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* Meghan walks out into the night towards the cottage after a long day of shopping * Meghan gets to a darker area of the city and quickens her pace a bit * Xarroch swirls through the dark clouds, soaring over Marsember, wings stretched wide, and scans the area, starting outside the city then looking in, eyes squinted suspiciously <Xarroch> ::murmurs to himself:: they think they can smoke me out by attacking here again? ::shakes his head in disgust:: * Dark_Stranger steps out in front of Meghan, a long dark cloak pulled tightly around his frame, the shadows from the low hood revealing only a wide, somewhat sinister smile * Meghan stops suddenly <Dark Stranger> Good evening, Lady... * Meghan nods <Meghan> ::softly:: can I help you * Xarroch looks to the areas he knows, homes of friends and of their friends, and the nearby areas... <Dark Stranger> I believe that you can. ::the smile grows even wider for a moment:: * Meghan takes a step back holding her cloak tighter around her <Dark Stranger> ::steps closer to Meghan:: You see... you have something. Something I would pay a great deal for. <Dark Stranger> ::dark shapes stir behind Meghan, staying to the shadow, but clearly cutting off her escape:: * Meghan tenses slightly <Meghan> I have nothing of value * Xarroch narrows his eyes further, seeing a gathering of human shapes and begins to dismiss it, looking elsewhere * Meghan steps forward away from the shapes that have formed behind her * Meghan clutches the front of her cloak feeling the stone warm against her chest <Dark Stranger> ::despite the shadowed eyes, the stranger's gaze obviously travels up and down Meghan, shaking his head slightly:: I would beg to differ, lady.. you have much of value, but merely one thing I seek. * Meghan begins to tremble noticeably * Dark_Stranger smiles more brightly, seeing Meghan's movement <Meghan> I have nothing ::softly:: please leave me be * Xarroch looks at the Meade Hall and traces of a smile show his sharp fangs... an expression that might be fond if the face were not so frightening <Dark Stranger> shhh.. ::making slightly awkward soothing motions, moving even closer to Meghan:: You will not be harmed, Lady Meghan. In fact, your cooperation will be greatly rewarded. <Dark Stranger> ::the darks shapes stir restlessly, moving in a little closer, the light revealing unsavory human forms:: * Meghan feels the stone get hotter as her fear increases * Meghan moves to walk past the man "Please leave me be" * Dark_Stranger moves with a quick grace to place himself in front of the frightened young woman again <Dark Stranger> That, my dear... is not an option. ::holds out a hand towards Meghan:: * Meghan stops and steps back <Dark Stranger> Make no mistake, Lady... I will have what I seek. ::a hint of steel enters his voice, and a sword is barely visible inside the long cloak, still sheathed, but not peacebonded:: <Meghan> ::barely a whisper:: Please.....I have nothing ::steps back and begins to turn and run away:: * Xarroch looks over the small gathering again, and again passes it by.. then returns, unsure of human customs, but sensing something wrong... * Xarroch twitches his head and flies down closer, now getting a sense of true menace somehow, and looks more closely at the figures <Dark Stranger> ::some of the people step fully from the shadows to close in a circle around Meghan, all openly carrying weapons.. clubs, daggers, and the like, all with greed written plainly on their faces:: * Dark_Stranger waves imperiously at the thugs * Meghan stops short * Meghan turns back to the man <Dark Stranger> She is not to be harmed unless I *say* ::nearly hissing the last word, the thugs visibly shaken, and maintaining the circle, but not as threateningly * Xarroch grins as he sees the scene more clearly, and lands close by, a satisfied smirk playing over his lips as he changes into his huge human form and stalks closer <Dark Stranger> ::no longers smiling, now gesturing firmly at Meghan:: Now. Give me the stone, and walk away. I give my word you will not be harmed. * Meghan shakes her head and clutches tightly to her chest and the stone <Meghan> I won't * Xarroch stalks closer, seeing the tableau clearly now, smelling the fear from the thugs, and from Meghan, a feral grin spreading across his face <Dark Stranger> I did not want to do this the hard way my dear... one last chance, before I let my associates deal with you and I take the stone from your lifeless corpse. Give - it - to - me <Dark Stranger> ::the thugs move closer, now all smiling nastily in anticipation:: * Meghan decides it is best to just try and get away and runs for the smallest hole in the people she can quickly see <Dark Stranger> ::one of the thugs trips Meghan, sending her sprawling, and they all begin to converge on her quickly, the dark stranger backing away slightly:: * Xarroch hurtles into the light, bowling over four of the thugs with sheer momentum, two of them not moving after they go down.. * Meghan screams as loud as she can which more comes out muffled * Xarroch quickly stands over Meghan, flexing his fingers and smiling in a very disturbing way at the surprised assemblage * Meghan curls into a tight ball having no idea what is going on <Xarroch> ::speaks softly, voice full of menace:: You are safe now, Meghan... <Dark Stranger> Kill him! ::points at Xarroch, snarling:: * Meghan opens one eye and peeks out hardly recognizing Xarroch <Xarroch> ::before the thugs are able to move, he leaps into you, the snap of bones in the unlucky thug's arms loud in the quiet night, and his cries of pain growing louder as he finds himself flying through the air and bowling over several others:: * Meghan tries to scramble away from the flailing bodies <Dark Stranger> ::two dive in from behind, looking shocked when the bulky body is not there, and even more so as their faces as smashed into the ground by Xarroch's feet coming down from his sudden jump:: * Meghan turns and watches slightly amazed * Xarroch growls deeply and quickly snatches and hurls another thug out of sight, the dull thud of the impact quite distant <Dark Stranger> ::with panicked looks, the thugs able to still move begin scrambling and fleeing, some on all fours:: * Meghan backs herself up against a building breathing deeply and watching her eyes large with amazement * Xarroch takes a step to pursue, then snort is disgust and shakes some of the blood from his hands, stepping between Meghan and the dark stranger, a dangerous glint in his eye <Dark Stranger> So... more than you appear to be... ::considers Xarroch thoughtfully and gestures, fluid chanting flowing from his lips:: <Xarroch> ::seems to compress for a moment, arms pinned to his body and lifted from the ground a bit:: so.. are.. you ::his grin barely wavering, eyes narrowing as they dart back to check on Meghan:: * Meghan moves her gaze to the stranger <Dark Stranger> You have no recourse, my dear.. even your would be savior is helpless now... ::walks casually closer to Meghan, and gestures at Xarroch, sending him further from the ground and causing whatever force to squeeze him even harder:: * Meghan flattens back up against the wall <Dark Stranger> now... the stone. ::hand poised menacingly at Meghan:: Or you will suffer things you never dreamed you could survive. * Meghan shakes her head slightly clutching the stone tightly * Xarroch screams in rage, his body distorting and growing even larger... horns sprout from his forehead, a tail now visible, and wings now seeming to break free from his back as he flexes and a sense of *shattering* flies out from him * Dark_Stranger starts to lick his lips and reach for the stone, ignoring the scream behind him, then looks back at the enraged demon now flying straight for him * Meghan screams at both the stranger and Xarroch being sure her life is close to it's end * Dark_Stranger skitters back against the wall, almost next to Meghan, chanting frantically and flinging a huge dart of power at Xarroch * Meghan flinches away * Xarroch grins and winks at Meghan, plowing through the magic missile as if it weren't there, and plows straight into the man, breaking through the wall entirely and carrying both bodies inside, leaving Meghan untouched outside <Xarroch> ::quickly hops out of the hole in the wall, grinning a mouthful of sharp teeth at Meghan:: Are you alright, Meghan? * Meghan is shaking hard and moves her head back and forth in a no manner <Xarroch> ::the grin fades, and he looks closer:: Are you harmed? What is wrong? * Meghan flinches back as you get closer <Meghan> I'm......I'm not hurt ::softly:: <Xarroch> ::chuckles and stops moving, now smiling widely, again showing the sharp teeth:: Good! * Meghan moves a bit farther back <Meghan> ::softly:: I need to go ::pauses looking around and seeming lost:: Val will be worried <Xarroch> ::chuckles again:: You're safe now, Meghan... ::stands up straight, folding in his wings and speaking in an oddly comforting voice, full of unexpected warmth:: * Meghan gathers her cloak around her looking back at Xarroch <Meghan> I know you.....from the hall right <Xarroch> ::nods and smiles again:: Yes. I am Xarroch. * Meghan nods slowly <Meghan> Thank you for helping me * Meghan slowly stands feeling a bit wobbly <Xarroch> ::grins and raises an eyebrow, carefully not advancing:: Are you still scared of me, or can I come help you? * Meghan shakes her head a bit <Meghan> I'm ok * Meghan takes a few steps and then stops visibly shaking * Xarroch watches Meghan critically <Meghan> I really need to get home. Val is going to go out of his mind <Xarroch> Good. I knew you were stronger than you seemed. ::grins approvingly:: * Meghan manages a weak smile back * Xarroch barks out a laugh and walks closer, watching Meghan's reaction * Meghan takes the smallest step back <Xarroch> If he can survive little Tyl'gainia's teaching, then he knows how to deal with panic. ::stops advancing and nods:: * Meghan looks back through the hole in the wall <Meghan> Is he.... * Meghan looks back to Xarroch <Xarroch> No... he teleported himself away just after the impact, but he will not die from that. * Meghan nods slowly * Xarroch looks over at the hold in the wall and sneers slightly * Meghan looks down the road that leads to the cottage <Meghan> Yeah I need to get home * Meghan looks back to Xarroch <Meghan> Thank you again for your help ::pauses seeming at a loss for words:: * Xarroch moves right next to Meghan quickly as she looks away, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder <Xarroch> hold still... * Meghan flinches * Xarroch chants softly, and a warmth spreads out from the large, clawed hand, filling Meghan's body with invigorating energy, healing her small bruises and making all seem calm * Meghan breaths deeply and stops trembling * Meghan looks up at Xarroch and smiles softly <Xarroch> ::steps back and looks to the road to her road home, then speaks softly:: You'll not be bothered again tonight... * Meghan nods <Meghan> Again thank you <Xarroch> ::returns the smile and nods in return:: I will be watching though... just in case. Sleep well, little Meghan. * Meghan heads off towards the cottage glancing back once at the huge figure and then quickens her step home. <Xarroch> ::sniffs the air and looks back:: And then perhaps see if the others didn't run fast enough... ::slowly grins in anticipation:: * Xarroch leaps into the air and watches Meghan walk home, keeping an eye out for likely hideaways near the battlesite... |
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