'X' marks the spot [Dietrich]

[Tok]

The slender, red-haired pixie rarely left the comforts of the Unseelie caverns. But the combination of her promotion from Seeker and the previous successful venture into the Mists with Lucia afforded her more time. She missed her trees terribly, but there was just something more alluring in finding untold treasures. Tok let her wings carry her, grey-blue wings beating rhythmically, floating lightly through the copper-bathed terrain. She reached the edge of the Mists and landed softly on the grass, squinting outwards at the fog as though she would be able to see for miles.

She giggled to herself, then twirled about a pranced until she found the perfect forked twig. ”Oh, wonderful witching stick, tell me where the shiny things are!” The pixie whirled about in circles, holding the stick at arm’s length, her knee-length, A-line, baby blue dress fluttering outwards with each revolution. A giant white bow cinched her waistline, the ribbon flying in the same direction as Tok’s turning.

She stopped shortly when she heard some rustling nearby. She crouched a little, as if she were a cat hunting its prey, searching for the source of the noise. ”Hel-low-ooo?” She seemed to address the air, unsure if she was just hearing things. Her eyes narrowed in the direction of the noise. ”I know you’re there!" She followed up with a fit of giggles, taking away any sort of hostility that last statement bore.

[Dietrich]

Dietrich had no clue where he was going. He had woken up,got dressed in his all black 'work' clothes, strapped on his weapons, and let his feet guide him...here. He highly guessed that 'here' was the Mists. Not in the least bit worried, Dietrich continued on without even pausing at the realization at where he was.

Dietrich was, however, glad that he had dressed in his 'work' clothes. His work attire he usually wore while on a heist or treasure hunting were his comfortable tight but flexible bottoms and shirt and his combat boots. He always had his hair up in a bun on a heist, but when he was exploring or treasure hunting he had it up in a high ponytail. He had his favorite yew longbow, both it and it's quiver full of arrows strapped to his back. Also he had a medium sized dagger strapped to his left thigh. He didn't usually arm himself in the Unseelie court, but outside of the court he carried his favorite weapons.

Sticking to the shadows, Dietrich let his feet guide him to where ever they were guiding him. His mind was running a mile a minute over all the treasures he could find. Gold? Diamonds? Magical weapons? Enchanted Amulets? Magical flaming pants? He was obviously preoccupied with his imagination. It wasn't long before he heard a voice ahead of him. The only snippet he caught was "shiny." His attention was quickly dragged from the idea of presenting King Cel with the magical flaming pants to the word 'shiny.' As he peeked through the trees to spot the potential target, he silently wondered what they had of worth upon their being. Quickly spotting the fae, which was a she and pixie by the looks of it, he silently began to creep forward. He was intending to take her by surprise and run away with whatever he could see of worth. However, some cursed creature, he swears it was at least, put that crisp pile of twigs under his foot and unfortunately set of a chain reaction of loud rustling, alerting the female. After she told him she knew he was there, he shouted back. "Are you sure your sure that you know that I'm here?" He really couldn't resist saying it. He had always wanted to say that.

Quickly putting on his most innocent face (which wasn't much of a change since he unfortunately looked innocent, his cursed angelic features) and exited the shadows of the tree, revealing his 6'5 angelic (he would curse that fact for the rest of eternity) figure. Looking at the pixie, he suddenly wondered what her wings felt like. Were they soft and airy or feathery and fluffy? He silently contemplated running his fingers over them. Now how to do so without getting his fingers cut off...which wouldn't feel so bad to him! It would be a win partial win situation. Afterall he couldn't steal things without his fingers...but on the other hand he could satiate his curiosity...Nah not worth loosing his fingers...well maybe...

[Tok]

A voice responded to her, somewhere just beyond the trees. She tried her best to peer, but the shadows obscured him. She frowned, slightly frustrated at the conundrum before her. ”I’m not sure if I’m sure if you’re really there, but there must be something there if you’re talking to me, no? Unless you’re my conscious. Then I suppose you’re neither really here nor there.” Her voice wavered between high and low pitches as she spoke, as if she were lyricizing her words. She slowly moved towards the direction of the noise, ending up only a few paces from Deitrich when he revealed himself.

Tok’s eyes traveled from the ground up, assessing the Nimbus before her. She thought about how heavy those combat boots must have been, how impractical they were compared to simply being barefoot. It didn’t really occur to her that not everyone could just hover about the ground to prevent stepping on sharp objects. It’s not like Tok hated shoes, she loved sky-high heels; she just didn’t really like wearing them unless there was a special occasion. Although she seriously started wishing she had worn her most impractical pair. The almost one foot height difference had the pixie craning her neck upwards just to meet his eyes. He did have a nice face, enough to make Tok think that he was a trustworthy person, even if he was wearing all black.

”Ah, so you’re not a figment of my imagination.”[/b] She brandished the stick towards Deitrich’s face, waving it back and forth non-threateningly. “Does our cat burglar have a name? A place where he hails from?”[/b] She gave him a toothy smile as she waited for an answer.

[Dietrich]

Dietrich grinned down at the red haired pixie, his cat like eyes twinkling with cunning and humor. Completly ignoring the witching stick, Dietrich was too busy contemplating the pixie. So she is perceptive eh? His curiosity turned from her wings to her.“Why yes, I am called Dietrich, Conri of the Unseelie Court, and cat burglar for hire extraordinaire.” The last he said with a grand bow, a soft grin on his face. He liked to exaggerate his actions for a reason even he did not know the answer to.

To say the least, he was intrigued with the red haired pixie. Even though he was mostly a solitary thief, stealing for his own amusement, he did take jobs on the side to…acquire objects for interested parties. However though, not many could guess right off he was a thief, cat burglar, bandit, whatever your flavor was. He usually had to let out the word and approach those that wished his services. Of course not many also saw him in his ‘work’ clothes, so that could have been a dead giveaway. He usually wore very…different expensive looking clothing. Anyway, Dietrich showed no shame or embarrassment at his admittance. He really didn’t care that others knew. He enjoyed being a thief and cared not what other thought.

Looking at the pixie, he took in her features. He noticed she was taller than most of her kind, probably not quite stable in her mind, red hair and dark eyes…even though her looks were definitely different than most women’s, he really couldn’t say that she wasn’t nice to look upon. He wasn’t sure what to label her as yet, his curiosity rearing its head to solve this particular puzzle. He decided since she proved a good puzzle, he would not steal from her as of now. Even his reasoning didn’t make sense to himself.“And do you have a name that I may call you? Or shall I name you with my splendid naming abilities?” He honestly hoped she wasn’t one of the kinds that didn’t share their name with others. Even though he enjoyed naming people, he was so tired of getting attacked.

[Tok]

Being right wasn’t exactly in Tok’s nature, rather she was just really liked guessing. Being perceptive happened once in a blue moon when her mind was lucid enough to actually put some pieces together. Guessing right while being perceptive was basically a one-in-a-million chance and it usually surprised others. The black clothes were a slight tip off, but it was that overly innocent face that made the pixie associate him with cat burglars. Still, as long as she was not the one being burgled, she had no reason to not make an alliance with the man, especially when he was a fellow Unseelie. Besides, she liked how ‘extraordinaire’ was a part of his title.

The pixie had noticed that the man did not glow, which was slightly disappointing. But the colors of his eyes were quite fascinating, and the way they swirled made her envy the plainness of her own. It was something she didn’t see until Dietrich bowed (it also wasn’t until this moment that she realized he was a nimbus, not an exceptionally tall human nor a very human-looking goblin as she had previously assumed). The swirling greens and browns made her ponder if there was any way she could take those wonderful colors for herself. When she didn’t have an answer, she made a mental note to ask Lucia for her input on the matter. Surely, the sidhe would have all the answers. She blinked a few times to focus her attention back on Dietrich.

The pixie curtseyed, although not fully. She wanted to preserve the current height ratio. ”Oh good sir, while I don’t doubt your naming abilities, I’m afraid I’m already called Tok. I, too, am a Conri in the Unseelie Court, although I’m sad to inform you I have no other titles yet.” Tok’s eyes were downcast for about a split second before looking back up again with a renewed sparkle. She grinned like a madman before turning away from Dietrich, slowly wandering off. She stopped after a few paces, only half turning back towards him, while pointing in an arbitrary direction with the stick. ”A little birdie tells me that there’s something shiny that-a-way. Shall we go on an adventure, Lord Cat Burglar?” Her facial expression changed from that deranged look to a puppy dog face, hoping that Dietrich would say ‘yes’ and take charge on their expedition. Of course, success was not a guarantee, and there was no ‘little birdie’.

[OOC: Hmm… let’s go… south? =P]

[Dietrich]

Inwardly pleased with receiving a name, Dietrich decided Tok fit perfectly for some reason. He was thinking along the lines of...Hopscotch, but it rang hollow now. Oh well, maybe he'll get to bestow that lovely name upon some other lucky creature.

Hearing the word shiny again, Dietrich replayed the last question in his mind. Dietrich chuckled softly and glanced in the direction Tok was pointing the stick. His spirit hummed with the word shiny. Weighing the pro's and con's he finally shrugged, deciding that this is where his intuition must have led him. Looking at the off tinker puppy eyed pixie, he nodded."That sounds like a splendid idea Tok, there may be nothing that lie in wait for us...but there could very well be an unspeakable about of shiny things that await us just as well." Dietrich hoped so at least. Otherwise he was going to have a serious talking to with his sub concious...well what served as one at least.

Dietrich then took the lead and headed in the way she was pointing her witching stick. After all, he was a questionably perfect gentleman was he not? Inwardly laughing at his cleverness, he turned his head back, looking directly at Tok. His cat like eyes a strange feature upon his innocent face. Giving her his famous grin, which always made him look like an innocent unjaded youngster. "Shall we head off then?" Dietrich continued to walked in the southern direction. Still contemplating on how he should label Tok.

[OOC: Sounds good to me, lol.]

[Tok]

The man took charge and walked forward, which was a bit of a surprise to the pixie. She had half expected him to pull some of that ‘ladies first’ nonsense, but when he didn’t, she inwardly cheered. Her excitement wasn’t completely internally contained though. In the moment, she had thrown the stick aside in order to clasp her hands together and just adored him. Tok skipped along behind Dietrich, pleased with herself for convincing the nimbus to join her in her silly adventures. She smiled and hummed, occasionally using her wings to lift off from the ground and hover close enough to Dietrich to reach out and bat at his ponytail. She restrained herself though, just in case he didn’t approve. She didn’t want him to run away as a result of such a reason.

As she stared at the thief’s back, she noticed the quiver of arrows, and a shiver ran down her spine. Even though Imbolc had passed, the raining arrows were something she didn’t simply forget. The pixie quickened her pace until she was walking alongside Dietrich, looking up at him like a small child. ”You… you… don’t think there’s too much danger ahead do you?”[/b] She was suddenly nervous, and glanced around as if there were an unseen enemy. ”There wouldn’t be Shades out here, right, lord?”

[Dietrich]

Dietrich was quite aware of Tok behind him. He really hadn’t been much of a companion type person of any kind in the past. Usually he worked solo, but for some reason he wished to accompany the red haired pixie. Maybe he needed a little chit chat to fill his quota for the millennia, who really knew. It’s Dietrich after all.

As Tok asked him her questions, he cocked his angelic like grin at the pixie, never once pausing in step.“When it comes to the mists, no one can be sure of what lies within…however I do have my arrows to help defend if need be.” Dietrich offered to Tok. He may have been a thief and could pull lies out of a bag like cotton candy, but he wouldn’t hide the truth from others if it’ll help prepare them. He wasn’t heartless…he just had his priorities twisted several hundred different ways to Monday. Maybe even a thousand…if they were really shiny.

Thinking back on her words, he began to think about the creatures she had mentioned nervously. He personally hadn’t ever confronted or seen those…things, but he had heard of the Imbolc attack and their involvement. Now Dietrich had encountered many a thing in his time, but he honestly had no wished to fight the creatures if he didn’t have to. If he had to now, he would fight and protect his small entourage, but he was a thief and an archer, not a hack and slash all holier than thou knight.

Ducking under a wicked looking limb, Dietrich had a thoughtful look on his boyish face as he glanced at Tok.“I have heard the stories of those creatures, but I have never met those…shades. Are the stories as bad as I have heard?” His voiced had curiosity laced within it and he had a curious spark within his cat like orbs. He may get the creeps thinking about the shades, but like all of his conundrum-ish thoughts…he also wondered if they wore colored underclothing. Were they undead creatures with no sense of hygiene, or were they a race all on their own that still lacked hygiene? Ghosts? Sidhe with a horrible rash? Well whatever they were, Dietrich guessed that if a meeting with a shade over a hot cup of tea and an enlightening conversation lie in his-or theirs!-destiny…then he hoped they brought lots of sugar cubes and lemon cakes. If not, then something was very wrong with that picture.

[Tok]

The pixie smiled warmly at Dietrich’s offer of protection, her mind at a little more ease. She could get used to having good company. Even though she was personally a little tense at arrows being their main line of defense (her wires could only do so much damage after all), the nimbus’ words were not at all unappreciated. Besides, if things got bad, she could always go bat and disappear into the night, though the idea of abandoning a comrade wouldn’t sit very well with her after the fact. Still, everyone needs a good escape route, and Tok hoped that Dietrich had his own. She decided against raising this point though, as the nimbus inquired about the Shades.

She stopped smiling so much and knit her eyebrows together as she brought herself back to the Shade’s attack. ”The stories are probably every bit accurate! They're horrible buggers, these Shades. And a pack of cowards! Most of the fae they attacked couldn’t even defend themselves!”[/b] She shuddered a bit, and then glanced about before continuing. ”And they’re black. Pitch black. You can’t see them very well at night, but when light catches them, they look like bloodthirsty phantoms... Bloodthirsty ninja phantoms!” She wasn’t quite sure what a ninja was; the word seemed to fit at the time. She half hoped that Dietrich would be able to make sense of it, because she was starting to get lost. ”On top of that they’re fast, much faster than I could ever move.”[/b] She waved her arms about as she spoke, trying to emphasize her description. To Dietrich though, if he only looked at the motions and didn’t listen to the words, it probably would have seemed like they were giant flying otherworldly monsters, probably with multiple limbs or something.

”They’re the most terrible beings. Party crashers are just... horrible, horrible things. They didn’t even dress appropriately! Could’ve done at least that much!”[/b] She scoffed bitterly. ”And they smell awful.” She added without much merit. In her mind, horrible things were exclusively associated with horrible smells. It was just a rule. ”But I suppose they wouldn’t be so terrifying in smaller numbers. I’ve heard that some fae were even able to kill lots of Shades! Fae such as Prince Sygon! I’ve never met him before, but I’ve heard that he’s big and strong with skin like obsidian! And he saved a pixie! He’s a… a… knight! A dark knight!”[/b] Tok smiled with glee as she spoke about the man she never met, giggling over the title she gave him. She couldn’t think of a single negative thing about the man, not when he had saved someone of her kind.

Then, it occurred to her that she was probably ranting a bit too much, and suddenly felt guilty for forcing Dietrich to just listen. ”Perhaps you’ve heard of him?”[/b]

[Dietrich]

Dietrich noted her smile at his rare offer and listened closely to her description of the creatures. He may have been a thief and rarely entered battle…even a bit of a ditz at times…however he wasn’t a fool and he knew that there was a possibility that they could encounter the creatures. He really had no wish to be unprepared, hell if things went sour he could just turn into his moth form and flutter away. Even though he’d make sure his companion got away first, see he had some honor…only most of it was a bit different from what others considered honor. The heck with assimilation into normality, he was Dietrich and that would all he would ever want to be and Dietrich is many MANY things.

Snapping back to her words, he silently contemplates the Shades. Bloodthirsty ninja phantoms? Now that’s a word he hadn’t heard in a long time. He’s a thief that’d traveled the whole world, stealing various trinkets. Yes he had heard of ninja’s, he had even had a small conflict with them over a magical amulet way before his entrapment with the sorceress. Not a bad group, but he had experience on his side and they hadn’t a chance. Shaking his head free of his memories, he understood what she was trying to say however. He would have to be on extra guard in these Mists. If they were that sneaky and inconspicuous, then caution would be wise.“ The rude buggers, maybe their mothers never taught them proper etiquette and manners...or how to bathe properly. With all luck we’ll smell them before anything.” Dietrich remarked about the horrid creatures, a light tone in his words. He wasn’t very worried as long as they were careful.

Thinking over her last words, a light seemed to go off in his head.“ Did you say obsidian skin? Prince Sygon? OH! Do you mean Dippin Dots? Well that’s what I call him at least. Yes he is a rather interesting fellow. Don’t really know him though.” Dietrich said, his mind on the man he still regretted not finding out if he really tasted like licorice flavored candy. He may have stalked Dots for a while, but he really had no info on the Dark Knight to offer the red haired pixie beside him.

[Luca]

The fog thickens as Tok and Dietrich walk, congealing until the moisture is quite oppressive. Visibility has diminished to mere feet ahead, and the whole world glows copper in the eclipsed light. With the solidifying mist, a forest likewise grows more dense around them, materializing as if from the fog itself and casting the world ahead in darkness. Their path is riddled by snagging roots and grasping bows, but the forest floor is increasingly devoid of plant life as they progress. In time, the earth beneath their feet is bare.

To their left, there is a faint, repetitive splash.

[Tok]

Tok decided that it was high time to stop talking about those horrible Shades. Though Dietrich commented on them, she largely ignored his words; she was far more interested in his response to Sygon’s name anyway. The pixie stopped in her tracks and blinked a few times as she stared at Dietrich’s back. “Dippin Dots” did he say? What a bizarre name! Her left hand reached up reflexively to scratch her head as she pondered over the link between the Sidhe and mad little balls of color bobbing in and out of water. Perhaps it is a reference to the way he mangled the Shades? Or maybe he had a secret second life that included cute pet nicknames? Her focus snapped back when it dawned on her that Dietrich had met the man behind the story. Instantly, her eyes widened and sparkled, her body tensed as she tried to suppress herself from squealing like a madman. She was in the presence of a man who was in the presence of a more famous man -- how could she not feel honored? Tok used her wings to catch up with Dietrich again, hovering a few inches above the ground as they continued to move forward.

“You might not know him well, but you still met him! Met someone legendary, mind you! Oh, you’re So. Very. Lucky. Lucky, lucky, lucky. Did he touch you? Did you touch him? Oh…” She trailed off as she finally took in their surroundings. Since when was there so much fog? She squinted her eyes as if it would help, and huffed in disappointment when she could see nothing but the back of Deitrich’s head and twisted roots. She pouted at the thought of how she could just as easily see mangled trees back in the comfort of the caverns, but still mentally noted some of the arrangements. She would have to try out some of them on her trees later.

And then came a very faint splash. She glanced over to their left, but thought she imagined it when she was met with nothing but more roots and fog. She twitched again when the sound repeated, then suddenly reached out and gently tugged at Dietrich’s sleeve. When she got his attention, she simply pointed to their left. ”There’s something that-a-way.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, a bit of a nervous waver in her words. She dropped down onto the bare floor (momentarily confused by the lack of flora), folded her wings in, crouched a little, and slowly headed towards the splashes without another word to her partner in crime.