Sideshow & Syrana

(Part 48) For a complete list of this series, please go here.

Aerissa perched on top of the crate, waiting patiently for Valtos to return.  She attempted small talk with the flight master, but it was clear they weren’t interested in her company.  She sighed and thought about the events of the last few days.  She couldn’t recall her life being so interesting before.  She knew all of her memories hadn’t unlocked yet, but she was quite certain that most of her life had been quite uneventful.  At least, until the night her fiance tried to kill her.

A chill went up Aerissa’s back, causing her to shiver.  She looked up to see Valtos approaching with three hawkstriders.  He was riding atop one and leading the other two behind him.  She grinned, amused at the sight of Valtos bopping up and down on the back of the large bird.

She knew her people had a strange attachment to hawkstriders, which looked like overgrown, colorful chickens to Aerissa, but she thought even the most sophisticated elves looked comical riding on the back of one.  Their movements were choppy and bouncy, having only the two legs to stabilize their large bodies.  Aerissa grimaced, imagining the headache she would have to endure from the constant bouncing motion.  (continue reading…)

(Part 47) For a complete list of this series, please go here.

Aerissa followed the young boy to the front gates as he struggled with his rickety cart, heavy from the supply crate.  She felt embarrassed for him as he grunted and groaned, lugging the load behind him.  She wanted to offer her help, but figured it would only make matters worse.  Once they were at the front gate, the boy stopped and stared at Aerissa.

“Can’t we go just a bit further?” she pleaded, eying the distance to the flight master.

The boy scowled and shook his head.  ”I not allowed.”

Aerissa frowned, but nodded her head.  It was clear the boy would not disobey the shopkeeper.  She dropped a few coins into the boy’s outstretched hands.  ”Thanks.  Could you at least help me get the crate off the cart?”

As she finished her question, the boy tilted the cart, the crate tumbling over the side.  It landed with a loud thwak.  Aerissa gasped, bending low to check the crate.  It didn’t appear to have any cracks in it.  She hoped everything inside was still in tact.  She turned to scold the boy, but he was already meandering through passers-by, whistling as he led the cart back into the city.

(continue reading…)

Before I resume Aerissa’s story, I thought it would be appropriate to post a summary of the story so far (parts 1-46) to refresh our memories.

Previously on RP Tuesday…

Aerissa arrived in Tranquillien after having spent at least a month nursing several wounds in the woods of Eversong.  During that time, she befriended a lynx named Locke.  Out of her element while in the woods, Aerissa taught herself how to fashion makeshift weapons, shoot a bow, and create goods from the skins of her kills.  Aerissa made a name for herself in Tranquillien by killing two abominations that patrolled the Dead Scar.  She had also become friends with the resident innkeeper, Twyla.

After receiving her reward for helping the guards, she purchased newer weapons and clothing from Tomber, a general goods merchant.  One of those items was a dagger, which caused such an intense flashback that Aerissa was unconscious for several days.  This was a major breakthrough to help her figure out what happened how she got to where she was now, especially once she recognized the dagger as being her ex-fiance’s.

She was reminded her of finding her fiance in an intimate embrace with a human the night before their wedding.  He had turned on her, trying to silence her with his dagger.  These memories were so painful that when Aerissa regained consciousness she fled back into the woods.  While she isolated herself, Locke engaged in a fight with a plagued lynx who infected him.  Aerissa continues to struggle with her grief over losing him.

Aerissa eventually tried to get back to normal and signed up to help the guards with some scouting work.  She was assigned to Windrunner Spire, where she recovered Lady Sylvanas’s locket.  Aerissa was then sent to The Undercity to return the locket and to pick up more supplies on her way back through Silvermoon.

Meanwhile…

Alynedarra was hired to track down Aerissa.  She’d had a couple one on one conversations with The Boss regarding this assignment, which was unusual.  Alynedarra has been ruthless in her quest to gather information on the whereabouts of Aerissa, but has yet to be caught for killing a dock master, assaulting a zepplin master, and assaulting a Silvermoon guard.

Oh, and breaking and entering of an orphanage.

What started out as an assignment from an anonymous contractor with questionable instructions has turned into a desperate race for Alynedarra to find her target before anyone else does so she can save her.  And, find out once and for all if they are sisters.

Next time on RP Tuesday…

We’ll rejoin Aerissa as she makes her way to the city gates, the large crate of supplies being hauled by a poor young boy and his cart, as she makes her way back to Tranquillien.

Want to read more?

For a complete list of this series, please go here.

(Part 46) For the complete list of this series, please go here.

After a few moments of solitude in Sunfury Spire, Aerissa repositioned the cowl Twyla loaned her to obscure her face.  As Aerissa passed the large fountain on her way out of the Court of the Sun, distant shouting caught her attention.  She peeked over her shoulder at the commotion amongst the guards and quickly headed for the Bazaar.

She checked the information Tomber had given her and searched for the shop.  Aerissa wandered along the outer ring of the Bazaar, gazing at the window displays.  Occasionally she would stop to admire this item or that for a few moments, then move along, but the next window Aerissa passed drew her in.

She gasped, moving closer to the window.  Aerissa placed her hands upon the glass, staring at the beautiful dress before her.

“Ouch!” Aerissa yelped as the prick of the needle poked her hip.

“Hold still, missy!” The seamstress said sternly.  She readjusted the needle, wrapped measuring tape around Aerissa’s waist and pinned another bit of fabric.  “I can’t custom fit this dress if you keep squirming.” (continue reading…)

(Part 45)  For the entire listing of this series, please go here.

Reaching the hallway leading away from the Royal Quarter, Aerissa clutched the song book close to her chest.  With her other hand, she grasped her dress and raised the hemline.  She increased her pace until she was at a very brisk walk.  Aerissa chewed at her bottom lip, her cheeks and neck blotchy with redness.

I thought she’d be happy… instead I brought her more pain and misery.  How awful!

She decided it was time to head back to Silvermoon City and then return to Tranquillien as quickly as possible.  After several wrong turns, she eventually navigated back to the orb of translocation.  Once she reappeared on the platform in Sunfury Spire, she leaned against the wall with a sigh of relief.

* * * (continue reading…)

(Part 44)  For the entire listing of this series, please go here.

Aerissa wasn’t entirely sure why she felt so nervous as she got ready.  She felt a bit off, but figured it had more to do with not being able to see the morning sun.  That, and her stomach would revolt occasionally from the smells of The Undercity.

Guess I haven’t gotten completely used to the stench, she thought as she rinsed out her mouth again.

Quietly she hummed, trying to calm her nerves, as she slipped into the elegant green dress.  She stared back at herself in the scummy mirror.  The dress fit her very well, although it was a little tight across her hips.  Aerissa frowned as she rubbed her hands over her belly.

Have I gained weight?

(continue reading…)

I will have today’s RP post up later this evening.  I had about half written prior to the start of Polygamerous last night and was planning to finish it up after the show since we were starting earlier… but we had SO much to talk about, a guest, and just an all around awesome show.  However, I needed to go to bed afterwards.

So… stay tuned!

(Part 43) For the complete list of this series, please go here.

Keeping her head bent low, Aerissa made her way to the Court of the Sun.  She chided herself for making a fool of herself with the troll merchant.  I had no trouble bartering with Tomber… She wasn’t sure if it was the intimidating look of the troll woman, her accent, or the crowd that had affected her.  All of the above, I suppose.

When she reached the Court of the Sun, she stopped to politely ask one of the guards outside the palace where she could find the orb of translocation.  He informed her it was just inside the palace, in the inner sanctum of Sunfury Spire.  He warned her to stay away from the portal room, which was the territory of the mages, by following the ramp up and keep to the right.

When Aerissa reached the room in question, she was a bit surprised to see that the room contained nothing more than two platforms and a brightly lit orb.  Cautiously, she approached the orb.  Her ears detected a low humming sound.  She had heard about orbs like this, but had never used one herself.  Aerissa leaned back as she stretched out her arms, her fingers inches from the orb.  She took a deep breath and placed her hands on the orb. (continue reading…)

(Part 42) For the entire list of this series, please go here.

(A friend of mine made this when I started RPing Aly... I recently found it and it seemed fitting)

Scanning the sea of faces in the bazaar was a daunting task.  The place was too busy and the crowds swallowed people up as though they had never been there.  Aly let out a loud sigh, leaning heavily against one of the stalls.  Her head was pounding from the bloodthistle withdrawal, which didn’t help the strain her eyes were beginning to feel.  Rubbing her temple, she plopped down onto a crate.

“Wat yu be doin’ dere? Get off da wares!” the troll merchant hollered at Alynedarra, shooing her away with her hands.

Alynedarra hopped up, startled.  She turned to look down behind her at the crate, then back up at the troll woman.  “I’m sorry, I just needed a moment.”  She flashed her a weak smile.

The troll woman grunted her displeasure, using her large blue foot to slid the crate back into the confines of the stall.  “Yu be buyin’ sumptin, ya?” she cocked her head to the side, placing her hands upon her wide hips. (continue reading…)

A reminder that tonight will be the first Polygamerous podcast episode of 2010.  And the first with me as an “official” host!  I’d love to see you in the live chatroom tonight… at 8pm PST.

Since the show records live on Monday nights, I might have to move the weekly fanfiction installment to a different day.  We’ll see (although part 42 won’t be ready and posted until next week) if I can preplan and write it before Monday evening as I’ve been doing.  And, please, bare with me this week as I return to all my normal routines (work, home, blogging, gaming).  The holidays definitely mixed things up a bit.

Also, it seems one of my New Year’s resolutions might be to drink more.

I forgot how much I love champagne.

Let’s see, what other randomness can I include for you today?

Oh!

I tweeted this picture yesterday, but in case you missed it….

Cat butt magnets. For the true cat lover?

This has to be the strangest gift I’ve ever received.  I got this for Christmas.  At least my mother-in-law has a sense of humor.