Lost in Shadow

[sutekixtenshi]

Kaida sat at the bar, one leg crossed over the other with an expression of supreme annoyence written on her face. Her hair was tied back today, part of it in a bun and part hanging down her back, yet some had escaped its bonds and fell messily to frame her face. She switched the legs she'd crossed and drummed her fingers on the wooden countertop. It was said that it was impossible for a Child of Order to get lost in the Shadow, and yet here she was. Why was she lost? Well that was simple, it was because she hadn't come here on her own... she'd been dropped here by the Pattern for some reason. Now, her only problem was how to get back before others in Order noticed her gone.

OOC: This is based on the Chronicles of Amber. If you've never read the book don't worry about it. Just join and keep me from getting insanely bored.

[RumpledMind]

"Damn, I could use a drink." Carlson thought wryly to himself. As he wiped the blood from his face he turned to look at the man he'd just beaten. Guy was still standing...Oh, no wait, there he goes. The satisfying thud of a body on dusty ground rang in his ears. The sun had just disappeared behind the horizon, and the sky still held an eerie illumination. He chuckled as he sheathed Belshazzar, adjusted his belt and straightened the collar of his jacket. "Well, here we are." He thought as he arrived at the inn. His recent opponent had been so kind as to offer directions before attempting to rob him of his most valuable possession.

The doors swung lazily open and he sauntered through to a bar stool. Any bar stool.

"Whiskey." He growled in the general direction of the bartend. The man attempted to pour him a glass, and put the bottle away, but Carlson stopped him with a hand on his wrist. The man looked at him quizzically, as if to say, "You sure, pal?" But Carlson only nodded and the bartend eased the bottle down next to the glass. "Been a long day, friend."

He needed a room for the night, but he'd ask later. He wasn't nearly relaxed enough. Killing people really took it out of him. He desperately needed a bath and a shave and some clean clothes. Maybe a hot meal would help too. His eyes drifted over to the stool three seats down from his own where a strange woman sat, drumming her fingers impatiently. Something was bothering her, but what was it? He turned back to his drink, deciding not to speak to her just yet. He wasn't nearly drunk enough. Besides, he'd learned time and time again not to talk with strange women. It only brought trouble. Still wasn't his motto something along the lines of, "Trouble brings experience, and experience brings wisdom." Or was it "The trouble with trouble is that it usually starts out like fun." Ah hell, maybe he was drunk enough.

He turned ever so slowly to look at her, tipped his hat and said, "Ma'am." In his slow, charcoal-soft drawl. "You seem...bothered. Are you doin' alright this evenin'?" His eyes burned like sharp little green pins against the dark skin of his face. He'd always had a way with the ladies, though he never really tried. A good woman friend of his once told him that it was respect. Not many men in this day and age respected women, but he treated them like equals, at least intellectually. He supposed it was Jessica's influence.

(occ: I haven't read the book, so I am joining that I may of rid you of your bordom ^_~)

[sutekixtenshi]

She hadn't sat for very long before a stranger joined her at the bar. He looked like he'd gotten into some trouble before hand and come out on top. Hell, he looked like trouble... probably the lazy stride he'd used when entering. People's body language often gave them away and this one seemed pleased with himself at the moment. She felt momentary amusement, it wasn't mockery it was just odd to see a person self satisfied these days.

She noted the drawl with which he spoke not because she was paying him overly much attention but because she really didn't have anything other than what caught her eye, or ear, to focus on unless she wanted to brood all night. Kaida wasn't the type to worry much with the matters of men, most men had very few worries and far too many complaints for their own good. So, she turned back to her thoughts.

She had one month... one month to get back to Order before someone questioned the absence. She often vanished for days, sometimes weeks, but never a whole month and she'd no doubt whatsoever that they'd think she'd abandoned her duties. She sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, attempting to lessen a growing headache.

She was slightly caught off guard when the stranger spoke to her, especially when he spoke to her as if she had brains. Her light blue eyes were intent for a moment and then she smiled somewhat, "A bit... I'm having a bit of trouble finding my way back to where I'm supposed to be." She tapped her foot and then glanced at the bartend, giving in she sighed. "Beer," she asked. He blinked then nodded, probably surprised a woman would order beer.

She didn't particularly like the taste, there were better things, none of which she could afford at the momet. She had to keep enough on hand for troublesom situations.

[RumpledMind]

"I see..." He muttered, half to her, half to himself. He picked up the bottle and topped off his glass in one fluid motion, careful not to spill. He prided himself on his steady hand. Sometimes it was the difference between life and death. Maybe it was the whiskey, or maybe he had managed to retain a small piece of his soul, but whatever the reason, he was concerned for this woman's safety. From the looks of her, she could hold her own in a civilized fight, but she'd managed to get lost in the bad part of town. Most people played dirty, and most of those people were men.

"I suppose you're plannin' on-" He cut himself off and sighed, realizing how far away she was. Picking up the bottle and his glass, he stood, sauntered past the stools between them, and settled down next to her. This was much better for talking discreetly. Never know who might be listening in, or what their intentions might be. "Sorry. I meant to say, I suppose you're plannin' on stayin' here for the night, as it's getting too dark to go any place else." He kept his voice quiet, hunching over the bar, careful not to invade her personal space. He might have been intoxicated, but he was no damn fool. He was always able to hold his liquor and remain gentlemanly.

[sutekixtenshi]

When he moved closer she nodded, "Thank you." She sighed, "I don't particularly like this Sha...this place and I think the rooms are taken anyway. It is getting late," she admitted. She ran a frustraited hand through her hair, "I'm in a bit of a hurry, I have family who will be... upset if I'm not home soon." Especially, she added mentally, if she missed Random's family meeting at a time like this. It would NOT look good and she didn't put it past her other family members to use any slip-ups against her.

"Is there an inn in this part of town?" she asked. She was still extreamly irritated about the Pattern dropping her here. What reason could it have had. "I'd find it myself but as I said I'm lost," which was something she hated admitting. She was a new innitiate of the Pattern and therefor she wasn't yet skilled in manipulating Shadow. She had her Trumps but what good would they do when for some reason they were inactive. "I'll pay you if you can get me to a place I can sleep safely." One good thing was that Amber money was good here too. She leaned over and picked a sheathed blade up off of the floor beside her.

[RumpledMind]

Carlson grinned sheepishly and looked down at his glass. "Empty again." He thought. There was something she wasn't telling him. Her words were cryptic, but he felt no malice in her. As he lifted the bottle again, he thought long and hard about the town. It was named Perdita, meaning lost. Most of the towns folk were just that; lost souls lacking any moral fiber. However...

"Please, Miss, keep your money. You don't need to pay me nothin'. 'Sides, you'll need to hang on to what you got." He grinned at her, then back at his drink, twiddling his necklace between his thumb and forefinger. "I just might know a place." After a quick glance over his shoulder to assess the few lingering men in the establishment, he downed what was left in his glass, and grunted at the burn. His stomach felt warm and cold at the same time. His hand fished in his pocket and emerged with a few crumpled bills, enough to cover the bottle and her beer. There was even a hefty tip for the bartend. He tossed the bills on the bar and stood, gesturing wide with his arm in the direction of the door.

"After you, Ma'am."

[sutekixtenshi]

((OOC: Sorry I've been away for so long, this weekend was kind of hectic. I had time to fill out the character sheets so I didn't get booted but little else. x.x))

"Thank you," she smiled slightly. She didn't know her way around so it would be a big help to have someone show her. Not only that but she had to be out of the public eye when she tried to use the Trumps to get through to Random. "Any place will work so long as its got a bed, a roof, and some form of privacy." As he stood so did she, gathering her blade. She noticed him fiddling with the necklace and half chuckled, she didn't think he could stay still for very long. "So, where is this place you're taking me to?" Some of the Amberite suspicion was surfacing so she couldn't help but be weary.

[Sponsored content]