Velvet's Touch
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Re: Velvet's Touch

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Velvet had worked hard these last months while Cele was away. He had felt that to deserve something more than her friendship he had to change. Darias gave him the strength to do it. He had done admirably not taking a client in many months. He had trained very hard at swordplay in the 1rst floor of the fighters guild. He had also been doing brisk business lately with the natives at the jungle island. He had acquired many riln roses for his business and had made his first million in coin.

All that there was to do now was wait. He did just that. There was so much news that he had to tell her. There was so much emotion bound up in the young mans body. That was when Calia strolled into camp. As usual Velvet was polite and mannered in the presence of another. The Lady took it well. He stuck up a conversation telling Calia that he awaited a girl he had met when he first came here. Calia was at first quite pleasant and asked where this girl that Velvet liked went. Velvet replied she was a knight of some sort and had ventured into Orc lands. Calia smiled wickedly and said that the Orcs had eaten her.

Velvet was taken aback a bit but hid his discomfort well. He looked off to the north and considered. He said that perhaps she did but he did not believe so. Velvet had seen Cele's sword arm in action and knew that she was a competent girl and strong much stronger than what the Orc's could stand. Calia laughed but said she would help him. she took a rod and be-spelled it then gave it to him.

Velvet was surprised after studying it a moment. He knew he should offer a gift to her and said as much to Calia. Calia tried to refuse, but it was customary to give a gift back, So Velvet begged his absence a short bit and went to the bank.

At the bank He kept a locked sea chest full of fine nobleman and woman clothes he made as gifts for just such an occasion. He pulled the best he had made one that was to be given to Cele and took it back to the farmlands.

He graciously offered the gift to Calia thinking that his first opinion of her was off track. He should have known better. She accepted his gift, Then pulled out a dagger and tried to slash him across the thigh. He jumped back as the woman became insane. She then spoke an invigorating monolog about the fact that she had warned him not to bring a dress after he had gone. She then spoke of herself has wielding all the powers of the universe, and all the powers of the elements.

Velvet now realizing that Calia was quite insane backed up slowly. He begged his pardon and told her he had pressing business as most merchants do. He slowly backed away from the crazy woman and turned to find Quinn. He greeted him then whispered that the woman in camp was quite dangerous. As Quinn and he were speaking, Calia turned into a great red dragon.

That was enough for Velvet's nerves strong as they were; they were not that strong facing an unpredictable crazy woman that could change into a dragon. He ran as fast as he could away. He ran to the entrance of the xvart cave, pulled out a bottle and took a strong swig with shaky hands. After an hours time he had calmed down enough to seek out more quartz for the other part of his business.

He eventually came back to see what looked like a stand off between Lady shaia and the crazy Calia. He quietly snuck past the two dragons and assumed his business a bit shaken but unharmed. He vowed to be a little more careful at camp. If more people like this woman came there he would find a different place to await Cele.
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Re: Velvet's Touch

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Velvet could stand it no longer. He first went to the jungle island and traded with the girls there for 2 roses. Thus equipped he sailed back to Lapis and exchanged both of them for supplies. He wasn't sure what he needed but lots of hard tack and water was a start. Going to his apartment he also stopped at the Fletcher and picked up some extra arrows. In his apartment he carefully packed and weighed everything so he could still move about in combat, satisfied he slept the rest of the day.

At night he started off to those mysterious Orc caves he had caught a glimpse of while searching for Cele. He moved briskly and got to the caves quickly with little fighting. A few bugbears had fell upon his blade, other than that he successfully slipped by the orcs and made it to the cave.

Slipping in the cave he found a large cavern. It was dark, smelled of death and stagnant water and occupied by a full army of orcs. He searched carefully slipping through the orcs like a ghost. At one point even crawling under a cave hut and observing a camp. He searched for pieces of mail, a glove, anything that told him that Cele may have passed that way. Along the first level a few orcs spotted him. He ducked into a room and there killed the orcs. He almost died on their axes but found the strength to defeat a full 3 of them. At one time he hit a trap and was poisoned. He did everything he could but the poison was a long lasting one and slowed his pace, made him feel groggy. He moved on past archers and ax wielding monsters, encountered great ogres with clubs. rarely did they have a hint that he was even there. When they spotted something he ducked and dodged them. Once a great Orc with a double mace almost slew him in a room but he ducked out and hid.

Lower in the bowels of the cavern system he found a great monster on a pedestal of stone and managed to avoid the beast. He went into another room to find another Orc battle master had detected him. He quickly moved to the next room. He was tired and starting to ache for absinth. He hadn't had any since his journey started. His hands started to shake. Avoiding the battle master he found himself in a master bedchamber with a mirror. Orcs could not live here. Who's room was this. Velvet had a creepy feeling drive up his spine at the sight of the chamber. He rifled through the desks and cabinets finding nothing. Then left quickly avoiding the Battle master then the great beast thing.

He rounded the corner to find two drow guarding an entrance that went deeper. He slipped past them and moved on going deeper. He saw walkways and drow now all over. He must have wandered down an entrance to underdark. He avoided them successfully and moved a spot overlooking a few buildings with the dark elves bustling about. He found a quiet corner and observed them. He was starting to sweat. He knew he was in trouble. Then came the vision. A vision of a man at a desk talking of lady amysarah. it was a strange vision and for awhile the man was talking alone. Two adventurers suddenly appeared when the man disappeared and then he was back where he was. He crawled to a small corner where he could watch the drow. He ate some hardtack and made sure the small space was secure. checking the walls there were cobwebs along them. He knew the drow had not come this way for many a year. It was quiet. He ate some hard tack and drank a good gulp of absinth. The opium and wormwood worked on him easily in his weakened state putting him into a deep sleep.
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Re: Velvet's Touch

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The halfing ran past the group yelling, "HELP HE'S AFTER ME". Velvet and the Round bottoms were only able to stop her a moment. She said he thought she stole something. Velvet and one of the Roundbottoms questioned her a moment. Velvet knew she was hiding something but what? Before they could question her more than a few minutes she ran toward Cleaverness and the school. Just as she left a Man ran up. He questioned the group about a blonde halfling girl. Velvet and the roundbottoms questioned him in turn. velvet knew he wasn't telling the truth either. So what was going on? No one knew. The Man did indeed say she was a thief. What was he hiding. He was very elusive.

Velvet and the Roundbottoms conferred and came up with a plan. velvet would persuade the man that she ran into the graveyard He and some of the bottoms would go with him to see what hes really doing. While the other bottoms would chase after the girl. They would find out the truth one way or another.

It worked like a charm Velvet convinced the man that the halfling girl did run into the graveyard. They searched all through the crypts while hopefully the others found the girl and go to the bottom of what she was doing.

After hours of searching the crypts, with Velvet often showing the man "where she had been" and convincing him of such he could not hold the illusion forever. The man finally started getting suspicious. Velvet noticed and took him on a side passage then back to the main. He showed the man where ' she had backtracked leaving a trail up and eventually out of the crypts. They dashed back to the farmlands.

Velvet and the man looked both ways at camp. He suggested that she may have gone to the city to look for a hiding place and persuaded the man to look in the city while he searched the surrounding farmlands. they agreed and split up.

Velvet quickly found the trail and followed it to the Amphiel school. There he found Veri and the gang questioning the halfling girl. Eventually someone stole her bag and looked in. The halfing girl got mad and all of the sudden Ghosts and wraiths were everywhere. they fought most of the group going down when the strange man appeared through the gates and ran to help them fight off the ghosts. Eventually they did knocked the halfling out cold.

They exchanged greetings again. The man was both angry and impressed by the ruse Velvet and the roundbottoms pulled off on them. Velvet and the Roundbottoms were impressed by the mans tenacity. The whole story then came out after a bit of talk. The halfling did in fact steal a necromantic book and came to anchorome. The man was a mercenary in the employ of Darrama. The Group let him have the girl and book. He was grateful for the help, giving them each a heavy bag of gold.


Velvet when home and washed and shaved. Afterward He looked in the mirror. Mixed signals he though. When Cele had come back she gave him mixed signals. He had watched her carefully. He had never thought he would be one of those people who would fall in love and have to always be at arms length. An Admirer always kept at arms length.

He Brooded over it. She was much stronger than he was........Valiant, learned, a Noblewoman. What was he........Just a whore trying to follow a better path. He was wildly successful as a merchant......yet not even that had charmed her. He could use his talents or even the flowers he sold with a good mage making a potion. He shook his head. He couldn't.......wouldn't resort to trickery.

A knock sounded on the door. Velvet quickly dressed and opened the door then looking perplexed said, " Good evening my lady ."

The woman let herself in, " Velvet my dear, Still pining over that Harlot from Calamsham?"

" Please my lady, I have retired a long time now. Why the visit?"

"Retired is such a relative word dear Velvet, Once you get over your fetish for desert flowers you'll come back to the girls you entertained. Think about it what would a woman like that do with a man like you. She's probably had several family slaves to do as she wished with before she came here to make a name for herself. pt-ff! shes probably looking for a dynasty not some street whore from Waterdeep. Be sensible. Besides the man at the Pretty Peacock gets boring. You Velvet, you have........a sensitivity I've never seen before. Once your over this infatuation you'll come back into my arms and other lonely women."

Velvet sighed, " My lady, First and foremost Cele would not dally with anyone, even if her family had slaves. Second I am not and never was a street whore. I'm a highly trained technician. Third I will never need to go back there. I've been successful in my merchant trade and could retire tomorrow if I wanted.

The Woman just smiled and lithely danced over to the cabinet taking a bottle of absinth, " Oh yes Velvet you've changed." She holds the neck of the bottle between to fingers taunting him. He shows just the slightest signs of worry and trepidation. She catches the hint and smiles," Yes you still need this don't you?" She drops the bottle it shatters to the floor. Velvet goes very passive, his eyes become dangerous, half-knowing what hes about to hear.

She Continues, " I'll bet she knows about that. I do some of the other women I've talked to do.........some don't but enough do dear Velvet. I also read symbols very well. I would be very cautious if I were you. Take that as a warning. I don't want to hurt you.......or loose such talent but eventually.......well there it is. Just so you know I can and will go to concerts with you again when the time comes, but I want you to come to me." Velvet turns his head a moment .

The Woman virtually purrs out of the room waving good-bye as she goes. Velvet closes the door with shaky hands. He pulls another bottle out from the cabinet and takes a long drink. He stayed up long into the night brooding on the challenges before him until his eyes could take it no longer.........He slept.
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Re: Velvet's Touch

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Velvet had not seen Cele for several days so wandered over to Bob's camp. She was standing there near the camp so still he almost missed her. He called out. She didn't answer. She seemed to be in some form of communion with the dragon that stood there. Velvet had seen Bob just one other time. Cele took him to see the dragon. Velvet shrunk back in fear and respect. The Beast could squash Velvet without even realizing it. This time velvet still kept a healthy distance from Bob, not in fear, more a sign of respect of Cele's teacher. Velvet waited about an hour, Cele and the dragon entranced. He gave up, and put a bunch of flowers on the ground in front of her feet. He started to leave when he heard her voice. He turned and saw her movements deciding to walk back.

They talked enjoying each others company for several days. In the evening Cele would throw fireballs from her fingers roasting giant mushrooms in the area. Velvet would peel the burnt skin away, and collect the inner roasted parts. they dined and talked, showed each other what they had learned, Velvet always keeping a respectful distance. Velvet was plagued by worries of his past. He spoke to her about certain arrangements he made with the Lapis Port bank. If anything should happen to him she would inherit his entire fortune. She reaffirmed that they could never be together other than in a friendship. He responded saying that he knew, and he knew his place. It didn't matter to him. He told her she could always call on him for his talents ,and that he would always be watching over her. She seemed happy with his words. The days of happiness ended when beads of sweat started appearing on his face. He started to run a fever. Cele seemed to know he was starting to go through withdrawal from the absinth. she helped him enough but found reason to leave. He walked her to the temple then departed.

Walking back to Lapis the fever returned. By the time Velvet made it to the apartment he was almost delirious. He poured out a shot and quickly downed it. The effects were not good. He suffered the night with headaches and a twisted stomach.

In the morning he felt better, bathed and started packing. Cele was the least of his problems now. He had to find a new place. He left what he couldn't carry and made his way to the dockyards. He booked passage to Cleaverness. There he found a small apartment that fit his tastes. Payed the innkeeper a years rent and moved in. This Dark place would do for the moment. He had misinterpreted the market in Dandelion Dale, inadvertently flooding the place with his wares. they would not trade well with him anymore. Lapis was still a good place of business but he had certain other problems there. Cleaverness dark and evil was a good starting place for someone wanting to get lost for a time. He would have to be especially careful here among Cyric's minions and the Were creatures. If he kept to himself and caused no problems he felt he could make it here, and hide out for a time. How long, he didn't know.

As he sat on the new bed he thought about the irony of his life. He had given pleasure to so many women. Some wanting nothing better than to keep him for their own. Now that he felt the same for someone, it was denied him. Did Glory ,the high priestess of Sune, Curse him to this fate. He thought about it, then dismissed it. More it was the curse placed upon him by Madam Jenna and the shadow thieves. A poison that didn't kill as a poison. A poison that killed only if you stopped taking it.
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Re: Velvet's Touch

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Alette had been in a foul mood most of the day. She was being eaten up by the Pretty Peacock in Lapis. Rory the insatiable letch made sure most of her girls were pregnant just before he opened the fantasy kingdom of his. So the Pink Badger was reduced to the drunken sailors of the docks in cleverness. The wealthy now went to Rory's establishment. She should have seen this one coming but how was she suppose to compete with the Thief down in Lapis. Her Girls were wonderful but Rory had a knack for finding unusual workers for his establishment and had the money to put in fantastic rooms from what the rumor mill had said. A virtual fantasy playground in every room and every room different. She decided to go to the casino for little gambling and uplift to see if she could figure out a way to trump the Pretty Peacock.

She came in and Gambled some then sat at the bar and talked with Valis a bit. Things were slow at the Casino suspiciously like at the Pink Badger. She wondered privately who ran the gambling dens in Lapis. Certainly not Rory he had a knack for getting out of situations but from what she saw he wasn't a good gambler at games. She ordered a drink and sipped it. Looking around at other patrons.

After a time a Tall man in nobleman's attire entered. He was hooded and kept the hood on. going to the bar the man ordered a drink from Viki and sat there sipping it.

Alette watched him awhile downed her drink and waited for Valis to notice. When he came up to refill her glass she whispered to him, "Who is that nobleman there Valis? Does he know about the Pink Badger?"
Valis leaned against the table, speaking softly he said, " Aye I know him Alette. He's a merchant calls himself Velvet. Nice enough fellow, soft spoken and from what I know always has coin. Gamble's a bit till he looses about 100 in gold then leaves. Or sits drinking and contemplating his coin or whatnot. Far as the pink badger.......well he lives at Erin's Inn figured he had already been by once or twice." Valis looked at her face and knew the Merchant had not been in the Pink Badger or Alette would not look as she did now.

Alette looked at the Merchant again, and spoke," So what's his poison? I'll buy him a drink and after a time go over for a closer look." Valis laughed quietly, " that's the rub Alette. Velvet's poison is Green fairy. Expensive stuff. Don't know who has their claws into him but someone does or at least did at one time. Whether he's in hiding or someone's man spying on Cyric's I don't know nor care. He's good for business, always has coin, and keeps to himself."

Alette's eyes narrow a moment. She nods to Valis and laughs as if the pair were trading jokes, " Buy him a drink on me anyway and I'll see what this merchant is like for myself after I gamble a bit."
"OK, you know what your doing Alette just don't cause trouble for one of my more lucrative customers."

Velvet had just finished a long trip to Lapis and then to the Dwarven Enclave. The trip was a bit profitable. not as much as he would have liked it to be. He came to the Casino to drown his sorrow. He was taking a bath at the art center when Cele walked in. He hid at the edge of the bath and watched her a moment. His clothes, over on the bench may have betrayed that he was there but he did not want her to see him there. It would have been awkward to say the least. She had left and he thus quickly dressed and left the building and the area. Viki gave him a drink and he sipped it contemplating all this when the other bartender Valis gave him another saying the lady at the other end of the bar bought it for him. Velvet took his hood off and waved in appreciation then went back to contemplating Cele. She had grown quite a bit now far outdistancing him in both status, wealth and influence. He thought privately that with knowing his past she would probably walk by him on the street now without a word. That was the way of things. He sipped his absinth when he heard a voice behind him and the touch of a hand upon his shoulder, "Well hello there. I hope you enjoyed the drink"

Velvet got up off the stool and clasp the woman's hand, Kissing it briskly he said," Thank you, My Lady the gift is well received." He guided her deftly to the stool next to his and then sat back down facing her a smile upon his face.
"A gentleman, We at Cleaverness do not get many gentleman here. I am Alette it is nice to meet such a man in these parts. You are......"
"Velvet my lady, A Merchant in flowers and home defense"
"Ah that is a strange combination please tell me more?"
Velvet looked closely at the woman. She seemed in her 50s. Well groomed with dyed black hair. A fair face. pretty with age just starting to show. He smiled,
" Well it is a long story my lady Rare flowers and mushrooms from Underdark, and jungle lands are my main trade. I do some defensive mechanisms for the dwarfs and others on the side to help against thieves and forces that would hurt people in their homes as a request. And you what do you do?"
As Velvet spoke Alette looked the young merchant over. The man was gorgeous more so than any she had seen before a strong face, Barrel chested with a wasp waist that seemed almost natural, A gold band kept back his hair of gray and black. She noticed the premature greyness noting it was probably due to a very long addiction to the absinth. His breath smelled of Anise and........Lathander, his clothes smelled of Sandalwood. She got tripped up a moment thinking then smiled, "I run another establishment in cleverness one that entertains people in other ways than the casino here." Her shoe slips off her foot and she rubs his calve a moment. Smiling she continues, "Velvet a man like you. A merchant you don't seem to have another with you. I would welcome you to my bed for some fun. No strings no regrets just a night of fun."

Velvet frowns a moment listening knowing now what she was up to. He then puts up a good smile, " Ah my lady, I am sorry but I have to go. I would love to share the night however certain flowers are in bloom. I think I know the establishment you speak of and will visit you soon." He continues to small talk and bluff her until hes satisfied he has won her over to his side then takes his leave.

As Velvet walks out Alette sits happily with her drink until Viki walks over. Viki tells her how Velvet bluff her and made her dance to his tune. Alette throws her drink against the opposite bar gets up and goes home.

When she gets there she calls Miaka to her office.

"Yes ma'am?"
"Miaka, your my best. There is a merchant living at Erin's. I want you to find out all you can about him. His name is Velvet and I have a suspicion he is one of Rory's flunkies. If you can Seduce him, if not find out all his secrets."
"Yes ma'am"
"And Miaka, this merchant. He can sweet talk bees out of their honey to be careful. Your dealing with a professional here be very very careful that he doesn't suspect you of anything."
Miaka nods, "I will pack and rent a room at the inn perhaps find some way to gain his trust."
"Off with you then", replies Alette. Miaka leaves. Alette swivels her chair and looks out of her window to the south wondering if this could be her chance to get back at the Pretty Peacock.
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Re: Velvet's Touch

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Velvet was close to a threshold of something new. He occasionally went into Lapis doing business and at those times he went to the Golden katana for a few hours to practice under the tutorship of either Barney or Darias. The training when he got a chance was arduous. Feeling comfortable he went to the orc caves with some friends and waylaid the Orcs. He got a good bounty of coin and other items and brought it back to Lapis. Sold it for good money, then went to the bank to look over his accounts.

Velvet had run out of options with Cele. The only thing he could do was watch over her from a distance and occasionally speak with her to see how she was doing. A plan formed in his head to build her a nice place to live perhaps a castle. If he could not love her as a man should then he could love her and show her his affection in other ways. Many would think it a waste of his fortune. He did not care. Velvet looked at his accounts and figured he would need at least a few more million to build what he wanted for her. After doing some figures he made his way to the Golden Katana.

Feeling ready he walked up to Barney and said he was ready to take the test. Barney gave him instructions to where he needed to go and what he needed to do. Velvet had no trouble in the arena. In the Forest he got lost for hours but finally found his way by marking trees to the rust monster and the box it protected. In the Dales he hid and moved around the Ogre mage. They did not see him and he got the grapes easily. He came back triumphant. Barney smiling and giving him his ring. Velvet checked out the Katana store and figured his armor would still do him better for his ventures. He bought nothing there.

Velvet walked out of the katana and over to Bee's. She looked at him sadly as she made her alterations. He spoke with her softly picking up her spirits. He even got her to smile at some of his jokes. Now in his black and gold armor he walked over to the farmlands. Cele was sitting by the fire. His heart quickening he went over to join her giving her a proper greeting as always.

Cele and Velvet talked many hours. Velvet did not mention about his induction into the katana or any of his plans. The day was meant for Cele. They talked of the stars and other things enjoying each others company. Velvet did get extremely jealous of the Bond between Cele and Brass Bob. He tried to hide it, but he thought Cele saw it for what it was. He explained it away saying he could not afford to have a bond like that until recently. Cele seemed to understand.

James came by with a skeleton minion of his. Cele was incensed. She got up with a look in her eye that she was going to dispel the skeleton her way, bye breaking it up into little pieces. Before she could preform the act Velvet had persuaded James to dispel it. James angry at Cele called her a freak which angered Velvet. Velvet persuaded and intimidated him to stop acting like a fool and apologize to her. James under Velvet's spell of words did just that. Cele left the scene with Velvet and Jame starring each other down. Velvet pulled back his overcoat revealing his Rapier; daring James to make a move. That's when Liria walked up. The Two men backed off. Velvet explained to her that he was teaching James about having manners around the ladies. Liria took it all in pleasantly. James apologizing and backing Velvet up. he said he was starting to learn about being a gentleman. Velvet told her James was getting the point while pulling his overcoat back to hid the rapier scabbard. James agreed with him. The three set off in different directions.
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Re: Velvet's Touch

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The Door swings open showing the snow filled night. Cold whips into the inn. Miaka now Mary looks outside as the tall man in black leathers with gold fringes steps up to fill the void. The man leans slightly upon the door frame the shadows covering him partially then falls into the threshold of the inn. The Innkeeper runs to the door to close it. Mary knowing this as an opportunity swings into action. She moves quickly to the man and checks him carefully.

She sees the signs of a high fever. The man sweats profusely. He speaks as if in a delusion only he can see. She puts her hand on his head and finds he is burning up, "Erin we need to get this man to his room."
Erin looks the man over the armor is quite tattered the cloak is almost useless. The man had gone through some serious fighting. He motions to Mary to take his legs and they haul him up to his room. Erin opens the door. They carry him in, take off his clothing and put him in bed. Mary covers him up noting everything she can about his naked body. She is not started by some of the tattoos and old scars she is started by how many there are. She notes every one references them as best she can and pulls the covers over him.

She then goes to the common bath wets a towel and comes back, " Erin I'll look after him until his better. You'll need to tend your inn. This man needs help right away and someone has to be here to help him." Erin looks at the man," Lord Velvet looks to be a goner Mary but if you want to look after him that’s your business. He's my best customer so don't you be stealing from him at least until hes dead. If he does die then I'll make damn sure I get a share."

She looks at Erin knowing the mark that life leaves people that live in Cleaverness and replies," Yes I know how things are."

Erin leaves. Mary closes the door and thinks about what do do next. There are no new marks on his body so he must have something a ring or set of gauntlets to heal wounds as they form. She also knows a little bit about this merchant. The many times he came into the inn smelling of a certain spice. Velvet moans and looks up, his eyes bloodshot, the bags under them purple from fatigue or fever. It could be both. She looks around for something. The room is sparse for one of his wealth. The things he does have show exquisite taste. The room is extremely neat and clean. The smell of his fever sweat and perfumes carry a strong odor across the room. She goes through every cabinet until she finds what shes looking for 3 bottles of dark glass behind some other things. She gets one and finds a glass.

She opens the bottle and pours the green translucent liquid into it. She tastes it nodding, after all she had to be sure. This is what he needed to eventually break the fever. Velvet tries to speak but its just a whisper. She takes his head with her left hand. With the right she has the glass, " Drink this my lord it will make you feel better." Velvet taste the Absinth then raises his arm and hits it out of her hand. It tumbles to the floor, the glass crystal shattering the liquid making a small puddle.

She jumps up on him to avoid the glass and looks at him, " OK! looks like were going to have to do this the hard way." Mary rolls off the other side like a cat. Finding a new glass she pours some more but leaves it on the table. She goes through the closets and gets some belts then ties his hands to the bedposts, " Well, I've never had to do this for a sick delirious man before but I'll willing to bet after some of those tattoos I saw you've been here before." She then grabs the glass and jumps back up on the bed sitting on his stomach, " Now! Listen to me Velvet! Your going to drink this if I have to force it down you. If you have a fever which I doubt we'll take care of that later. This you need now!

Velvet shakes his head and speaks softly, "Cele don't please my lady don't do this please." Mary shakes her head and starts again she tries dripping the liquid slowly into his mouth. Velvet tastes the sweet liquid turns his head and spits it out. "Cyric's Blood! You will drink this." She pours the rest into his mouth then takes both her hands pinches his nose and with the other covers his mouth. A few seconds later he has not a choice but to swallow.

Mary gets off the bed and retrieves the whole bottle now. She needed this man out cold and sleeping. She force feeds him the absinth until hes sent into oblivion. Once the man is down deep She unties him, covers him up and lets him sleep. "Now, Your a wealthy merchant, shadow thief and other things. Now if I were a spy or an escapee where would I keep my files and my inner most secrets. Mary got to work quickly, She figured she would have about 4 hours to find all of this Velvets secrets, clean up so that she leaves no trace and get out the door. Erin would have to be bought. She figured Velvets gold was as good as hers to do that. She took a few gold coins from his purse. Velvet would have no clue and would figure he overdosed.
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Re: Velvet's Touch

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Velvet met Cele in the farmlands. He felt calm not knowing what would be said. He knew the pain he saw on her face at Bob's camp. He knew the pain all to well. They started talking to each other softly first about Randyl's capture in hell. Liria came by and greeted them. Velvet quickly signed in the cant that they wished to be alone. Cele not knowing the secret language was mystified by her quick retreat. Velvet smiled and said he did not know. The subject went on to her and her pain. She seemed to start to understand Velvets position. He tried to keep the conversation on her feelings.

He was pleased to hear that she accepted Bob's mate and that she would continue to train with the dragon. She seemed much more tender with him, laughing at his jokes and even curtailing him on his manners when they were alone. He felt more the friendship had taken a turn for the better. The subject moved on to him and his addiction. He told her of his struggles the delusions and nights he struggled with it. The pair discussed possible ways for him to end the addiction. Velvet mentioned that a powerful underworld organization was rumored to have a cure. They spoke of the pretty peacock and the rumors that all the workers were not allowed to use absinth or even have it in the brothel. Velvet told her that he would have to be dragged in forcibly to enter the establishment. That was when Cele volunteered to go there and find the cure.

Velvet had his misgivings. Cele was very naive about the underworld that he lived it. He worried that she could get into deep trouble going to the peacock. Cele seemed to indicate she insisted. Not with words but with her body language. Velvet decided if there was a chance she could risk it. He told her as much as he could about how a brothel operates and told her the people would seem friendly and smile but they were in fact dark and dangerous people.

Before she left He took her head in his hands and kissed her on the forehead. He was amazed that she accepted the gesture meant for lovers parting. It gave him more hope. She left He watched her cross the bridge and waited.

She came back after a day and night. She told him of her troubles with the Madam named Janine, how Janine nearly attacked her as she came into the door. Janine seemed to have a weird obsession with Dragon disciples. She met a man much like velvet and talked with him the long hours of the night. She said that she was prepared for his shtick knowing velvet so long. Velvet was both ashamed and worried that she had been wooed to his charms. She assured him that she did not. Velvet apologized and reiterated that his feelings were genuine. She seemed to accept that.

Cele then explained at least in part what the peacock does to cure the addiction. They lock people up for months slowly weening them off of the drug until it no longer existed within their system. Velvet felt happy that there was a chance to beat the addiction. He looked at Cele. She had gone into danger for him alone when she didn't have too. It filled his heart even more for her.

He told her he would vacate his apartment at the broken fang and move to dandelion dale. When he mentioned the inn, Cele sucked in her breath and told her of a winged woman, Mary that had spoken to her then took flight on a ship going to Cleaverness. It struck Velvet as very odd. The only Mary that lived at the broken fang didn't have wings. They decided that the woman must be working for the shadow thieves and he needed to make haste to move to dandelion dale. He did not want Cele hurt by his past. The pair parted Velvet making haste to move to the dale.

Velvet stuck to the shadows when he got to the inn. Quietly packing his necessary things he made haste out of the inn, book passage to Lapis, then took the caravan to the dales. He spoke with the Goldberry's, Dandelions version of the mayor and his wife. He struck a deal for a hut in the back of the village surrounded by large trees. 5 years for 25,000 in gold. It was an outrageous offer but he did not want to argue. Having secured the hut he inspected the inside and decided he needed to decorate it so Cele would feel comfortable. He then went back to Lapis and met Liria.
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Re: Velvet's Touch

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Velvet woke up sitting in one of the new chairs he had purchased for his cottage; book in his lap, absinth on the small table near him. He yawned sipped the last of the absinth and thought about the last days he experienced.

He frowned a moment about them. The group of famous adventurers came together again at Bob's camp. At first they went to the school. When once he had helped greatly with traps and defending Cele from the worst of the blows, this time he had floundered and fallen many times, only to be raised or healed by Cele or another. He knew he was in over his head from the start. Darias had taught him well to use his rapier, however he was ill prepared for the onslaught of magic that awaited him at every turn in the deep crypt tunnels. Instead of protecting Cele he was the one in need of constant protection. They found a secret door in the lowest levels of the crypts underneath the school. opening it with magic took some time. When finally they breached the door they found themselves in under-dark with undead drow surrounding them.

Velvet thought about it. It was here he actually helped in his meager way killing a few of the undead before going down again. Shaia found her objective in one of the buildings two drow leaders. Velvet sneaked around them in the shadows to make sure that Cele could hold her ground and if things went bad help defend her. The meeting ended with not fighting which he appreciated. He felt he could have negotiated better than Shaia however it wasn't his place at the time to do so.

The worst part of the trip was about to happen. They had to go back to the portal to Hell. They went back to Bob's camp. Spoke to Bob for a few hours preparing to go to the Dragon caves and portal. The party went into the caves and hit the Cunning traps laid out to protect the dragons. Velvet was sorely poisoned. His legs barely had the strength to move. The party left him to fend for himself. Velvet struggled with each step through the depths of the caves the party no where in sight. At the very back of the cave he caught up to them fighting the dragons. Within minutes he was down again. He woke up to Cele standing over him alone in the dark. She looked displeased and all she said was, "Come". He remembered his face turning red ashamed of himself yet again in her presence.

He moved behind her to find the party at the door to the portal. It was locked. Privately he thought that if it wasn't for the locked door the party would have left him dead in the caves. It really did not matter he was with Cele and any moment with her was enough to endure. They went to hell and worked their way into the main chamber. Velvet went off to the side and found a side door. An abishai challenged him but he persuaded the creature that he was really doing nothing.

While the others were talking in the chamber he quietly followed the shadows through a small tunnel and found Randyl suspended over a large hole in a secondary chamber along with many treasure chests. Cele had needed something to prove a great dragon mystery about the God Bahamut and the Goddess Tiamat. He opened all the chests taking a few things that might be what she wanted along with a short bow he liked very much. Cele came into the room and helped him look for it. She did not find it in the items he picked up. They searched for quite a while then she focused on a small hole kneed down and prayed for divine intervention. The item appeared to them from its hiding place just inside the hole velvet scooped it up and gave it to her.

That being done and Randyl free they went back to Bob's camp. Cele received a great honor from Bob and his mate. It was the first time during this long journey that Velvet felt happy. Cele had accomplished a great thing. He remembered smiling and congratulating her. The rest of the party left.

Velvet then took her to the new cottage in Dandelion dale. She didn't seem too impressed with it. It was small. She did notice he had bought a crystal ball for her and a large space of the home was full of bookshelves and other things a sorceress may need. She questioned him on it. He had admitted they were for her whenever she wanted to visit or needed a place to stay. He also said if she felt uncomfortable with his presence he would go collect his wares while she stayed at the cottage.

She reminded him that they were only friends. He had smiled and agreed. They parted with good order.

Two steps forward, one back. He understood the game all to well. Sune's curse was weakened but not entirely. Velvet poured another small glass after he thought it over and sipped the green liquid lightly. The next step was to break his addiction. He knew he needed help. Cele might not approve but he had to find the Madam of the Petty Peacock,To help him break it. Hopefully the price would not be more than he could give or was willing to provide. His relationship with Cele had blossomed now. He was not willing to take a chance of her misunderstanding his intentions.
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