Female Voodoo


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By one tidy cabin off to the far side, a young male chipmunk is sitting in a small alcove made of small trees covered with vines. He is intently reading several very old texts. Oddly, for being so ancient, the covers appear shiny and the binding is unlike any of the books found in Haven.

It's early evening and the shadows are just starting to appear, but Timothy Zabender, the young scholar mage is still able to read with some difficulty.

A dark, slender form finds her way trough the area, moving as if she had every right to be where she was, yet with a cautiousness permeating her every move.

A deer-like Odoxi, obviously of the same race as Arthur L. Dactyle III, the wimpy upper class deer Delachiel kidnaped one night, walks close by without seeing the dark elf. His hooves thump on the walkway to Timothy's cabin. He peers around then walks over to the alcove. "Hey, Tim? What are you doing here still? The rest of us are heading into town to spend some time at the tavern!"

The dark female steps into hiding behind a few trees, as if she never was there.

Timothy startles and looks up from his book, "I can't right now Tavos. We'll be moving the Holy Bacon soon and I have to activate it's spell. This old tome is so hard to understand. I mean, what is a "channel frequency"?"

Tavos snorts, "Right. You just don't like the females at the local tavern, do you?"

Timothy looks down into his book and sighs, "It's not that, I'd just like... sigh...I'd just like someone who understood why I enjoy being a scholar mage so much. Talking to some of them is like talking to you when you zapped yourself with a confusion spell to get out of an exam. ;)"

Delachiel can't help but to grin to herself behind a tree. Despite the freedom these students enjoy, she cannot help but to be reminded of her days of study.

Tavos blushes slightly, "Er, yeah. That was an accident, honest. Well...suit yourself, we'll be back much later. I'll see you in class tomorrow, ok?"

Timothy shakes his head, "I'm going into the field tomorrow. We can't risk those horrible space pets landing here. I'll see you in a few days, ok Tavos?"

Tavos snickers, "Space pets. Yeah. Well, the board of mages must know what they are talking about. See you later Timothy. ;)"

At that the Odoxi nearly skips off to join a group of students at the entrance to the compound, who all noisily head off into town.

Delachiel hms, and ponders the meaning of what she heard as she waits for Tavos and the others to get to a safe distance.

Timothy sighs and says, "Why is it female scholar mages are so rare? It'd be nice to meet a female who enjoys magic instead of being afraid of it." The tired male shrugs and goes back to his book.

A faint play of light appears between Timothy and his book, slowly raising higher, gaining in intensity as a mesh of bright lights move in a quiet dance, slowly drifting over to the dark female, now sitting rather close to Timothy, hidden in her hood, veils and gloves, an aura of mischief around her.

Timothy blinks and nearly jumps out of his robes, "By the Rosetta!"

Delachiel shakes her head, poking at the sphere of light with a leather-clad finger, making it disappear. ~~Hello, Timothy.~~

Timothy holds the manual close to his chest as he tries to rise, sputtering, "Who? H'how did you know my name? What do you want?"

Delachiel says, ~~It's a very pretty evening, and I thought it would be a pity to spend it all by myself. Besides, I think we have a lot we could talk about.~~

The mysterious females calm attitude helps Timothy a bit, and finally he realizes, "That light sphere, you did that? Who are you?"

Delachiel bows her head in acknowledgment. She studies the chipmunk, while replying calmly, slightly amused, ~~My name is Delachiel.~~

Timothy curiosity about life overwhelms the rest of his common sense and he sits back down on the bench next to Delachiel, "My name's Timothy Zabender, I'm an apprentice scholar mage here. How did you know my name? Why do you wear those veils?"

~~A pleasure indeed to meet you, Timothy. It's not that often one meets intelligent and cultivated people like you around here, I'm afraid. Your name... Well, there's things I know, and things I want to know. And the veils are to hide myself from curious, narrow-minded eyes.~~

Timothy says, "Narrow minded eyes? I don't understand."

Delachiel waves the topic away. ~~You may, but that is something for later.~~ She tilts her head, and asks, perhaps a bit too sweetly for an experienced observer, ~~I would like to know what it is in magic, and the career of a scholar, that attracts you so.~~

Timothy ohs, "I love to understand the world around me. There is so much to it, so much to explore, so much to understand. And yet not all scholar mages feel like I do, many of them are very afraid of what the spacers will send us."

Timothy nods, "I have to admit, those creatures we saw were pretty impressive. But you can't fear everything just cause it's different."

Delachiel captures Timothy's eyes, moving a little closer, enough for him to sense the warmth of another being, the faint scent of her. ~~But you are not? Your mind is open enough to see the spacers as a challenge, as something to explore?~~

Timothy swallows slightly and nods, "We could learn a lot about them. I mean, we barely understand Nexus. We've done so little exploring in the millennia since the catastrophe. But those spacer pets that came out of...I guess it was a "space ship", they were so odd looking. And impressive hunters. I hope they are tame, they would be horrible to have to fight."

~~Were you present yourself? It must have been marvelous! I've only heard rumors so far.~~

Timothy nods, "I was the mage with the scouting group to explore the fires we've seen in the sky recently. We were there when they landed. They looked so odd. They walked on FOUR legs, yet they had what looked like another half body with arms where the head should be. And wings! When some Larctos attacked, they used their claws and sharp wingtips to attack them. One of them threw something from it's wing and it exploded!"

Timothy's excitement about finding someone female to talk to is rather obvious.

Delachiel hides her frown easily enough, being veiled. ~~That's remarkable! Did they have soft fur, perhaps even spotted, and a cat's tail, by any chance?~~

Timothy blinks several times, "One was striped, the other had spots, and they looked like giant cats, yes. How did you know?"

Timothy's curiosity is really up now, and he tilts his head as he looks at the mysterious veiled lady.

~~Knowledge has always intrigued me. I have learned a few things on my journeys, although with every new thing learned I realize how much is still a mystery. But tell me, what is known about these strange creatures and their origin? Why did they come here?~~

Timothy hmms, "Well, we've never heard of them before. We all know that four legged creatures never evolved sentience, so these must have been well trained. They had no collars, but had these highly decorative armbands on...well, I don't know if I should call them arms or not, but they obviously didn't use their third pair of limbs to walk on. They also had pouches hanging from their "waists". And when the Larctos slammed into them, they didn't seem to be hurt at all."

Timothy purrs, "As for where they came from, our ancestors, the spacers must have sent them here. Why, we don't know. That's what I'm going to help find out. Hopefully."

Stuffit stretches and yawns inside Delachiel's pocket.

Delachiel leans her head against her palm, elbow against the back of the bench, bringing her even closer to Timothy. ~~I've heard so much legends about the ancestors, but little more than childen's tales.~~

Delachiel pets her pouch gently, opening the flap for Stuffit to emerge if he so chooses.

Timothy nods, "One thousand years is a long time to keep information straight. We supposedly came from a race that traveled between the stars in great ships. We were just one "world" that they colonized. No one knows what the catastrophe was, but it cut us off. Now, it looks like our ancestors are back. We actually saw their ship land from out of the sky. And, what is that?"

Stuffit slinks out of the bag, stretches and waves at Timothy.

~~Timothy, meet Stuffit.~~ She pauses impatiently, for a moment, to let Timothy greet Stuffit back, then asks, ~~A space ship landed here!?~~

Timothy purrs, "No, way out in the woods. About 20 miles outside of the edge of town. Two of them actually. We only saw one land and the creatures came out of it. They were rather pretty, in an alien sort of way."

Delachiel says, ~~The big cats?~~

Timothy stares again at Stuffit and playfully waves back. Stuffit nods then pads over to the book by Timothy's side. He starts flipping through the pages.

Delachiel says, ~~And both ships left? Did anyone have a chance to communicate with the spacers?~~

Timothy nods to Delachiel, "The big winged cats. No, we didn't see any spacers. Just those bizarre pets of theirs. We left during the fight as one of our "leaders" was about to soil himself out of fear. What is that thing of yours? And tell him to be careful with that book. What am I saying, he's an animal, he can't understand."

Stuffit chitters to Delachiel, ((Ancient homing device. Instructions poor. Why wish acquire?))

Delachiel pets Stuffit cautioningly. ~~He's pretty smart for a pet, don't worry. We wouldn't want to harm such an important book -- although it seems spacers found this place even without the Holy Bacon.~~

Timothy blinks at the chittering, "Odd how animals often seem to try and talk to their owners. Well, yes, but we want to talk to them directly. We figure the Holy Bacon can be used to bring them to where we want to talk. I have one other question for you Delachiel."

Delachiel nods. ~~Please ask.~~

Stuffit chittters excitedly, ((Space trade? Lot's to acquire. Many deals to make. Maybe locate mate?))

Timothy blinks at the little ferret and says, "Why did you kidnap that noble? And how did you disappear like that, can you create portals?"

Timothy turns his gaze back to Delachiel as he waits for an answer.

Delachiel laughs a little! ~~My, you're not oblivious to what happens in the world around you, are you. That's a very good trait in a scholar, very good indeed. You truly have a promising career in front of you, dear Timothy.~~ She leans back a little. ~~I guess you have deserved an answer. I wanted to know more of the conspiracy to control any trade following from the use of the Bacon. As to the little disappearing act... I had help from little friends.~~

Timothy does a double take and stammers, "There is a conspiracy to take the Holy Bacon? And what little friends?"

Stuffit chitters at Timothy playfully.

Delachiel raises a finger of her leather glove at Timothy, ~~Ah! I didn't tell you that anyone was going to steal the Bacon, although I guess that would be logical. That's where you come into the picture, dear Timothy. The Bacon isn't a toy for just anyone to play with, no, it deserves a worthy keeper.~~

Timothy looks at Stuffit then back to Delachiel, "What do you mean?"

Delachiel's voice projects a toothy grin. ~~Why, the conspirers could never use the Bacon without you, dear Timothy.~~

A look of surprise and anger quickly turns to worry as Timothy digests that information, "True, I was the last apprentice to the scholar mage who watched over the Holy Bacon. Hey, gimme that."

Stuffit tries to pull on the book as Timothy tries to take it back. After an annoying few seconds, Stuffit and the book disappear with a *poit* to reappear 10 feet away on the ground.

Timothy's jaw drops.

Delachiel tilts her head, then pulls her legs up on the bench, resting her hand on the back of the bench behind Timothy. She sighs at the ferret. ~~Stuffit! Give it back.~~

Stuffit chitters, ((Section on activate. Need read to acquire/steal information.))

Timothy mutters, "Little friends."

Delachiel shrugs a bit embarrassedly. ~~Well, only one, really. Hm. Well, while he reads on how to use the Bacon, you can tell me how knowledgeable you are about politics here.~~

Timothy blinks, "He can read?"

Delachiel shrugs again. ~~So he claims.~~

Stuffit sticks his tongue out at Delachiel and chitters, ((Ask prospective business partner/sucker/mate channel frequency?))

A little of Timothy's cautiousness is returning, and he says, "He's an animal though. He walks on four legs. He's too small to be intelligent."

Delachiel mpfhs at Stuffit, and turns back to Timothy, scritching his shoulder with a finger. ~~So... Stuffit wants to know about a 'channel frequency', but I would rather discuss politics.~~

Timothy blinks, "HE knows what that means? Tell him I don't know what to use."

Delachiel does so, slightly irritated at the distraction. ~~So, what kind of security do you have here to prevent people from just walking away with you?~~

Delachiel looks around. ~~No-one has made any attempts to stop me so far.~~ She scritchies his shoulder again.

Stuffit puts a paw over his muzzle and sighs, then chitters ((995 common trade channel frequency. Why bother low quality goods/business partner?))

Timothy looks at Delachiel and says, "Where are you from? Who are you?"

Delachiel raises a finger at Stuffit. ~~What happened to potential mate?~~

Stuffit chitters, ((Apologies/refund. Thought better taste.))

Timothy blinks, "What did he say?"

Delachiel sighs a bit, leaning back on the bench. ~~It's a long, long story. It guess it's obvious that we're travelers from a bit further away. Oh, he claims that the frequency is 995.~~

Delachiel hms at Stuffit. ~~He's not too stupid, you know. Inexperienced, but that can be fun.~~

Timothy nods, "Travelers. From VERY far away. That's why you knew those space creatures had tails and were catlike."

Delachiel mmms, and shakes her head, her fingers now resting on Timothy's shoulder, her hand stretched out on the back of the bench behind the chipmunk. ~~Not quite what you think. I've encountered a few of those beings before, but I don't know much about them, except that they have rather intense mating habits.~~

Stuffit finally *poits* back with the book and crawls into Delachiel's pouch to sleep again. The chipmunk just stares, and finally states, "What do you look like?"

Delachiel stares back. After a rather long time she whispers, her voice not free of hurt, ~~Perhaps I will let you know someday, Timothy, but for now I think it's best for all if you don't know.~~

Timothy notes the tone and nods, "I'm pretty open minded, or at least I try. I'd like to think your appearance wouldn't bother me any. But you say that you've met these creatures before. And from the sound of things, you think they are intelligent?"

Delachiel pats his shoulder. ~~It's also safer. What you don't know cannot be taken from you. As the intelligence of the felitaurs... They're pretty intelligent, and very powerful.~~

Timothy frowns as he looks at this mysterious female and shakes his head, "Those things are intelligent? That would explain why no spacers came out, if they piloted the ship. But how can this be? Even if...quadrupeds can be intelligent (at which point Stuffit makes another face at Timothy), there is NO way they can be our ancestors. Can they?"

Delachiel shrugs. ~~There are weird things out there, but I doubt it.~~

Delachiel's voice is quiet, ~~I hope you realize that there are a lot of worlds and races other than your ancestors, a number of which can travel here, and not all of which are friendly.~~

Timothy is having troubles believing all of this, but he keeps it in mind as he asks, "Are they safe to be around?"

Delachiel says, ~~Safe? Reasonably so. You don't want to offend them, or get into situations where they can forget that you're not as... durable as they are.~~

Timothy nods and then asks, "And are you safe?"

Delachiel traces a finger on his neck. ~~I don't intend to harm you, no.~~

Timothy smiles slightly, "You didn't answer my question, but I didn't expect you to either. So, I'll skip the why you are so interested in all this, as I don't think you'll tell me. So, what do you plan on doing?"

~~If I was to stick close to you, I would be relatively close to the Bacon as well. Or, since there are two things the conspirators want -- the Bacon and you, I will have to choose between which one I want to guard.~~

Timothy smiles slightly, "I see. So which one do you want to guard?"

~~You.~~

Timothy swallows slightly, "I was kind of hoping you'd say that. You're just a little too mysterious for my own good, but you can't learn without taking risks. So, what next?"

Delachiel chuckles quietly, pleased. ~~Next... What are your quarters like?~~

Timothy blinks at the question.

~~I like the night, but it's not the time for important chipmunks to stay outside with valuable books.~~

Timothy ahems, "Well, It's a two bunk cabin. No one else is sharing it for now cause we've lost a few students to graduation."

Delachiel nods. ~~Good. You have peace to study, and it's easier for me to be unnoticed. Of course your friend might find it quite amusing to find a female in your quarters, I think.~~

Timothy blushes, "True, but you'll have to be careful. Apparently the council members son refused to press charges once he was released, but descriptions of a veiled female have been going around."

Delachiel nods. ~~That is unfortunate, indeed, but not a new situation for me. I do blame myself for being careless, though. Freedom was nice for the while I had it.~~

Timothy hmmms, "Actually, you're not in any real trouble. Though Merchant Picchaise is after you. If you can help us with this, well, you shouldn't have to worry about the guard anymore."

Delachiel nods. ~~I would appreciate that. However, publicity is not my friend. But I'm unimportant in the scheme of things -- so I will just fade into the background and see if I can be of use.~~

Timothy nods and sighs, "Well, I'll be happy to have you around while you can. But if things work out, I'm betting I can convince the guard to forget about you. One of them owes me a favor."

~~I appreciate it.~~ She stands up. ~~I guess it's obvious that I never was here.~~

Timothy nods and ahems, "The lock on the cabin is a simple spell. I'll teach it to you and then you can have a place to stay. Your..trained rat is going to be ok?"

Delachiel nods, and picks up Stuffit. ~~Thoughtful of you. It'll save me some trouble.~~

Delachiel chuckles a bit. ~~I guess you really don't mind my company that much then.~~

Stuffit chitters, ((Reappraisal. Some profit potential with investment. Possible mate? :))

Timothy looks a bit awkward and really thinks about what he's doing, but his life has been so wanting...he sighs, "I'd like you to be around for a while. You're one of those things I need to learn about I guess. I think I have some spare linen for the other bed. I...I'm not sure how to work this, I've never had a female living with me."

Delachiel rests her hand on his shoulder again. ~~For now, pretend I'm not even around. Later I may indeed be able to teach you.~~

Timothy flushes slightly, "You're going to be hard to ignore sometimes Delachiel. Here, let me show you the spell. For now, you'll have to work food out yourself. I still eat in the dining hall."

Delachiel nods quietly, and lets Timothy lead the way.

The slightly confused chipmunk male shows the basic motions and short chant to work the door of the cabin all the while thinking . o O (My mother was right. I'm hopeless when it comes to the first intelligent female that drops by, I hope I'm not making too much of a mistake.)

Stuffit chitters something to Delachiel about Ankhl Beiter and Kumquats in the language Delachiel understands.

Stuffit digs into the pouch and hands Delachiel a rolled up parchment too.

Delachiel follows closely, then nods. ~~I will leave now, but I will be watching. Take care.~~ She touches his chest shortly, then walks away into the night.

Timothy leans against the door with his mouth open, conflicting thoughts of his sanity, what he's gotten himself into, and how fascinating this new.. alien..female is fighting in his mind till he finally opens the door to his cabin and prepares to sleep, if he can.