Mei Too

In spite of the soft rain that falls from the sky, the temple district is not quite as yet asleep. Among the admittedly few individuals walking to and fro through the area Zeke moves slowly and with care. This slowness and care is not due to the sith-makar's crystal limbs, but rather the fact that there is a man on his arm. The man's leg is immobilized, and it is thanks to this that the pair are making slow progress indeed.

The man himself is dark in his coloration, a rich warm color that is emphasized by the brown leathers which he wears. Looking at him, it is not his delicate almost feminine build which is most notable. Instead it is the vines and leaves which creep up from his hands to bloom into white roses on his arms. They, are beautiful, a resplendent set of tattoos that almost make the man who wears them pale in comparison.

GAME: Seldan rolls fly: (12)+13: 25

The gentle breeze that brings the rain carries on it another figure, white feathered wings shedding water rather better than the rest of him. The streetlamps spill a golden glow into the puddles on the pavement, and light them up a warm gold as Seldan settles to the ground near the warriors' gate to the Temple grounds, immediately straightening and allowing his eyes to roam the more public areas of the district.

Seeing nothing of real concern, he folds the wings to his back and allows them to melt into nothingness. He wears armor, that much is true, but its look is toned down to simple steel from the opalescent sheen of its true form. A last glance towards the rooftops of the buildings in the city, and he starts towards the main plaza.

Rain is not ideal, but it -is- better than the day's heat. Aya makes her way through the temple square from the south, walking unhurriedly even as the precipitation falls. While she isn't as water-proof as the scaled, a little rain never harmed anyone. Darting shadow of movement overhead draws her eyes upwards, whereby she notes the incoming figure. There is, perhaps, a moment of alarm, until the Silverguard is more recognizable. In her defense, there is a credible threat of winged beings in or about the city at present.

The man at Zeke's side has a rather more drastic reaction to the feathered approach of Seldan, throwing himself to the ground and crying out loudly. He lays shuddering on the ground, clearly terrified. He's muttering something under his breath as Zeke heaves a soft sigh and nods to Seldan briefly. "Peassce on your nessst kin." He murmurs, eyes slipping momentarily toward Aya and nodding to her before kneeling slowly on the ground at the side of the man who had over-reacted to Seldan's presence. "It issss only Sseldan, he issss not going to harm you."

Zeke's calm voice seems to put the man somewhat more at ease, and slowly he unwinds himself, looking about for creatures with feathered wings and finding none. "I... I... I'm sorry." He looks at Zeke hopelessly and the sith offers him a hand which the man will certainly need to rise again.

Chagrin and embarrassment suffuse the even, pale features in the streetlights at the sight of the frightened man, as Seldan realizes just what he has done, and his eyes lower to the cobblestones at his feet, soaked and dripping hair only just held out of his face with a complex-looking and gem-encrusted band. The rest of him is just as well-drenched, from cloak to boots. He's been out in this for some time, it seems.

"Peace upon your nest also, kin, and Her light upon your path," he adds to the other man. "Forgive me, it was not my intent to frighten." He keeps his tone quiet and even, even as he inclines his head towards Aya. "Fair evening to you as well," he acknowledges her. "My landing point was ill-chosen."

"You did not land upon anyone," Aya notes as she nears, "so it was not as poor as it could have been. Good evening," she then adds, in greeting to all.

Zeke's attention is on the man he is carefully helping to his feet. It takes some doing for the sith to get the smaller man upright, but they both seem to relax somewhat once this is done. "Ssee?" He says softly to the other man. "Thisss isss Sseldan, thisss one'sss kin, and a good man. And thisss isss Aya."

The introductions made, the man offers a low nod to both parties and seems to be only slightly afraid now. His eyes occasionally darting skyward as if something might fall upon him. "I am Mei." He offers, clinging to Zeke's arm.

The blue-scale explains further. "Mei wassss attacked by Assshwingsss not long ago, thussss hiss fear. Thisss one hasss been attending to hisss recovery." Zeke looks at Mei to make sure that the man is handling everything well. "Thisss one was getting him sssome exersssize."

If allowed, Seldan moves at once to help Zeke get the man to his feet, but will stand down at any sign of fear. "Nonetheless, Mistress Aya, I have done injury unwitting, if not of the direct sort, and for that would I ask forgiveness. I usually land outside the walls." His eyes lower briefly again, although embarrassment shifts to a thundercloud of anger at the mention of the ashwings. "I am Seldan," he nods to Mei. "I stand among those tracing the ashwings, and determining why they are here and who they serve. I would not merely banish them, but instead find their ringleader."

"Unwitting, Seldan," Aya repeats and emphasizes his own word before looking to Zeke and Mei. "Yes, we hope to learn their plan and leader, lest they simply continue to plot. Speaking of which..."

Her eyes return to Seldan. "Leader or agent I do not know, but they are unusually deceptive. The one that appeared upon The Moon's own temple recently was ... not what it appeared. They were not much for conversation."

Now that the imminent danger is passed, Mei no longer seems afraid of Seldan, and allows a helpful hand though his eyes continue to flicker around looking for any danger. "You need not apologize to me, but... thanks. I just... keep thinking that they're out there." He looks at Aya briefly and then back to Seldan. "I don't know much, but I know that they were guarding a dungeon that appeared on the edge of a farmer's lands to the north of here. At least... they were on the road that led to it when they attacked me and my comrades."

Here Mei grew a bit distant and Zeke patted him gently on the shoulder in a comforting gesture. He had to continually help hold the man upright, thanks to his bum leg. "Mei sssaid that the assshwingsss did pretend to be injured celessstialsss, luring in hiss companionsss and himsself and then..." Zeke shook his head slowly here and Mei looked down at the ground.

Aya recognizes the scenario and takes a slight step back from Zeke and Mei. She can only presume this was the man with the shattered leg... whom she may have threatened. For his benefit, to be sure, but it is better that he remain calm for now. "Interesting..." is all she notes at the revelation of events.

Seldan sighs quietly, but lets the matter go for now. It seems likely that he will be annoyed with himself. "Evil things indeed. A dungeon in the midst of farmer's lands... so their reach is beyond the city." He scowls, suddenly. "They are, and yet are there those who oppose them. That may I tell you for certain. It is well that you are recovering, though. If I may be of aid...." He lets that trail off.

Mei offers a slender smile. "Perhaps if you've a spell to mend a broken leg?" He shakes his head at Zeke's look of mild exasperation. "But no, as I've told Zeke, I will accept no charity. All I ask is that... Someone avenges my fallen comrades." His jaw clenches and Zeke offers a second comforting pat.

"Thisss one hasss offered many timesss to heal Mei, but he isss a sstubborn sssort it ssseemss." Zeke flicks his tail, half amusement, half exasperation.

The dark man has the grace to look embarrassed. "You've done enough for me Zeke. You and all the people that tried to help my comrades. I just wish that..." He trails off and shakes his head. "Well wishes won't get me anywhere. I'll heal in time and that's good enough for me."

"I have no healing to offer," Aya now notes to Mei, "so you need not worry of charity. Your request, however, I am far more able to meet, and I am hardly alone. I expect that the fallen will be avenged soon enough."

"Even so," Seldan agrees, all trace of smile gone. "I would remind you that one who is hale, may better air those who search, and yet is it your decision. For now, I should return to the Temple walls."

"And we ssshould return to our walk." Zeke offers quietly, and nods to the pair of others before beginning to lead Mei away. The man stops long enough to offer his own low nod in gratitude to those who offered to aid him.

-End