Portal to Adventure

[Celestiale]

Sutashi

I nearly choked on the wine I was drinking as this vision of "Thorr, The Nordic Golden God" appeared before us at the table. My amber eyes flashed annoyance and then mirth as I realized that this world of fantasy and wonder, was not for me to truly understand. I had figured from the start that for me, it was best just to accept life here as "normal" and to flow with it's strange ebbs and tides. I saw my friends here as the character's they portrayed in the game, not their 21st century selves. It was easy for me to call them by their chosen, fantasy names.

Taran's song had ended abruptly with the surprising arrival, and I found the quiet moment to be an opportunity to take leave of the feast. Exhaustion threatened to envelop me as I stood and smiled at the Great Lady, curtsying discreetly. She motioned to a servant near her, and I was instantly accompanied. I looked back nervously, wistfully eyeing Lothius as he flirted with some poor, unsuspecting maiden, then turned and let myself be led down the long, imposing hallway.


OOC: ROFL Neale...oh MY

 

[HotStuff101]

Kiai

"I hope Dur is back home too. Maybe if he remembered whta happened he'd say hi to the ppl we know", he sais smiling.

"As for keeping me form training,"he said leanign down and putting out his hand, "It would be an honor and a privilage to practice with you." Kiai says smiling softly, a few strands of his hair covering part of his eyes.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I took the offered hand and let him help me up. For a moment we were standing there face to face and I froze there just holding his hand and looking into his eyes. I had not noticed how handsome he was before. Must have been everything else that had been going on.

What was I thinking? This was crazy...I was supposed to be finding a way to get home, not staring into someone's eyes like a love struck girl. With a blush, I untangled my hand and took a step back. For Valencia, a step back was like to for Michelle.

Giving my sword a couple of practice swings, I smiled his way. "Go easy on me," I said with a wicked smile,"I dont know what this body is capable of."

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

Being face to faect hat close to Michelle seemed unreal to Michael. He had always liekd her in the real world, but was always to afraid to come out and say anything. He always kept his feelings bottled up, and didnt open up to anyone. Trying to hold in a grin as Valencia blushed, Kiai pulled back. After letting Valencia pratice a bit, he gently touches the side of his sword to hers, and slightly looking down said "I'm sure your body is quite ..... capable."

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

My blush grew even deeper at his comment and my hand faltered for a moment before Valencia's instincts took over and her blade was pressed close to his.

"Shall we dance," I said with a smile before pulling back and bringing my sword down with a ring against his own. He laughed and begin to return my sword thrusts in a blur of parries and thrusts of his own.

To watch his movements was as if watching an intricate dance and one could get caught up in watching his movements along. I was hard put to match his fluid movements and was soon breathing hard from the effort but I also found that the exercise was doing me good and soon all of my worries and problems seemed far away. The only thing in my mind was the opponent before me and the dance between us.

Then it happened, a false move on my part and I had let him into the space I was protecting with my sword. Sliding his sword in a way to capture my own, he stepped up to me and we were again face to face, a smile on his own. My sword was trapped against his own and between our bodies as I stood there and again stared into his eyes, breathing hard from the exertion. Had he wanted to, he could have easily slipped a knife into a vital organ and I knew it.

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

Taran was busy tuning his lute, or some such musical thing, so I wandered toward the garden. As I approached, I heard the sound of swords clashing! I tried to run forward, my alcohol intake giving me a nasty case of the spins, and nearly tripped over Ali's newly halfling-size form. She threw a hand to her lips, motioning me to silence. I gave her a confused look, and she beckoned me to follow her.

It was amazing trying to follow her... I'd always assumed elves moved quietly, but watching her move... I knew what quiet was! By comparison, I felt like a drunken cow!

We reached a vantage point into an open area, and watched, as Kiai and Michelle 'practiced'. I whispered to Ali, "Holy shit! Look at them go! Can you believe that?" I'd seen, and participated in, my share of mock swordfights, back in the real world, but this was several orders of magnitude more... more!

Hiding there in the bushes, watching our friends explore their new bodies, I was amazed at how well they were all taking this. Maybe it was time I stopped feeling sorry for myself, and started pulling my weight. None of them knew the Realms as I did, and I was the primary healer we had. My friends needed me... and I resolved to be there for them. Right after a nap. Oy, I'd drunk WAY too much evermead...

 

[Toku]

Lothius

Lothius quickly remembered himself the Lady was way out of his league, allthough she was extremely beautifeul.
He grinned another time when he thought of the way Sutashi had looked when he have her the rose, it had give him a good feeling, a strange feeling, he wanted to give her thousands of flowers but that would have been silly.

The food tastes good, he thought to himself, while he took another pull of the godly wine. It must be chicken or something, Lothius remembers the taste, Raymond doesn't, but suddenly a picture of some kind of red goose comes into his mind. He takes another piece and decides it definately tastes good.

Suddenly he hears 'Elminster' and is back from his meal into reality. He almost chokes on his Red Goose, but with a few coughs he was back to normal. Raymond now remembers his master, the wizard called P'Han, but he couldn't remember what his master had to do with Elminster. A painful feeling came up in his head, he couldn't remember, but it wasn't something good.

"Do you want some more wine, Sir?", Lothius looks up and quickly discards his strange feeling when he looks into the big green eyes of a lovely female servant. "Someone with eyes like that, you could sell or feed me everything," he answers while he lifts his glass. She begins to giggle and pours the wine into the glass. "What's your name, Diamond Eyes?"

Lothius misses her name because he hears Sutashi get up and leaving. He waits for a moment, moves his head a few times from the Servant to Sutashi walking into the great hallway and gets up. "Keep that thought, Love," he says while he gets up kisses her on the cheek and begins to walk into the hallway, the servant is suprised and spills all the wine over the table which makes her to blush.

Lothius realises he is being rude to the Lady, turns around and walks towards the table, "I'm so sorry, Lady of Wisdom and Beauty, my apologies for leaving, I have to get too....be at......need to.....I have an appointment." All the lady does is nod and smile, "and, Lady, that," pointing to the servant, "is my fault, sorry, she didn't do anything wrong." He nervously smiles at the Lady, picks up his glass of wine and a drumstick from the Red Goose, "it is so good, I'll take some with me," he says, taking a pull from the glass. "Go Lothius, or she'll be gone," The Lady calmly says. "Yes, I'll go," he answers, turns around and runs into the hallway, drumstick and glass in his hands, cursing himself for being such a clown in front of her.

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

Being that clsoe to Valencia sent chills htorugh Kiai's spine. He knew he could win the fight if it were real by way of a knife, but He also knew Valencia kenw htis. She was to smart not to. Kiai taking all of Valencia's veiw stared depely into her eyes, and unexpectedly put his hand on her undefended waist.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

The feel of his hand on my waist almost made me jump. My breath quickened and I felt my heart plunge from my chest. I tried to clear my head but I was lost in his eyes. "If this was a real fight you would be dead," Valencia's voice shouted to me but I wasnt paying attention.

"Um..I..I think you won," I said in a breathless tone, not moving a muscle. I couldnt believe it. Here we were in a strange world, our lives in peril at any given minute and all I could think of was Kiai.

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

Starign deply into Valencia, Kiai could barely hear he say soemthing. He coudlnt stop thinking how amazing this felt. In the real world he'd never have the nerve to actually do what he just did. Coming back to reality, he said soflty to her, "I had an unfair advantage, that sall. I've addjusted to this body faster."Sennsing sumone behind him, Kiai quicky pulsl back and starts scannign the surrounding Balconies, seeing Neale in a window, Kiai looks down,a nd says embarrassed, "That was a good match. We'll haev to cotinue sumtime" quickly lenaign in to Valanecias ear, he gently blows into it and says, "I think sumones watching, its best if no on find out, it coudl compromise the gorup..." Kiai pulsl back and looks at Valanecia with a facial expression of 'im sorry'.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

His breath on my ear caused shivers to race down my spine. I almost missed what he whispered to me but I nodded and stepped back, sheathing my sword with a shaky hand.

"Get a grip on yourself," I told myself without really listening. Smiling at Kiai, I said,"I..I think it time I retired anyway. That was quite a workout. Thank you."

Turning, I walked out of the garden and into the hall again. I knew that my face was flushed and my chest heaving with uneven breaths and I wanted to get to my room as soon as possible.

Snagging a servant girl, I asked directions to my room and she took me there. Entering, I looked around at the luxury and beauty of the room without really seeing it. Unbuckling my sword from my back, I placed it on the bed before going to the vanity that was provided and sitting before it.

The sight that met me made me start. I had always known what Valencia would look like as I played the game but seeing her face staring back at me in the mirror brought home the fact that we were no longer in a world that made any sense to any of us.

Reaching up, I undid the braid and let the long blonde hair flow over my shoulders. Picking up the brush, I begin to stroke it through my hair with almost mechanical movements before stripping off her armor and arm bands and laying down on the bed to try and sleep.

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

Watchign Valencia wlak awya mad ehsi hearts ink, but he knew it wa sbettter that way. Once she was gone, Kiai begin walkign aroudn the garden looking for the right spot to practcie. looking up and seeing the moon, Kiai ran towards the wall, and jumps up grabbing onto the banister. thinking to hismelf, 'heres where all those years of gymnastics pays off' he swung hismelf up over the balconey and climbed up onto the roof. Seeing the moon made memories of home - some wanted and some not - come to his mind. He quickly flushed them out, and crossing his arms over his chest, and slightly bent his knees. Goign inward he begins focusing his energy, and wiht a sudden burst in power, eh draws his sword with a lightning fast motion, and begisn runnign along the thin edge fo the roof, slashing hsis sword, and practicign his techniques.

 

[Ask For More]

Taran

I played a gentle ode without words. I really couldn't think of anything else that would fit the situation at the moment, so I just let my fingers run and absorbed myself in the music.

After I had finished playing I looked around to realise that most people had drifted off in their own worlds, not unlike myself. I could hear the clash of swords outside and voices belonging to Valencia and Kiai; probably practising their swordplay. Excusing myself to the Lady I headed back to my room to rest.

The room I had been given was spacious and comforting; the moonlight shone through the window accompanying the candles, and soft shadows hid in the corners. Putting down my harp I started to disarm myself, taking off my belt and my pouch, and lastly my sword. I turned the sword over in my hands, not really believing that I had killed three people (if you count an orc as a person) with this instrument of war. Sighing to myself, I picked up my harp again and began to play, singing songs of woe as I felt depression overtake me....


OOC: apologies for not posting...RL has been a bit nasty recently.

 

[Isolde]

OOC: I am going to give everyone a chance to post and then I am going to get this thread underway again.

 

[lostinn]

Ooc

Delete

 

[HotStuff101]

Kiai

OOC: im juts up ont he roof training! move it alogn as you wish! i had my fun *wink at Isolde* hehe

 

[Toku]

Lothius

Lothius runs through the hallways when he at last reaches Sutashi.
"Ivy...Sutashi I mean, hi, I was just walking by and..." he stops a moment to catch his breath, "...and I saw you walking, are you going to your room, I thought, maybe we could sit, drink and talking or something like that."

 

[SpectreT]

Kyle

Not entirely used to the new body, yet. I'm just a hair faster, and thanks to this belt, a hell of a lot stronger. After checking with the Lady, I find an unoccupied narrow and low hall to work out my tunnel-fighting drill; short, darting jabs with a five-foot Nephilium blade that feels like a feather in my grasp. The chain shirt I wear weighs about as heavily on me as a silk shirt. the only real impediments are my stride, thrown off by wider hips, and my balance, thrown off by..... well, breasts. I chuckle as a wicked thought comes to me. This is a unique opportunity to find out what a woman's body feels.

(Midnght won't know what hit her,) I thought, (when we get our honeymoon back together.)

That sobered me from my amusement. I still didn't know what kind of marriage we were going to have, especially if I was stuck like this. I found a guard just coming off duty and asked him if he'd help me with my sword practice. It soon became apparent, though, that he could benefit from some instruction, so I sharpened my skills by remembering enough of the swodrplay I knew to teach him. After showing him a couple of nasty tricks, and my tunnel-fighting drill, I left him to practice his new skills and went to bed.

 

[Alaric]

Alyar

Turning to Alustriel, I say quietly, "They all seem fairly well exhausted for tonight. I believe I shall take my leave as well, and retire to the library to consult the maps. Perhaps you'll join me briefly once the rest of your guests are settled?"

So saying, I rise, bow to the lady and then to the table in general, encompassing any who are left seated, sling my sword baldric with a practiced motion, and slip quietly into the gloom of a nearby hall.

 

[Celestiale]

Sutashi

I turned about slowly, my amber eyes flashing in the dim light, my wild, silvery hair reflecting the warm colors of the torch-lit hallway. There he stood...holding a half-eaten drumstick in one hand and an almost-empty wine glass in the other. I couldn't help but mirror his smile...it was simply contagious, and I knew that whenever he flashed it towards a pretty lady, he had this uncanny ability to cause an internal meltdown within her. Even back home, he was always the charmer...

If only he would let down his guard and let me see the real him...the most private him...the hidden him. I know there's more to him than just what he lets us all see...

My smile eased into almost a smirk. "Lothius, I'm surprised that you could be pulled away from such a fine party...the abundance of lovely ladies was surely enticing to you."

I nodded to the attendant, letting him know that I would be fine and that he could return to the great hall. I walked softly towards Lothius, the genuine smile returning to my lips.

"I was headed to bed, but I really could use some help with my incantations if you're willing?" I asked, tilting my head the slightest bit.

It was hard to decipher him, he always seemed to wear a jovial expression, and I bit my lower lip nervously. I remembered the battle we'd encountered earlier and silently wondered if it had been he who had yanked me so suddenly out of harms way. I had ended up right next to him... My heart began to beat heavily within my chest...was I just like all those other girls??

No! I won't be a fool...he only came to find me because all of the other's went off to think or train. He probably felt guilty that he wasn't doing the same, and since I'm a fellow caster.... I let the thought dangle in my mind as I waited for his answer.

 

[Imoen]

Alyson/Caillean

She was amazing. What was I saying? They were amazing. I knelt there in the gardens, hidden in the shadows cast by the heavy leafed limbs of the beautiful trees. I was speechless, completely in awe of Valencia and Kiai's intricate dance, or… should that be sparring, I wasn’t sure. It was so graceful, so beautiful. Who'd have thought? The thought itself trailed off Alia nudged me. I couldn't help but laugh lightly at her somewhat staggering step.

"You have partaken of a bit too much of Alustriel's hospitality?" I grinned widely up at her. "Methinks you'll have a headache in the morning." My tiny nose scrunched up in distaste. "The evermead was way to strong for my tastes."

I stood as I watched Val and Kiai leave, my gaze trailing after them. I felt almost guilty for watching. There was tension in the air between those two, and definitely not in a bad way. I sighed slightly to myself. Perhaps Michelle's unquiet would be lessened by Michael.. I mean Kiai.. Valencia. Argh! Will I ever keep it all straight?

My gaze flickered back to Alia, and the grin sprung anew. "Do you need some help to your room, Sweets? Or would you prefer I leave you to stagger there all the way by yourself?"

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

I turn from the no-longer battling pair of our friends, and look at the now-diminutive form of Alyson, "I am not as think as you drunk I am! Did I ever mention how evermead kinda has a delayed effect? Maybe you should walk me to my room, pretty lady."

I can't believe I just said that! Ah, crap. How can I be even thinking of her like that, when I'm like this... I'm going to find that Professor/High Mage, throw a Silence on him, and beat the shit out of him!

With Aly at my side, we make our way back to the rooms Alustriel had provided us. By the time we got there, the evermead had made me pretty giggly. Aly opened the door for me, and I poured myself through. "Hey, sweetheart! Guess what? Elves don't sleep! Hahahahhahah! I c'n drink a bunch, and not pass out, like I usually do! Oh, look! A bath! I could really use a bath, I think... Promise not to peek? Hahahaahhaha! Nothing much to peek at now! Just us girls..." I fumbled with my armor for a minute or so, then turned to Alyston, "Uh... Aly? How the hell do you take chainmail off?"

 

[Imoen]

Alyson/Caillean

I quirked a brow at the silly elven cleric, desperately trying to hide the fact that I was on the verge of emitting gales of laughter. Gods, there couldn’t be anything more funny than an inebriated female elf -that in reality was an adult human male. Uhm yeah. Something like that. At least I know what I mean.

“Remove elven chainmail? Very carefully?” I laugh, “Just exactly what makes you think that I know how to get out of it? You really shouldn’t put the stuff on if you’re not sure how to get it off.” I smirk as I climb upon a chair and motion for her to show her back to me. I take a deep breath to clear my mind – focusing on the memories and realities that belong solely to Caillean. My tiny nimble fingers drift along her sides and back, pausing over what miniscule little catches and releases I find - deftly triggering them with quick precision.

“Voila!” I lean back with a proud smile as the chainmail parts and drapes loosely along her body. “Comes in handy at times to have a thief in your party, no?”

“You know, I’m really not sure it’s a good idea for you to be take a bath while you’re all tipsy like this. Unless you have water-breathing capabilities as well?” I grin in a teasing fashion. “Seriously though, it might be better if you did just lay down, regardless if your need to sleep or not – Meditation is a necessity. We leave in the morning and we owe it to each other to be at our best.”

“Goodnight Alia.” I smile warmly, leaning up on tiptoes and brushing my lips gently against her cheek. Pausing there for a moment, I whisper softly. “If given the choice of who I had to choose who I was to travel with on this adventure, I don’t think I could have handpicked any better. Rest well, Neale.”

With that, I hop down off the chair – making my way quickly out the door and to my own room. I fall asleep almost instantly as my head hits the pillow to a thankfully dreamless sleep.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I awoke with a start, my hand going to my sword as I heard a noise in my room. As my eyes focused on the servant girl that had brought a breakfast tray into me, I relaxed-tamping down Val's sense of danger and swinging myself out of bed.

I thanked the girl and let her take her leave as I went to the basin to freshen up. Quickly going through my morning toiletries, I was soon sitting and eating the breakfast that had been brought. My hair was now back in a braid and all of my armor was on as well as my sword strapped to my back once again. The food was as delicious as the dinner had been the night before and I wondered if there was no end to the lady's hospitality.

Obviously not for soon the same servant girl who had brought me breakfast knocked on my door and entered saying that horses were ready for myself and my companions along with saddlebags with enough supplies to last to the next town. I asked her to give the lady our thanks as it did not seem that we were to be able to personally say good bye to her and followed her out to the courtyard where the horses and supplies stood ready.

The stable boy that was tending to the horses handed me the reins of one of the largest of them and I thanked him. The horse nickered a bit and I patted it's nose gently. I was a bit worried as I had never ridden a horse back in the 'real' world but I somehow knew that it was second nature for Val. Standing there next to my mount, I waited for the others to arrive.

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

As the sun rises the next morning, Kiai is on the highest point of the roof, with hsi sword by his side, meditating. Feeling the warmth of the sunrise over hsi face. Even in the real world, with studies, and sleeping problems it was almost 2 years since he'd felt or seen a sunrise. The song of a few doves, broguth him forth from his Meditation as it signaled morning. slowly standing up Kiai points his arms out to his side, and takes in the morning Air.


Kiai, waiting until he sees sumone he notices, watching a few birds in a nest on the roof. As the mother feeds her young, he can't help but give a smile when one of them tries to fly. When he sees Valencia go outside he smiles ot himself and begisn to stand up. As he does one of the young birds tries to fly away, but can't lift itself high enough. Gently takign the bird up into his hands, Kiai gently jumps off th eledge letting go of the bird, spreading his arms out. In unison him and the bird float through the air. As the bird begins to fly up into the sky embracign its new found ability, Kiai slowly falls towardsa the ground, and lands in a semi-kneel clsoe tot he ground. As he stand his lifts his head gently and begisnto wlak up behind Valencia... remembering their encounter the night before...