Sha'dir Plain, Crinos
     From horizon to horizon this plain stretches, accented only by the river
flowing in from the western mountains and winding off to the northwest and
twisting once more to continue its journey to the far east. The tall grasses
and wild grains of this plain reach knee high in most places, good grazing
for gazelle and other herbivores, and superb camouflage for the predators
that stalk them. The peaceful sounds of the wide and swift flowing river
mingle with those of the life that dwells here making this place a haven of
serenity.
     A warm stout breeze blows in from the east, bringing a fairly
uncomfortable heat with it. Life seems to move a bit slower in the plain, as
if it fears death from heat exhaustion. Day brings out much life, insects
buzz about, as various herbivores graze upon the grasses, and predators lurk
within the concealing confines of the underbrush,
Contents:
Eyenea
Abyon
Crimson_Spiral_Mage
Obvious exits:
Foothills  Luna's Tear  Blighted Plain  Plains of Venator

(Eyenea...)
Thin enough to be marked as fragile at first glance, the second glance
provides a view of poise, grace, and confidence that shatters the initial
image of fragility. A third look, and more, are often given this woman; the
eyes of her onlookers commonly reveal an obvious appreciation. Her height is
the only thing average about her, the rest an image of natural loveliness.
Her fluidity of movement accentuates her slender frame, crowned by silky hair
of a deep, dark hue, that flows down her back and over her shoulder to just
below her waist. Her expressive and wide lavender eyes grant her face a
slightly exotic appearance. Her lips flow into a soft smile with ease, her
voice is throaty and warm, and she's often accompanied by a faint scent of
lavender. She wears a one-piece green-tinged diaphanous garment that falls to
her knees, skirt-like and loose, and bright blue-dyed sandals, laced up the
calf. She wears, on her left hand, a beautiful gold ring set with an
exquisite deep-red ruby.

(Abyon...)
 The man before you is quite tall, about 6'1". Black hair, cut short, curls
in a lock over his right eye. The eye is a sparkling blue, and matches the
left both in colour and the strange intensity of the gaze it delivers. His
face holds much that is not normal, if subjected to closer scrutiny. 20-odd,
it looks, and the skin is clean-shaven, smooth and pale, as if untouched by
the weather, yet lines there are, graven almost as if in stone, of pain
endured, experience gained, and perhaps even darker things. With the faint
smile on his lips, his demeanour is a contradiction: stern, yet seemingly
inviting comment.
He is wearing a simple black outfit of silk, both shirt and trews belted at
the waist in black, with an emerald clasp. The detail is too fine to make out
at this range. Even the supple boots are of some black leather. Each item
bears in silver a stylised atom: left breast, right thigh, the outer side of
each boot. An equally simple emerald green cloak is clasped at his neck,
again with a stylised silver atom. It is flung back from both shoulders, and
falls to his calves behind. A single ring of some whitish metal adorns his
right hand.
More striking than his gaze, at closer ranges, is the _feeling_. It's like he
generates a field of some energy... perhaps that is what is responsible for
the very faint shimmer that is just visible over his left shoulder.

(The Mage...)
Nearly six feet in height, this Ret-ti-Senek is larger than many of its kind.
Its body is shimmering curves of rust-colored chitin, all bristling with
short gray fur. A cloak of scaly brown jhokadi-skin hangs on its shoulders,
and dozens of polished stones, claws, pouches, feathers and other fetishes
are hung about its neck by cords. Intense, beady black eyes glint above its
muzzle, and are flanked by the glistening rainbows of compound eyes. And upon
its forehead, between glossy, twitching antennae, is painted a spiral in
crimson.

Crimson_Spiral_Mage pushes southwards through the tall grass.

Abyon seems to await your decision.
Abyon's gaze only briefly wanders to the Mage.
 
Eyenea turns her head to watch the Crimson_Spiral_Mage, a bit of wariness in
her gesture.

Abyon returns his gaze to the lady before him, and smiles.

There is a shifting in the grass near the Ret-ti-Senek mage.

Eyenea continues to regard the rat-ant in the medium-distance, aware of
Abyon's regard -- she remains in that position overlong, perhaps
intentionally keeping her profile in Abyon's view.

Crimson_Spiral_Mage continues onwards, its path angling slightly towards
where Abyon and Eyenea stand. The morning light glistens on its russet chitin
and pale fur.

Eyenea laughs, then, and turns back to Abyon, her silky hair swishing over
her shoulders. "I shall call you Neshadi, the Ghost of no Color; for how can
you be said to possess any one color, if you possess so many as I think you
do?"

Abyon finally turns his head as well now, and shifts his stance quietly as
the creature approaches.
Abyon smiles faintly.
Abyon says "I like that...."

The grass shifts again, much closer to the mage.

Abyon says "But it seems we have company."

Eyenea smiles, though she takes several steps back and to the side, allowing
Abyon to remain between her and the approaching rat-ant, if he makes no other
movement.

Abyon does not.

Crimson_Spiral_Mage continues to approach, though it is still in the middle
distance. It pays no visible attention to the motions in the grass.

Eyenea murmurs, her voice soft, "Ret-ti-Senek. They mean no harm, unless you
stand in their path."

Abyon ohs, quietly.
Abyon says "My thanks."
Abyon says "How do they feel about you avoiding them when they want to talk
to you?"

Eyenea replies, soft, "It is best to speak."

Stormdreamer makes her way in from the ravaged plain to the southeast. She
seems to move quickly away from the raped land and soon comes to stand within
the Sha'dir plain.
Stormdreamer pads in quietly on velvety paws.
Stormdreamer has arrived.

There is a sudden burst of motion as a large plains-cat, green and tan, burst
forth from the tall grass to pounce upon the mage!

Stormdreamer startles.

Eyenea's eyes widen, and she shrinks back; seeming prepared to run.

Crimson_Spiral_Mage half-turns and raises a hand. There is a brilliant flash
of red light, and a stench of ozone and flowers fills the air.

Abyon frowns.
Abyon says "How deadly is that plains-creature?"
Abyon aaahs.
Abyon says "Looks like it's in trouble."

Stormdreamer seems unimpressed.

The cat falls back, whining and snarling. It shakes itself, smoke rising from
its fur, then prepares to spring once more.

Stormdreamer treks off to the northeast, eventually reaching the greener
grasses that lie there and finally disappears on the horizon.
Stormdreamer has left.

Eyenea takes a moment to answer, making effort to avoid the flight-reflex.
"It might choose to prey upon us, next," she says, lowly.
Eyenea pages: Dumb cat. :)

You declare "You sense a sharp fluctuation in the sha'crin from the mage." to
Eyenea.

Abyon frowns.
Abyon says "That mage is in that much trouble?"

Crimson_Spiral_Mage turns fully, its jhokadi-skin cloak whipping and folding,
and raises two more hands. This time, the light is bright blue and coupled
with a sharp thunderclap which rolls across the plain.

Eyenea murmurs, "Each Ret-ti-Senek is only a hand of the whole. It brings
much sha'crin to bear."

The cat actually bounces as it is hurled backwards into the grass. It does
not rise.

Abyon smiles faintly, not moved yet. "So is it in trouble, or is it in
control?"
Abyon aaahs again.
Abyon says "It seems you can relax, my dear."

Eyenea's eyes unfocus for a brief moment, and she smiles, though she still
seems tense. "No deer, I." she murmurs.

Crimson_Spiral_Mage lowers its head a moment, then raises one chitin-clawed
hand in a crescent gesture. White and crimson light plays for a moment in the
grass where the cat fell.

Abyon smiles faintly.
Abyon says "I had noticed."

Crimson_Spiral_Mage nods, then turns back towards Abyon and Eyenea. It walks
on as if nothing untoward had occured.

Eyenea blinks, her large eyes wider than normal. Humming softly to herself,
she shuffles her feet, in a coordinated movement, though it doesn't take her
in any particular direction.

Crimson_Spiral_Mage approaches. Careful observation will notice motion in the
grass from several directions, converging on where the cat fell to earth. The
local scavengers will likely have a field day.

Abyon peers out at the mage approaching, and then quietly turns to survey the
lady again...

Eyenea raises her chin at the regard, a smile playing about her lips as the
soft humming continues.

Eyenea pages: You will notice a subtle playing of power about Eyenea, linked
to the humming; entirely defensive energies gather about her.

You paged Eyenea with 'Noted. The mage is not playing with any energies that
you can discern; on the other hand, all those fetishes and totems it wears
are clearly more than mere decoration.'.

Crimson_Spiral_Mage comes closer still. At this point, it becomes clear that
the focus of its movement is Eyenea.

Eyenea's hum rises sharply in volume, and she raises a hand. "The
Ret-ti-Senek," she says in a sing-song voice, "may speak, now."

Abyon, too, seems to be awaiting some form of address.

Crimson_Spiral_Mage advances to about twenty feet away, then halts. It raises
its hands, each with a different gesture: raised palm, extended palm, circle
and crescent. Its beady rat-eyes focus upon Eyenea, while the compound eyes
glimmer and shine in the sun.

Abyon glances briefly at the lady... then speaks...

Eyenea tilts her head at an inquisitive angle, large eyes focused on the
rat-ant.

Abyon says "Greetings likewise. I am Neshadi, the Ghost of no Colour... How
may we be of service?"

>>> Within Eyenea's mind, Crimson_Spiral_Mage says, ~Luna's Blessing, Voice
of the Mervain.~

Eyenea smiles, slowly; the tenseness of her posture dissipating a small bit.

>>> Within your mind, Eyenea sings, ~Luna's blessings return ten-fold to
those who give.~

Crimson_Spiral_Mage stands unmoving, its heavy cloak shifting only slightly
in the breeze.
>>> Within Eyenea's mind, Crimson_Spiral_Mage says, ~You sing the Song of
Dreaming.~

Abyon purses his lips quietly, and folds his arms.

>>> Within your mind, Eyenea trills, ~I sing many Songs; that is one.~

Abyon glances at the lady again....

>>> Within Eyenea's mind, Crimson_Spiral_Mage seems to nod.  ~You will learn
the Songs of the Ages.~

Eyenea takes her gaze from the rat-ant, and smiles to Abyon . "As you wish,"
she replies.
>>> Within your mind, Eyenea's voice-song quivers. ~That is a Song very few
can claim to sing.~

Abyon turns with a swirl of his cloak, and strides away towards Luna's
Tear....
In your mind you hear a voice << A little manners never hurt anyone, sir....
>>
Abyon treks off to the northeast, eventually reaching the greener grasses
that lie there and finally disappears on the horizon.
Abyon has left.

>>> Within Eyenea's mind, Crimson_Spiral_Mage says, ~You will learn the Songs
of the Ages, and sing the Song of the New Age.~

Eyenea smiles.
>>> Within your mind, Eyenea says, ~And who will teach me these Songs?~

Crimson_Spiral_Mage reaches down to stroke a small bundle of feathers, tied
to a silvery stone, which hangs from its neck by a leather cord.
>>> Within Eyenea's mind, Crimson_Spiral_Mage says, ~Luna teaches Her
children, Voice of the Mervain.~

Eyenea laughs, a delighted sound. ~Of course She does!~ she sings. ~But
rarely with such directness as you imply.~

>>> Within Eyenea's mind, Crimson_Spiral_Mage pauses a moment, then repeats,
~Luna teaches Her children, Mervain.~
>>> Within Eyenea's mind, Crimson_Spiral_Mage says, ~Hear Her voice.~

>>> Within your mind, Eyenea chides gently, ~I cannot help but hear Her
voice, in all things.~

Crimson_Spiral_Mage raises a hand, turns it palm-up. ~You will learn the Song
of the New Age. You will lead the Voices in the Song.~

Eyenea smiles, softly. ~Are all among the Ret-ti-Senek such prophets?~

>>> Within Eyenea's mind, Crimson_Spiral_Mage 'speaks' sternly. ~Luna's will
shall be served. You will learn the Songs.~

>>> Within your mind, Eyenea sings gently, ~I am always willing to learn new
Songs.~

Crimson_Spiral nods visibly, sunlight rippling across the facets of its eyes.
>>> Within Eyenea's mind, Crimson_Spiral_Mage says, ~Luna's blessing,
Mervain.~

Eyenea raises both hands, in a gesture of farewell and peace. ~Luna's
blessing, Ret-ti-Senek."

Crimson_Spiral_Mage turns away, exhibiting no further interest in Eyenea. It
walks northward, towards Luna's Tear.