Danni Fitzpatrick was a police officer. Not a great one, not a bad one, just a cop and nothing more. She didn't do much, or talk much, and aside from a case that seemed tied into her coming out of the closet she didn't really contribute much to the cases. Then during an intense stand-off she wound up shot and killed.......well sort of.
The reason Danni didn't have much of a personality is that she was the 5th lead on a popular network cop show, was added during the 4th season, and was kept around to tackle "controversial" stories and make-out with some model for sweeps week. She also wasn't really dead though her "life in fiction" was over. Which is why she found herself on a steamship surrounded by characters both mundane and bizzare, and heading for the port of a city that looked as if Rio, Tokyo, 1800's Paris, and had Vincent Van Gogh's art all got smushed together.
The city was called Edge-Town and if you happened to be any fictional character, this is where you wound up either after getting killed, or at the end of the story you happened to be in. Everybody from the superhero who headlined the latest blockbuster movie, to the deli counter guy who appeared for one second in the film turned up in the city, which as a result dwarfed any real city on the face of the planet.
And Danni with only 500 "gils"(the money system of the city) in her pocket and not a single place to stay decided to take the first job she could find. That job being "bar-tender" which paid well enough for Danni to get herself an apartment(albeit in a run-down neighborhood), but which oddly enough oftentimes entails getting shot at by every single psychopath, mercenary, and mafioso And in a city where the largest ganglord happens to be an 8000 year old Sumerian death-goddess, you know there's some really dangerous chappies at there.
That's quite alright though because Danni's got some new friends, and life for once seemingly has meaning. The bar's janitor is an anicent Celtic hero, one of the customers is a junior enchantress, the owner is a hot Texas cowgirl, and Danni's new girlfriend is a mexican telenovela heroine who now moonlights as an assassin.
Hey at least it's interesting.
(Expect this new series not long after my first Skatara tale wraps up. And look for some bios on the blog for various characters who'll be popping up.)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Krautrockin' All New Year's Eve!
I think every one of my friends know that in addition to being kinky, and lazy, that I'm also something of a wannabe musician and kind of a failed artist. I've played drums(and a wee bit of guitar) off and on for a good deal of my life, and I do a little sculpting and modern art(yes the pretentious kind) on the side.
As a result of this combination my musical tastes aren't really for everybody and tend to run from rockabily to hardcore to hip-hop without a lot of care. But my big thing, and my favorite genre as a whole is krautrock.
Artisty, loud, avant-garde, cool, and wild. Krautrock's the type of stuff that moves the inner-performance artist inside of me. So I figured bands like Faust, Amon Duul II(Who's ultra-smokin' hot singer Renate Knaup graces the page) Can, Kraftwerk, Neu!, and Ashra will be burning up at my home come new years eve.
People may cover their ears if they wish.
P.S. If anybody's actually interested in the music itself? Take looksie at this badass BBC documentary done on it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B89-69icyc
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Ways of Making me Talk
So I went and saw "Nine" today, and while it should be noted that I'm a fan of musicals(I paid for and enjoyed Dreamgirls) adore the works of Italian Cinema(Who loves Fellini? I love Fellini) and think Daniel Day Lewis is one of the best actors in the world, the movie left me utterly cold and I walked out kinda hating it. Oh except for the part where Penelope Cruz has a whole dance number in the outfit you see above.
Now I'm not one of these people who says "I'd chop my hand off if such-and-such would go out with me" but I'd probably cut off at least one body part for Cruz. She's one of those very few actresses right now that completely and utterly turns me into a puddle of Lauren-goo in any of her movies.(Salma Hayek is another one..which made certain scenes in Banditas suprisingly easy to sit through)
And if I might be honest? If I had any goverment information, all one would have to do is strip me down, tie me to a chair, and send her in to work magic, and I'd be talking without any torture whatsoever....hell I might just lie and sell out a few family members as well.
Espically if she speaks Spanish.....Spanish always breaks me.
A list of things this year
Seriously I think everybody can judge that from the lack of posts(I.E. once per month it seems) that really there's only two situations that could have happened.
1. I'm lazy, and the first thing I usually do when off of work is come home and reduce myself to a catatonic daze in front of the television.
2. I'm really dead, and my evil sister Elizabetha(she looks just like me, except for having an eye-patch and posessing talent) has taken over my indentity.
For now though we'll go with the first choice(or will we?) and just assume I've been pretty much useless the past few months, instead of finishing up my first Skatara story(which is coming I swear to god!) and starting work on a few other things that have been tickling my fancy the coming new year.
Among those things? Hopefully my noir story I've been kicking around, and a couple of delightful one-shots and random thoughts.
And this time I promise I'll get around to doing them! I swear!
1. I'm lazy, and the first thing I usually do when off of work is come home and reduce myself to a catatonic daze in front of the television.
2. I'm really dead, and my evil sister Elizabetha(she looks just like me, except for having an eye-patch and posessing talent) has taken over my indentity.
For now though we'll go with the first choice(or will we?) and just assume I've been pretty much useless the past few months, instead of finishing up my first Skatara story(which is coming I swear to god!) and starting work on a few other things that have been tickling my fancy the coming new year.
Among those things? Hopefully my noir story I've been kicking around, and a couple of delightful one-shots and random thoughts.
And this time I promise I'll get around to doing them! I swear!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Watering Hole: Featuring Ga'Ja, Shakti, and special guests
"Tha's fuckin' absurd" Shakti said trying(and failing) not to slur her words. Ga'Ja kept her from leaning to far to the left and falling out of her chair, and groaned at having to repeat this action for the fifth time. "I mean...islands run by like really decadent immortal people, gods of chaos and order...talkin' black swords that it souls? It's crazy!" Shakti exclaimed shaking her mug of Andawala ale around and causing suds to slosh across the table.
"You don't have to believe me, but it is the truth human." The other patron at the table said calmly and Ga'Ja had to roll her eyes. Dispite Shakti's drunken state Ga'Ja had to admit that the white-haired, pink-eyed, and generally rather odd albino fellow(though she tried very hard not to make light of his condition) probably was making a good deal of this up. "You have to admit Melniaboney is a strange name for a country." Ga'ja said and Shakti patted her shoulder "Yeahhh it is odd soundin'.." Shakti intoned as she leaned across the table.
"First? It's called Melnibone. And second? I don't know how it's harder to believe than the idea of some steppe-based civilization made up only of immortal cat-people." The albino strange said with a slight smirk. "Espcially a civilization where itseems you have to make a clicking sound whenever you try to pronounce their names."
Ga'Ja and the albino looked each other square in the eyes, sizing each other up hands heading straight for their weapons. In the albino's case it was his black blade(Stormweaver, Stormbrewer, something like that) and in Ga'Ja's case it was E's-Toki her enchanted asagi that she kept at her side. Shakti just looked on, downed her mug of beer, and tried to get through her drunken stupor and think of some spell(most likely involving toads) before this got out of hand. After all the albino had insulted the Kamrai people..which mean insulting their god queen..which meant insulting Ga'Ja by proxy..which always ended in disaster. Not like this pale man seemed to care, in fact what made Shakti nervous was the way his eyes moved, as if he'd been around in rough parts before as well.
The air was tense, the people at the table seemed to be moving in slow motion, and any second blades would flash and magick would be unleashed......except all that got interrupted by a rather loud laugh. "Why if it isn't our two most favorite wenches in all of the world!" The giant red-bearded norseman boomed as he uncorked his wine bottle and strided behind the table. His shorter dark-haired, and sly companion stood with him already clearly intoxicated by the wine. "That's absolutely right my rather mirthful friend..GaGa, and Shockta?" The dark haired man asked.
The albino looked on confused, Shakti let out a loud groan and sank in her seat, and Ga'Ja growled. "Why yes it is Farthead, and Black Ratter...yes it is." She said softly while balling her hands into fists.
Shakti hiccuped, rolled her eyes at the confused albino who still clutched his sword cautiously, put down three gold pieces, and leaned back in her chair..all to aware that she'd soon be forced to find another bar.
"You don't have to believe me, but it is the truth human." The other patron at the table said calmly and Ga'Ja had to roll her eyes. Dispite Shakti's drunken state Ga'Ja had to admit that the white-haired, pink-eyed, and generally rather odd albino fellow(though she tried very hard not to make light of his condition) probably was making a good deal of this up. "You have to admit Melniaboney is a strange name for a country." Ga'ja said and Shakti patted her shoulder "Yeahhh it is odd soundin'.." Shakti intoned as she leaned across the table.
"First? It's called Melnibone. And second? I don't know how it's harder to believe than the idea of some steppe-based civilization made up only of immortal cat-people." The albino strange said with a slight smirk. "Espcially a civilization where itseems you have to make a clicking sound whenever you try to pronounce their names."
Ga'Ja and the albino looked each other square in the eyes, sizing each other up hands heading straight for their weapons. In the albino's case it was his black blade(Stormweaver, Stormbrewer, something like that) and in Ga'Ja's case it was E's-Toki her enchanted asagi that she kept at her side. Shakti just looked on, downed her mug of beer, and tried to get through her drunken stupor and think of some spell(most likely involving toads) before this got out of hand. After all the albino had insulted the Kamrai people..which mean insulting their god queen..which meant insulting Ga'Ja by proxy..which always ended in disaster. Not like this pale man seemed to care, in fact what made Shakti nervous was the way his eyes moved, as if he'd been around in rough parts before as well.
The air was tense, the people at the table seemed to be moving in slow motion, and any second blades would flash and magick would be unleashed......except all that got interrupted by a rather loud laugh. "Why if it isn't our two most favorite wenches in all of the world!" The giant red-bearded norseman boomed as he uncorked his wine bottle and strided behind the table. His shorter dark-haired, and sly companion stood with him already clearly intoxicated by the wine. "That's absolutely right my rather mirthful friend..GaGa, and Shockta?" The dark haired man asked.
The albino looked on confused, Shakti let out a loud groan and sank in her seat, and Ga'Ja growled. "Why yes it is Farthead, and Black Ratter...yes it is." She said softly while balling her hands into fists.
Shakti hiccuped, rolled her eyes at the confused albino who still clutched his sword cautiously, put down three gold pieces, and leaned back in her chair..all to aware that she'd soon be forced to find another bar.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Bodana Dyalov My handler
My job? Why do you ask? Besides some idiotic notion that you can do what I do better. Why the nerve of you even slightly suggesting that I......
*Takes phone call*
*Sigh* Alright I suppose I'll tell you. My name is Bodana Dyalov, A3 class agent for UNITY(meaning I can go anywhere I please) and currently I'm assigned to the "Underworld, and terrorism investigation department" with direct orders to watch-over and guard our newest agent, Lauren O'Rourke. Happy now? No? *Sigh* Alright I have to follow her in the field, protect her, and keep watch over her 24/7. She's not allowed to move on her own, or work on her own without my express say so.
*Takes sip of coffee and starts checking computer.* Of course this is obnoxious..Lauren is rather frustrating, and her former criminal nature resurfaces all to often.
*Opens her email..is met with a picture of Lauren wearing only frilly lingere. She spits her coffee out*
LAUREN! YOU TOUCH MY COMPUTER AGAIN YOU DIE!
*Takes a deep breath and settles down*
See what I mean? Just no breaks whatsoever with that woman..can't you see why I want to get a new partner?
*Waits until interview is over..then copies picture into favorites*
Agent Lauren O'Rourke of UNITY
Ahhh..crime they say it never pays but I lived pretty well. Every night it was another ritzy hotel, another beautiful girl at my side, and more money than I could spend at one. Being a gangster was wonderful, so was being a thief, an arms dealer, and pretty much any other unsavory thing you could possibly think of. Oh crime pays, and it payed extremely well.
Until the day I found myself on the wrong end of an angry heroine, and soon found myself beaten, and cuffed...awaiting a very long stint in prison. My life was over, and soon I'd be the new fresh meat in prison..life was unfair.
That is until an angel walked in. Tall, Russian, tough and beautiful. Told me her name was Bodana Dyalov and that she had an offer I just couldn't refuse..and looking at her I don't think I could resist anyway. Soon enough I find myself taken outta jail, flown out of the country, and told that a body matching my discription was found outside of Boston. My former life is over..it's now time for me to join an elite organization of spies known as UNITY.
Now? I'm using all the criminal skills I've learned to track down agents of the underworld..including members of CHIMERA, a vicious terrorist group that hopes to bring about a new Reich. Too bad that I'm still not trusted to go off any place by my own, so I have to have Bodana follow me around any place I go..and hope that we both don't get killed in yet some other wicked plot.
Yeah my life has changed, and I'm no longer who I used to be...no problem though, I kinda like playing the good-girl.
..and not just because I wanna get in Bodana's pants.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Things not said aloud: A Monica Minx and Cerise Visconti story
Monica:
We aren't going to make it, I know that's for certain. We're tied back-to-back, tape over our lips, and a goddamn bomb is ticking with only ten minutes left. After all the situations I've been in, all the narrow escapes, I'm about to be done in by one of the most cliche devices known to man.
Well fine, I've made my peace...but I've also got to get something off my chest.
Cerise I'm in love with you. There simple as that. Sure I make more "white girl" jokes than you can imagine, and I'm seriously never going to "get" Hüsker Dü, but I love you all the same.
"Mmghgmhm" 9 minutes left and the ropes around my wrists still aren't loose.
Cerise I don't know why it's taken me all this time to tell you this, and right now I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Here you are every single day, always with that camera of yours making sure I look good, and always being the first to help me with everything...and..and...you always happened to be right in front of me. And I missed you.
"Mmghgmghmhmhm!" My eyes go wide, I think the knots around my wrists are slightly loose. I wiggle against you.
Cerise:
Ohmygod we're DEAD! No doubt in my mind, I mean the ropes are tight, the gags are secure, and neither of us are exactly escape artists. The time bomb keeps ticking, and no matter how hard I struggle I can't get free. That's okay though..at least I'm with you. Yeah that's right boss, I'm head over heels for you.
"Mmghgmghgmh!!" I try to help you with the knots around your wrists..no good.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly when I fell over heels for you. But if I had to put anything down on paper it would be that day in the apartment when I caught you dancing to Outkast's PJ & Rooster. Those tight jeans you wore, the way you moved..god I almost converted to hip-hop in full that day.
"mMGHGMHT!!!" My eyes go wide mostly because I feel your rear press against mine..then I realize that you've gotten the ropes around your wrists loose! Oh my god we might make it out!
Monica:
"Mmghgmghmh!!" Yeah that's it Cerise work with me here, help me out with the knots, and maybe..just maybe we might survive.
And if we do surive? Here's what I'm going to do. First I'm going to kiss you really hard, and for a hell of a long time. Then? I'm going to take you home, rip that "maoist revolutionary" get-up off, crank up some Lauryn Hill, and ravish your French ass for about 10 hours. That's exactly what I'm going to do, and I'm going to let you know...
"MGMGHGMGHMH!!!" I can feel it! The ropes! They're almost off my wrists! But there's only four minutes left! Shit!
Cerise:
"mghmmgghmghmghgm!!!" God it's hard getting these knots out but I think I can manage. I'm so nervous, so scared, but we just might make it!
And if we do make it? I'm going to take you back to Marseille with me, I'm going to dress you up as some Nubian queen, I'm going to put on P.J. Harvey, and I'm going to make love to you in every single building in the city. And I'm going to let you know....
"MGHGMGGHMHMH!!!!" Oh god! I feel the knots get loose! But only four minutes? We aren't going to make it.
Monica:
"MMGFGMGJGMGHGMGH!!!!" THERE! The ropes are off my wrists! Okay now pull the rope that binds our torso's together off, and try to untie your ankles. Hold on Cerise we're almost done.
I wonder if your lips taste like cherries.
Cerise:
"MGMGHGMGHGMHMH!!!!" YOU DID IT! I knew you could though, because everything about you is amazing. Get yourself untied then free me!
I wonder how warm you are.
Monica:
I pull the ankle ropes away! And with a loud "OWWW!" rip the tape off my lips. 2 minutes left. I rush to untie you, because I've got to say so much.
Cerise:
I feel you untie my wrists, and I without pause bend down and start untie my legs. You peel my gag off "Viens m'enculer!" I swear.
Monica:
Without another thought I grab you and start running, the seconds tick down, the door seems so far. "BOOOOMMMM!!!!" We just made it, tumbling into the bushes as the warehouse goes up in smoke.
I find myself on top of you.
Cerise:
We're not going to make it! We're going to die! No matter how fast we go! We make it...leaping out into the bushes just at the last second.
I find myself pinned underneath you.
Monica:
I kiss you.
Your lips taste like cherries.
Cerise:
I let you kiss me.
You feel so warm.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Coming Soon: Pin-up Gal: A hot-blooded Noir
Nancy was a Vegas showgirl heading for the sleepy town of Silver Dollar with a bag full of ill-earned gains, and a wish to start anew.
Chelo was a gal from the wrong side of the border looking for love, and easy money.
Claudia was the town sheriff, with too much ambition, and not enough good sense.
All three have purchased tickets to a nightmare that's only going to get worse as it goes along. From late-night bedhopping, to vicious backstabbing, to things of a far more fatal sort. Naturally it's one hell of a ride.
One that might not involve any of them left standing at the end.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Heroines that need more love: The Tough chick
(In my ongoing quest to make space in my brain for more important matters, I've decided to add a another chapter in what will hopefully be a long list of "need more love topics, and hopefully bore you with some more of my goofy opinions.
Enjoy)
The Heroine: The tough chick
The look: Varies from film to film, and show to show, but usually a woman who's not a shrieking violet, nor a lithe Kung-Fu cutie. She's beautiful but usually in a tough rugged way, and wears clothes that seem more "butch" than lady-like.
Perfect examples: The girls above. Namely Claudia Black in Farscape, Katee Sackhoff in Battlestar Galactica, and Gina Gershon in Bound along with Sigourney Weaver in Aliens, and Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2.
Why they rock: Let's be honest in most DID tales the main heroine isn't exactly somebody who's gonna win a badass reward. Sure she'll struggle, wiggle, and get outta peril, but she's not a trained fighter or somebody that deals with dangerous situations all the time. The tough girl on the other hand? Well you can bet that she's been involved in rough stuff before, been in a few bad situations before, and most likely won't totally loose it when things start falling apart. Sure she might get captured, bound and gagged, and put in peril..but you can believe she at least headbutted somebody, or at least is thinking about while tied up.
Cool use of them: Generally I've found that when I'm writing duos there's nothing better than teaming up a tough girl with a more conventional damsel. Say making one a toughie with a dark history, and the other some suburban girl who can't help but fall from her charms. It's an excellent(and cute!) paring that can make the stories even better.
Great imaginary scene: Our tough cookie is in a bad spot. Some nasty folks konked her on the head, stripped her down to only her bra and panties, and have left her gagged and taped to a chair in front of a ticking time bomb. Even worse? The baddies have told her that they know where her true love is, and they're heading to her place right now to kill her nice and slowly. Our heroine is now left with the knowlage that not only will she die, but that her beloved will suffer as well.
Of course this is where she starts gathering her strength, starts struggling harder, screams into her gag, wiggles in her seat, and desperatly battles the bondage and the clock to not only save her life, but to save her lover, and maybe in the process get to be the heroine.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
I am Shallow
So I was searching around the computer in the wee hours looking for Mad Men reviews(seriously it's one of my current favorite obsessively watched shows) when I stumbled upon these photoshoots Esquire had done of Christina Hendricks.....and for the next few hours I totally became goo. Seriously there's really no better way to catch my eye than A.) Doing some retro-style shoot, and B.) Featuring a hot redhead..which no matter what makes me giggle(what with being a ginger myself.) And it also proves that dispite my best attempts I can easily become a drooling idiot quickly.
Also? If I ever realize my dream of becoming some badass PI(considering that I faint at the sight of bugs, not likely.) my bondage-prone, secretary who secretly is in love with me totally has to look like her.
No discussions.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Gabrielle Song: Life is catching up with her
Gabrielle Song runs a website design company, donates a good deal of her income to charity, and on weekends tutors children of her fellow Korean immigrants on English. Somedays though she heads down to LA, or to San Francisco, or sometimes as far as Salt Lake City and murders somebody for another group of Koreans who ain't exactly people persons. She's been doing this for years and now middle-aged karma has still not caught up with her...until now of course.
Now all at once her buddies in Seattle are going silent around her, a woman she thought was dead 5 years ago might be alive and pissed, some annoying reporter keeps following her, and Gabrielle's loving girlfriend happens to be a hitwoman herself.
And to make matters worse? She's kinda turned on by the last part.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I love Gail Simone
Ya know what I love about Gail Simone's Birds of Prey run? Sometimes the relationships go from being a bit suggestive to pretty much being two steps away from hoping out of the closet(hell maybe even less steps) and all done with a complete wink. Maybe I'm projecting slightly but I generally just assume everybody in this comic is at least a little gay which amuses me to no end.
Too bad I never got some scene where Oracle, Black Canary, and The Huntress decided to take turns rubbing each other down with scented lotions and tying each other to the beds. At least I have my dreams of that though...
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Pamela Crowley:Nothin's personal with her
In this day and age it's hard being a single mother, an out of the closet Lesbian, and the owner of a small business all at once, but so far Pamela Crowley's managed to pull through extremely well, and is generally regarded as one of the best residents in her suburban community. What they don't know is that the nice lady who owns "The Blue Cat Artisan breads" also happens to ebery now and then get a call from friends, head into Seattle, and then shoot somebody dead.
Crowley's a hit woman, and a damn good one who for over 13 years has been known to deliever some of the most perfect hits on anybody from visiting mob bosses, to cheating husbands. She gets in, gets out, and makes no fuss whatsoever, and nobody can ever(Nor have they ever suspected her) place her at the scene of the crime.
Problem is life has gotten complicated for Crowley now. Her daughter's attending highschool(with all the worries that brings) her business is doing a little sluggish, and her new girlfriend just happens to be a rival killer for the Los Angeles Korean mob.
But that's okay Crowley will get through it all right, sort everything out, make sure everything's running smoothly...and hopefully won't wind up in the trunk of anybody's car anytime soon.
Trunks are always annoying to be in.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Double the Pleasure
The bomb is ticking, the ropes won't get loose, and the gags are on too tight. Our heroine looks at the woman to the right of her and her eyes fill with worry. They've been lovers for so long here, partners through thick and thin, and now? They might die. The heroine scoots over as best she can and nuzzles up against the woman..both as an action of comfort..and as I way of loosening those ropes. Of course that still doesn't mean they'll get out in time, after all the clock is counting down so fast.
I love a lot of things involving bondage and my tastes are wide ranging and interesting, but more than anything else nothing gets me going like being bound with another woman, sharing danger. I don't know exactly what it is that's the key. Maybe it's the closeness, and the sensualness that can spring from that(two girls smooshed together in a trunk for example) maybe because it involves being able to play off somebody else(rather than the solo situation the heroine has to deal with somebody besides herself) or maybe it's because I'm kinda a sap and nothing gets me like the tough chick feeling weak because the woman she loves is trapped with her.(which leads of course to a lot of sad and longing dramatic looks) But probably it's a combination of all three and more.
It's funny because my online reputation is that of somebody who plays the villianess in roleplays, but I'm actually just as happy to play the role of the heroine sometimes tough, sometimes ditzy, and sometimes a mix of those and others. And when I play the heroine? Well I love nothing more than somebody by my side.
Sharing the danger.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Tales Of Skatara: Danger, Love-potions, and Tigerstripes Part 9
(Yep I'm not dead..just busy with work, and unable to have as much time with this as I'd like! All better now though and I'm still trying to work hard on finishing this tale.)
Chapter 9: Deep Conversation in the Elven Alley
Shakti hadn't been down to Woten Alley since she'd returned to Dalcada all these months ago, and she had forgotten the alienness and aching beauty of the place. 50 years this neighborhood was little more than a dirty slum, full of beggers and reeking of disease until a small contingent of Elven merchants and craftsmen arrived turning this small patch of city into a small version of their homeland. Tall trees seemed to grow everywhere providing a shady canopy over the homes and shops, and a fountain made of white marble stood in the middle providing a calming atmosphere in the neighborhood. Shakti loved it here, and the quiet nature of the place that so often brought her peace. Yet upon her return she had feared to travel here, knowing that the woman she loved called this place home, and her heart belonged to somebody else. Now though Shakti had this love potion, and with it? She could finally get Tirana to herself. The thought alone made Shakti giddy, and she picked up her step, forcing her companion to walk along with her.
"So I'm guessing Tirana is a she? Right?" Ga'Ja asked as she shook her head at the sights along the alley. Kamrai with their wild passions never could quite get a handle on Elves, and the quiet nature of the alley put her slightly on edge. Shakti looked back at her companion and blushed slightly "Yes she is. A very beautiful, graceful, and intelligent woman at that." Shakti replied woth a whistful tone. "Why?" Shakti asked and Ga'Ja shrugged "Does she fancy girls?" The kamrai asked and now it was Shakti's turn to sigh. "No.." She said trailing off as she turned away and looked straight ahead.
Ga'Ja walked up closer behind the witch and for a moment Shakti could swear that she heard a purr escape from the catwoman and it wasn't an unpleasant sound. "So if you give Tirana this love potion, and it forces her to you, that isn't really love but rather some form of chemical slavery." Ga'Ja said softly as she walked "She may worship you, adore you, make love to you, and think nothing of you, but it isn't really the truth." Ga'Ja said and Shakti actually started to feel some wear on her heart from the venom of the words. "And deep down even though she's your complete slave you'll know that it's only because of magic, and not her heart." Ga'Ja said as she watched Shakti and listened to the witch's soft sighs.
"Why are you saying this?" Shakti asked with hurt in her voice. "Because you aren't happy and don't want anybody else to be happy?" The witch continued hoping that would give the kamrai some pause. Ga'Ja for her part remained silent for a moment before speaking again "No, because like I said I've been there, felt the things you've felt, and made the wrong decisions myself because I was young, stupid and in love." Ga'Ja said without a trace of hurt or anger in her voice. "And because I know how hard it is when a woman you love cares for somebody else." Ga'Ja said which caused Shakti to stop and turn around. "Oh I see what this is about then." Shakti said with a tone of anger and sadness in her voice. "You've got a fancy for me, and now some jealousy against the other woman is revealed." Shakti said with a "hpmmh." and Ga'Ja could only shake her head. "Well my crude barbarian friend I can safetly tell you that the feelings are not returned on your front, so get your mind out of the gutter, and let's get back to the task at hand." Shakti said lifting her chin in the air and picking up the pace.
Ga'Ja just shrugged and walked behind Shakti. "Pleasssse..you aren't my type human. Too soft, and too weepy for my tastes." Ga'Ja said walking behind the human.
"And the best looking thing I've seen in a while." Ga'Ja thought to herself as she shook her head again and wondered to herself how this stuff always happened to her.
Chapter 9: Deep Conversation in the Elven Alley
Shakti hadn't been down to Woten Alley since she'd returned to Dalcada all these months ago, and she had forgotten the alienness and aching beauty of the place. 50 years this neighborhood was little more than a dirty slum, full of beggers and reeking of disease until a small contingent of Elven merchants and craftsmen arrived turning this small patch of city into a small version of their homeland. Tall trees seemed to grow everywhere providing a shady canopy over the homes and shops, and a fountain made of white marble stood in the middle providing a calming atmosphere in the neighborhood. Shakti loved it here, and the quiet nature of the place that so often brought her peace. Yet upon her return she had feared to travel here, knowing that the woman she loved called this place home, and her heart belonged to somebody else. Now though Shakti had this love potion, and with it? She could finally get Tirana to herself. The thought alone made Shakti giddy, and she picked up her step, forcing her companion to walk along with her.
"So I'm guessing Tirana is a she? Right?" Ga'Ja asked as she shook her head at the sights along the alley. Kamrai with their wild passions never could quite get a handle on Elves, and the quiet nature of the alley put her slightly on edge. Shakti looked back at her companion and blushed slightly "Yes she is. A very beautiful, graceful, and intelligent woman at that." Shakti replied woth a whistful tone. "Why?" Shakti asked and Ga'Ja shrugged "Does she fancy girls?" The kamrai asked and now it was Shakti's turn to sigh. "No.." She said trailing off as she turned away and looked straight ahead.
Ga'Ja walked up closer behind the witch and for a moment Shakti could swear that she heard a purr escape from the catwoman and it wasn't an unpleasant sound. "So if you give Tirana this love potion, and it forces her to you, that isn't really love but rather some form of chemical slavery." Ga'Ja said softly as she walked "She may worship you, adore you, make love to you, and think nothing of you, but it isn't really the truth." Ga'Ja said and Shakti actually started to feel some wear on her heart from the venom of the words. "And deep down even though she's your complete slave you'll know that it's only because of magic, and not her heart." Ga'Ja said as she watched Shakti and listened to the witch's soft sighs.
"Why are you saying this?" Shakti asked with hurt in her voice. "Because you aren't happy and don't want anybody else to be happy?" The witch continued hoping that would give the kamrai some pause. Ga'Ja for her part remained silent for a moment before speaking again "No, because like I said I've been there, felt the things you've felt, and made the wrong decisions myself because I was young, stupid and in love." Ga'Ja said without a trace of hurt or anger in her voice. "And because I know how hard it is when a woman you love cares for somebody else." Ga'Ja said which caused Shakti to stop and turn around. "Oh I see what this is about then." Shakti said with a tone of anger and sadness in her voice. "You've got a fancy for me, and now some jealousy against the other woman is revealed." Shakti said with a "hpmmh." and Ga'Ja could only shake her head. "Well my crude barbarian friend I can safetly tell you that the feelings are not returned on your front, so get your mind out of the gutter, and let's get back to the task at hand." Shakti said lifting her chin in the air and picking up the pace.
Ga'Ja just shrugged and walked behind Shakti. "Pleasssse..you aren't my type human. Too soft, and too weepy for my tastes." Ga'Ja said walking behind the human.
"And the best looking thing I've seen in a while." Ga'Ja thought to herself as she shook her head again and wondered to herself how this stuff always happened to her.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Tales Of Skatara: Danger, Love-potions, and Tigerstripes Part 8
Chapter 8: Plots are hatched, drama unfolds, and one gets a fraction of a tiger's past
(Special note: Sorry I'm a wee bit late, work, computer issues, and other matters got me distracted. All's well now so let the games continue!!)
Ga'Ja at this moment would have enjoyed nothing more than heading in the opposite direction from Shakti, with the love potion in hand, and her difficulties with Morgana settled. Sadly the smoke collar around her neck caused problems with this. Every where the witch went, Ga'Ja's feet seemed to follow, as if her mind would not allow her any thoughts of fleeing, and any small order Shakti gave Ga'Ja seemed to have a hard time resisting. Damn magik users! And damn their tricks and curses! Ga'Ja was a prisoner, just as much as when she was bound to the bed. The two made their way through the Magic Quarter, moving through the bustling crowds of gawkers and tourists, merchants and wizards that all crowded along the road over the grand citadel of the Mage's Guild(which according to Patriarch Constantinos was far grander than the keep of the Emperor himself..something that was still hotly contested) selling their wares, putting on shows, and making more noise than Ga'Ja could possibly enjoy.
(Special note: Sorry I'm a wee bit late, work, computer issues, and other matters got me distracted. All's well now so let the games continue!!)
Ga'Ja at this moment would have enjoyed nothing more than heading in the opposite direction from Shakti, with the love potion in hand, and her difficulties with Morgana settled. Sadly the smoke collar around her neck caused problems with this. Every where the witch went, Ga'Ja's feet seemed to follow, as if her mind would not allow her any thoughts of fleeing, and any small order Shakti gave Ga'Ja seemed to have a hard time resisting. Damn magik users! And damn their tricks and curses! Ga'Ja was a prisoner, just as much as when she was bound to the bed. The two made their way through the Magic Quarter, moving through the bustling crowds of gawkers and tourists, merchants and wizards that all crowded along the road over the grand citadel of the Mage's Guild(which according to Patriarch Constantinos was far grander than the keep of the Emperor himself..something that was still hotly contested) selling their wares, putting on shows, and making more noise than Ga'Ja could possibly enjoy.
"Shakti I hate to be overly forward, but the idea of you risking your life, and by extention mine only so that you can get into somebody's pants is perhaps the most idiotic thing I've ever seen in my life...and I mean that in a very caring way." The cat girl said as she sullenly followed the witch along the path. Shakti for her part merely adjusted her hat, bit her lip, and continued walking forward with her broom in hand. Ga'Ja's words stung though, and it wasn't the first insults that had escaped the Kamrai's lips that day. Frankly Shakti getting tired of the insults and her normally upbeat demeanor was starting to vanish. "Look I don't expect a furry, uncouth barbarian to understand the ins and outs of love..but this effects me deeply, and rips at my heart." Shakti said looking over her shoulder at the cat woman who merely sighed.
"That's rather dramatic.." Ga'Ja said as she followed closely behind Shakti. She wasn't any less angry, but seeing the girl look at her with that hurt expression didn't make her feel any less than a bitch. "Of course it is to you. Your a barbarian, and one who for the most part seems to possess a rather black heart." Shakti said hoping that would deliver a nice low blow to Ga'Ja. It didn't, or at least Shakti couldn't tell because the kamrai showed no signs of hurt. That is until she walked up next to Shakti. "Your wrong about that, and about other things as well." Ga'Ja said softly and with no venom "I know a lot about lost love, and about the hurt it causes..maybe even more than you." Ga'Ja said as she continued the pace. And while she showed no pain, or hurt, Shakti knew just from her voice that the feline was aching quietly.
"Oh I'm..uhh..sorry." Shakti said feeling rather unpleasant and rather petty at the moment. Ga'Ja for her part shrugged "Don't be, she did try and kill me years ago." Ga'Ja replied as she ran her hands through her hair and walked in front of the witch who paused.
"Her?" Shakti whispered getting an odd series of thoughts in her head.
Morgana sat at her favorite table, in her favorite resturant, ordered her favorite lunch, and then thought about the news of the day. First thing she had heard that morning was that a bar that was under her protection was burnt to the ground, and that several well-armed strangers had perished inside. That along was disturbing enough for her, but now Fatimah's reports and questioning suggested that much of the blame could be laid at the feet of none other than Ga'Ja, who not only seemed to have started the sitution, but perhaps also double-crossed Morgana by stealing the potion herself with the help of an assistant. Naturally the drow was somewhat cautious about jumping to too many conclusions just on eye-witnesses and their shifty descriptions. But still there was too much oddness not to do at least some investigating. Which was why Morgana had given one simple order to her troops "Bring Ga'Ja in..and keep the injuries minor."
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tales Of Skatara: Danger, Love-potions, and Tigerstripes Part 7
Chapter 7: Partners?
In the myths and legends of yore, spells of desire and love happened to be some of the greatest treasures one could find. The ability to make a person love you regardless of anything was almost as powerful a motivator for adventure as the quest for immortal life, or riches beyond even the greatest kings. All happened to be rare, and all happened to be fought over. And among these prized charms love potions themselves happened to be near the top of the heap. One could only make them with tears from broken-hearted virgin demons(themselves being a rare wonder) and one drop in somebody's food would make that person utterly inraptured with the first living thing they saw.
Naturally that in itself was enough for Shakti who desired only the most simple things in life and among them was the love of somebody special. Ga'Ja on the other hand had several mixed feelings on the matter. The upside was that it could make her enough money to keep the kamrai in wine, gavleh, and dancing girls for the rest of her life. The downside was that holding on to it would most likely get them killed in ways both quick and painless, and slow and painful. Love potions dispite their seemingly romantic natures happened to be more favored as weapons, and means to advance in politics than anything else, which usually meant violent people searched for them, and violent people usually in the end posessed them.(Indeed two such queens of Dalcada came into their stations due to love potions) Sadly at this moment, chained to the bed and gagged that she was Ga'Ja really could put no argmuent forth to Shakti, who at this moment gazed longingly at the item.
"It makes sense now after studying this item, why people would want to kill you over it." Shakti said gazing ito the green liquid . Ga'Ja gave a helpful nod even as she lay helpless. Of course Shakti didn't know that others had already been killed, others that happened to be more lethal warriors than she. "Mghmfhdmfh..." Ga'Ja moaned jiggling the cuffs that held her trapped wrists and Shakti looked up from the potion. "Are..are you calm now?" Shakti asked nervously "Because I really mean no harm, and you know I don't want to hurt you, and I'm sorry for your situation now, and I only wanted to..." Ga'Ja interrupted the witch's nervous apologizes by rattling the cuffs more. "Okay, okay.." Shakti said as she walked over to the bed and pulled the gag away from Ga'Ja's mouth. "My dear witch if you honestly think posessing that potion is a good idea, then please let me tell you that it's an insanely bad one." Ga'Ja said as politely as she could. "I know the dangers, I know the problems, but don't worry I'm not going to be careless here." Shakti said and Ga'Ja took a nice long laugh and laid her head back down. "Look I hate to sound insulting here, but some of the others looking fort his item are a group of dangerous assassins led by a legendary sadist named Ingrid Du'Lac, and the criminal underworld of Dalcada which as you know is led by one Morgana Le Chance who once cut a man's head off because he sang off-key." Ga'Ja said looking straight at Shakti who seemed to rattle around these thoughts in her head. "Furthermore I'm sure enough time has passed to allow every single rogue mage, love struck nobleman, idiotic adventurer, and psychotic criminal enough time to find out about this potion and come to kill you for it." Ga'ja finished as Shakti nervously bit her lip.
It was working and Ga'Ja knew it. Shakti was seeing the insanity of this excersise and would realize the best bet was to let somebody like Ga'Ja handle it. "What..what would you do then?" Shakti asked the cat-girl on the bed. "I'd take it and toss it in the river, then lay low for a few months." Ga'Ja said lying..after all her intention was to take it back to Morgana who perhaps wouldn't demand Ga'Ja's flaying. Shakti thought about this option for a second and knelt down near Ga'Ja's ear. "Ipis ra..' Shakti whispered and without warning Ga'Ja could feel something form around her neck. It weighed heavy, yet was light as air at the same time, and looking down Ga'Ja could see a faint outline of a ring around her neck. "That's a collar of binding.." Shakti whispered as the catgirl moaned. "It'll force you to go where I go, and help me if I need help." Shakti said holding the potion firmly in her hands. "You little witch!" Ga'Ja shouted struggling even harder in the chains before Shakti put her hand on the kamrai's shoulder. "I'm going to free you, and I'm going to do your idea." Shakti said in a calm voice hoping to stifle the cat's fury. "I just want to see somebody first, and once I'm done we can go our own ways." She said before flashing a pleasant smile to the Kamrai. "So how does that deal sound?" Shakti asked almost nervously at the figure on the bed, who for her part sighed and shut her eyes. "Yeah I'll help you." Ga'Ja mumbled as Shakti walked to get the lock for the chains.
Well I'll help you now." Ga'Ja thought to herself wondering when Shakti would give her the oppurtunity to grab the potion and dart away. Shakti meanwhile was pondering something else, like "Can this really make Tirana's heart belong to me?"
In the myths and legends of yore, spells of desire and love happened to be some of the greatest treasures one could find. The ability to make a person love you regardless of anything was almost as powerful a motivator for adventure as the quest for immortal life, or riches beyond even the greatest kings. All happened to be rare, and all happened to be fought over. And among these prized charms love potions themselves happened to be near the top of the heap. One could only make them with tears from broken-hearted virgin demons(themselves being a rare wonder) and one drop in somebody's food would make that person utterly inraptured with the first living thing they saw.
Naturally that in itself was enough for Shakti who desired only the most simple things in life and among them was the love of somebody special. Ga'Ja on the other hand had several mixed feelings on the matter. The upside was that it could make her enough money to keep the kamrai in wine, gavleh, and dancing girls for the rest of her life. The downside was that holding on to it would most likely get them killed in ways both quick and painless, and slow and painful. Love potions dispite their seemingly romantic natures happened to be more favored as weapons, and means to advance in politics than anything else, which usually meant violent people searched for them, and violent people usually in the end posessed them.(Indeed two such queens of Dalcada came into their stations due to love potions) Sadly at this moment, chained to the bed and gagged that she was Ga'Ja really could put no argmuent forth to Shakti, who at this moment gazed longingly at the item.
"It makes sense now after studying this item, why people would want to kill you over it." Shakti said gazing ito the green liquid . Ga'Ja gave a helpful nod even as she lay helpless. Of course Shakti didn't know that others had already been killed, others that happened to be more lethal warriors than she. "Mghmfhdmfh..." Ga'Ja moaned jiggling the cuffs that held her trapped wrists and Shakti looked up from the potion. "Are..are you calm now?" Shakti asked nervously "Because I really mean no harm, and you know I don't want to hurt you, and I'm sorry for your situation now, and I only wanted to..." Ga'Ja interrupted the witch's nervous apologizes by rattling the cuffs more. "Okay, okay.." Shakti said as she walked over to the bed and pulled the gag away from Ga'Ja's mouth. "My dear witch if you honestly think posessing that potion is a good idea, then please let me tell you that it's an insanely bad one." Ga'Ja said as politely as she could. "I know the dangers, I know the problems, but don't worry I'm not going to be careless here." Shakti said and Ga'Ja took a nice long laugh and laid her head back down. "Look I hate to sound insulting here, but some of the others looking fort his item are a group of dangerous assassins led by a legendary sadist named Ingrid Du'Lac, and the criminal underworld of Dalcada which as you know is led by one Morgana Le Chance who once cut a man's head off because he sang off-key." Ga'Ja said looking straight at Shakti who seemed to rattle around these thoughts in her head. "Furthermore I'm sure enough time has passed to allow every single rogue mage, love struck nobleman, idiotic adventurer, and psychotic criminal enough time to find out about this potion and come to kill you for it." Ga'ja finished as Shakti nervously bit her lip.
It was working and Ga'Ja knew it. Shakti was seeing the insanity of this excersise and would realize the best bet was to let somebody like Ga'Ja handle it. "What..what would you do then?" Shakti asked the cat-girl on the bed. "I'd take it and toss it in the river, then lay low for a few months." Ga'Ja said lying..after all her intention was to take it back to Morgana who perhaps wouldn't demand Ga'Ja's flaying. Shakti thought about this option for a second and knelt down near Ga'Ja's ear. "Ipis ra..' Shakti whispered and without warning Ga'Ja could feel something form around her neck. It weighed heavy, yet was light as air at the same time, and looking down Ga'Ja could see a faint outline of a ring around her neck. "That's a collar of binding.." Shakti whispered as the catgirl moaned. "It'll force you to go where I go, and help me if I need help." Shakti said holding the potion firmly in her hands. "You little witch!" Ga'Ja shouted struggling even harder in the chains before Shakti put her hand on the kamrai's shoulder. "I'm going to free you, and I'm going to do your idea." Shakti said in a calm voice hoping to stifle the cat's fury. "I just want to see somebody first, and once I'm done we can go our own ways." She said before flashing a pleasant smile to the Kamrai. "So how does that deal sound?" Shakti asked almost nervously at the figure on the bed, who for her part sighed and shut her eyes. "Yeah I'll help you." Ga'Ja mumbled as Shakti walked to get the lock for the chains.
Well I'll help you now." Ga'Ja thought to herself wondering when Shakti would give her the oppurtunity to grab the potion and dart away. Shakti meanwhile was pondering something else, like "Can this really make Tirana's heart belong to me?"
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tales Of Skatara: Danger, Love-potions, and Tigerstripes Part 6
Chapter 6: A little tied up
Fatimah watched the Slobbering Griffin burn with an expression that radiated utter calm and a total lack of anger, or worry. The statusqe green amazon stood in the street, her cloak drapped around her, the jaunty brimmed hat she favored resting on her mane of jet black hair, and pondered to herself how this situation could have exploded so quickly. It was just a potion, and yet a group of mercenaries lay dead in an alley, a bar was on fire, a group of possible assassins happened to still be on the loose in the city, and that bitch Ga'Ja was missing in action. Fatimah loved mistress Le Chance but her faith(however small) in that Kamrai was misplaced, and Fatimah just knew she'd have to clean up her mess..if only she knew where to find the stray cat.
When Ga'Ja woke up her first thought was that even for the hells this place was a dump. Parchments, trinkets, maps, jars, and various other brick-a-brack lay scattered and Ga'Ja had to wonder if the underworld was all this pathatic. Then slowly she began to fully come to her senses, and realize that oddly(and against all logic) that she was alive and in somebody else's room...along with the green potion that was sitting right at a table at the end of the bed. Ga'Ja had to give a small prayer of thanks and attempted to sit up, only to find that her hands seemed to be rooted to a spot over her head. Her cat-like eyes went wide and she realized that somebody had taken a pair of handcuffs and pulled them between the bars of the bedpost over her head before locking them around Ga'Ja's wrists. She pulled, and flexed, and bucked and arched her back, but no matter what she couldn't get the handcuffs off and to her ever growing horror found that her feet had been spread as well, and locked to the bedposts at the foot of the bed. Ga'Ja roared as she struggled seeing the prize she'd been after so close. Whoever did this was going to die.
Shakti opened the door and walked into the room carrying a large bag. "Oh thank the gods your alive!" Shakti exclaimed as she walked into the room happily "I was worried that the healing potions I had here wouldn't be good enough to stop the poisons but it looks like they worked!" She continued merrily. "I'm chained to a bed though." Ga'Ja said looking at the girl blankly, and wondering about the hand of fate that put her at the mercy of the drunken witch. "Well you did threaten me, and after what you did to those bouncers and thugs I didn't want to take a chance that you'd hurt me." Shakti said still smiling that infectious smile, and all Ga'Ja wanted to do was punch her. "Look..ummm..what's your name?" Ga'Ja tried to ask politely and Shakti put her hand on her hat. "Shakti Utana! Witch-in-training and professional palm reader,and professional serving wench." The woman said politely and Ga'Ja gave her a fake smile "Well Shakti, my name is Ga'Ja and can you do me a favor now that we know each other?" The were-cat asked softly.
"Sure." Shakti replied walking over closer to the bed. "LETMEGO!!!" Ga'Ja shrieked as she started thrashing around on the bed and Shakti almost tumbled over in a panic. "Hey! Would you calm down for Gods sake? I'll let you out so long as you promise not to kill me." Shakti said and Ga'Ja growled "If YOU DON'T LET ME GO I'LL KILL YOU!" the were-cat growled as her green eyes became small slits. Shakti weighed her options, studied the screaming cat-woman, and did what she thought was best.
A few minutes later Ga'Ja was still letting out muffled swears from the cloth rapped around her mouth, and Shakti was bandaging her left hand from the bite she suffered. "I'm not letting you out until you calm down!" She shouted as she turned her back to the captive kamrai and walked over to the table with the potion. Ga'Ja's eyes followed her and a series of "Mmghfmfhms!!" Escaped from under the gag as she watched the witch fiddle with the potion. Shakti stared blankly at the Kamrai as she held the potion. "What? Why the hell do you want this thing so bad? It's just a little green vial!" Shakti yelled as she held the glowing substance in her hand before freezing completely. Ga'Ja brought her head up and looked at the woman "Mmgfhrm?" She asked blinking as Shakti sat down on the table and studied the bottle.
"Ummm..Ga'Ja? I'm not certain but I think this is a love potion." Shakti said taking her hat off.
"Mmht.." Ga'Ja replied which translated from gag-talk meant "shit."
Fatimah watched the Slobbering Griffin burn with an expression that radiated utter calm and a total lack of anger, or worry. The statusqe green amazon stood in the street, her cloak drapped around her, the jaunty brimmed hat she favored resting on her mane of jet black hair, and pondered to herself how this situation could have exploded so quickly. It was just a potion, and yet a group of mercenaries lay dead in an alley, a bar was on fire, a group of possible assassins happened to still be on the loose in the city, and that bitch Ga'Ja was missing in action. Fatimah loved mistress Le Chance but her faith(however small) in that Kamrai was misplaced, and Fatimah just knew she'd have to clean up her mess..if only she knew where to find the stray cat.
When Ga'Ja woke up her first thought was that even for the hells this place was a dump. Parchments, trinkets, maps, jars, and various other brick-a-brack lay scattered and Ga'Ja had to wonder if the underworld was all this pathatic. Then slowly she began to fully come to her senses, and realize that oddly(and against all logic) that she was alive and in somebody else's room...along with the green potion that was sitting right at a table at the end of the bed. Ga'Ja had to give a small prayer of thanks and attempted to sit up, only to find that her hands seemed to be rooted to a spot over her head. Her cat-like eyes went wide and she realized that somebody had taken a pair of handcuffs and pulled them between the bars of the bedpost over her head before locking them around Ga'Ja's wrists. She pulled, and flexed, and bucked and arched her back, but no matter what she couldn't get the handcuffs off and to her ever growing horror found that her feet had been spread as well, and locked to the bedposts at the foot of the bed. Ga'Ja roared as she struggled seeing the prize she'd been after so close. Whoever did this was going to die.
Shakti opened the door and walked into the room carrying a large bag. "Oh thank the gods your alive!" Shakti exclaimed as she walked into the room happily "I was worried that the healing potions I had here wouldn't be good enough to stop the poisons but it looks like they worked!" She continued merrily. "I'm chained to a bed though." Ga'Ja said looking at the girl blankly, and wondering about the hand of fate that put her at the mercy of the drunken witch. "Well you did threaten me, and after what you did to those bouncers and thugs I didn't want to take a chance that you'd hurt me." Shakti said still smiling that infectious smile, and all Ga'Ja wanted to do was punch her. "Look..ummm..what's your name?" Ga'Ja tried to ask politely and Shakti put her hand on her hat. "Shakti Utana! Witch-in-training and professional palm reader,and professional serving wench." The woman said politely and Ga'Ja gave her a fake smile "Well Shakti, my name is Ga'Ja and can you do me a favor now that we know each other?" The were-cat asked softly.
"Sure." Shakti replied walking over closer to the bed. "LETMEGO!!!" Ga'Ja shrieked as she started thrashing around on the bed and Shakti almost tumbled over in a panic. "Hey! Would you calm down for Gods sake? I'll let you out so long as you promise not to kill me." Shakti said and Ga'Ja growled "If YOU DON'T LET ME GO I'LL KILL YOU!" the were-cat growled as her green eyes became small slits. Shakti weighed her options, studied the screaming cat-woman, and did what she thought was best.
A few minutes later Ga'Ja was still letting out muffled swears from the cloth rapped around her mouth, and Shakti was bandaging her left hand from the bite she suffered. "I'm not letting you out until you calm down!" She shouted as she turned her back to the captive kamrai and walked over to the table with the potion. Ga'Ja's eyes followed her and a series of "Mmghfmfhms!!" Escaped from under the gag as she watched the witch fiddle with the potion. Shakti stared blankly at the Kamrai as she held the potion. "What? Why the hell do you want this thing so bad? It's just a little green vial!" Shakti yelled as she held the glowing substance in her hand before freezing completely. Ga'Ja brought her head up and looked at the woman "Mmgfhrm?" She asked blinking as Shakti sat down on the table and studied the bottle.
"Ummm..Ga'Ja? I'm not certain but I think this is a love potion." Shakti said taking her hat off.
"Mmht.." Ga'Ja replied which translated from gag-talk meant "shit."
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Tales Of Skatara: Danger, Love-potions, and Tigerstripes Part 5
Chapter 5: In which our heroines truly meet each other, and yet more havoc is brought forth
Etah like so many others in the vast empire had always showed reluctance at even mentioning the names of the Thousand gods who watched over the land, let alone curse them for the games they played with mortals. Yet the halfling couldn't resist and as he darted out of the bar he cursed Kagan Of-the-hidden-heart for not only ruining his already miserable evening but cursing him with the ears of an ass. And what's more the halfling decided to curse all the gods for making him live in squalor, making the Begger's guild such a group of uptight arses, putting shiny green potions on the bodies of dead mercenaries, and for Kamrai women and their seducing ways. He might have added bad bars, bad bouncers, and drunken witches to his curses, but sadly he could no longer think about anything but his blood spilling out of him from the dagger that had been tossed into his torso.
Ingrid stepped out of the shadows and studied the dying halfling with his odd new ears. "Take him he should have za potion." She whispered as two assassins darted out from the shadows surrounding the Slobbering Griffin and searched all over the dying halfling. Etah did not protest this, nor did he offer any resistance. He knew he'd die in the city in some violent way or another, and with his cloudy mind instead decided to reflect about his childhood country home, and try to die with that though. "He doesn't have it mistress." One of the Assassins said and Ingrid nodded before walking over to the halfling. "It's inside then..so ve have to do it za hard way." She said before opening her mouth, and lowering it down on the halfling's neck. She hated to waste blood.
Ga'Ja calmly collected herself and with one last punch in the balls stepped away from her final bouncer. "Show's over, pack up, go home." Ga'Ja said to the crowd who could only looked shocked that the orange hellion could do that much damage. Shakti herself was rather impressed herself, both at the amazing show before her, and the green potion she now held in her hand. She was too drunk to realize how she got it, but too aware to just toss it away. After all she was a witch, and witches knew how valuable potions could be. "I need that." A familar voice said interrupting her thoughts and Shakti jumped a little before looking up and seeing the ball of furry fury standing a few inches from her. Shakti was rightfully nervous of this woman who not 5 minutes ago had gone through a whole group of bouncers without any strain, but she was also oddly fascinated with the exotic creature that stood in front of her.
"Fuck you it's mine." Shakti said firmly and brought the potion to her impressive clevage. It wasn't what she wanted to say(what she wanted to say was "pretty") but it just annoyed her to no end that somebody was attempting to steal something that she now owned. Ga'Ja moved up to her "Please give me the potion." The Kamrai said trying to take the edge off her voice and not doing a very good job of it. Ga'Ja hated sounding like a bitch, but when one begins the evening almost being drowned by an angry mob boss, one gets stressed. Shakti didn't budge though and instead shut her eyes and started to whisper some chant which was making her hands glow red. "Great a witch." Ga'Ja said to herself as she prepared to strike quick, and finish quick.
Instead of beating the witch half to death though, Ga'Ja did something odd. She looked at a reflection in the bottles behind the counter, saw the perfect image of a figure with a crossbow, and proceeded to do the truly insane thing of putting herself right in front of the witch, and taking the small, dart-like bolt right into her tummy.
Shakti needless to say was shocked at this moment, and for a second sat without moving as she watched the cat-girl get up and pull the bolt out. Then she saw the figures in black moving towards her, weapons drawn. Shakti tossed her drink away, put her potion back in her pocket, and brought her hands up "Gaga Rend!" Shakti shouted as she shot out balls of flame towards the assassins..which due to Shakti's drunkness, and already horrible aim merely missed the attackers and instead lit a curtain up..which bursted into flames. "Shite." Shakti said as one of the assassins moved towards her, and proceeded to get a katana driven right into his mid-section. Ga'Ja stood up on shaky legs and let out a ragged breath "Can I have the potion now?" The catgirl asked before another assassin charged behind her and was met with her elbow to his face and her sword cutting through his neck.
Shakti still shook her head no and the catgirl shrugged "Then we need to get out of here and I can kill you later." She said weakly and Shakti could tell there was more than just bloodloss effecting the woman, it was poison. Shakti in her stupor nodded shoved her hat back on her head again and gulped as she saw the circle of assassins surrounding them at the bar.
Ga'Ja was out of it, shadows, and voices happened to be all she heard yet she still clung to her katana tightly. "You are quite brave verecat." An accented voice called out and Ga'Ja gulped recognizing that voice as belonging to somebody she'd rather always avoid. "Let me show you how brave I am whore! Come and get me!" She roared as loud as she could and for a second Ga'Ja could see the shadows move up on her. The Kamrai shut her eyes and sighed, knowing full well this was how she would die. Ga'Ja then charged with her blade....and for some reason she felt as if she was floating, and all she could see was darkness.
Shakti had suffered from many awkward teleportations in her life, from getting warped to a dung pit, to being warped into the bathing chambers of a Sultan's harem, but this one took the cake. Shakti was sitting with her legs sprawled in her apartment, and between the legs was the female Kamrai who was out like a light. Shakti groaned feeling the awkwardness of the girl's head so close to her private regions, and slowly began to stand up. Shakti looked at the form in front of her and wondered what had posessed her to teleport some violent, homicidal weretiger into her apartment. And then she had to admit to herself one thing "She saved my life" and that was all it took for Shakti to feel the need to return the favor.
Not that she was going to just toss the cat-girl on her bed and hope for the best. No first she'd need her potions, and then she'd need some chains..unless she wanted to have her head torn off.
Etah like so many others in the vast empire had always showed reluctance at even mentioning the names of the Thousand gods who watched over the land, let alone curse them for the games they played with mortals. Yet the halfling couldn't resist and as he darted out of the bar he cursed Kagan Of-the-hidden-heart for not only ruining his already miserable evening but cursing him with the ears of an ass. And what's more the halfling decided to curse all the gods for making him live in squalor, making the Begger's guild such a group of uptight arses, putting shiny green potions on the bodies of dead mercenaries, and for Kamrai women and their seducing ways. He might have added bad bars, bad bouncers, and drunken witches to his curses, but sadly he could no longer think about anything but his blood spilling out of him from the dagger that had been tossed into his torso.
Ingrid stepped out of the shadows and studied the dying halfling with his odd new ears. "Take him he should have za potion." She whispered as two assassins darted out from the shadows surrounding the Slobbering Griffin and searched all over the dying halfling. Etah did not protest this, nor did he offer any resistance. He knew he'd die in the city in some violent way or another, and with his cloudy mind instead decided to reflect about his childhood country home, and try to die with that though. "He doesn't have it mistress." One of the Assassins said and Ingrid nodded before walking over to the halfling. "It's inside then..so ve have to do it za hard way." She said before opening her mouth, and lowering it down on the halfling's neck. She hated to waste blood.
Ga'Ja calmly collected herself and with one last punch in the balls stepped away from her final bouncer. "Show's over, pack up, go home." Ga'Ja said to the crowd who could only looked shocked that the orange hellion could do that much damage. Shakti herself was rather impressed herself, both at the amazing show before her, and the green potion she now held in her hand. She was too drunk to realize how she got it, but too aware to just toss it away. After all she was a witch, and witches knew how valuable potions could be. "I need that." A familar voice said interrupting her thoughts and Shakti jumped a little before looking up and seeing the ball of furry fury standing a few inches from her. Shakti was rightfully nervous of this woman who not 5 minutes ago had gone through a whole group of bouncers without any strain, but she was also oddly fascinated with the exotic creature that stood in front of her.
"Fuck you it's mine." Shakti said firmly and brought the potion to her impressive clevage. It wasn't what she wanted to say(what she wanted to say was "pretty") but it just annoyed her to no end that somebody was attempting to steal something that she now owned. Ga'Ja moved up to her "Please give me the potion." The Kamrai said trying to take the edge off her voice and not doing a very good job of it. Ga'Ja hated sounding like a bitch, but when one begins the evening almost being drowned by an angry mob boss, one gets stressed. Shakti didn't budge though and instead shut her eyes and started to whisper some chant which was making her hands glow red. "Great a witch." Ga'Ja said to herself as she prepared to strike quick, and finish quick.
Instead of beating the witch half to death though, Ga'Ja did something odd. She looked at a reflection in the bottles behind the counter, saw the perfect image of a figure with a crossbow, and proceeded to do the truly insane thing of putting herself right in front of the witch, and taking the small, dart-like bolt right into her tummy.
Shakti needless to say was shocked at this moment, and for a second sat without moving as she watched the cat-girl get up and pull the bolt out. Then she saw the figures in black moving towards her, weapons drawn. Shakti tossed her drink away, put her potion back in her pocket, and brought her hands up "Gaga Rend!" Shakti shouted as she shot out balls of flame towards the assassins..which due to Shakti's drunkness, and already horrible aim merely missed the attackers and instead lit a curtain up..which bursted into flames. "Shite." Shakti said as one of the assassins moved towards her, and proceeded to get a katana driven right into his mid-section. Ga'Ja stood up on shaky legs and let out a ragged breath "Can I have the potion now?" The catgirl asked before another assassin charged behind her and was met with her elbow to his face and her sword cutting through his neck.
Shakti still shook her head no and the catgirl shrugged "Then we need to get out of here and I can kill you later." She said weakly and Shakti could tell there was more than just bloodloss effecting the woman, it was poison. Shakti in her stupor nodded shoved her hat back on her head again and gulped as she saw the circle of assassins surrounding them at the bar.
Ga'Ja was out of it, shadows, and voices happened to be all she heard yet she still clung to her katana tightly. "You are quite brave verecat." An accented voice called out and Ga'Ja gulped recognizing that voice as belonging to somebody she'd rather always avoid. "Let me show you how brave I am whore! Come and get me!" She roared as loud as she could and for a second Ga'Ja could see the shadows move up on her. The Kamrai shut her eyes and sighed, knowing full well this was how she would die. Ga'Ja then charged with her blade....and for some reason she felt as if she was floating, and all she could see was darkness.
Shakti had suffered from many awkward teleportations in her life, from getting warped to a dung pit, to being warped into the bathing chambers of a Sultan's harem, but this one took the cake. Shakti was sitting with her legs sprawled in her apartment, and between the legs was the female Kamrai who was out like a light. Shakti groaned feeling the awkwardness of the girl's head so close to her private regions, and slowly began to stand up. Shakti looked at the form in front of her and wondered what had posessed her to teleport some violent, homicidal weretiger into her apartment. And then she had to admit to herself one thing "She saved my life" and that was all it took for Shakti to feel the need to return the favor.
Not that she was going to just toss the cat-girl on her bed and hope for the best. No first she'd need her potions, and then she'd need some chains..unless she wanted to have her head torn off.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Tales Of Skatara: Danger, Love-potions, and Tigerstripes Part 4
Chapter 4: Ye Olde Barfight
They stood outside in the shadows, swords bared, crossbows ready, and wills set to murder. They dressed themselves in the dark robes, leather armor, and shadowy masks of assassins and at this moment they waited for the orders that would allow them to spill blood. Thankfully they didn't have to wait long as the figure stepped out of the darker reaches of the alley, almost as if she was one with the shadows herself. Her skin was pale and cold, her eyes blazed the colour red, her black hair hung down in dreadlocks over her shoulders, and a tattoo of a red wold was planted right under her left eye. Her red leather armor clung tightly to her with holes cut out that exposed a good deal of her clevage, and her bare curvy tummy. "Vell brothers ve are ready." She said smiling, exposing her sharp canines. She was Ingrid Du'Lac, assassin, mercenary, and vampire..and dealing death was always something she enjoyed. Her human companions nodded silently, put their masks on and made their way to the Slobbering Griffin.
Etah was sitting in a booth off near the smoke-filled back of the bar, nursing his flagon of mead and thinking. He certaintly was prepared for the tiger-striped vision carrying a pint of ale with her. "Hi stranger..what are you doing all alone?" Ga'Ja asked seductively as she lapped a little at her ale with her tongue. Etah looked confused, and bewildered at this exotic woman cozying up to him and the little halfling gulped. "I'm uhh..needin' alone time marm." He said as his voice cracked and Ga'Ja laughed before leaning across the table and showing the halfling a good deal of her chest. "You know I think halflings are cute..and halfling men are very exotic." Ga'Ja said with a bubbly voice as she curled her head hair around in her clawed fingers "And you know how kamrai girls get when they see somethin' they like." She said just about whispering as she leaned her face so close to the halfling. Etah gulped again, tried to think of unpleasant thoughts(Ghoul women on a cold day) and took a few deep breaths. "I'm sorry..but I'd rather be alone." He said firmly and pulled his flagon closer to him.
Ga'Ja stared at the halfing for a few seconds, cocked her head, and with a lightening quick motion slammed his head into the table. "POTION. NOW." She said growling as she smooshed his head against the table. Ga'Ja didn't like being forced to do this, but the damn halfling just didn't want the nice and easy way, and as a result forced the cat-girl to get testy. "Ahem" A voice called from behind Ga'Ja and she turned around to see six human bouncers, led by a large annoyed looking troll. "Ma'am can we step outside." The troll said firmly and Ga'Ja released Etah's head, and the halfing started to wobble away into the bar. Ga'Ja stood up watched the woozy halfling stumble away, and sighed to herself "Alright..which one of you first." She said to the bouncers eyes half shut.
"An' then she' walke' awa'! My hear' jus' breakin'!!" Shakti said sobbing into her mug at the counter "I jus' wann' die!" The drunken witch said as she let out another hiccup and giggled to herself. "Shak you've had enough." The bartender said taking her mug away "He'! I'll tel' ya' wen' I ha' enouh'!!" Shakti replied balling her fists up before falling off her barstool. Which was actually lucky considering that a large troll was flying right over where she was sitting a milisecond ago before crashing into the bottles behind the bar. "Shite.." Shakti said as she struggled to stand up and look in the direction where the troll had come from. What she and most other screaming bar patrons could see was quite a sight. A barely clothed orange, and black ball of fists, elbows, knees, and joint locks that at this moment was thrashing most of the bouncers of the bar.
One bouncer came from the left at the cat-girl only to have her dodge his strike without thought, grab his elbow, and snap it with a horrible crunch, before kneeing him in the face five times. Another one kicked at her which she blocked with her left leg before spinning around and planting a vicious elbow in the back of his head. It was vicious, and considering what she was doing unarmed one could only think about what she could do if she ever used that katana clinging to her.
Shakti was in such a stupor, and so frozen by the site of this fight that it took hera few more seconds than usual to realize somebody was groping her bum. "He' wha' the bloody hel'?!" She spun her head and saw some little halfling dart away from her and start to run off. "Oh no ya don' ya dumb gobshite! Geda Ranta!" She shout and her hand blasted out a streak of purple energy that hit the halfling right on the back, causing donkey ears to sprout off his head. "That'll learn ya bastar'." Shakti said as the halfling ducked out of the bar. Shakti turned back to watch the fight and she winced when the cat-girl drove her knee straight into one bouncer's groin.
She had no idea that the little halfling had shoved a green, glowing potion right into her back skirt pocket.
They stood outside in the shadows, swords bared, crossbows ready, and wills set to murder. They dressed themselves in the dark robes, leather armor, and shadowy masks of assassins and at this moment they waited for the orders that would allow them to spill blood. Thankfully they didn't have to wait long as the figure stepped out of the darker reaches of the alley, almost as if she was one with the shadows herself. Her skin was pale and cold, her eyes blazed the colour red, her black hair hung down in dreadlocks over her shoulders, and a tattoo of a red wold was planted right under her left eye. Her red leather armor clung tightly to her with holes cut out that exposed a good deal of her clevage, and her bare curvy tummy. "Vell brothers ve are ready." She said smiling, exposing her sharp canines. She was Ingrid Du'Lac, assassin, mercenary, and vampire..and dealing death was always something she enjoyed. Her human companions nodded silently, put their masks on and made their way to the Slobbering Griffin.
Etah was sitting in a booth off near the smoke-filled back of the bar, nursing his flagon of mead and thinking. He certaintly was prepared for the tiger-striped vision carrying a pint of ale with her. "Hi stranger..what are you doing all alone?" Ga'Ja asked seductively as she lapped a little at her ale with her tongue. Etah looked confused, and bewildered at this exotic woman cozying up to him and the little halfling gulped. "I'm uhh..needin' alone time marm." He said as his voice cracked and Ga'Ja laughed before leaning across the table and showing the halfling a good deal of her chest. "You know I think halflings are cute..and halfling men are very exotic." Ga'Ja said with a bubbly voice as she curled her head hair around in her clawed fingers "And you know how kamrai girls get when they see somethin' they like." She said just about whispering as she leaned her face so close to the halfling. Etah gulped again, tried to think of unpleasant thoughts(Ghoul women on a cold day) and took a few deep breaths. "I'm sorry..but I'd rather be alone." He said firmly and pulled his flagon closer to him.
Ga'Ja stared at the halfing for a few seconds, cocked her head, and with a lightening quick motion slammed his head into the table. "POTION. NOW." She said growling as she smooshed his head against the table. Ga'Ja didn't like being forced to do this, but the damn halfling just didn't want the nice and easy way, and as a result forced the cat-girl to get testy. "Ahem" A voice called from behind Ga'Ja and she turned around to see six human bouncers, led by a large annoyed looking troll. "Ma'am can we step outside." The troll said firmly and Ga'Ja released Etah's head, and the halfing started to wobble away into the bar. Ga'Ja stood up watched the woozy halfling stumble away, and sighed to herself "Alright..which one of you first." She said to the bouncers eyes half shut.
"An' then she' walke' awa'! My hear' jus' breakin'!!" Shakti said sobbing into her mug at the counter "I jus' wann' die!" The drunken witch said as she let out another hiccup and giggled to herself. "Shak you've had enough." The bartender said taking her mug away "He'! I'll tel' ya' wen' I ha' enouh'!!" Shakti replied balling her fists up before falling off her barstool. Which was actually lucky considering that a large troll was flying right over where she was sitting a milisecond ago before crashing into the bottles behind the bar. "Shite.." Shakti said as she struggled to stand up and look in the direction where the troll had come from. What she and most other screaming bar patrons could see was quite a sight. A barely clothed orange, and black ball of fists, elbows, knees, and joint locks that at this moment was thrashing most of the bouncers of the bar.
One bouncer came from the left at the cat-girl only to have her dodge his strike without thought, grab his elbow, and snap it with a horrible crunch, before kneeing him in the face five times. Another one kicked at her which she blocked with her left leg before spinning around and planting a vicious elbow in the back of his head. It was vicious, and considering what she was doing unarmed one could only think about what she could do if she ever used that katana clinging to her.
Shakti was in such a stupor, and so frozen by the site of this fight that it took hera few more seconds than usual to realize somebody was groping her bum. "He' wha' the bloody hel'?!" She spun her head and saw some little halfling dart away from her and start to run off. "Oh no ya don' ya dumb gobshite! Geda Ranta!" She shout and her hand blasted out a streak of purple energy that hit the halfling right on the back, causing donkey ears to sprout off his head. "That'll learn ya bastar'." Shakti said as the halfling ducked out of the bar. Shakti turned back to watch the fight and she winced when the cat-girl drove her knee straight into one bouncer's groin.
She had no idea that the little halfling had shoved a green, glowing potion right into her back skirt pocket.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tales Of Skatara: Danger, Love-potions, and Tigerstripes Part 3
Chapter 3: Chases, switches, confusion
(Quick note: The song excerpts at the end are taking from "If I should fall from Grace with God" by the Pogues. If your asking why I used the Pogues for this music, it's because their music is a lot more cooler than some dull fantasy folk song.)
Etah ducked into the alley, leaned his head out to check the cobblestone streets, and convinced that he was no longer being followed allowed himself to take a short breather. 76 years was still young in Halfling years, but when you spend 65 of those years living on the street you learn a few things. And at this moment sitting against the wall the halfling begger in his tattered, filthy rags reflected on one of the things he learned in his many on the streets. When you find a whole company of underworld goons riddled with arrows you should run away, and not attempt to go through their pockets. The halfling thought about this and nodded that doing that would be a very idiotic decision, and the fool who brought this on himself deserved the painful death that awaited him.
Of course Etah couldn't explain to himself why he seemed to ignore his better judgement, go through the pockets of one goon, and pilfer the large glowing vial that he now held in his hand. It was a conundrum, and the halfling decided that he'd need to meditate on what to do over a stiff drink at his favorite tavern "The Slobbering Griffin."
It is said that the Kamrai sense of smell is only second to the mighty Werewolves of the north, and their skill at tracking, and ambushing is the best in all the land. A Kamrai is not considered a full adult until they succeed on their first hunt, and are expected to wait for possibly a week or more out in the wild to find the perfect game. All of this meant that so far Ga'Ja was having a fairly easy time tracking down Morgana's prize. First she visited the scene of the attack, figured that one of the attackers was a halfling(odd that a halfling would have been used in a hit) and that the halfling was heading straight into the Merchant's district with it's mazes of shops, and back alleys.
Ga'Ja was not worried though, in fact she smiled to herself as she leap gracefully from roof to roof. Threaten the little twerp, fetch the potion back, get away from Morgana and her cronies, and find some other job. In a second though Ga'Ja's train of thought was interrupted as she picked up a wiff of the halfling's scent(and urghh other scents) from only a few feet away. Ga'Ja stopped in her tracks crouched down on the rooftop, and saw the short and portly figure of the stinky halfling woddle into a bar. Ga'Ja smiled again and touched her side making sure the katana she favored was still strapped down and steathed.
Shakti had kept her promise to herself and had gotten drunk enough to forget Tirana..at least for a few hours. She'd arrived in the "Slobbering Griffin" about three hours ago, and she lost count of how many drinks she'd had about two mugs back. Indeed Shakti was so drunk that at this moment she was dancing on a table with a mug of ale in each hand, and singing a song that she just barely remembered from her childhood.
"Bury me at sea
Where no murdered ghost can haunt me
If I rock upon the waves
No corpse can lie upon me
It's coming up three boys
Keeps coming up three boys
Let them go down in the mud
Where the rivers all run dry"
She was so caught up in the song that she failed to notice two new people creeping into the bar. One a halfling who's eyes darted back and forth nervously, and the other an exotic tiger-stripped woman who for a few seconds actually stared at the drunken witch.
Indeed Ga'Ja was staring at Shakti with a slight smile, for she too had remembered that song. And as Ga'Ja moved through the bar she started singing the same song to herself.
"If I should fall from grace with god
If I'm buried 'neath the sod
And still the angels won't receive me
Let me go boys
Let me go boys
Let me go down in the mud
Where the rivers all run dry"
(Quick note: The song excerpts at the end are taking from "If I should fall from Grace with God" by the Pogues. If your asking why I used the Pogues for this music, it's because their music is a lot more cooler than some dull fantasy folk song.)
Etah ducked into the alley, leaned his head out to check the cobblestone streets, and convinced that he was no longer being followed allowed himself to take a short breather. 76 years was still young in Halfling years, but when you spend 65 of those years living on the street you learn a few things. And at this moment sitting against the wall the halfling begger in his tattered, filthy rags reflected on one of the things he learned in his many on the streets. When you find a whole company of underworld goons riddled with arrows you should run away, and not attempt to go through their pockets. The halfling thought about this and nodded that doing that would be a very idiotic decision, and the fool who brought this on himself deserved the painful death that awaited him.
Of course Etah couldn't explain to himself why he seemed to ignore his better judgement, go through the pockets of one goon, and pilfer the large glowing vial that he now held in his hand. It was a conundrum, and the halfling decided that he'd need to meditate on what to do over a stiff drink at his favorite tavern "The Slobbering Griffin."
It is said that the Kamrai sense of smell is only second to the mighty Werewolves of the north, and their skill at tracking, and ambushing is the best in all the land. A Kamrai is not considered a full adult until they succeed on their first hunt, and are expected to wait for possibly a week or more out in the wild to find the perfect game. All of this meant that so far Ga'Ja was having a fairly easy time tracking down Morgana's prize. First she visited the scene of the attack, figured that one of the attackers was a halfling(odd that a halfling would have been used in a hit) and that the halfling was heading straight into the Merchant's district with it's mazes of shops, and back alleys.
Ga'Ja was not worried though, in fact she smiled to herself as she leap gracefully from roof to roof. Threaten the little twerp, fetch the potion back, get away from Morgana and her cronies, and find some other job. In a second though Ga'Ja's train of thought was interrupted as she picked up a wiff of the halfling's scent(and urghh other scents) from only a few feet away. Ga'Ja stopped in her tracks crouched down on the rooftop, and saw the short and portly figure of the stinky halfling woddle into a bar. Ga'Ja smiled again and touched her side making sure the katana she favored was still strapped down and steathed.
Shakti had kept her promise to herself and had gotten drunk enough to forget Tirana..at least for a few hours. She'd arrived in the "Slobbering Griffin" about three hours ago, and she lost count of how many drinks she'd had about two mugs back. Indeed Shakti was so drunk that at this moment she was dancing on a table with a mug of ale in each hand, and singing a song that she just barely remembered from her childhood.
"Bury me at sea
Where no murdered ghost can haunt me
If I rock upon the waves
No corpse can lie upon me
It's coming up three boys
Keeps coming up three boys
Let them go down in the mud
Where the rivers all run dry"
She was so caught up in the song that she failed to notice two new people creeping into the bar. One a halfling who's eyes darted back and forth nervously, and the other an exotic tiger-stripped woman who for a few seconds actually stared at the drunken witch.
Indeed Ga'Ja was staring at Shakti with a slight smile, for she too had remembered that song. And as Ga'Ja moved through the bar she started singing the same song to herself.
"If I should fall from grace with god
If I'm buried 'neath the sod
And still the angels won't receive me
Let me go boys
Let me go boys
Let me go down in the mud
Where the rivers all run dry"
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tales of Skatara: Danger, Love-potions, and Tigerstripes: Part 2
Chapter 2: An offer she can't refuse
Morgana wrapped the purple and black kimono tighter around her, and let out another whispered dark-elf curse as her hench-Ork Fatimah took her sweet time. Here they happened to be at night on the docks, when they should be attending the local Opera(the performance was "Stelina the Enchantress" Morgana's personal favorite) and Morgana had only herself to blame. She should have skipped buisness for tonight and just gone to the show, but certain people had to be taught a lesson. "Fatimah are you done yet?" Morgana asked and the ork amazon turned to her "Yes mistress, I think we are." She said smiling down at her handiwork. "What do you think Ga'Ja?" The ork asked. "Mggmhmhm!" Came the only reply.
At Fatimah's feet lay a barely clothed exotically beautiful woman, covered head to toe in soft black-and-orange tiger-stripped fur, and sporting red head hair, and a tail.(that at this moment was twitching rapidly) She was a werecat, or as her kind called themselves "Kamrai" and they happened to be known as thieves, soldiers, and rogues without compare. This one was named Ga'Ja, and at this moment she was bound completely with chains, a large weight attached to her legs, and a thin cloth shoved between her fanged mouth.
Morgana stood up and walked over to the captive sighing as she did so. "Ga'Ja I asked a simple task of you. Kill Gorbald Kringore and make it look like an accident." Morgana said almost sorrowfully "And instead you killed him and his entire company of bodyguards..which is causing me a headache." Morgana continued looking down on her captive. Ga'Ja snarled and then shrugged. She could have killed Gorbald like Morgana asked, but after seeing the dozens of women and children he was selling into prostitution, she had to take action.
Morgana backed away and nodded to Fatimah "Very well Ga'Ja.enjoy your swim." the dark elf said coldly as Fatimah lefted the struggling kamrai up who could only "Mmghtrhrmh!!" into her gag and buck in her chains. Morgana closed her eyes and turned her head, she never liked killing an employee, but sometimes things had to be done.
Morgana heard one last squeel from Ga'Ja, and then a loud splash, then she opened her eyes to see a young beardless Dwarf run towards her. "Hosvarth! What in hells are you doing here?" Morgana asked annoyed as the small cloaked figure ran up to her feet, bowed, and looked at her for mercy. "My lady the potion you sent to my Dwarves for protection, it has been...stolen." He said gulping. Morgana looked horrified and for a few brief seconds Hosvarth shut his eyes and waited for the end. Instead though Morgana turned around and faced Fatimah. "Go get her." She said to the tall ork who sighed "Oh hells mistress, these are good clothes." The Ork said before stripping down to her panties, and diving right into the water.
A few minutes later a dripping wet Ga'Ja was sitting on a wooden crate, a cop of hot choclate in her hands, and Hosvarth's robe drapped around her. The Dwarf didn't need it..on account of him being at the bottom of the pier. Morgana sat on a crate in front of Ga'Ja and smiled "Sorry for this dear, but you know how this job is." Morgana said softly. Ga'Ja's green eyes locked on the elf and finally she shrugged "Don't string me along puta, just tell me what you want." The Kamrai said as she drowned the entire mug.
Morgana nodded "Very well Ga'Ja, I need you to track down a potion for me, one that has been lost." She said and Ga'Ka cocked her head "A potion? What type?" the cat-girl asked and Morgana's glare grew more cold "Never you mind, just fetch it for me like a good kitty-cat..and I might not have to force Fatimah to do something unseemly to you." Morgana said meaning every word and Ga'Ja just laughed. "I know you'll hunt me down, torture me, kill my family, and rape my friends..so please don't repeat this to me." She said her green eyes narrowing.
"Just give me some imformation on what it looks like and I'll find your stupid potion." Ga'Ja said standing up and tossing the small mug off the pier. "After all it beats getting wet."
Morgana wrapped the purple and black kimono tighter around her, and let out another whispered dark-elf curse as her hench-Ork Fatimah took her sweet time. Here they happened to be at night on the docks, when they should be attending the local Opera(the performance was "Stelina the Enchantress" Morgana's personal favorite) and Morgana had only herself to blame. She should have skipped buisness for tonight and just gone to the show, but certain people had to be taught a lesson. "Fatimah are you done yet?" Morgana asked and the ork amazon turned to her "Yes mistress, I think we are." She said smiling down at her handiwork. "What do you think Ga'Ja?" The ork asked. "Mggmhmhm!" Came the only reply.
At Fatimah's feet lay a barely clothed exotically beautiful woman, covered head to toe in soft black-and-orange tiger-stripped fur, and sporting red head hair, and a tail.(that at this moment was twitching rapidly) She was a werecat, or as her kind called themselves "Kamrai" and they happened to be known as thieves, soldiers, and rogues without compare. This one was named Ga'Ja, and at this moment she was bound completely with chains, a large weight attached to her legs, and a thin cloth shoved between her fanged mouth.
Morgana stood up and walked over to the captive sighing as she did so. "Ga'Ja I asked a simple task of you. Kill Gorbald Kringore and make it look like an accident." Morgana said almost sorrowfully "And instead you killed him and his entire company of bodyguards..which is causing me a headache." Morgana continued looking down on her captive. Ga'Ja snarled and then shrugged. She could have killed Gorbald like Morgana asked, but after seeing the dozens of women and children he was selling into prostitution, she had to take action.
Morgana backed away and nodded to Fatimah "Very well Ga'Ja.enjoy your swim." the dark elf said coldly as Fatimah lefted the struggling kamrai up who could only "Mmghtrhrmh!!" into her gag and buck in her chains. Morgana closed her eyes and turned her head, she never liked killing an employee, but sometimes things had to be done.
Morgana heard one last squeel from Ga'Ja, and then a loud splash, then she opened her eyes to see a young beardless Dwarf run towards her. "Hosvarth! What in hells are you doing here?" Morgana asked annoyed as the small cloaked figure ran up to her feet, bowed, and looked at her for mercy. "My lady the potion you sent to my Dwarves for protection, it has been...stolen." He said gulping. Morgana looked horrified and for a few brief seconds Hosvarth shut his eyes and waited for the end. Instead though Morgana turned around and faced Fatimah. "Go get her." She said to the tall ork who sighed "Oh hells mistress, these are good clothes." The Ork said before stripping down to her panties, and diving right into the water.
A few minutes later a dripping wet Ga'Ja was sitting on a wooden crate, a cop of hot choclate in her hands, and Hosvarth's robe drapped around her. The Dwarf didn't need it..on account of him being at the bottom of the pier. Morgana sat on a crate in front of Ga'Ja and smiled "Sorry for this dear, but you know how this job is." Morgana said softly. Ga'Ja's green eyes locked on the elf and finally she shrugged "Don't string me along puta, just tell me what you want." The Kamrai said as she drowned the entire mug.
Morgana nodded "Very well Ga'Ja, I need you to track down a potion for me, one that has been lost." She said and Ga'Ka cocked her head "A potion? What type?" the cat-girl asked and Morgana's glare grew more cold "Never you mind, just fetch it for me like a good kitty-cat..and I might not have to force Fatimah to do something unseemly to you." Morgana said meaning every word and Ga'Ja just laughed. "I know you'll hunt me down, torture me, kill my family, and rape my friends..so please don't repeat this to me." She said her green eyes narrowing.
"Just give me some imformation on what it looks like and I'll find your stupid potion." Ga'Ja said standing up and tossing the small mug off the pier. "After all it beats getting wet."
Friday, July 10, 2009
Tales Of Skatara: Danger, Love-potions, and Tigerstripes Part 1
IN THE GRIM WORLD OF SKATARA, LIFE CAN DANGLE ON A THREAD. HERE BENEATH SIX MOONS, ONE SIMPLE LAW MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE: EVERYTHING CAN KILL YOU, SO NEVER LET IT GET THE CHANCE!
Chapter 1: Love Stinks when it's someone else's girl
"Me and Paren are getting married, Shakti." The tall raven-haired elf said happily. "That's great Tirana?" Shaki lied as she nervously fidgited with her pointed hat, and bit her lip as she thought of how much she loved, adored and worshipped the shaply raven-haired Elven ranger in front of her. "You will come to the wedding won't you? Everybody else will." Tirana said her voice still in good spirits. "Of course I will Tirana! Your my best friend! I could never forget you." Shakti said as she could hear her own heart breaking.
For six months she'd been on the road with a party of adventurers on a quest to save all of Skatara.(not like anybody thanked them!) They'd traversed dungeons, fought in wars, went through hardship, and discovered what their true characters happened to be made of. Along the way Shakti had become infatiuated with the Elven warrior with her black hair, dark green leather outfit, and wonderful woodsy voice. They shared so many things together, and really they happened to spend the most time together out of all the party. But now Shakti had discovered that the elf was really in love with Paren, the noble Paladin who cared about little else but "the quest!" and "Honour!" both words he liked to shout at any given moment. At hearing this news it took all of Shaki's willpower not to just fall down and cry...at least until Tirana left.
A few hours later Shakti finally overcame her sniffles just a bit and sat up on the bed in her loft. It wasn't a large place, merely a small one room apartment overlooking the Magik Quarter of Dalcada, but it had all she needed. Maps, charts, charms, books, scrolls, wands, potions, brooms, bottles of toads, urns full of goblin bones, and numerous other items lay strewn about. 6 months since leaving and her home still looked the same which provided Shakti with a little happiness, if only she could share that happiness with somebody like Tirana.
After another bout of crying though Shakti finally bucked up enough to get off the bed, make sure her tears happened to be dry, and grab her broom. After fixing up her hat(the damn thing always seemed to flop down) patchwork skirt, midriff baring vest, long ripped sleeves(witches had to have them!) and adjusting her leather garters and black and white stripped boots she was finally feeling slightly well enough to go about the town. And maybe crawl into a hole and get really drunk.
"Either that or kill myself." She said half-joking as she sat on her broom and with the chant of "Vena Uday!" rocketed off into the night.
Chapter 1: Love Stinks when it's someone else's girl
"Me and Paren are getting married, Shakti." The tall raven-haired elf said happily. "That's great Tirana?" Shaki lied as she nervously fidgited with her pointed hat, and bit her lip as she thought of how much she loved, adored and worshipped the shaply raven-haired Elven ranger in front of her. "You will come to the wedding won't you? Everybody else will." Tirana said her voice still in good spirits. "Of course I will Tirana! Your my best friend! I could never forget you." Shakti said as she could hear her own heart breaking.
For six months she'd been on the road with a party of adventurers on a quest to save all of Skatara.(not like anybody thanked them!) They'd traversed dungeons, fought in wars, went through hardship, and discovered what their true characters happened to be made of. Along the way Shakti had become infatiuated with the Elven warrior with her black hair, dark green leather outfit, and wonderful woodsy voice. They shared so many things together, and really they happened to spend the most time together out of all the party. But now Shakti had discovered that the elf was really in love with Paren, the noble Paladin who cared about little else but "the quest!" and "Honour!" both words he liked to shout at any given moment. At hearing this news it took all of Shaki's willpower not to just fall down and cry...at least until Tirana left.
A few hours later Shakti finally overcame her sniffles just a bit and sat up on the bed in her loft. It wasn't a large place, merely a small one room apartment overlooking the Magik Quarter of Dalcada, but it had all she needed. Maps, charts, charms, books, scrolls, wands, potions, brooms, bottles of toads, urns full of goblin bones, and numerous other items lay strewn about. 6 months since leaving and her home still looked the same which provided Shakti with a little happiness, if only she could share that happiness with somebody like Tirana.
After another bout of crying though Shakti finally bucked up enough to get off the bed, make sure her tears happened to be dry, and grab her broom. After fixing up her hat(the damn thing always seemed to flop down) patchwork skirt, midriff baring vest, long ripped sleeves(witches had to have them!) and adjusting her leather garters and black and white stripped boots she was finally feeling slightly well enough to go about the town. And maybe crawl into a hole and get really drunk.
"Either that or kill myself." She said half-joking as she sat on her broom and with the chant of "Vena Uday!" rocketed off into the night.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
TALES OF SKATARA: Morgana Le Chance
IN THE GRIM WORLD OF SKATARA, LIFE CAN DANGLE ON A THREAD. HERE BENEATH SIX MOONS, ONE SIMPLE LAW MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE: EVERYTHING CAN KILL YOU, SO NEVER LET IT GET THE CHANCE!
In a world where life is short and painful, where most suffer under the yoke of tyranny, happiness is the one thing in short supply. But for a price a certain someone can bring you whatever you desire, no question. She is Morgana Le Chance, former General in the armies of king Charlecan of the drow empire, and now the self proclaimed "queen of vice."
Gambling, extortion, smuggling, slavery, and escorts are her main lines of trade and she is quite proud of her work. A shrewd tactical planner on both the battlefield, and the underworld, Morgana for the most part stays out of the petty fightings, and vicious feud of the guilds and underworld. Of course one should never take her lightly either. After all 400 years of serving in various armies has allowed her to master most every form of combat, and she so delights in showing people who cross her the skills she's learned.
Cruel, cunning, beautiful, with an almost supernatural inability to die. Morgana is an adversary no adventurer wants..what so ever.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
TALES OF SKATARA: Ga'Ja and Shakti
IN THE GRIM WORLD OF SKATARA, LIFE CAN DANGLE ON A THREAD. HERE BENEATH SIX MOONS, ONE SIMPLE LAW MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE: EVERYTHING CAN KILL YOU, SO NEVER LET IT GET THE CHANCE!
Ga'Ja and Shakti are two of the more interesting figures in this world. One the last princess of the great Kamrai(were-tiger) kingdoms, and the other a witch trainee who just happened to moonlight as a serving wench/dancing girl. Meeting each other in the grand Imperial city of Dalcada(a tale for another time) these two have become constant companions in the dangerous world of Skatara. While Ga'Ja with her agility, strength, and warrior skills can fight off any threat, Shakti's slowly deepening skills with the winds of magik allow her to support her friend and reign destruction down on enemies...Enemies which include the vicious Drow vice queen Morgana Le Chance, and the terrible Kamri high priestess Lil'aha.
Though Shaki seems willing to give a pointed barb about Ga'Ja's "savage and appalling instincts" and Ga'ja for the most part merely refers to her partner as "my pet witch" the two care for each other deeply, and woe be for any foolish adventurer to hit on either of them if they so desire to make it through another day with both their arms.
Needless to say if it's adventure, romance, and danger you crave, these two our your champions.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
What not to say to a fan
Meet Mallory Kindcaid(singer of the hot top 40 track 'I'm Hot for Moi") a woman who's career is on the up-and-up, and who's destined to be the biggest pop star on the planet..that is until one mistake. Sure the overly peppy goth chick who "soooo wanted her autograph" was kind of annoying, and yes the girl was making her late asking for this request. But honestly telling the girl "Get away from me you dumb slut!" and then having your security push the poor girl down in the mud really was a bit much.
Needless to say when karma rears it's ugly head(aka getting kidnapped after the concert via clever ruse) Mallory might want to think about how much words can hurt. After all here she is chained, ballgagged, dressed in her stage uniform, and at the mercy of a scorned goth chick who only wanted her autograph.
And really one important rule about the universe is never piss goth chicks off. They read lots of old horror books..and get plenty of ideas about what to do with you as a result.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Somebody needs a new job
You know take it from me, not all jobs are things you want for the rest of your life. I mean who wants to work at a fast food joint until they have to retire? Or in the case of Agent Scully here work in the FBI investigating all matter of odd situations? After all the constant weirdness, conspiracies, the frequent abductions that lead to you usually in all kinds of mortal danger just doesn't sound like a job for somebody who wants a little relaxation.
I mean here you are in the basement of one Suzie Nyung who seemed like a sweet, peppy, and absolutely normal history major..until you discover that she's the leader of a cult that worships a Cambodian goddess of destruction. And now your chained to the floor, tape over your lips, and some psycho chick is dancing around with a knife. And you just know this is a bad situation that can end in results that just aren't appealing for you. And you just have to wonder if you should have just taken that nice boring desk job.
Of course with Scully's luck the desk job most likely involves a pack of secretaries who now worship an alien cult which somehow involves Scully getting tied to the desk.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I Demand more Sexy Librarians
You know I love a good tough girl, an ultra-butch yet cute chick who can deal with all comers(until she gets captured that is) Claudia Black, Katee Sackoff, Sigourney Weaver, Gina Gershon..I love 'em all. But you know what I also demand more of? Hot, naive, glasses-sporting, prim-and-proper librarians. It's like the perfect mirror image of a good tough girl. Where one is some screaming hellion who just won't back down from any fight the other bumbles into danger at a near constant level usually after loosing her glasses. I'm not certain why it is but there's a part of my lizard brain that makes me just love these types of characters, but it might be because you can subvert them so well. After all there's always the possiblity of the prim little librarian being a secret kinky thing who just needs one push to send her over the edge.
And really who can resist the things that happen after that?
Monday, June 22, 2009
You just can't trust anybody nowadays
Poor Giselle never knew what being in love could do. When I woman like Megan Selkirk wants the boss's stash and offers you herself as the bargain you couldn't deny her either. After all there's the nights of passion on her bed, the promises of a better life somewhere south of the border, and just the general electricity you feel whenever Giselle was near her. Too bad she's a two-headed harpy who is actually a total bitch and doesn't care about the poor girl whatsoever. Now normally one could break off a relationship that was really harmful for them both.
Of course it's a lot harder to do that when one's tied to a chair and gagged. Now Giselle can only sit as Megan tells her that she'll just have to vanish alone(taking the two of them can raise too much attention) and that sadly that means something bad is gonna happen to poor Giselle.
Maybe the poor girl should have added "psychopath with severe sadistic tendancies" to the list of Megan's flaws. But live and learn.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
How to sell me a book
Question for the day: You are a large publishing house and you want me to pick up your book what type of image do you put on your cover to sell it to me?
Answer: Basically what Hardcase does. A extremely well drawn(and delightfully self-aware) naked lady in a sleezy setting, with possible sleezy stories to follow..natch.
Seriously Hardcase has just as many hits as it does misses(admittedly when you reprint so many old pulp stories along with newer works some mishaps will happen) but pretty much all their covers are a delightful throwback to sleezy, dirty, and wonderful worlds of paperback noir. And considering how many fantasies of mine seem to look like this imagery it goes without saying that it can put me in a hypnotic trance and just about force me to buy a copy.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Villainesses who need more love(and fear): Viper
Sure if you happen to be apprecitating a good villianess just goes without saying. After all a heroine is nothing without some evil chick standing in the wings waiting to torment her. From Barbara Steele to Baroness De Cobray we've all got our favorites, but sadly we often times forget the little ones, the chicks who don't get the attention or the following and are forgotten about. Well I for one will no longer tolarate that and with this(hopefully) ongoing series I can finally draw attention to some lonely characters who dare not be forgotten..and thankfully I've got a great one for a first post.
Viper
Movie: Doomsday(2008)
Actress: Lee-Anne Liebenberg
Who she is:
After a horrible 28 Dayish virus infects most of the population of Scotland, the British goverment eracts a modern Hadrian's wall and seals the infected folks off from England. The few who didn't get infected with the plague are reduced to a post-apocalyptic society that favors cannibalism, torture, anarchy, fire, and Adam and the Ants records. Our girl Viper is one of the nastiest and clearly got way too into the whole Celtic Revival scene.
Why she rocks:
Hell look at her! Cribbin her look from Mad Max's wasteland savages, and featuring facial tattooes which would scare a maori warrior, Viper is a perfect image of the type of savage barbarian chicks that you just know are gonna infest the world once the bombs drop. She's sadistic, kill crazy, and hot in that "I'm going to skin you alive and laugh as I do" way, and she gets a pretty nice lil' fight scene to show her stuff. She's not in the film long and hardly speaks but she sure as hell makes an impression.
Favorite scene:
Just before leaving to attend the Siouxsie and the Banshees-scored slaughterfest, our girl Viper stands in the doorway of the chained up Eden Sinclair(Rhona Mitra) gives her a nasty little smirk and smashes her captive's tracking device with her badass leather motorcycle boots. It's not much but the scary/sexy smile and just the mean bitchiness of the scene makes it my personal favorite......and kinda makes me wish we had some nice 6-hour hands on time between or prisoner and our villianess.
Friday, June 19, 2009
An Introduction to the wonderful, marvelous, perfect world of me!
Yep I know what you all are thinking "Damn my life lacks any meaning whatsoever and I just don't know if I can make it through another day." Well guess what? Help is on the way. I'm Lauren O'Rourke only the single most stunning, perfect, and wonderful chick on the planet and I look forward to loosening your burdens. Here you'll find my numerous DID and PERIL stories, random brain droppings, reviews for stuff I like, and god knows what else.
Basically I want to you look at my blog and say "Wow! I'm never gonna go to another site for as long as I live!"
And if you don't say that? Well I'll torture you until you do..but that's how I roll.
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