Dark Light

*The Space-Bar ~ A Virtual Tavern ~ Always Open*

"I was trying to shoot you remember." Anya said with a sly grin and giggle. "And I still would if I had the bullets." she teases with a wink as she makes a gun shape with her fingers and pointing at Miri pretends to shoot her.

"hmm." Anya paused and pondered on the question properly for a moment.
"I normally shoot people because others pay me to do so, but besides the money I do it because I'm good at it. And why I shot him, well I guess I find it easy. You know, almost fun. If that makes any sense?" Anya's wide eyes lock onto Miri's as she awaits her reaction and reply.

*The Space-Bar ~ A Virtual Tavern ~ Always Open*

Anya stumbled forward now that the shields were gone and caught herself behind the bar leaning over it. Brushing the hair from her face she simply smiled.
"He's wrong you know. People can't just avatar up in here, it's not how the scanners work."
She discarded her gun with blatant disregard, tossing it carelessly off to the side.
"I gotta remember to carry more ammo before I plug in. Any way doll... What are we gonna do with you?"
Anya now rested her chin in her hands and her elbows upon the bar. With a smile so sweet and innocent you wouldn't guess that only moments ago she was firing madly with the intent to kill. Now she was calm, relaxed and even a little playful.

"So what else can your video game magic do?"

Under the Old Hallowed Tree

The surprise hit Arden with physical shock as he staggered back a step and looked up at her from the paper, wide eyed and a little confused. Her silence was just something he had come to accept and hearing her voice for the first time was the last thing he could have expected.

It wasn't until Darya spoke again was Arden sure what was happening. That's when he lit up like a kid on Christmas. Filled with ecstatic surprise he quickly swept in and embraced Darya before she had even finished speaking.

"H' how?" He asked excitedly before she could even explain. "That's amazing!" Arden was clearly very happy for her and had to restrain himself before he gave away her little secret.

Calming himself he stepped back, giving her some space and looked to her. "Tell them when you feel it's right. Maybe after tonight's ceremony? If you're ready."
A wide smile never left his face.
"Wow." he repeated softly. Highly amused.

Under the Old Hallowed Tree

@Mr Rage in this world what's a festive event that children enjoy?

Star Reach: Mercenaries ~ new players always welcome

((So Carver is supposed to arrest the whole ship and not just people from a screening list?
How many is on that ship?
Do I just get them to fly themselves to helix?
Or is it just a detain and wait for pickup deal?))

Under the Old Hallowed Tree

'Can you keep a secret?'
It was the same question tugging at his own heart. Although undoubtedly their inner conflicts were bound to differ. He took the pencil Darya always carried on her, knowing we're she kept it. After a quick scribble he returned the paper and writing utensil.

'YES'

It read in his simple handwriting below her question. He couldn't answer any other way. Mute or not Darya had kept Arden out of trouble numerous times and never told on him even in the cases that she probably should have.

He watched the paper with an eager curiousness and a faint slither of concern as he waited for her to write this new secret. His mind raced with the possibilities, now graduated anything could be happening. Maybe she was leaving. That thought saddened him but it was a wide world full of possibilities and excitement. Especially for a talented water Mage. Arden would understand.

Under the Old Hallowed Tree

Typical, Arden thought to himself as familiar haunting voice rang through his head. Once again he had to rely on another's elemental gift to get him out of the predicament he was in. Another instance were 'spirit' was of no use. But as usual those thoughts barely surfaced for a second and did not reflect on his face nor reach a form of verbalisation. For as quick as they came they swiftly swept away down a deep dark hole where they remained still, silent and hidden. Locked away, ever slowly growing.

No, the grin he wore was one of a charming and playful gratitude. His smile alone could speak volumes while his eyes kind and caring were truly fit for a spirit mage. Deep and mesmerising it was no wonder he could see the souls of things.
As the water patted his face highlighting his tattoos, he didn't fight it but chuckled lightly and embraced the spay of cool liquid.

Arden looked over the now empty river, noting how far off he was from where the water had picked up his medallion. Without Darya's help he would have been here for quite some time if he ever found it at all. He looked over to Darya and caught her smiling at him. Darya the shy, silent and mysterious water Mage. Arden knew how to give a charming grin but there was something so sweet, innocent and infectious when Darya curled up those full luscious lips.

Partly to impress, partly out of a sense to validate his own powers and position, Arden closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath as he forced a wave of energy down into his legs. Lowering like a spring he suddenly shot up in a wide arcing backflip, floating his energy down to his right hand he sprung off it as it hit the ground before landing back on his feet on the clear green grass.

With a flourish of his hand he leant forward in a bow and then stood and waved. That's when he noticed it. His flip had fallen short and a splatter of mud had sprayed up his arm and sleeve when he had sprung off it. Even though now graduated he still couldn't get a consistent measure of energy.

He needed to go clean his shirt sleeve and polish his seal but he didn't want to seem thankless. For some reason when around Darya Arden lost sense of his own words, he often wondered if it was due to some empathic link or simply some weird psychological behaviour. So he simply stood there like a mute and watched her for a moment as he decided what to do.

Under the Old Hallowed Tree

Arden's free spirited attitude and intense energy refused to fade or be tamed even as he grew up. While he was a good student his attention was short and curiosity large. He often questioned everything, even to the point of self detriment to his own learning.

Due to his nature, Arden's mastery of his element was not at the level of his peers. He blamed it on the element itself and often wished for another. Spirit was not as fierce as fire or as strong as earth. He couldn't manipulate it like water or take control of his environment like air. For that reason he always felt left out and was jealous of the others gifts. His training was often different too.

Instead Arden put more of his time and focus in the martial arts. Training with the staff when ever he could. Despite his teachers best efforts Arden treated it as a sword, tradition stood no match for his imagination.

Even now with less than an hour to prepare for his final test, Arden knew he should be getting ready and practising. He had every intention to but one thing lead to another. Now he stood with his finest garments rolled up over his knees and elbows as he swayed around in a shallow muddy river searching madly for his brand new five pointed seal.

*The Space-Bar ~ A Virtual Tavern ~ Always Open*

"Yea I did ey." She says with optimistic admiration as she peers at her handy work with a proud smile.
"He's a tough lil toaster, I'll give him that much. I still don't get your angle though..." Anya presses her forehead against the barrier with a sudden 'thud' then proceeds to softly roll it from side to side as her devilish eyes peer up past her brows and through her long eyelashes. Her words are sweetly haunting.
"You can't really be from there, what's wrong. Someone been playing in your head? I know what that's like."
While keeping her forehead to the barrier Anya twists and plants her left cheek against it as her eyes fall onto Jhin.
"He looks like the kinda guy who 'knows a guy'. He might be able to get someone to look into that noggin of yours."

*The Space-Bar ~ A Virtual Tavern ~ Always Open*

"Ughh" Anya groans, dropping her hands and rolling her eyes. Her small pistol dangling loosely in her fingers as she pokes the barrier.
"You fucken newbs!" She looks to Jhin shaking her head deciding his comment didn't warrent an actual reply. "There's no police because nothing here is illegal. What could they do in VR anyway?"
As she spoke her free hand pulled out her cigaret packet, looking into it she frowned remembering she already lit up the last one and dropped it somewhere.
Frustrated she pointed the gun at her prison wall and pulled the trigger.

'BANG', 'click', 'click', 'click'.

Empty...
Flipping the gun around in her hand Anya started banging on the field.
"C'mon, what the hell is this? Let me out already. I got no bullets left."