[h3]Auriel, Rurik and Aramir[/h3]

Auriel examined the rewards offered by the dwarf Rurik carefully. He had blathered some explanation of them, which she had only half listened to, too busy making a decision on the most important criteria - which one was prettier. The eggs were a bit dull, besides having one of those sitting next to her bed was far less appealing than having a ring she could wear whenever she liked. “Which one…” She muttered to herself. “Hmmm….”

“The green one for my eyes…. or the red one for my hair…” She looked at them for a long moment, then eventually decided the silver ring with the green stone was prettier. She took it from Rurik, slipping it on her middle finger and admiring it. She did remember that Rurik had mentioned something about ‘silentium.’ Activation word… if she remembered correctly. “Silentium.” She said experimentally. Nothing.

But of course that wasn’t enough. The red one was so pretty too! She stepped past the dwarf, her hand brushing over the rings as she did, picking one of the red ones up stealthily. She smirked as she went [i]another trader fleeced[/i] she thought, popping the red ring down the front of her shirt.

Whens he raised her hand to inspect the green ring again, she shrieked at the sight. A high pitched sound of pure surprise and shock. For a moment she just stared at her hand, then raised her other hand and started weakly speaking “I look like… like…. Aramir! What have you done to me you crazy dwarf!” Her voice took on a growing edge of hysteria as she went on.

The moment Auriel shrieked, her ring’s spell was broken and her movements were heard again. Rurik’s eyes gleamed with mischief at seeing a tall version of a snow elf standing before him. His voice chuckled a bit, his eyes noting her coloring and knew exactly why. He couldn’t help but comment, his arms crossed over his chest while he smirked. “Well, looks like the little lassie got a little too greedy, uh?” 

Aramir listened attentively to what Rurik was saying, having returned to normal during the cart ride home. She knew immediately which reward she was taking and as soon as she was allowed to choose one she made a bee line for the yellow ring and put it on, smiling with relief. Absorbing damage was nice, as was being extra stealthy, but nothing could top being able to beat back shadows and darkness for at least an hour.

As she heard Auriel saying something, she looked over at the Wood Elf and narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Rather than tell her roommate to put it back, however, her eyes only grew incredibly wide as Auriel turned the same blue color as she was. It only took a moment for the surprise to wear off, and suddenly peals of laughter erupted over the shrieking. Aramir was bent over holding her sides, looking at Auriel. “You..you look like...like me!” She gasped, before another fit of laughter hit her. When she regained control of herself, she spoke again, grinning.  “The tables have turned now haven’t they? I think I like you blue, with that bright red nose. It’s payback for turning me red and a reminder not to steal!”

Still giggling, she turned to Rurik. “Can I buy something to turn this on and off at will? This will be very useful...and entertaining.”

Auriel shot a dark look at Aramir for the suggestion, taking a moment to realise one of the other things she had said.

[i]She had a red nose as well as all this?![/i]

This was so embarrassing! How could she let this happen? “How long is this going to last Dwarf!” She screeched. “And don’t even think about giving Aramir the rune that did this!” She fixed Rurik with her best glare, though she was keenly aware of how ineffective it would be while everyone was laughing at her. Still, it made her feel marginally better.

Rurik merely continued to smirk, keeping from another chuckle, as he addressed his customer first. “I don’t know if I have another anti-thief rune, though I have mini ones. They sadly only last half the time but just as effective. Though I think they might be rather pricy. I’m generous, but still need to eat and I can’t be giving them away.” 

His lips frowned when he looked at Auriel, her voice screeching into the high octaves and making him wince slightly at the sound. The dwarf sighed then held out his hand. “Give back the ring you ‘borrowed’ and the effect will wear off much quicker. It only happens when an item, established with a hidden mark, is claimed and not willing given. You chose the green ring so the effect didn’t affect you. However, you nicked another and activated. So unless you want to remain blue, I [i]suggest[/i] you return it.”  

Aramir, still giggling slightly, shrugged. “Ah well. I’ll have to wait a little bit. Don’t actually have any money.” She saw Auriel’s glare and walked over, placing a gentle hand on the Wood Elf’s hip and looking up at her. “Come on, just give Rurik his ring back. You know it was wrong to steal the ring, and it will wear off quickly after you give it back. You can’t attack him for protecting his goods, or trying to make a profit.”

Auriel stamped her foot in frustration and glared for a moment longer before retrieving the ring from down her top and throwing it at the ground by Ruriks feet. The moment she had done this she turned, grabbed a cloak, threw it over her and stormed off towards her room. This day had been terrible and she wanted nothing more than to sulk somewhere quiet.

Rurik waited, watching the elf toss a childish fit and not bending down to get the ring until she stomped away. For some odd reasons, he knew what was coming the moment he spotted her reaction from the start. For individuals like her, pranks were fun as long they weren’t on herself. He inhaled, half pitying her and hoping one day she would learn to appreciate the pranking arts a bit better in the future. Half his best ones, after all, were ones done on himself after several years living with his own damn brother. 

Casting the thought away, he hunched down to retrieve the ring carelessly tossed into the ground. His knee bent and hand scooped up the ring, bring himself to about Aramir’s height easily when the snow elf lass approached. Rurik tilted his head upward to face her with a dwarish smirk. “Yes, lassie, what is it? Sorry about your friend, seems she can’t handle a prank being tossed at her, can she?”  

Aramir watched Auriel leave and sighed, walking over to Rurik as he picked up the ring. She shrugged and smiled as he apologized. “She knew better than to steal it from you. She just wasn’t ready for anything to happen other than me seeing her do it and stopping her. Still, do you have something to negate the effect? I have to share a room with her and I don’t want to act liking I’m around a sleeping bear. Makes for tense living situations.”

“Sure, there’s an illusion candy in the wagon back there. Get me a second to get it cause if doesn’t cross my hands before giving it to you, it will make snow elves green.” Rurik chuckled and rose up, dropping the ring into its rightful place. “If she gave back the ring and didn’t stomp off, I would’ve given it to her. Sadly, she didn’t give me a chance. Though, if she’s the prankster type I have a few goods you might like, namely to return the favor?” 

Aramir smiled again at the thought of a little payback for all the times she’s been turned red.. “I would love to buy some, but as I said, I don’t actually have any money, and I have a far better moral standard than Auriel. Not to mention, being green just doesn’t appeal to me for some odd reason.” She followed Rurik to the wagon.

“Very well, though if you ever change your mind, let me know. I’ll set some special items aside for you, lassie.” Rurik said, passing Aramir the small, ruby candy. “Good luck with her.” 

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Aramir said, taking the small candy and storing it carefully. “Thanks for the ring and the candy. I’ll tell you how well it goes over...though if you see a random wildfire or hear a lot of screaming, it didn’t go well.” Aramir turned and left, heading after Auriel.