Beautiful Stranger...

[Kryss]

((No worries there Tigs - he wouldn't dare oppose one of higher rank than himself! Plus, the lady is far too lovely for him to even consider such a thing...XD)

In a back corner of the saloon, half-hidden in shadow, a silent figure observed the happenings at the bar with great interest.

It appeared to be a man, tall and very athletic in build, his skin olive with a strange golden cast. Straight locks of thick ebony- coloured hair hung in his eyes, interrupted by a single, glistening golden streak on his left side. Most would hazard the guess that he had used gold leaf or something similar to achieve this effect – but artificial it was not. Three silver earrings gleamed from his left ear. His clothing was simple – a creamy cotton shirt and a pair of dusty, worn jeans, patched in several places. In sharp contrast to his simple attire, he sat with a casual elegance that looked very out of place with his rustic surroundings.

His silvery eyes narrowed in suspicion – no doubt about it that pair were definitely peculiar…one could almost suspect…no, that couldn’t be it…he seriously doubted that would be the case…yet, he couldn’t afford not to investigate…if his suspicions were to prove true…before he himself knew what was happening, he had slid out of the booth and was delicately picking his way across the otherwise empty saloon to the pair at the bar...

((BTW - I'm brand-new to RPing, so please let me know what I'm doing wrong...=())

[silverdust]

She smiled again, at ease with his touch and the movement of his lips, a song she couldn't hear. She picked up his words in their liquid motion, birdsong, harp. She hadn't heard these things, but she knew they were said to sound beautiful. Did he really need to hear her voice so? Only once before had anyone felt that. Perhaps this Chieftain was merely condescending to her, eager to have his skills in his caravan? No, she couldn't believe that. He was too painfully honest, emotions she had learn to read easily in her disability.

He seemed to need touch, contact with another of his kind, as did she. She didn't shy away from his bold contact, but let him do as he felt he needed. It was also too long since she had had contact with another of her kind, and his touch was gentle and polite. He wouldn't harm her. The cold warmth of those eyes, shining with the youthful exuberance. She smiled into those eyes and her lips formed 'thank you'. Still voiceless though, she wouldn't speak before all these people, too many eyes to judge her.

She noticed, from the corner of her eye, the second stranger, a subtle flash of gold in the shadow. Also with him, that sense that he was not exactly what he seemed. She felt an odd warmth when he seemed to decide to come over, and motioned also with her hand, trying to tell him that he needn't creep so. With a light laugh, she placed her hands on Dantevi's face and gently turned his gaze toward the stranger, a childish motion, but he was the one with words, not her. All she needed to hear was the stanger's name, and she'd know.

[tigs]

She was at ease with his bold movements, and seemed to understand that he found her voice to be precious. But, in return, he also understood the fact that to speak before one who you trusted was somewhat easier than to speak in front of a group of judgemental humans. And so, he granted her his silence as well. No more questions were required, until he figured out a place where he could take her.

She had thanked him, but why? Was he not doing what any gentleman would do? Such should be the way of any male, when attempting conversation with a lady. Especially, one who was so delicate and unsure of herself. That is not to say he found her weak, merely in need of proper companions. Ones who understood her and would not pressure her to do anything but what she wanted to do. Patience would be a virtue around her, and this he'd understood from the start.

"Someone approaches." He stated, aknowledging that he saw who she pointed his face towards. His high cheekbones complimented the warm smile he gave to the male. She trusted him to approach, perhaps... He did have the look, and general 'feel' of one of their kind. Perhaps she had simply picked up on it sooner? Or he was just a little more precautious.

"Hello there, may I ask of your name? Take her invitation and sit, please." He offered, with a sweeping hand motion, but one which could not come close to the grace of Iedaene's movements.

[Kryss]

Upon being noticed by the pair, the stranger approached more quickly. Before, he had been cautious, not wanting to startle them, possibly causing them to flee before he could satisfy his curiosity. When he reached the bar, he politely introduced himself, speaking smoothly and articulated: “Greetings kind sir and lovely lady.” With these words, the stranger gave a slight and courteous bow to each of them in turn, his face a mask , as he carefully studied their faces. Yes, they certainly were…unique…and more than enough so as to arouse his suspicions.

“I am Incendus.” He smiled broadly - a handsome, disarming smile. Then, almost as an after-thought, he added, “Artisan.” It was inconspicuous enough – if they turned out to just be normal humans, they would take that to be his profession, as it was…but to another of his kind…He let his reply hang in the air between them, and held his breath in anticipation of the response.

“It would be pleased to join you,” he added after a long pause. He then proceeded to pull a stool up to the bar and swept into the seat with a fluid motion.

"But I also do not wish to uneccesarily impose myself on you either," he added, gesturing at the pair, having observed the intimacy that they already shared.

[silverdust]

Iedaene gasped lightly and clapped her hands together, a happy motion. Incendus, a foreign name, and an artisan as well? It was too much of a coincidence. She smiled widely, her eyes bright, and reached out her hands to the other male as she had with Dantevi. She gave him a quick smile, hoping he wouldn't mind. He didn't seem the type to get jealous (not over someone like her, anyways) and surely he would understand it was her way of communication.

She took his hand shyly, and traced the words over them. Hello, Icendus. I. Iedaene. Ciondre. Artisan, too. She didn't linger with her touch, letting his hands go as she finished. She wasn't sure if Incendus would take to her strange ways of speaking.

[Kryss]

Incendus smiled at the lady’s enthusiastic response. That was a good sign, he thought to himself…most would not be so...jovial...to meet a simple craftsman as himself, or so he desperately hoped. He froze as she reached her delicate hands towards his, but made no motion to stop her. As she turned his hand over, thick, black tattoo-like markings were exposed, encircling his wrists like thick cuffs. He winced as the pair saw them…this could become extremely awkward if he turned out to be wrong in his suspicions…

His eyes suddenly widened as he realized what she was doing....and he instantly relaxed…the poor thing, he thought to himself...could she not speak? She had obviously understood what he had said…this was certainly confusing…the other had spoken to him…So her name was Iedaene…a Cionre…and an Artisan too…his thoughts began to whirl around dizzyingly in his head…like an echo, knowledge surfaced from near-forgotten recesses of his mind: ‘Ie’, or alternatively, ‘Y’, were required by the naming traditions of his kind to be present in a female’s name…and Cionre...that was the sub-sub-type that he himself belonged to...and no, he could not be mistaken on a matter of such importance as this…but…that could only mean one thing…he desperately seized the edge of the bar with one hand to steady himself and keep from falling off his stool…this was too much of a coincidence…he had found others of his kind at last…his true kin…

[tigs]

Dantevi laughed aloud, shaking his head at the introduction. "Another one, hm? Just look at my luck. I am Dantevi, Chief without a Caravan currently, and a Hendunu." He was a rarity by any standards he knew, and wore his titles proudly. He watched Iedaene's excitement, and patted her free hand comfortingly, showing that he too, was glad they found another so soon. He understood her need to grab the stranger's hand, and kept one of his on her tentatively, he didn't know why, perhaps it was for... protection? He would protect her if this turned out to be some rogue playing a game. Yes, he cared about her.

"Perhaps we should soon take this conversation elsewhere? We are starting to attract attention." His voice was thickly accented, showing that he thought it was of importance that they leave. Humans were intimidated by what they didn't understand, and all Legacy types had been banned from being around human populations after governments found out that humans were a basic food type to these strange creatures.

Dantevi kept his own black tattoo markings hidden, though it was difficult to do. He shook his massive mane of hair, allowing the charms and feathers to settle farther in, attempting to look as human as possible. "Iedaene does not speak. She finds her melodic voice to be shamefel, because she cannot her the beauty of it." He teased, touching her cheek gently and smiling. He wanted her to be more confident, but he didn't want to change who she was, so it was her decision in the end. But, it was rather cute to see her be so modest.

[silverdust]

Iedaene's eyes furrowed in conern as she saw Incedus's reaction to her words. Had she made a mistake? No, the tattoos were enough to convice her as well. Her tatoos were there, but they were near as light as her skin so she wore them freely, invisible in the light. With a gently worry, she placed a hand over his forehead, checking the temperature. Childish yes, but she wanted to know. 'Alright?' she mouthed lightly, removing her hand when she found it was of no rise.

Dantevi's hand on hers she did not find strange or restraining. It was a gantle touch, more for his benefit than her own, she could vaguely tell. But it was alright, she did not mind in the least. Being needed was a nice feeling, one she hadn't felt since...well, she had left the mountain. She read his lips as he spoke, only able to imagine the sound, nodding gently in agreement to the sentiment of moving. She smiled back as he touched her cheek, and she read his words. Flatterer, but he was not the first. Maybe one day she would speak for him, but only after her search ended. There was someone who she had to speak to first, who needed to hear her questions. But she would give him her laugh, if it would please him so.