Rikky ...learning while he plays

Fflewwdurr)
*the half-elf woke once more in his room, he dressed, putting on his Courtly clothes for once, picking up his elegant harp.. and chuckles lightly* Now.... time to get going on my trade here... spread around the blessings of the Master Bard don't ya know.... *gently strums upon the harp* Yes... see who there is in there... *he grins.. heads out of his room towards the main hall.. thinking to himself*

PsiClone)
*It /felt/ strange Rikky decides as he runs his hands up the back, angled cut of his hair. He blinks with large, lovely eyes into the mirror... and smiles. He turns, regarding himself, posing, as it were, for fun. It looked good. His long, long black hair has been trimmed quite short, leaving only the bangs and two ribbony locks on the side. The gaudy jewelry he replaced with smaller hoops, and some creative piercing. Since he didn't really /like/ what he'd learned of Aerik, he chose to make a few changes. Sure, he'd have to explain the alterations to Jesse and a few others, but he knows by now Aerik simply didn't care, so maybe no explaining at all. Would Aerik do this? Probably not, but that's why Rikky -did- do it. A child developing his own personality. He straightens his black pull over and grins at the reflection. When he'd found sai, there'd been a place nearby, he'd sensed it... and decides to take a break from gathering info... go check out this new establishment. Strolling to the teleporter, he punches in the coordinates from before, after having the techie go on a break, hiding his actions. Quickly enough, he's found his way to the forest, where he'd first seen Sai. With an easy gait, he walks gracefully in the right direction, eventually happening upon the castle. Small pause, a brush to his hair, casual flippant action, and he pushes through the gates, and enters the castle proper receiving no deterrent words or, indeed, no presences to prevent him from doing so*

Kelva)
*she awakens finally in her room and rolls out of bed..her night had been full of dreams of the images of letters and numbers..forming to words, she smiles, remembering the patient way that Robert had taught her the first lesson, then dressing quickly she finds herself humming a song...a drow song! now where had that come from?! she scowls and stops humming and walks out the door, locking it behind her..then heads down the steps on her way to the main hall*

*the bard stood there... saw the man entering... the half-elf was gently playing upon his harp... his green elven eyes watching... and then the elegant bow.... the soft voice... the courteous greeting* Salve amice... *lapsing into latin... his years in court hadn't been totally wasted... many found the language... more courtly.. more polite than many others*

*Rikky pauses at the entrance upon hearing words... /salve amice/.. Latin. He smiles, turning his head to blink slowly at the halfbreed strumming his harp. He did a lovely job, too, Rikky was pleased at his skill. A quick scan and a glance about the room... no one he knows. Therefore he speaks in his own voice, but trained to sound like his twin's, just in case. A glorious spread of suede and velvet notes, a low tone, one that invites falling into, simply relaxing in, a caress to the senses. Beautiful, his voice... or Aerik's. Rikky's was not so dark, so web-like, so... honeyed* Greetings, friend. *again, that lovely smile, Rikky looking the man over, trying to place what he is*

*the bard gives his charming smile... the smile that both bards... and in particular... a bard of his calibre... are so well-known for... the smile that the spy.. the assassin.. wishes he could imitate... but can't.. for the bard uses the smile merely to gain friends... to put them at ease... because they really do not need to be wary in his company.. his voice.. blending in with the music.. so calming.. so soothing* The name is Fflewwddur... Master Bard at your service... *not unseemly arrogance.. it is merely his title*

*her eyes widen as she first hears the bards melodic words then a familiar sight from her past, and her gaze goes to Aerik Winters, she blinks uncertainly, not really believing this is who it appears to be* ...Aerik???

*Gorgeous smile meets charming one, Rikky's lids lowering, his actions slow and entrancing. His hands he now clasps behind his back, his willowy, tall form shown to effect by the fitted black clothing he wears. A lovely figure, slender, inhumanly gracefully. Indeed, not a drop of human blood courses through the boy's veins. He doesn't fall into the trap of the smile, tho he appreciates it. He seems to relax, but his mind is more alert than before, always shielded of course, and observant. Anyone who smiles like that, who knows how, is worthy of being wary of.. and watching. he'd like to apply it to his own charms. And Rikky aprreciates as well the way Ffleww's voice mixes so seamlessly with his music.. very nice touch* Fflewwddur... *he repeats it, the word odd on his tongue* I am called Aerik. A pleasure.

*Rikky blinks slowly and turns partly to cast his gaze on kelva. She knew him... or his twin. He doesn't know this one, however. Instead, he puts on a soft smile, inclines his head* Greetings. *and he wonders who she is...*

*listening to Aerik, she shakes her head, surely she had made some mistake...this person seemed younger...and he spoke..perhaps this was a relative, she sighs and turns towards the kitchen, not expecting to be answered* *she turns back to you and smiles* hello....im sorry..i thought you were someone else....

Nay Aerik.. the pleasure is all mine... *more than just mixing in with the music... it is musical... even without the music... this voice is so golden... so beautiful... the scary thing.... the bard is scarcely trying... he naturally used charm.. it was as second nature to him... this charm that had made fools of so many... but the bard didn't set out to make fools of them... he merely liked meeting new friends.. new acquaintances... but there was no denying he liked the effect he had on people...* So tell me... what brings you here.. *oh sure.. the casual opener.. it meant nothing... his sweet voice dropping that opener so easily... the same tone had asked many different types of questions... from nice weather isn't it... to how come you look so beautiful... it wasn't the question.. but the voice*

*he smiles again, shrugs elegantly, a subtle gesture* You thought..? *but she'd said his name* Why do you think I am not who's name you spoke? *as if teasing, a playful glint in his amberblack eyes*

Indeed. *A brow arches just slightly, barely noticeable, reflexively. Oh, this one was good, and Rikky smiles broader at the voice, so sweet and harmonic, though probably not for the reasons Ffleww would assume. It wasn't the effect, but the techniques. He was skilled in this, and Rik appreciates that. His head tips in a charming gesture, eyes brightening, pale skin standing out in contrast to his garments* Curiosity. Boredom. Yourself? A quest for the almightly coin, perhaps? Your skills seems quite marketable. *His own voice, or the borrowed one, is every bit as enticing, alluring... two beautiful, honeyed voices tangling in the air and against the music*

*she smiles slightly, studying you closely* well...he could not speak..and ....he seemed...much ..older..he dressed different too...

*MS*() Ah. yes. The voice. *Rikky smiles tightly* It is, of course, not mine. For as you know then, I am mute()*the sending is exactly the same as Aerik's however, in every detail... and he is the exact physical copy of Aerik, being his twin. Even jesse didn't see a difference, nor Sai, so he dismisses this*() I cannot change my clothes?() *The hair, of course, she would notice... whoever she was*

*a light chuckle* The dreaded wanderlust... the chance of a coin as you say is another reason... *and there were other reasons.. which he has no reason to comment on..... but the bard raises his eyebrow at Aeriks own voice.. and charming abilities... could this finally be someone who is his match... very few.. very few indeed... had the bards skill with words... and nearly all of those were bards... but he had specialised in how to use charm to achieve his ends... could this one be his equal in that? that would make for an interesting conversation...*

The chance of coin... *Rikky repeats this in a slide of words, murmuring it, suggesting, subtley, other reasons. His lids fall to half mast, long sweep of lashes filtering his vision, a single lovely expression, amplified by his Eshvan beauty. He unclasps his hand, moves with inborn and incredible grace for a chair, pulling it out and seating himself elegantly, most of it for Ffleww's benefit, but naturally accomplished. He smiles again, his voice now quiet, engaging... intimate as it ribbons through the splendid music* Dreaded. Do you dread such things?

*a chill goes down her spine as she suddenly is totally uncertain of who you are and she shakes her head* ..oh.....i...im sorry....i cannot mindspeak anymore....i..suppose you can change clothes....*looks closely* ...and cut your hair...i just did not expect it.......

*Rikky turns to cast his eyes on kelva, smiling gently*MS*()But you can receive it? Good... yes, I cut my hair. I prefer it short these days() *his eyes glimmer... he scans her mind.. no sending, but were there sheilds? He checks to see... if she knew Aerik, then it was priority to discover what she knew... he is pushed to it*

*shrugs* I don't... others do.. they wish to settle down.. *the music subtly changes... for Aeriks? for Kelva's? just to prove that he still COULD?... whatever the reasons.... the music is now overlayed... for those listening carefully... or with good ears anyway... but it is subtly overlayed with a trace of seduction... the bard watched as he seated himself... such elegance was usually the domain of the elves... Ffleww being half-elven had a fair measure of it himself... but still.... he knew when to just acknowledge that it was good... rather than look for the faults.. and that had been elegant..*

But you wish to roam. *his lids flutter gently, small action over a subtle, spreading smile* How romantic. *carefully stated to hold several meanings. And the changes in the music... Rikky's hearing, so very, very acute, picks it up easily, tries to place the shift, head cocking to the side again in the gesture that is so -his-, the twin's. Rikky folds his hands and rests them atop one knee, crossing his legs, then leans forward, soft sibilant twine of words to filter through the notes of the harp, a slightly girlish gesture, if such things are categorized that way, but it holds magnificent effect with this one* You play beautifully...

*she nods* yes...i have always been receptive to mindspeach..you should know...from being with the drow...*her mind is as if she had never met Serafelle, no shields, no protection of any sort, just her disturbing memories and the sadness of loss and lonliness*

*Again, he smiles up to Kelva, her unshielded mind now being rifled through with trained ease... leaving no trace and no discomfort. He pushes all else aside.. he cares nothing for her sadness, loss, or loneliness, why should he? Trained not to, trained to take what he needs and wants, so he ignores it, and centers on memories of Aerik. This is what he wants to know, is compelled to seek out, and he all he wants*MS() Oh yes, I know() *but his eyes narrow slightly... Drow? This word he doesn't know and so searches for her memories of Drow as well. And since she greeted Ffleww and knows of HIM, he looks for what he is as well... he's never seen a half elf before and desires to know what and who's he's talking to*

*and.. he stopped playing... just for a moment... playing the harp was very tiring in it's own way... specially repetitive... especially when you slid in hidden meanings... not so much the movement of the fingers on the harp.... but more for the thought processes... as he thought of how to send the message... what song to play.. and so on* I play beautifully? *he places the harp down ever so gently... the harp was extremely valuable... he had no wish to lose it* I don't believe so... I play... reasonably... but there are so many more better... *not over modesty... more practicing... he knows well that for some reasons too much modesty has so much more effect than truthful arrogance...*

*Rikky arches a brow at what he senses from KELVA, now in her mind, and smiles, cutting his glance back to FFLEWW... so his mucis was meant to affect at that moment. And it did, certainly, affect the human girl. Wants had risen, sexual ones, and Rikky finds -that- fascinating... extremely so. A tiny grin, baring his small, perfect white teeth, and he leans back, smoothly bringing a slender hand up to brush the long locks off his shoulders* Oh you are far too modest... *still, that murmur, his goldblack eyes bright under the shadows of his bangs and lashes* There are always better and always worse, but you have... certain skill. *his lips contact to hide the teeth, the smile slipping across his features, his head lowering slightly in an unconscious gesture... noticeable only if one knows how to read such sensual actions...*

*and so he finds what she knows of first Aerik, up until she last saw him, so long ago....including the fight with Aeron, then the long years she was a drow slave and with that her hidden power, and of course what she knows of fflewwddurr and his as well as her own association with Serafelle, she blinks with surprise* you have been in my mind before..you know my past....*a thread of suspicion creeps into her thoughts and she shivers, again uncertain of who you really are, then stands* ...i-i think i should get something to eat...

*Rikky's brow arches high... interested in how she knew he was in her mind at -all-... he -has- been trained by GUARD psionics, he's not as well learned as Aerik, but he's certainly no slouch. His head tilts and he nods, smiling*MS*() Are you claiming I do not know you? Kelly? *a small chuckle* You are so flightly these days. Escape your captors and become paranoid, is that it? Though I cannot blame you, you are powerless now. Defenseless. Merely... human...()

*the turned head... denying the words.. then speaking... his soft voice once again delivering all his words in a tone at odds with the words themselves...* You are too flattering... *he shrugs* Though I must admit.. all my friends have found my music... quite fascinating... *a delicious smirk... he looks towards Kelva... if it weren't for her... he LIKED the effect his music had... before he had been.. captured... enslaved... shown his life's calling... call it what you will... he had often used the music... even on the men.... and had taken great pleasure in always spurning the men... lately he had not used his music much... after all... it could be said to serve HER purposes.... but unlike Raina.. and some others... that didn't go against his nature...*

Am I? *Rikky smiles again and settles into his chair, enjoying this encounter immensely so far. And that voice... oh yes, he finds a few lessons to learn in them, disecting and discovering what works and why. by the end of the night, he will possess the skills of a Bard... at least the verbal skills displayed here. Enough of the music played, and he'd claim that as well* I do not doubt that, not at all. *he's speaking of the fascination, and flicks a quick glance at Kelva... then back again, attention on the Bard, knowing now his association with Serafelle, and with the human girl. And he understands the smirk, grinning faintly at it, leaning in once more, whispering in his suede tones* She likes your music...

*she looks at you and shakes her head slowly* ...no..i would not say such a thing...because i know better...and yes..you are right..i can afford no mistakes...*she does not like the way you say that she is meerly human at all...and her stomach begins to cramp in fear, she fingers the ring on her left hand, Night@ngels teleport ring..her only defense now...and although she hates to use it.she has come to recognise that many times it has been the key to her survival*

*Rik's goldblack eyes slide back over to unconscious gesture, her stroking the ring. Yes, he saw this too.. he saw much, and he smiles, far better armed now. His mind, done with its scan, and having coming away with far more than just information on Aerik, who was apparently a -friend- of hers, slips back into its own confines, smoothly. He smiles and flicks his glance up to her face. That so-familiar face.. Aerik's* MS() No.. no you cannot. Remember that, Kelly...()

*he shrugs.. then he actually laughs* I know she does.... *he could easily drive Kelva to distraction with his music... he knows that... his music has entwined Kelva before... entwined her like so many others... and once more the smile... his charm turned fully on... strumming once more on his harp... this smile is not the casual greeting smile... THIS smile is the smile that has caught oh so many in it's steely grip... though steely was not the right word... his smile was too warm... too inviting... to be called steely.. but it is as hard to escape as a steely trap...*

*..ah... and that -smile-. Rikky studies it, letting his eyes linger on the bard's lips, appearing more as unconscious invitation than anything else... Ffleww's charms working, perhaps..? A slow, meaningful blink, eyelids shielding orbs, lashes skimming the cheeks, then back up again without hurry. The harp is picked back up and Rikky raises his gaze to fix on Ffleww's eyes now, smiling broader. He knows what the music can do... but its simply music right now, its the smile that seduces... so he pays close attention to it* As you know others do...? *his lips tug to the side, a half-grin, almost flirtatious*

*becoming increasingly uncomfortable with this slightly changed Aerik, she nods and steps towards the kitchen now, food the last thing on her mind* ...i need something to eat...i will see you...*she glances at fflewwddurr and nods a farewell...

*Rikky smiles at Kelly's discomfort.. odd she could sense a change when Sai could not, and even Jesse had only known by the shields, well mostly. But after raping sai's mind, Rikky knows very well how to play his twin... very well. He enjoys her edginess and nods to her gracioulsy enough*MS*()Farewell, Kelly()

aye.. as I know many do.. to some degree or another.... *but now.. both.. the smile... that seemingly-innocent smile... but who ever was hit by the smile knew it was far from innocent.. the music... that music was so seductive.. so dangerous some would call it on it's own... the layering of seduction was not nearly so subtle this time... the bard could play emotions well with his music... especially the baser emotions... many were they who could tell you that Ffleww could play on their lust like he could play on any instrument... and then the eyes... the eyes that gave just a hint of his feelings...his thoughts.. his desires*

*Rikky is completely fascinated now... the smile and the altering of the music again, this time not so subtle, but obvious, deliciously playing over emotions and desires. Even Rikky feels a small tug, which is interesting... and he turns in on himself, shuts the responses off, simply enjoying the skill of the Bard. He was not to be distracted by the talents displayed, but he wants to learn them better. And the Eshva beauty, if indeed he could be called Eshvan.. he was his own creature, one of a kind, even as Aerik was... latches onto those eyes, the eyes that showed so much, hints, desires. Rikky answers with his own devastating little grin, gorgeous and wonderful, something only an inhuman could have... demonic beauty. While no thoughts transfer directly, Rikky knows.. he knows. He's seen this is in eyes before when they look on him, the want. But no one, as yet, has had him* And you use this so well, the knowledge. *ffleww's intentions were too loud, and Rik tips his head in a very certain way, slowly, baring just a bit of his white throat, on purpose*

*she glances at Aerik again, then to you and nods a farewell, seeing your attention on Aerik and shivers, feeling the need pulling her..but her fears pull her even more, so she walks quickly into the kitchen grabs something to eat and finds the back way out*

*and then that so soft voice.... the voice that seems to be blessed by the Gods... but it is not... no gods have had a hand in Ffleww's childhood.... have had nothing to do with his skills... he is just gifted...* Aye... that I do... wandering is all well and good.... but I grow.. lonesome... and how better to make sure I don't then to use the gifts I have... *the gentle inquiry... and it appears to be exactly what it sounds like... nothing more... but was it? he was a bard... and all knew that whilst a fighter might own weapons... a priest might own prayers... a wizard magic and a thief sneaking... a bard owned words as much as any of these others*

*Rikky answers voice with voice, like exchanging gifts of emmense value.. both worthy of kings, of more. He breathes a soft laugh, just the slide of air from his throat, straightening his head again, taking away the display he'd offered, smiling* I see. What is use is having power if you do not employ it? *he makes a small, delicate gesture, wave of the hand, elegant* I understand this completely. But wandering so often... ah. You seeks a moment's respite, a short companionship. Just a night without being the sole body in your bed. Is this correct? *powerful words, if one knew how to read them, and the look given behind it only increases their impact. Rikky's mien is casual, calm, and inviting. He always appears desirable, now, he seems even more so... something about his posture, his expression... his eyes*

*a whispered voice...the fruit which is there for the taking... he just needs to reach out and grab it...* That is exactly right... not so much about power... but about companionship... travelling is all very well in it's own way... but there is nothing quite like knowing that one shares your bed.. *softly* Nothing at all... *oh how his friends would cringe now... the words were not new... the manner was old... just what he was delivering these words to... an illusion... a doppleganger surely... for all knew the bard preferred females.. surely.... and even the bard gave an impercetible shudder at the look... he remembered when that look from him would have sent him backing carefully away... but not now...*

*Oh, so very interesting... so very, indeed. Rikky's shut himself down, just in case, though Ffleww might be proud to know he is the first, the very first, to invoke any kind of reponse in the boy, his music and smile. For the music had tugged at him, which has never happened before, too young to have developed any urges... or at least, they haven't blossomed yet. What he's hearing now, what he's learning, he's storing away. And Ffleww is quite good, Rikky knows this instinctively, so he analyzes, takes apart, examines each look, each motion, each word and each tone. A soft smile and the Eshva lowers his head, forcing himself to gaze up through a smoky veil of thick, long lashes, gold flecks dancing in the shadows* So you seek companionship.. do you search for it this night also? *he shifts slightly, hips moving, just a tiny action, then settles again, all grace and beauty from the Under Earth.. the Marquise's realm... Eshvan, and he matches look for look, surely creating a palpable tension that could keenly be felt by anyone even nearby*

*oh the bard would be proud at that... the bard gave the slow nod.. his eyes laughing... his lips smiling... the golden hair brushed out of his eyes...* Oh but of course dear Aerik... I seek it every night I can... *the chuckle.. the wink... the amused grin... the friendliness in his eyes... his face and hands so at odds with what his voice was saying... and how it was saying it... his face and hands merely said friendship... his voice said more...*

*Rikky's lovely head tips again, raised a bit now to be on level with Ffleww's eyes, and he smiles, nodding slowly, each gesture still imbued with grace, with elegance, with that movement only one of his kind could claim. Interesting, this half-elf... the voice at odds with his motions, his eyes and the friendliness, the tone and the invitation. Eshvan eyes rest a moment on the gold collar, remain there just long enough to indicate he's seen it, and then flickers back to the Bard's face* Then you prefer multitudes of bedmates. A new one each night, perhaps? *His tone is easy, but there's something... something in the words...* ....Are you seeking even now? *his smile belies the questions and he breaks eye contact to look about the room* There is no one else here. *meaning his pickings are slim, to say the least, then he looks back and grins in a most fetching, and charming, manner*

*a laugh* Aye.. you could say that... a multitude of bedmates... a new one each night when possible... *then he shrugs.. his eyes passing around the room* I might be seeking now... *the words smooth* Perhaps not... you don't know.. do you? *of course he is seeking.. he's always seeking... unless he's already found..*

Spread the skill around? *Rikky teases gently, or it seems so, and he grins a bit as he leans back and stretches, hands folding behind his head for a moment, before he lowers them again, and tugs his black tunic down to cover the exposed, flat stomach. A lovely color, his skin, like the night was he, pale moon and black sky... he shakes his head then, small gesture, the light catching his glorious dark tresses and shimmering, stars caught in a black pond* Do you want me to answer that truthfully? *again, a little tug of his grin, beauty that smears gender lines... more lovely than the most feted courtesian, but his shoulders, round as they are, speak of his masculinity* And if you are... *his gaze once more goes about the empty room, in which they are the only two, then settle back again on the Bard, shining bright, gold high, shadowamber, and he trails off*

what a succinct way of putting it.. spreading the skill around... *a laugh* I cannot deny them now can I? *a smile upon his face* And if I am... *his eyes flicker... for the first time they really look AT Aerik.. his eyes intense as they examine every feature... before returning smoothly to his face* If I am... there isn't a great deal of choice...

It would be criminal to deny them, I am certain. *Rikky tips his head and smiles sloely, lids at half-mast, voice lowering, quietening. This close, he need not be loud, and with no background distractions, his tone picks up the quality of intimacy, murmurs in a room where the two men are completely alone* And of all the things you are.. *he nods at the harp without looking at it* I do not think criminal is the correct description. *He's examined, he feels this, and oddly enough, it pleases him. His lids lower further, demurely, as Ffleww's eyes rove over the Eshvan face, then raise again, the tiniest stain of pink on his cheeks* No. I would say there is not.

*the mutter.. meant to be heard... but the bard is skillful enough at this game that it is not obvious at all that the bard is aiming for this... the merest touch louder than a hidden mutter would be...* But then with who it is... who needs another choice? *then he speaks normally.. though still softly* A shame... giving me so little to choose from... if I were seeking it is obvious that you would be my target... *carefully watching for reactions.. reading his face... watching for the subtle body language... more than what he said...*

*Even if it wasn't meant to be heard, Rikky would have heard it, his senses highly acute, far more than any animal's. Banter, pleasant enough, innuendo. Certainly, Rikky thinks its all a game... the bard indulging him. Oh, Rikky knows he's beautiful, how could he not? And the bard was lovely as well. Gold hair, shining in the light of the room. He smiles again, once more lowering his eyes, shielding them with a massive fringe of lashes, and when he looks up, its through that filter, so his vision of the elf is slightly hazed over* A shame... should I be offended I am not enough to gaze on? That you seek other distractions? *And some would be offended... true enough, Rikky isn't being as coy as he could be, nor as subtle, but his smile, lazy, languid, speaks volumes*