Market of Ashes

[King Nuada Silverlance]

Date: March 2nd, Monday Week One
Time Frame: Afternoon
Place: Troll Market
Status: Closed to a select few already in play. If you're interested in joining, run it by Nuada first but in all likelihood it will be no until the thread gets moving again.

The musty smell of standing water blended with the fragrance of coppery blood from the merchant’s kiosk beside him. The troll, bent nearly in half held a indistinguishable animal with one hand as he rhythmically swung the huge crude knife down. The thuds hollow until the snap of something metallic made the prince turn to watch the creature lift a collar with a now broken bell from the meat and toss it unceremoniously behind him. Nuada shifted, dropping one knee to dangle off the ledge of stairs he had settled and switched to his other. He wrapped his arms loosely around his leg, the heel of his boot balancing on the edge of the stairway. He had don a simple pair of dark colored breeches and matching tunic shirt, the dark brown jacket his servants had graciously begged him to wear, was draped casually beside him where a young faerie had take residence.

The tiny sprite curled against the sleeve and nuzzled almost affectionately against the soft material. It even accepted a few crumbs of bread the elven prince had given it. It was sick, a ashy color to its blue skin, the delicate leaf like wings were wilted and curled and the tiniest cough wracked its slender frame. It would die soon, the azure blood that oozed from its ears and mouth had not stopped but with its last strength, it told the prince of the monstrous metallic beasts with glaring lights that had careened into it, pinning him against the searing heat while dark smoke filled it’s lungs. The thing had spit him out and the faerie had managed to slip away through a drain. The flutter of wings close to his ear spoke of another faerie and it landed atop his shoulder, tangling its hands into his hair. It spoke, the language of crackling leaves and sleeping flowers of those looking for him. He rewarded the creature with a silver coin and the faerie replied with a loving nip against the curve of his ear and it was gone with its prize.

The Troll Market, hidden away under the foolish Man’s world of poisoned air and chocking buildings was his escape. Away from the councils and servants, the mocking general and the memories of his father. And here, he could not smell her, could not see her. He did not think his twin would wander the market square as he did. She was too soft and fragile and weak. Yet, this is where she had fled away from him into the arms of a stranger. The troll beside him lifted a weary head and wiped his bulging brow and took notice of the prince. His lumbering voice, a quick jest made the prince laugh but the mirth of it was flat and forgotten. He replied with elvish and the beast roared with laughter and shook his head before retrieving another animal from a pile. The little faerie coughed and shuddered and blood dotted Nuada’s jacket.

[maljra]

Mikel Drifted through the market on nimble feet; cassock sitting just above ground obscuring his heavy shoes. He seemed to glide through the cramped confines of the troll market. He has grown accustomed to the sights and sounds of the market since he last spoke to Asher.

Mikel has herd that the one called Nuada has come to the market. Curious to the rumors he has ventured deep into the heart of the market. Seeing the large troll butcher hacking at the meat curdled his stomach, the stench of it all. Mikel walked up behind the prince purposely he caused his foot fall to become heavy to show his presence. A large troll stepped before him so that he could not advance. ""Step aside troll, I will be done soon enough. Go get some......food to squelch your gluttonous nature. His voice dropped to a deep hollow monotone. those around were unaware of the conversation. "I WILL speak with him, NOW GO!" His yellow cat eyes staired deep into the soul or lack there of in the troll. A cold presence drifted through the section of the market. He continued to stair until slowly the troll left to go get a bite to eat completely unaware of the human in strange cloths.

Mikel stepped forward, standing behind Nuada. "I hear you are the one these pay fealty to." Mikel said drawing his arm across the market, "I come to you looking to be of......aid, in your opposition to the humans. They have scorned my kind and I seek to return the favor. Will you allow me the chance"

[luzigemadu]

Luzige and Asher walked through the market together, chatting quietly. The birdman and the tree. They usually met for lunch, discussing gossip of the troll market and recent war news from the elves. They spoke of friendly things when suddenly, Asher gripped Luzige by the arm and pointed. Through a cleared path in the crush of magical folk, the majestic form of Nuada could be seen. Almost as if called, Asher started to move towards him. Luzige grabbed his arm to stop him, "What are you doing?"

Asher stopped and glanced at him, "Going to swear myself to him." Asher, who has been carrying a bag of apple cores and fishheads,dropped them.

Luzige sighed, "Come here."

Luzige approached Nuada through the crowds and bowed to him, "Majesty." Being a servant to Adara Caladwen Peloquin, he would be seen accompanying her to different places at times, but he never came face to face with Nuada before. He knew how to address the elves.

Asher followed a step behind and paused. It took him a moment to bow."May I present to you Dair’Nin Asher of the Dryad? And I am Luzige Madu."

[King Nuada Silverlance]

The navy colored blood felt soft, the essence of silk and he rested fingers across the faerie’s prone form and felt its life return to the earth. In its place, a hollow and broken shell was already crumbling to dust and the prince looked up at the sound of firm footsteps at his back. Nuada curled his chin to his shoulder, his face shrouded by a veil of pallid and yellowed hair. The unholy golden gaze swiveled up towards the voice that had addressed him and he watched from the corner of his eye the black clothed figure drift closer. Not too many souls were as brazen as to approach him.

“These?” he repeated as if the man had called the races of earth a foul name and shifted his gaze back to the milling bodies of the market. The fishmonger walked by, bent under the heavy load and he stopped at the butcher’s stand to talk. A touch of Gaelic to the Scottish troll’s language, he spoke with ease and a single fish worked its way free of the net at his waist. “If that is what you will call it. I command no one but who needs it.” The lumbering figure of his attendant Mr. Wink could be seen standing not to far off, watching with a singular eye and through the crowds of fae, two individuals walked towards them. The throng of persons were thin at the side of the stairwell, the earth had been trampled upon and turned to mud nearly too slick to walk in properly.

“And what has Man done unto your kin? Scorn?” His mouth curled in the vague semblance of a smile and he rested an elbow on his knee. Even fewer souls approached without giving the common courtesy of a name. “Man will always hate what it cannot understand. To be mocked is a far cry of a reason to be of aid.” His other hand curled beneath the faerie’s body and he lifted the crumbling form. Like ash, skin peeled and fluttered away and with a careful breath the faeries body was given to the air, leaving behind a broken wing. Nuada cradled the grey limb in his fingers before he closed his hand into a fist.

“Who has been whispering secrets of war to you?” The elf lofted his fist and the remaining dust slipped away like the sand of an hourglass. He looked beyond his hand to the familiar consort of the elven maiden Adara and a deceptive looking male. The lingering smell of trees, untainted and pure drifted from the stranger and the very darkness of the man wore heavily behind him.

“I know of you.” He directed his statement to Luzige and gave a tip of his head in acknowledgment. His black lips tightened and Nuada leaned back slightly, brushed his hand of the ash and twisted to throw a look over his shoulder at Mikel. “But I do not know you. Do you not respect yourself to give a name or do you simply lack the manners?” The harsh line of brow gave way to his displeasure of being so openly spoken about and he casually brought his dangling leg up. No, there was finer ways of going about the talk of his people’s forthcoming and it was not to be the first thing that came from a foolish boy’s mouth.

“Walk with me brothers,” He grabbed the edge of his coat and flicked it up, sending the remaining dust of the faeries body into the air and leapt off his perch to the soggy ground several feet below him. The prince turned, moving easily in the soft earth and looked up to Mikel. “And we will talk.”

[dairninasher]

Luzige bowed again slightly as Asher did the same. Luzige followed a half a step behind Nuada, his human face melted back onto his features. He kept his hands locked behind his back. Nuada's army was coming together, slowly, but it was and soon the humans would pay for their arrogance. Luzige blinked at this thought. He had co existed along with humans for so long... had he had these thoughts before? Yes... every time he was locked away, every time he came across the murdered bodies of helpless children...

"Please forgive him, Highness." Asher said, jerking Luzige from his dark thoughts. "I hold responsibility for him. He is new and does not know the ways of our world."

Asher gave Mikel a dark look and signaled for him to follow, hissing quietly, "There are ways to do things, upstart sapling. You don't just approach the Prince and expect him to be all sunshine and rainbows."

Luzige snorted then turned to Nuada, "Highness, the council was a long time in session." The crowd seemed to melt before them as they walked in their small tight square. "I hope the council has agreed with your plan of action."

[maljra]

Mikel bowed deeply, "I apologies for my vast disrespect, to you and your kind. I was raised away from almost all social situations so my people skills are very unrefined and still need work. All I can do is get people to do for me what I want, so i have never needed social skills, until now. So please forgive me, as your humble servant." He held his bow for another second before he raised awaiting Nuada's response.

[King Nuada Silverlance]

Under the careful eye of the lumbering beast Wink, he watched sullenly as his good friend parted from the safety of the stairwell and into the heavily condensed market. He dropped a hand from the thick material he had been looking at and batted away a bothersome faerie that was hovering around his face and followed the group. The fae came back to bite him and spat against the rock hard skin of his head before departing in vague curses.

Nuada moved with ease through the kiosks and slid his jacket over his shoulders, letting it hang loosely and walked on with one hand resting against the sash at his waist. The dryad’s voice reminded him of swaying trees of his youth, heavy with leaves and life. He turned his head, leaning an ear to his shoulder and glanced from the corner of his eye at the odd group that had assembled with him.

“A notable chore,” he commended in mock praise and the black lips twisted into severe line as the angelic creatures swathed in black spoke up.

“Ignorance nor forgiveness is of any importance to me.” The prince turned from the prattling of the still to be named holy man. “If you so wish to serve, then you will learn swiftly.”

The avian attendant of the young elf of his courts, Luzige, arose with questioning and bitter silence followed. The prince tightened a hand into a fist before casually lofting it up. A young troll carrying a basket of wiggling slimy creatures stepped out of the way of the company, his bulging eyes glued to each individual as they passed. “They cling to a dying hope.” It would be all that would be spoken in front of strangers for the time being. He curled the hand back into a fist.

“Dryad,” Nuada shifted the conversation and dropped his hand. “You are a long ways from home. How did you come upon your unlikely consort?”

[Frankie Guidicini]

The Troll Market was much larger than the map could have told, and hours after departing from Angel, Frankie still had not arrived at the spot indicated by the trolls. She had left the map with Angel, but she had remember what she needed to know quickly and, so far, Angel had not come on the com for help. Frankie had loosed the bun her hair had been gathered in so that the long chestnut locks would cover the com in her left ear. In amongst the beings of the Troll Market, her black jumpsuit did not stand out in the least, and she moved like a lithe shadow in the crowd.

She approached a strange being that appeared to have no mouth, but four eyes positioned on stalks about its head and two slits in the middle of the head for a nose. "Excuse me," She said softly, "But I am looking for someone who would be able to sell me a sample of Pristine Soil; that is soil that has never been touched by a foot. Would you know where I could purchase that?"

The being looked at her, its stalk eyes opening wide in surprise to reveal eyes that were a mottled variation of red and yellow. When the being spoke, Frankie did not hear the words but rather could see them spelled out in her mind, in English, Italian, Cyrillic, and the other languages she spoke fluently. You'll want to speak to Him about that. The being pointed over Frankie's shoulder and she turned to look.

In the crowd, she saw who the being spoke of, flanked by others. After thanking the stalk-eyed being, she looked back to witness the entirety of the person. He was immediately decipherable from the surroundings. From his scalp flowed yellow hair so fair it was almost white, and the skin that stretched across his body was indeed whiter than freshly fallen snow, but still with an ashen tint to it. The skin around his eyes and his lips were shaded, and the man walked with a regal grace that would not elude him. Frankie had never seen Prince Nuada, but she knew enough from the stories, briefings, and seeing Princess Nuala to know that this man was her twin.

Frankie did not know how to approach the situation. The elven prince was surely an enemy of the BPRD, and while Lab 24 wanted their precious Pristine Soil, Frankie had little faith in Prince Nuada being entirely settled with giving any such information leading to the obtaining of Pristine Soil by a BPRD Agent. If he knew that the person was a BPRD Agent... Frankie hadn't spent the better part of the twentieth century as a spy for nothing, had she?

When Prince Nuada came close enough, Frankie took two steps forward and dropped into a skirt-less curtsy. "Prince Nuada, I presume." She said, rising immediately. Her hair hung about her face and she stilled her heart as she looked into the elven prince's face, noting the lines beneath his eyes that almost seemed like scars, but were not, for Nuala possessed them as well. "I know that you are not a shop keeper or a guide, or a font of information for the passing visitor. However, I was told that you might be able to help me locate a portion of Pristine Soil. If so, any help you would provide would be appreciated. If not, I apologize for my intrusion and I will gladly be on my way." There she was. She was not sucking up to him but simply presenting her case. He could dismiss her and just think her an annoying little nit and be none the wiser if he didn't feel like helping.

[King Nuada Silverlance]

The murky puddle that had collected from a mix of rainwater and runoff from the gutters from above created a small pool of dirty water, nearly identical to the hundreds of others that dotted the market. This one in particular caught his eye and the prince lofted his gaze up to peer through the yellow lace of hair at the hazy reflection of the sky that could just barely be seen through a pipe that ran clear to the topside. Through the pinpoint of sky the sound of a blaring siren reflected the keen of a crying dog and intermingled with foul taste of exhaust and garbage that sickened him. His company had been sincere, eager to listen and talk and follow him where needed. The priest; Mikel, of earthly beauty hide a deadly side behind the wolfish gaze and quiet demeanor. One that would be of great service. The prince folded his arms behind his back in a easy pose, curling fingers around a strong wrist and felt the beat of his heart. In the distance of his mind, he felt the other half his soul’s heart beat in reply. A mantra flap of a wing, up, down, one, two and if he held his breath, she could breath deeper. The jacket he wore pulled a little at his shoulders, creasing the material and remembered the faeries ash that still clung to the fibers.

A spider of a woman, with delicate limbs and fragile looks with contradicting way that seemed to surround her ghosted to a stop in front of him and mechanically bowed. His fingers twitched to pensively rub his chin in thought at who was pulling the strings. A strange curious creature, strange so young and dark a earth bound daughter would appear unruffled to be standing amongst frightening beasts and alluring magic that seemed to drift up from the very ground. She spoke and he raised a hand, a trifle flutter of fingers to wave away his companion Wink whom shadowed the group like a lumbering rain cloud. She studied him and he returned the look with a tilt of his jaw to look down his nose, capturing the burnished copper gaze in a withering look. No. He regarded her carefully, not fully of the race of man, carefully crafted into something much more. And as brazen as the priest was.

The amusement of it all was beginning to wear on his tolerance and with a curl of his head, he brought a hand up to rub the ridge of his eye with the edge of his nail. “And what,” the subtle disdain of being approached edged into his voice. “would a daughter of eve do with such a gift?” He drew his hand down to rest on the edge of his belt, balancing his thumb on the royal seal emblem. The dark lips curled, baring a glint of ivory canines. “A great importance it must be to interrupt matters,” Nuada stepped forward and to the left of the woman, curling his body slowly to face her as one would appraise cattle. “that assuredly pale in such worth.”

[Frankie Guidicini]

Just the treble of the Prince's voice made the woman's spine shiver. She was not sure if it was a trembling of fear or anxiety or some other emotion she couldn't quite describe. Perhaps it was the thrill of returning to espionage (if only for a moment) after such a long absence. Calm down, don't let it show she reminded herself. The woman stood tall and did not waver underneath the Prince's gaze, but met his vivid golden eyes with her own. Impudent? Certainly. But her look was the one of whom needed to convey information

“And what would a daughter of eve do with such a gift? A great importance it must be to interrupt matters that assuredly pale in such worth.”

Frankie had read the file detailing the incident of the Golden Army. She knew what Nuada was capable of. Even so, when the Prince reached down to his belt in what could be perceived as a move to defend himself, the woman did not change her stance nor bat an eyebrow. Even though his words were meant to cut, to insult, and to demean, Frankie had already cooked up a scheme that would no only interest him, but draw the wanted information from him.

The Elemental that was killed in New York City was the last. Nuada had said so himself to Hellboy (or so the file read). But, in the Prince's exile, he could have perhaps missed something? Could he be certain that the Elementals were gone without a doubt? Frankie was willing to bet that the answer was 'No.'

"I thought that you would know, Your Highness, that Pristine Soil is used to give life to an Earth Elemental." A thin, humorless smile slipped upon Frankie's lips. "But perhaps I was mistaken. Forgive the intrusion, my Prince." She did another skirtless curtsy before turning on her heel and beginning to walk away. She could practically count down the seconds until he called her back, or stopped her. If the possibility of another Elemental did not peak his interest, Frankie had no idea what would.

[King Nuada Silverlance]

His eyes were a circlet of fire and gold, running the gauntlet of darkness to keep it restrained and as the woman held herself with such care and control, they narrowed in a note of interest. She was far from deterred from the harsh and unspoken criticize he had implemented in a unadorned flick of his gaze. He made no qualms in hiding the fact that he did so leisurely with a weariness of a soldier sizing up another. His title was his birthright and he would always bear the royal markings that were etched into his flesh as if done by a careful blade. Except, he had relegated that identify, that gift, that curse, for an aeon, longer than any mortal Man could dream of living. She was not of his court nor of his market and yet there was a familiarity about her but she was a clever creature, careful to hide everything behind a stoic look. He did not miss the subtle tears in the leathers of her clothing, each one at a strategic place of her body, too uniform and precise to be an accident.

She spoke and Nuada dwelled upon the unmistakable accent that underlayed each word, so easily to lose in the carefully punctuated wording. She was a well educated woman in the world above and he tipped his head as if he meant to laugh, instead his gaze drifted from her even as she spoke of things far older than either of them. The challenging tone, however, tightened his mouth and tugged at the impish impulse to rise up and meet it in a harsh clash. She was at least knowledgeable of the true mother earth and her most precious of young and that sliver of fortune was enough to grasp. He would humor the earthly unbound woman for the sake of allowing his angelic companion a reprieve.

“Perhaps you are mistaken, child,” the prince returned to her retreating form and his darkened lips curled into a false smile. An effortless shake of his head kept Wink at bay, who seemed all too eager to follow the woman. The simple act tossed the fringe of lacy hair over his shoulders and they caught traces of the faerie’s ashes and memories. “that you can simply leave…” It was all too effortless to make it an unveiled threat. “After such a well calculated enticement.”

The eleven prince eased into his next breath and seemed to speak without taking another. “What gift of knowledge do you bring in return for grander amends? Or are you simply above trivial matters and etiquette, my nameless soul.”

[Frankie Guidicini]

A dark sort of satisfaction slipped into Frankie's heart as she felt her arrow hit its target. The thrill of once more pretending to be what she was not, to be weaving a web of lies for the greater good, was something she had not felt in quite some time. The woman felt the air become alive with electricity before she heard the following steps and stopped at the words uttered from the Elven Prince's mouth.

“Perhaps you are mistaken, child."

Frankie turned to find herself less than two feet from the elf. Close enough to warrant a fatal jab to the aorta if it needed. Which it wouldn't, seeing as whatever Frankie did to Nuada would likewise be suffered by Nuala and the immortal woman did not want to kill a fellow comrade. But she was sure perhaps some superficial cuts would be forgivable, if it came to that.

"-- that you can simply leave… After such a well calculated enticement.”

"I was simply seeing if your integrity would risk you losing the chance I offered, Your Highness." She bowed her head but kept her eyes fixed upon Nuada's. "I am glad to see that you did not disappoint." Frankie was doing her best to appear subservient, but also independent of Nuada's will. She was not his to control, in jest or not, but she would work with him towards the intended and false goal. And that would entail procuring the Pristine Soil.

“What gift of knowledge do you bring in return for grander amends? Or are you simply above trivial matters and etiquette, my nameless soul.”

"Not at all, Your Highness." Frankie replied, her expression placid and her voice calm. She did not offer her name, though his words seemed to demand it. It was best he not know who she was, whether or not she was successful in coaxing the location of Pristine Soil from the Prince. "I have found a browned and withered seed that could give life to another of Gaia's children, Your Highness. Like the one that fell many months ago in the realm above." Frankie took a reverent pause as though in respect for the Element that Hellboy had killed. "I have looked in many texts to see how I may bring life to it, for it seems close to death, not dormancy. If I can cultivate it in Pristine Soil, I can give it the chance to live when it would so be desired."