Arboc

[LadyChina]

*laughs*

Truth and vigilance fill your heart? A land of peace? Those words were whispered to me by the shadows I command as I stood on the parapets in Sword Swamp, recalling those that fell to their deaths as I "forgot" the steps required to build the bridge. Their shrieks and screams and cries of "Why!" (well it was more of a "WHYyyyy..yyy..*splat*) ring as clearly in my memory as your odd vision of peace apparently resonates in your soul. You can still see hatch marks on the wall where I kept track of my sport. Ten innocents spinning, whirling, and twisting to their demise while I laid a finger against my lips to stop my peals of laughter from overlaying their auditory offerings to me - that was enough to give me a night of rest from my duties, and allowed for many a spirited round of the Hokey Pokey to be danced in the tavern. "You put a severed arm in, you put a severed arm out, you put a severed arm in and you twist it all about...You do the Hokey Pokey and you call somebody out...thats what its all about..."

Well, I've got other kill spots to visit, sir. DO tell me more about your land of peace, its fascinating...

 

[Cyren]

Ah...severed body part Twister. How I miss it.

"Brown nose, yellow!"

Cyren

 

[Arboc]

LadyChina,

As a creature of Chaos you will never know peace. All you do is create chaos to achieve chaos in the lives of others. But when harmony enters your life it creates chaos with in you. When I create a chaos, the end result will bring peace and harmony to those it touches. And when harmony enters my life, I wrap it around me like a warm cloak on a cold winter's day.

I do not proclaim to be noble and pure of heart like a Lancelot.
In Misty Hollow, I have drunk hard and brawled with my dearest friends. I have taken many a wench and made them religious, while making a good woman smirk in the morning light. I have rid the gentle farmer of the beast that kills his livestock, while slaped the fool who beats his old for doing nothing more then finding a warm place in the sun. And I'm certainly not beyond planting my mace between the eyes of a chaotic Hellbitch, to create harmony. But no being, or creature has ever been killed in these walls. It might happen on the door step, but never inside. Remember, the next time I drink spirits will be the night after I have created harmony.

 

[LadyChina]

Magic Mirrors

*writes a scrawling missive to Arboc in the dust of the Misty Hollow tavern's door stoop*

The winds won't blow until you've seen this, Arboc. I've made the request and its been granted. *licks the blood of a necessary sacrifice from a soft fingertip* I used a tried but true trick involving an enchanted blade and a drop of oil wrung from the pelt of a summoned hellhound. I slicked the oil drop down the blade creating a suface of shimmering reflection. And then I asked my question. "What beats in the heart of Arboc". The answer returned in sibilant whispers from those who've died by the blade - "Cobra...".

I then found an old hermit who lives near a mountain that snakes just adore. I asked him to tell me about the nature of a cobra. He told me that a cobra will raise its neck high up off the ground and spread its fleshy hood when feeling aroused, or threatned. It would rather retreat, but it will attack if given no avenue of escape. And I reviewed this freely given information - see? I am not soooo bad - with what I know of you based upon the testimony of your words. I think I'd like to see you aroused. Most certainly I'll ensure no means of escape.

Here I stand OUTSIDE the walls of your abode. I hear faint sounds from within. I'm running out of dust to write in, but I believe I've laid the velvet gauntlet down. There's better places for a mace than between a the eyes of a Lady. Have you ever seen the parapets of Sword Swamp? I'd love to show them to you...

*bends and picks up a toad that just popped out of a hidey hole, stares into its eyes, carrasses its warts*

"Just a toad, ah well..."

*disappears into the windless night*

 

[Arboc]

Arboc opens the door of the tavern, and there, written in years dirt and grime are the words of LadyChina. He reads the message, a smirk of run across his weathered face. Gazing to the star filled sky, he speaks,"Dear lady, some snakes are good for the land. They rid them of diseased vermin and pests. One thing your hermit forgot to mention, A cobra will fight to it's death to protect his territory." He looks down and spits into the dusty message, he turns back toward the door and say's "I never said a thing about a lady, just a Hellbitch." He walks back into the glow of the fire of Misty Hollow, shuts the door,content that the harmony he feels is chaos for something else.

 

[LadyChina]

Winds return

*pacing slowly upon the worn stones of the parapets of Sword Swamp the whipping winds bring the words of a man destined by name and nature to be cold blooded*

"...A cobra will fight to it's death to protect his territory."

*laughing, a large woven basket is set on a precariously loose stone, next to a jeweled flute. Thoughts and possibilities flow from the torrent of newly tapped rivers of mystical energy*

"If you insist...."

 

[Cyren]

"Just a Hellbitch?"

Awww...now I'm insulted. Meanie.

I mean really, that was just uncalled for.

Please. Be nice to the ladies waving their hands and intoning upon the wind. They provide a public service, did you ever think about that? Huh? HUH? Or are you too busy polishing your sword. Harmony, never thinks of anything but death, death, smite the unclean thing that crawls. That's all we ever hear from you guys!

Ungrateful!

Unclean crawly things have feelings too!

Sure Lady China wants to rip the life's blood and drink it from innocence and chaos alike. It's only because she wants them to know they're yummy. At least they know she cares! All you're gonna do is drag them around, be chivalrous and make them kill stuff. Point and Smite! Harmony teaches how to murder, we teach SELF ESTEEM!

Gosh. I had no idea people could be so mean. You hurt my feelings.

I'm going to cry.

Not only that...*sniff* But I'm allergic to dust...*sneeze* All these freakin' harmonics and nobody brought a broom. Again, witches have PURPOSE.

*Hellbitch sets about cleaning the dusty corners, talking to the spiders and the rats, making deals for them to move outside, feeling totally taken advantage of.*

She writes "Arboc Is A Meanie" in eldritch fire over the mantelpiece.

Hellbitch
Sad Clown

 

[Arboc]

A meanie? Moi? Dear Cyren you couldn't more wrong. Maybe to those who don't know me I appear to have a bloodlust. But those who do, I am just tenacious. I do not live for death. Nor do I seek it. But I won't run from it either. I don't have any patience for it, that's all.

I start no quarrels, I only finish them. You are correct. All things in the world have a place. It's only when differences collide, there is conflict. My purpose is to aid those who need help. If a family has no wood, should I let them freeze in winter? No, I must cut wood for them. This is who I am. This is my reason for being. So, if a creature feels the need to slaughter innocence without it's consent, I have to step in.

I'm sorry that you took offense to words not directed at you, but understand, no one, but no one will EVER!!! Put me to the task.

<Arboc turns away and heads for the door>"Kind lady. I thank you for helping to clean this old tavern. It's a fine day outside, and I promised Listle that I would patch her leaking roof. Being Arboc, I could not let a friend get rained on, could I?" <As the door closes, she hears> "Tomorrow a fresh coat of paint will spruce this place up. Then maybe I'll go hunting. I wonder what game can be found in the swamp's these days?"

 

[Arboc]

*Door of the tavern swings open, and in walks Arboc* "The roof is a good as new. Tomorrow I'll paint the outside." "Think I'll go to my room and wash up. Going to be a lovely sunset, think I'll go for a ride :lol: ." *Arboc proceeds up the stairs to his room*

 

[Cyren]

No one will ever put you to the task?

So no chores, then?

Cyren

p.s. I have to come up with some way to be different characters, it's actually funnier if I was just "Hellbitch", but I can't keep registering over and over again. Ah well. One more reason to open the cano!

 

[Arboc]

* As the sun sets over Misty Hollow, Arboc opens the door and walks in * "Well the tavern has new coat of paint outside. All that is left to do is some landscaping and for me to paint the door. I'll let Listle choose the color when she returns. As for me, I think I'm due a small tanker of ale, and long soak in the hot tub." *Arboc walks across the tavern floor to behind the bar and pours himself a frosty ale. He then walks over to the hot tub and gives the side a gentle kick. Instantly the the water begins to churn, "How I love jacuzzi jets," he proclaims. "This old body is going to enjoy a long soak." *As he strips of his shirt, the scars of many long ago battles are revealed. Also, he has a circular tattoo ,of some never seen before symbol. The outer ring appears to some, to be two snakes. Etched or even burned into his skin on his left breast area, right over his heart. Arboc slides into the warm soothing water, letting out loud sigh * "Aaaaaaaa, this is good." * He grabs his mug and takes a long drink of the frosty cold ale. Then in a low tone he begins to sing * " Oh, oh, oh, ohhh, my little China Girl."

 

[Lilly]

Peekin' perks!

::whisperin'::

ohhhhh, mum told me not ta peek when folks didn' know ya was there, but lookit him! Reminds me of what my wicked pal Buggery used ta say - Ya don' want a man that can tell ya how warm the water is, ya want one that can tell ya how DEEP!

::hot tub watchin::

 

[Arboc]

* Arboc downs the last of his ale, feeling content. His eyes are closed and a gentle smile covers his face. The warm bubbling water sooths his war torn body. He is lost in a single thought. Suddenly his eyes are bolt open, and a mischevious smirk <like a little who just did something naughty> replace his smile of content. *

"I have a letter to write!" He proclaims. He bolts out of the spa and heads upstairs to his room. Slamming the door shut behind. "This is going to be good" as he sits at the desk and begins to write..........

"The Snake is silent and calm. Never in a hurry, the Snake can lie at rest until it is time to act, and then act with total abandon. Snakes can be secretive and slow to speak. Snakes can be suspicious at times, and keep themselves hidden from the limelight. They are usually a bit deeper than others, leaving them with a lot of private thoughts. Snakes can be loners at times, although they make ardent, exuberant lovers."

*He signs the letter with just a singular intial "A". He folds the note and places it into an envelope which he seals with melted wax fom his desk's candle. He then removes the ring from his center finger of his right hand and makes an indentation of it's design in the hot melted wax.*

*Arboc stands up, puts on clean clothes and his best boots. Tucking the note into his belt he grabs his favorite cloak as walks out of his room. Down the stairs he goes, staight across the room, never making eye contact with anyone in the tavern. He puts on his cloak and opens the door. He shuts the tavern door behind him and heads for the stables.* "I wish Listle would get back. I really want to paint that door."

 

[Lilly]

Gifts

::movin outta the shadows as the tavern door slams shut behind a man on a mission::

There be a man with a cause, er maybe a case a the trots, I knows that either will give ya that "don get in me way" stride. Ya can start smellin' pretty agin petals o'mine. We don't haf ta peek no more.

::scents of roses an lavender fill the tavern all at once, like a mist, or magic::

Rose petals ta soften the skin a the weary, scarred warrior. Soften his heart a bit too, meybe, er maybe just soften up his mind.

Do yer work my sweet sweet budlings.

::sprinkles rose petals into the still waters a the hot tub::

 

[Arboc]

* As dawn begins to fill the dark sky over Misty Hollow. A lone rider, atop a pale horse, appears at the top of the hill over looking the newly painted tavern. *

* A woodsman and his son, who are their way to cut wood, look up at the rider as he passes them on the road. Neither one of them could see the face of the rider. His head and face is covered by the hood of the cloak he wears. The woodsman notes to himself, that the cloak's color is such a dark red, it looks almost black. Black and violent. He shivers and pulls his son closer as the rider goes by.*

* The rider does not acknowledge the presence of either the woodsman or the child. He continues down the road, as the morning light pushes the night away. The rider directs his steed towards the stable across from the tavern. He dismounts and leads the horse into the stable. *

* A few minutes later, Arboc walks out of the stable with his cloak over his arm. His trousers and tunic are soiled from his own sweat. As he reaches the door of the tavern, he scrapes the mud off his best pair of boots upon a stone next to the front steps. Arboc opens the door and steps in. *

* As Arboc enters the tavern, he makes a direct bee line for the bar. His mind is so lost in thought, that he doesn't know if anyone is in the hall. Grabbing his favorite glass from the shelf, he opens the barrel of spring water that his old comrade Listle left for him. He dips his cup into the barrel of fresh cool water and downs it all in one swift motion. He then fills his glass once more and replace the lid on the barrel. With glass in hand, he proceeds up the stairs towards to his room. All the while whistling a tune and singing under his breath just the words, "My little China girl". *

* As he opens the door to his room, Arboc shouts down to the hall, " Cyren if you are there, thanks again for all your help in cleaning up the old place. You've done a great job!" With that, Arboc steps into his room and closes the door behind him to enjoy a long, well deserved, sleep. *

 

[LadyChina]

An Interview

*walking up the newly swept doorstep of Misty Hollow's tavern, the unpainted door is quietly opened revealing a darkened empty room, the hood of a black velvet cloak falls back, revealing an abundance of hastily braided hair dotted here and there with small bits of swamp weed and phoenix fern leaves, the result of crawling backwards through the bushes of Sword Swamp in order to find just the right spider, one that can't be seen coming, because it was found while the seeker appeared to be going*

*breathing words of command over the plump body of the spider*

"buteki sumara anataka nuteamo"
"buteki sumara anataka nuteamo"

*its placed high above the fireplace on a partcularly mottled rock*

*a long walk home through the darkest part of the night begins*

 

[Arboc]

* Arboc descends the stairs leading to the ground floor of the tavern, thinking to him self “An indigo door with yellow trim,” shaking his head in disbelief, “Where the hell am I going to find the paint?” * Walking towards the door, Arboc notice some fresh mud on the floor * “Who in blazes didn’t wipe their feet?!” yells the warrior.

* Upon closer examination of the muddy footprints, Arboc notices that there a small pieces of swamp weed and phoenix fern on the floor. The prints lead towards the fireplace. Arboc turns and stares at the fireplace. He smells something, something deadly. His eye spies something moving in the dark above the fireplace. *

* Before the deadly assassin can make its next move, the gleam of a silver projectile blinds its many eyes. A millisecond of burning pain envelops the arachnid. Then nothing. The spider falls to floor of the tavern, impaled on the blade of Arboc’s dagger. Picking up his knife, Arboc examines the body of his deadly visitor. Studying it closely Arboc speaks, “Oh LadyChina……You have broken the number 1 rule in all the Taverns of Yseribus, especially here in Misty Hollow. No one ever dies with in the walls of an Inn.” With the coldest of looks ever known, Arboc closes the door of the tavern and heads to his room, “The door will have to wait. I’m going to remind a chaotic hellbitch who and WHAT Arboc the True is!!!!!!!” *