyone.  "You are a handsome fellow, why must you be sopping wet out in the cold rain?"

Shianne and Neera never really sought eye to eye when it came to approaching people.  Neera noticed Shianne's discomfort, and did nothing to help her.  "Shianne, don't be like that, I too wish to get to know this fine fellow.  There is no reason why we cannot all talk together."

Neera continues to give the boy, an entrigued look, as if she really wants to know who he is.  She twittles one of her bracelets while waiting for a response . . . 

Kari'ti sat quietly and listened to the proceedings...her facial expression was hidden of course, but a slight cant of her head might indicate that she remembered the events a bit differently. No matter- Kari'ti never told anyone how to tell their own story. If someone asked her a question directly, then she would answer it.

 To Shaden, who mentioned not liking to leave them alone, Kari'ti made a rather cryptic sounding laugh. "You needn't worry, young man.  These instruments and my voice aren't merely entertainment...they are deadly weapons.  I pray this tavern will never have to see and hear me display the true nature of my craft..."  That said, she patted her cases full of instruments with absent fondness. It usually astounded people to see just how many instruments she carried with her, and greedy highway men who thought her cases made her a good target usually died with vacant smiles on their faces.  "How ever, if you find yourself restless because of your little...condition...do not hesistate to come find me. I know a simple song that can revive you."

 "I am Neera, a free spirited gypsie, come to rest in this tavern, but it seems this place is beginning to drag me a little.  I have been meaning to get away from here for some time, but haven't found anyone to tag along with.  My travels are pretty lonesome, and I'd dread the thought of having to leave here on a bright sunny day all alone."  Neera changes her facial expression from gleeful, to a more reserved look as she shares her experiences.  "Oh, though I can never stay sad for too long.  A little forest animal would usually come and sit with me while I rested in the warm sunny grass fields.  Oh . . . I love nature, it is just so free."

Looking Zack up and down, Neera tries to understand his attire," Hmm . . . spiky blond hair, white casual shirt, and black pants.  Hmm . . . most don't dress like you.  Woohoohoo, and you've almost guzzled down a whole bottle of Shianne's finest red wine . . . . Ok . . Zach what is on your mind? I know someone doesn't act this way unless something in their life is upsetting.  Well . . that or your an absolute drunk, but I can tell you are not that type, so tell me, what troubles you?"

Arrousing slowly after what seemed a full weak of rest Okan slowly drug himself out from under the corner table which apparently had been dark enough to leave him ignored. He slung his great axe onto his stocky dwarf back and tied his smallish coin purse onto his belt, not drunk enough to forget to hug them close to his chest when he did finally let the alcohol induce a light coma. Upon looking around the room the only person recognizable was the barmaid who seemed a bit surprised to glance his direction and see him still here. The rest of the persons present didn't interest him much, he only awaited any party looking to allow him to join in their adventure. Until then he was here for the beer.

Strolling over to the bar his headache being ignored, he half shouted, "Shianne, be a friend and pour me a gallon or so of that great hard stout you served me yesterday!"

Sirius, the dark wizard, ties up his horse and removes the saddle bags which he places beneath his maroon gold-threaded robes and then up over his left shoulder. "Why am I here? I promised myself I would not pursue this coarse of events. Dariaxus' mysterious disapearance leads me to believe foul play is afoot. Where is he and why did he not leave word for me at the prior two inns north of here? We were to meet this day at the height of the day on Glidia Ref," thinks Sirius.

He steps into the dank, vile-smelling Inn and stops. Looking around for danger and to get a reading of the clientele on his comfort level, he enters. Aside from the laughter and drunkeness there is not much to speak of. The music he heard while unpacking had ceased replaced by drinking glasses and cussing. He removes his chihuaha, Belzebub, from inside his pack and holds out a tender moist biscuit. The dog, tired from being crammed in a bag for the last two hours, jumps out of his hands and runs rapidly up the stairs of the inn.

He hadn't planned on spending the night as the rain had passed and he longed for the familiarity of his homeland. He needed to speak with the innkeeper and decides to leave the dog be and find it later. Chances were slim to none there would be a message left by Dariaxus.

The golden emerald-encrusted cross around his neck falls out from beneath the many folds and layers of his clothing. He reaches up and quickly hides the ancient artifact of Yoranoob hoping that nobody had seen it glinting in the underlit tavern.

He approaches the barkeep hoping to get directions to the person in charge of this rat trap. "I loathe wood," he mumbles under his breath.

  Finishing half of the bottle of red wine, it seemed Zack's eyes has lost its shine, getting dark. He stared down into the wine bottle, moving it towards his mouth, as if he was going to drink anymore of it. After a short pause, glaring at the bottle, he sighed and took out a ring, just like the one he wore. It was gold, engraved with four characters from an older, forgotten language, spelling "Mina", while his ring was spelling "Leon".

"This wine is Shianne's finest, unfortunately it's not strong enough to relieve myself of Seiro and all the pain he caused me." His fingers rubbed the ring, finally cleaning off the blood that was shed up on it. "I can't speak much of it... It was just a loss caused in a merciless battle against a warlord who wanted to revert my land to it's industrious, slave-driven age..." He stood up, putting unequipped gear back on, heading towards the stairs up.

A short while after, another hooded man in a dark crimson cloak dashes and slides a few feet, reaching the front of the building. The mud was still slippery from the rain, but it was beginning to dry. "Where'd he go!?" thought the man, "If I can't find him, I could be hung, and he'd have another thing to hate himself for!" He searched the armory shops, asking if they saw a man with a black sword with glowing red engravings when he wielded it. The blacksmiths and merchants declined the sight of such a person, he scolded them and left the buildings slamming the door harder each time he heard the word "No." And as he came back to where he started (a few feet in front of the tavern), he swore not finding him within the past hours, remembering the words his wife said, that he would never find him again once he's out of sight. Then he looked to his right, The Boar's Head stood there in it's place. "I'm not giving up just yet. Maybe, just maybe I could find some decent information on his whereabouts. And maybe find a soft bed while I'm at it.

The man kept his hood off, walking towards and into the tavern... He noticed a variety of people, he thought that there was a party, which gave him a different look at the town, from dark and dangerous, to cheerful and full of friendly guests or commoners. As he made it to the counter, he sat down and looked for the bartender, who he never found yet. "Hey! Man where are ya? Get your ass over here already, your break's over!" As disrespectful he sounded, he was in a bit of a hurry, trying to complete his task and go back home alive with the person he's looking for...

That is very good 

 "Awwwh .. " Neera yawns and covers her mouth with classic feminicity.  Propping her feet onto the wooden floorboards, she slowly walks herself upstairs aswell, following behind Zach's trail.  The stairs creaked and snapped all the way to the top.  There is no one in the hall, but Neera spots something glimmering on the ground.  Her curiosity draws her near the object; as she crouches down to observe the object, she notices there is some familiarity about this item.  It was a ring, a golden ring, much like the ones Zach had been toying with downstairs not five minutes ago.  Neera remembered that Zach's rings had engravings on them, with this knowledge she searches for etchings in the ring.  Sure enough Neera spots the name "Mina" and realizes that Zach has dropped his precious heirloom. 

"Best not wake the poor lad, he is not in a state of polite conversation," Neera whispers to herself.  "I will just keep it with me, and I will return the ring to Zach in the morning . . . oh, but what if he leaves before I wake?  What a tragedy it would be for him to lose such an irreplacable piece jewelery.  I will remind myself to wake extra early for the young man to receive his item."

Neera is not yet ready to turn in for the night so she sits in the soft chair by the window, and gazes at the moonlit night.  The stars twinkle and the moon is barely seen breaking through the vapored clouds, that were once raining on the tavern.  Neera continues to glance back at the ring, with eager intentment as to wear it.  " Oh it wouldn't hurt anyone if I wore it for just a few minutes."  Neera slips the ring onto her right hand, ring finger.  The moment that ring touched her finger she began to have vision problems.  The walls, and floors were all darkening, and the world looked as if it were a rippling puddle of water, swaying back and forth.  Neerais eyes began to turn a bright white glow, her pupils instantly faded from view.  She soon lost consciousness as her head tilted backwards and her arms and legs limped as if the life was taken from them.  Neera awoke in a bronze colored world.  Her body is paralyzed, she cannot breath nor blink.  All she can do is sit and watch as the events in front of her are taking place.  A young boy is shouting out to a girl and boy named Mina, and Leon.  Very odd, of Neera to suddenly hear their names after putting on the ring.  "I must be in a trance, somewhere in the past." 

Neera begins to look onward as the boy that looks an awful lot like Zach, comes striding up to the fallen Leon and quirkely says," Hehe, those feet of yours will get you into trouble someday, always tripping over yourself like that."  Leon makes a snappy comeback," You are one to talk, you walk around wooing every lady in town, eventually your face will be sore of slaps!" . . . .

. . ." You boys always have to try and best each other at everything don't you!" A sassy young girl trots up to the two boys and tries to meddle in their battle of insults, " Why I should sock both of ya just for trying to leave me in the dust.  How dare you boys leave a lady stranded by herself?"

-Zach "You?"

-Leon "A lady/!"

-Zach&Leon "Ahahahaha!"

"Laugh now boys, but one of these days you will look at me and your faces will drop at my beauty."

Neera feels warmed with joy as they play together.  Although the trance hasn't ended and Neera is taken to a spot crude and despairing.  She can hear a sudden scream of desperation," Aaaaah-aaaah!" Neera can only see a girl fall, and the ring Neera now wears, falls from the girl's hand, into the ashes.  Her face covered in soot and ash Mina is lifted by a very ominous being that is obviously a belonging of a cruel world.  The being with Mina over his shoulder fades from view, and Neera is awoken abruptly on a soft bed!  Only to prop up into Zach's face, now each other's eyes are locked on.  Neera cannot for once in her life find words to defend herself with . . "I . . I saw her . . the girl ." Zach's expression is very aggressive and he obviously is not in the mood to play games.

Seeing the young man with the messy hair and the gypsy girl going upstairs, Sirius perceives a strong magical presense and places a mental tap on the girl to read her thoughts. At first he senses nothing out of the ordinary then no she is no longer wait it can't be true she is in another plane of existence. "Is this possible?" he thinks. She is in a trance.

In his minds eye he sees a bronze color permiating everything around his aura. Although he sees the room it begins to fade and warp as if the glass is melting in front of him.

The last thing he remembers is a despairing cry. He falls to the ground in a frenzied comatose state. Belzebub comes and licks his face.