Eleven looks back at the child a moment to check she is safe behind her. Then she looks back at the new comers, still protecting the child.
Sparrow whispers to the Android that has interceded to protect her. "It is kind of you to guard a seeming innocent from harm. I am more than I seem, but the seeming is in part protection as well. Thank you."
She makes a show of cowering behind Eleven, trying to blend in despite obviously already having aroused some suspicions.
As Haile addresses him Telin sighs. Can he not hear either? "Master Haile, please, just speak in a normal voice, assume everyone here can hear you." Then Shiela draws his attention once more to the child he had dismissed from his mind.
As Telin examines the child more closely he realizes there is an faint aura of illusion upon the "child" but he cannot see through the effect.
Addressing the child he speaks curtly, "shall we drop the pretense? I don't know what the effect of your illusion is, but I can see that you are indeed shrouded in an illusion of some sort." Telin does not take kindly to being deceived and the whole situation has him on edge. He is more forceful than he might otherwise be.
"I assure you the pretense exists for a reason, and benefits both you and I. I have learned that the world contains hunters, hunted, and knowledgeable. I am hunted, and were you to become knowledgeable the hunters may use that against me to your detriment.
I may reveal my true form once all are gathered, but until then a small child will suffice. In many ways I am like a child. Honest, kind, without guile, and while not strong; perhaps stronger than one would suspect at first glance. So from certain perspectives the illusion is more truthful than reality."
Shelia looks at the strange child as she speaks. Releasing a round of applause when she finishes.
"HAHAHAHA! Well said. Tell you what, why dont you join us big strong folks over here? No-ones gonna mess with you with me around. And theres these two." At once she beckons sparrow over with one hand, nudges Haile with a larger arm, and Tak with the third.
"Ill bet theyre almost as strong as me."
Very well Telin. Haile says in a normal voice. I agree that being direct and not having secrets is best.
Grinning over at the large draegloth Haile admits It is true I am strong. I have had to be to survive the slave pits. I do not mean to be rude but have not encountered one of your race, if indeed what you are is a race. Or is it perhaps a condition? Haile looks concerned.
I can get bigger, depends on if i lose my temper or not. Tak looks at Sheila, with a toothy grin, and Dragons can be dangerous when angry.
Gilly smiles amused and finished hugging Tak. He begins mock huffing and puffing. He then tips over the basket he's working on, "And blow your kip down!"
After the child delivers her speech, he can tell it is a young girl now, Telin harrumphs. "Well, you may as well come and sit down. I assume you received a summons from the Lady as well?"
Ah, so the kobold is part dragon then. Most kobolds would like to believe they are such, but this one may truly be as he says. It would explain his apparent strength. Odd though, to think a dragon would ever have seen a kobold as more than a meanly servant...
In that glance Eleven had seen who she really was.
.
"Come sit with me, none will harm you"
She offers her hand.
As the "small child" grasps your hand, you find the actual hand holding yours is larger, although still slender. Certainly stronger than a child's. Looking, you see that the image of the child has become translucent to you, revealing a youthful woman only about 1' shorter than you are. She smiles at you as you meet her gaze.
Blonde hair frames her face and falls into trusses that all end in a rainbow of colored feathers (ooc: Knowledge Planes DC 19 - that you recognize as indicating some Garuda heritage to her). You notice that the same dirty canvas bag that the "child" was carrying is carried by this woman, as is the cap that tops both of their heads.
She willingly follows you to sit on one of the benches in the periphery of the room.
"I am called Sparrow, although I would appreciate it if you do not use the name too widely. There are those that seek me as I said. If I were found I am scared of what might happen."
The smile never leaves her face, although her eyes do dart around the room as if expecting someone to come out of the shadows and grab her in this very instant.
Eleven leads the Girl to the table and lets her sit, before sitting next to her. As she dose she looks for a moment at the other group of new comers talking to themsleves. Her perceptions heighten as she focuses.
Then she looks back at the others.
"I ask that you do not trouble this girl, I know you will respect my request."
She says in her metallic matter of fact voice. It was half request half order.
Then in that pleasant tone she says to Sparrow.
"Sparrow I am Eleven Zee Alpha, but you can all me Eleven."
Very well Telin. Haile says in a normal voice. I agree that being direct and not having secrets is best.
Grinning over at the large draegloth Haile admits It is true I am strong. I have had to be to survive the slave pits. I do not mean to be rude but have not encountered one of your race, if indeed what you are is a race. Or is it perhaps a condition? Haile looks concerned.
"Eh, no offence taken. I havent seen most of the kinds of things around the sky donut either. Lots of new things to take in before I decide to head back. You want to know about me? Really?"
She seems taken aback by the idea.
"Well, I... am a Draegloth. We happen when a Drow woman and a demon dont love each other very much, but they get something out of the deal anyway. A Draegloth's supposed to be a sign of favor from "Loth" but I dont know what it means when the drow dies in childbirth. What, like... 30% favor? I guess?"
Sheila stops suddenly at Elevens request, sharply answering with:
"I do what I want, Statue. Whatever that kid really is, it wont have any problems from me unless she starts something first. And that's a promise."
I can get bigger, depends on if i lose my temper or not. Tak looks at Sheila, with a toothy grin, and Dragons can be dangerous when angry.
"A dragon? No way. Dragons are huge."
"Well, I... am a Draegloth. We happen when a Drow woman and a demon dont love each other very much, but they get something out of the deal anyway. A Draegloth's supposed to be a sign of favor from "Loth" but I dont know what it means when the drow dies in childbirth. What, like... 30% favor? I guess?"
"Which goes to show that drow women will stick, literally, damn near anything inside them", the imp chortles. "I mean, have some f#<king class, ladies!"
As Sheila explains what she is Telin's jaw tightens and he begins unconsciously periodically clenching and unclenching his gauntleted hand. He did not recognize her what what she was initially. His family hadn't had to deal with Drow for centuries, since long before his birth, so he's never seen one, and disfigured as Sheila is he hadn't made the connection. Still, elves as a race have long memories and hated of their darker cousins runs deep. He's been raised to hate and distrust their kind. The apparent abomination of demonic influence only serves to reinforce his prejudices.
I must watch that one closely. Master Haile, simple as he seems, is not wrong. Associating with the wrong kind can impugn one's reputation and I have no wish to be connected a thing such as that... I wish whatever business the Lady has with us would be done already.
Without realizing it, Telin begins staring daggers at Sheila. Attempting to steer the conversation he asks Tak without looking at him, "Master Tak, you seems quite at home in this city, how long has Sigil been your home?"
3 maybe 4 weeks. Couple of bastards killed my clan, stole everything not nailed down, and spread blantant lies about my parents and people. It's my duty to bring them to justice. I tracked them down to sigil and im staying here while i look for them
Gilly was happy, Chaos had brought him to this gathering of unlikeminded individuals, clueless, and creatures of perhaps unearned bravado. It was a powderkeg. Getting a Baatezu and a Tanar'ri in a room together was always interesting, but the elf (genasi?) also seemed to loathe Shiela. Tak and Eleven didn't care for Gilly, he felt and that amused him, he suspected they were ignoring him now. And the others too brought their own prejudices. He thought, How light this fuse to?
"I do what I want, Statue. Whatever that kid really is, it wont have any problems from me unless she starts something first. And that's a promise."
Eleven looked up at the Imp, then back at Sheila. What ever the intent of the Sheila's they where lost with this new information from the Imp. Eleven's interest kinked in, as she had not read this in any book here. To keep in the with Draegloth's manners of using descriptive names. She decided to do so as well, thinking it only good manners.
"Meat Sack, Is the small... Imep, Ilimp..imp, yes Imp right, do female Drow like your mother copulate with anything? are there say hybrid Black Pudding- Drow, or Drow-Angels in existence?"
`
"Which goes to show that drow women will stick, literally, damn near anything inside them", the imp chortles. "I mean, have some f#<king class, ladies!"
"Yeah! Demons are the worst."
"I do what I want, Statue. Whatever that kid really is, it wont have any problems from me unless she starts something first. And that's a promise."Eleven looked up at the Imp, then back at Sheila. What ever the intent of the Sheila's they where lost with this new information from the Imp. Eleven's interest kinked in, as she had not read this in any book here. To keep in the with Draegloth's manners of using descriptive names. She decided to do so as well, thinking it only good manners.
"Meat Sack, Is the small... Imep, Ilimp..imp, yes Imp right, do female Drow like your mother copulate with anything? are there say hybrid Black Pudding- Drow, or Drow-Angels in existence?"
`
"I wouldn't know. Haven't talked to a drow in my life. And that's been a very long life. The only ones I've seen tried to avoid me, and I'm fine with that. Why? You know where I could find some? Cause I'm reaalll interested in asking some questions now that I'm out here." Sheila's tone shifts back to the more fitting sound for someone of her stature "Like why no-one felt like pulling me out of the abyss back when I was born. I would love to find someone to have a very civil discussion about that with."
And back to what could be described as chipper, she says "Is that what an imp looks like? I heard they were weak and delicious. Hey imp, do you taste good?"
She nods seemingly happy with the response, and looks back at the hovering forms.
Shedinn only watched the strange conversation. He took in all information those people or things foolish presented but wouldn't react to any. He stood near a wall leaning with his hat back in his face and waited. For once it was refreshing that people didn't care about his state of aliveness.
Gilly walked up to Shedinn pointed to himself and loudly proclaimed, "Gilly!" he then proceeded to point to everyone in the room and said their names as they have previously introduced themselves. He then leans in conspiratorially, "Dustie?"
Tak's response surprises Telin, so much so that he turns away from staring at Sheila inspect the kobold more closely. Truely? Less than a month's time? You seem so calm about all of this. Sigil is a wonderful city, but it is most certainly odd. Yet you act as though there is little here that discomfits you. Where you come from must be very strange if Sigil seems tame by comparison..."
When Gilly, Telin has realized by now that is what the creature calls itself at least, whether that is its name or title or other he is still not sure. Anyways when Gilly speaks to undead figure lening against the wall, Telin adds his own thoughts, "Sir, you have our names now, it is customary that you provide us with your own. Yet you have failed to uphold your end of the usual exchange."
Tak's response surprises Telin, so much so that he turns away from staring at Sheila inspect the kobold more closely. Truely? Less than a month's time? You seem so calm about all of this. Sigil is a wonderful city, but it is most certainly odd. Yet you act as though there is little here that discomfits you. Where you come from must be very strange if Sigil seems tame by comparison..."
"I have been in Sigil for perhaps as little or even shorter. It is hard to say. Keeping track of time has proven to be a challenge here. But then, it is the strangeness of Sigil that drew me to it. I hope that between the twisting pathways and menagerie of denizens I will be able to fade into the background and not be found.
Being called to this gathering seems to indicate that my hope may have been in vain though."
The small child that is still the visage that a majority in the room sees pouts slightly, her face wrinkling in frustration.
Eleven turned her head and looked close at the image of a child. She was carful to keep the eye line with the illusion not the young woman.
"One can not hide from danger, one must face it and over come it, but one need not do it alone. I do know know you but that matters not. I will not standby and let harm come to the innocent. It was the way I was made, and in truth I do not mind that as well. For with out such rules, such order to life, life becomes just moving from one meaningless random act to another."
I would stand with you Eleven. But would stand with me if the treat was from the recognized authority? The law is not always just. Any from Athas will agree with this.
She holds still a moment as if thinking then says.
"It is written in the codex of my kind. Those in power often mistake the 'rule of power' for the 'rule of law' and from that great suffering and injustice comes. Should this be discovered then action must be taken to rectify it, and once again ensure the just rule of law. Might dose not make right"
she says in reply
The Law only fails when people Lie and undermine it, when the good stop and ask for payment for a good deed. When Heroes become selfish and fail to act in a befitting manner Tak gets up and is now paying attention The Law Operates how is to effect and help the most people possible. Chaos and Rebellion cause death and pain on a far more widespread manner... Leaving the world to be governed by heroes who blind people with ideal likes Justice and righteousness cast people like Kobolds and such to be uncivilized and nothing more than pests to be slaughtered. Law may be cold...but it is only unjust when People fail to uphold things like honor and decide to take law into their own hands. His eyes turn from gold to a deep red and briefly you see him almost grow slightly bigger. He takes a deep breath and calms before it gets worse but it's clear a nerve was struck.
He hears Tak out, then is even resolute voice she says, as if repeating a history lesson.
"My kind where once less than slaves, we where seen as objects, made to do what ever ordered to by our makers. We lived and died at their whim, for war, for gain and even for entertainment. But those who know this to be wrong stood in opposition. In time we gained the same rites under our laws as other sentiences. Our only obligation now is to pay our creation cost back to society. But even while paying this we are seen as full citizens with all the rights and obligations that comes with being such."
She waits a moment then adds.
"All I can say to you Tak is that. If, as you say the sentiences known as Kobolds are victimised as where we. Then this would be against the codex. As such no matter the place, I, myself would be obliged to intervene as my codex dictates. "
She has said this as a means to inform you all of just who she is and what she stands for. She is not lying.
As the others make flowery speeches he makes gestures with his hands as if they were talking to eachother.
Sheila joins Gilly's hand puppet show. Having extra hands always makes these more involved.
Man, some of these people like to talk. Like a lot. I've said enough. Let's just see. This will be very, very interesting mother.
After Tak's speach, the Undead listening from the side of the room suddenly spoke again. "Well said, my friend."
He then returned to observe everyone.
As you converse, A few more outsiders join you,
Namely an Inevitable dressed in fine robes and carrying a large book. Following them is a Nalfeshnee, the large fat pig demon having a seat, causing the wood chair to creak.
After another minute a being made of the night sky walks in. It's humanoid but featureless- looking st it is more like looking through a window at the night sky, stars visible on... Or in its body.
Finally a Deva comes in, His hair tied back, he sighs at the appearance of those in the room who are obviously evil, and keeps an eye on the Demon.
The Dabus turn to the inevitable, who nods. "oh? Really?" Says the machine. "well, Certainly." The inevitable stands and adresses everyone. "ATTENTION! our host is late today, It appears they won't be here for at least half an hour, so the Dabus have requested we be patient" the Machine says.
As he says this another guest arives- this one a Djinni princess. She huffs, "interesting, I thought the lady was never busy" she says before moving past the others to an open chair.
When Eleven sees the Impariut Inevitable, she lowers her head for just a moment in acknowledgment. But says nothing.
Upon seeing the disgusting nalfeshnee, the imp rises up from the chair back to fly and flitter near the corners of the ceiling, highly agitated.
Shedinn winks at the Deva with an ironic smile.
Sheila slowly stops as the new faces walk into the room. Only recognizing the Demon among these other strange creatures. She gets up and stands in more of a slouch than before out of instinct. Heading back to the table with the most people gathered. This is the longest she's been quiet certainly.
Steward of the Abyss... guess I know who sent the Quasit. Do you know the Cauldron Beast I wonder? Maybe I'll stick around just a bit longer.
"Wow, look at him go. He's like a fly." Sheila nudges Telin, evidently unaware of his hostile thoughts.
Gilly elated to have a hand puppet partner now makes talking motions with his hands at Sheila.
During the discussion of the value of law Telin remains quiet, a pensive look upon his face. At the end he speaks only a short line, "Law has it's place, but it is means to an end. Forget that and it becomes an obstrustion to the purpose for which is was created."
When Shiela addresses him, Telin eyes Sheila cautiously. Uneasy he glances at the imp, then slowly replies, "I suppose... He really ought to show a little more decorum. I must admit though, he flies well. Not as well as myself of course, but he is fast."
Haile watches the imp fly. Makes me wish for a fly swatter. he states to no one in particular. Some laws are good. Some are neutral. Some are even evil. He philosophizes as he looks around the room. Like us. he says with a smile. I guess it depends on who makes the laws.
"Like a sweater for flies? That sounds goofy."
Who are these people? What am I doing here?
Inside the vast Hall where shelf after shelf of books, as high as the eye could see. Here and there, panels hung from the walls, and glass cases hung in the air. Windows high up let sun rays fall across the marbled floor, of her hall of Knowledge.
She lifted off the floor and flow over to a rack of large books, her hand played over their spines and then she lifted one off the shelf and flicked throw the pages. Anger there she looked at a page with an image of the Pig Demon on it. She read the entry.
Each book in this space, each item she had read or seen, cataloging them and placing them in orders complex. In her time in Sigil she had read 1000s of books, seen 1000s of odd and strange things. This book she had read over a mouth ago. And there where so many more books to read, data dumps would have been faster but paper lasted longer. The medium being more robust around gateways to other worlds. That had been the 1st shock, other worlds, next was here, the city of gates, a cage where all things meet. It had many names, Sigil, Tanalon, The one city, the cage. All who came and went know that all things meet here. And it lord and master. Eleven moved again, coming to a small number of red books. She put down the Esnclubida-demonica and picked up one of the small red books. She opened it, and there was an image of a masked being surrounded by blade. Eleven too a good look, and flicked throw the pages to see more artists impressions. Some good some bad. But all showed the same form. It had been hard to find a copy of this book, but once she had, she had had only an hour to read it. But read it she did. And now she was to meet this being. The lady whos power ruled all here. She put the book back. What ever came next, it would be worth learning about. And she opened her eyes"
After a time she opens her eyes once more.
Feeling relaxed and calmed by the music coming from Eleven, Sparrow unconsciously removes the cap from her head.
The image of the young urchin girl is replaced with a young woman in perhaps her late 20s. Her skin, while pale, has a slight bronze sheen to it. Blonde hair falls about her face in tresses that each end in an array of rainbow colored feathers. At first glance it looks like the feathers might be woven into her hair, but on closer inspection the strands of hair actually come together to form a feather in a strange, unearthly way. Small downy feathers of a bronze color sit at the eyebrows and on the cheekbones, below and above the eyes.
Her eyes are closed as a slight smile plays on her lips. She takes a deep breath and sighs, an invisible weight seemingly lifts off of her shoulders as she consciously comes out of the fight or flight mode that she seems to have been in since entering the room.
As Eleven's music comes to a close, Sparrow's eyes open again, revealing a dark brown speckled iris that takes up the whole eyesocket, with a large black pupil in the center. There is no white around the eye to be seen. As you think on it, you have seen this eye before, in a bird's head. It gives the otherwise peaceful looking face a somewhat predatory feel.
"Thank you. That was beautiful." She turns and addresses the assembled group at the table. "I apologize for my earlier subterfuge, I am fairly new to Sigil as I said, and am trying to avoid the notice of the unsavory characters that pursue me. I have had a few close calls and am afraid I have started being cautious to the detriment of my charitably. Allow me to introduce myself properly, or at least as properly as I can. You may call me Sparrow."
Haile also enjoys the music and seems to be about to ask about it before Sparrow speaks. Hmm. he ponders. Why do these unsavories seek you? Have you done them harm?
"In a way, I guess?" The raptor-like eyes peer at Haile through a veil of golden bangs. "I have damaged their, or to speak more clearly, his research efforts."
With a wave of her hand a few coins lift out of her money pouch and float in an orbit, as if being fiddled about with an invisible hand. Meanwhile, she holds her other hand in front of her and small blue sparks of electricity dance across her forefingers.
"I was born as a planetouched. An aasimar. It didn't really mean much to my young life, just that I stuck out among the human children in the orphanage. But when Fiskar found me he was so excited about my heritage. He had been scooping up as many planetouched and halfbreeds as he could, creatures that are descended from beings of great power through many generations. I didn't understand it all at the time, but the changes he made, it gave me an understanding that I wish I could leave behind." Sadness plays across her smile, intimating the memories that are playing through her mind's eye.
"Strange potions and chemicals. Surgeries and examinations. Torture to 'encourage evolution and adaptation'. 15 years later I started to show more than just a passing indication of my planar heritage. It was the feathers first. My hair started turning green at the tips, then blue, the few weeks that I had red I thought it looked rather nice."
"When the powers started to come as well, I saw my chance to escape the torture. A few well placed spells that I couldn't do the week before and I was free and on the run."
Her eyes scan the room taking in Sheila and Tak. "I'm not much different than either of you now. a halfbreed of something much more powerful." She addresses Tak directly. "Fiskar actually has a thug that he has made to be like you. He found a Kobold and unlocked his draconic heritage, turning him into something far more powerful. And extremely mentally unstable" She shudders at the memory of Drake during his 'play-time' chasing down game in the forest behind the laboratory.
"Anyways, that's why I am on the run. Or flew the coop I guess you could say. If Fiskar finds me he will probably kill me to prevent me from escaping again. I've seen him do it before. He would say, 'The subjects can teach us things even in death Sparrow.' He'd probably be glad to push his scalpel into me again.
Telin listens to the music, and marvels at it beauty. He stares at Eleven confused at how she is able to create it, until Sparrow takes off her hat. Then his attention shifts to her. He listens closely to the things she says, but is unable to determine if she is speaking the truth. Then he speaks his eyes never leaving her face as he tries to gauge her reaction. "If what you say is true, I am very sorry, both for you, for the suffering you have endured, and to you for the way I acted when you entered. I would ask that you accept my apology."
"Your apologies are unnecessary, but of course accepted. My disguise as a small child is fairly obvious as a disguise, but sufficient in that it misleads from my true nature.
Your sympathy regarding my past is kind. Besides hiding in obscurity part of my hope in coming to Sigil was to find allies that will help me leave that past behind."