Rubi, feeling frustrated, alone, and somewhat powerless, rubs his crystal amulet and focuses his thoughts on a friend he hopes will understand, and perhaps help, "Rhay? I hope I'm not disturbing you.  Can we meet, please?"

The response is quick, "Yes, friend.  Of course."

Relieved, Rubi replies, "Thank you.  Please come to The Wayside Inn, I have a table reserved."

Rhayveign arrives, instructing her wyrdling to stand watch nearby and only to interrupt should there be reason for alarm.  The wyrdling nods in understanding, watching the patrons come and go.

Looking over as the tiny hooded figure climbs up on the chair across the table from him, he exhales an exhausted breath of air, "Oh Rhay, thanks for coming."

She lowers her hood, her raven-black eyes reflect almost no light from the nearby candles, "Of course. What's wrong? You don't quite sound like yerself."

Rubi thinks to himself, "What's wrong? Better question, certainly easier to answer, would be, what's not wrong?"

Taking a drink from his glass of rum, he wipes his mouth with his sleeve, "Just one of those nights where things feel ... wrong.  Off balance, I guess."

He sags in his seat a bit, staring into space, distracted by thoughts of  all the people he's lost, of all the people that have meant something to him that have been hurt.   He's even thinking those that have meant nothing special, but that have been part of his life in some small way - people that have been innocent that he couldn't help.  And then his mind wanders to Melaynia, his lost love.  Then to Sara, the poor girl on the rooftop, so scared and alone - she just wanted a song, but what she needed was protection - a warm bed - toys - to be a child.  Thank goodness for the Wellington House.   His thoughts then wander to all of the friends he has seen fall in the streets to the crusaders and knights that claim to serve the God-King.  When will it stop?  How can he - so young in his training - possibly help any of them?

"Rhay... I've done things... not enough, but things.  I need to do something more." He hiccups.

She looks at him, very obviously confused, "I'm tryin' to understand... what did ya do... what isn't enough?"

He sighs, knowing he's making no sense, he stares into space for a moment, seeming to be lost in thought, his eyes flash momentarily between sadness and anger, but they don't settle on either.

Looking up at her, "... Anything... and ... Everything."

Speaking to Rhayveign, Rubi says, "I gave people all kinds of reassurance... I have even tried to help you contact The Witch... I hoped that would help us make things safe.  That maybe it would help me keep others safe... keep them from what so many others have faced." He's obviously innebriated and exhausted, but he continues "... am I doing all I can?  Can I really do this? Will I ever keep anyone safe? .... the way I am.... no." He sighs and repeats, under his breath, "No... not the way I am... I can't."

Speaking to Rubi, Rhayveign asks, "The way ya are...? What are ya thinkin' is a flaw?"

Rubi says, "I lack the physical strength...  Sure, I talk big, but.. All I usually end up doing is getting myself in trouble."

A deep, troubled frown settles on Rubi's face as his mind continues churning, he thinks to himself - That's right. I am too weak to protect any of the people that are important to me.  Obviously, I need....

Rhayveign's eyes suddenly glitter in the candle light, she grins surreptitously at Rubi.

Rubi quietly says, "I just feel like I'm lacking... like there's something missing... someting I'm not doing right."

Rubi says, "And.. I don't know how to fill it. I don't even know what it is.  But I know that I won't be of use to anyone until I can figure it out."

Rubi shakes his head. His mind honing in on the thought that he needs to be stronger! He needs strength!  There's no question, that's what it is, but she won't understand... will she? He absentmindedly, whispers "Strength." Before looking up at her across the table, grabbing his rum and taking another deep drink from the glass.

Speaking to Rubi, Rhayveign asks, "So, ya think the only way to protect is with physical strength?"

Rubi hesitantly says, "I.. Yes."

Rubi blinks.

Rubi says, "It's the biggest way, I think.."

Speaking to Rubi, Rhayveign says, "For some, yes... for others..."

He thinks to himself, Could she be saying there's another way.. I have to find out!

Rhayveign grins slowly.

Rhayveign says, "No friend, it's not the biggest way."

Speaking hopefully to Rhayveign, Rubi asks, "Tell me.. What is it? What is it I need to do?"

Speaking to Rubi, Rhayveign asks, "Ya wanna know strength and power that is unequal to anythin' a shield, or sword, or years of practice on opponents can offer?"

Rubi hesitantly says, "That.. almost sounds too good to be true.."

Rubi furrows his brow.

Rhayveign confidently asks, "It is not without risk, or without compromise... but is anythin' in life?"

Turning his thought inward Rubi ponders, Risk.. Compromise... What more do I have to lose?

Rubi carefully asks, "What.. is it?"

Rhayveign waves her hand in a dismissive gesture.

Rubi frowns.

Rhayveign says, "The what isn't important... not now.  Ya have some thinkin' to do... I may be able to help ya get what yer hopin' for."

Rubi frowns pondering quietly to himself, She doesn't want to tell me the risks.. They must be big. But the payoff must be worth it. She wants to help me, she wouldn't lead me into something bad..... would she?

He looks at her hesitantly but nods, somewhat jerkily.

Speaking to Rubi, Rhayveign asks, "How badly do ya want the strength ya speak of?  How much do ya wish for the power to protect what's most important to ya?"

Rubi says, "I will do anything I can to protect those important to me."

Rhayveign taps down the anticipation that's building within her, "Could this be this easy? I thought, certainly, he would go along struggling and fighting, perhaps this will be a much bigger gift than I had ever hoped." Briefly, Rhayveign's thoughts are drawn toward a daydream of Rubi standing with her and Cruxophim, the three of them quietly, deviously, plotting and planning against those that are ever reluctant, but share some amount of trust in them.

Rubi says, "I will not.. Can not fail to do so anymore."

Rubi shakes his head.

Speaking raspily to Rubi, Rhayveign asks, "Yer not even fully aware, but ya've already taken the first step... the question now, are ya wantin' to take another?"

Rubi, already exhausted from all the worry and anxiety lately, he thinks to himself - Great... there are steps. Always steps. I was hoping maybe it would just be some sort of.. I don't know, ritual, again, and poof... stronger? I guess that would be a little too easy. Nothing is ever easy.

Rubi asks, "What.. is the next step?"

Rubi turns an inquisitive ear toward Rhayveign.

Speaking raspily to Rubi, Rhayveign says, "Ya remember... in the cave... with the doll and the candles... and...."

Rhayveign taps a slender crimson mithril dagger with a deathstone scarab hilt.

Rhayveign glances at Rubi.

Rubi nods slowly.

Rubi says, "Yes.." to himself, he continues - How could I forget?

Rhayveign nods at Rubi.

Speaking to Rubi, Rhayveign says, "That was the first step... and, we were successful."

Rubi asks, "We were? You found her?"

Rubi blinks at you.

Speaking raspily to Rubi, Rhayveign says, "In a manner of speakin' yes.  I dunno 'er location... and that's not important"

Rubi nods once.  He ponders to himself, "There's something she isn't wanting to tell me... Figue it out later.  Task at hand.  Focus, Rubi! She wants to help!  Stick with it.

Rubi asks, "What else can I do?"

Rubi asks, "What can you do... to help me?"

Speaking raspily to Rubi, Rhayveign says, "I assure ya, I can help.... but ya have to trust me... I need some time to continue what we've started."

Rubi nods slowly.

Rubi says, "I.." he doesn't speak the rest of this thought aloud - Trust?! I do trust her... She's the only one that's listened to me, taken me seriously. Offered me any kind of help.

He composes himself, as best he can through the rum haze, before he continues.

Speaking resolutely to Rhayveign, Rubi says, "I do trust you. You've been a good friend to me.."

Rhayveign grins at Rubi.

Speaking to Rubi, Rhayveign says, "And I will continue to be, someone showed me powers that ya speak of, I'm just returnin' the favor that was shared with me."

Rubi thoughtfully says, "Powers.."

Rubi begins to twitch, his thoughts turning inward - Powers? I wonder what kind of..powers..what getting them entails. Does it matter? To finally be able to protect everyone.. time. Need some time.

Rubi quietly says, "I have a lot to think about, and take in.. I think it would be good for me to go for a while."

Rhayveign grins slowly at Rubi.

Speaking sincerely to Rhayveign, Rubi says, "Thank you for your help."

Speaking to Rubi, Rhayveign says, "You take yer time... but remember, it's best to keep this between us.  Others are skeptical of such things."

Rubi nods.

Rhayveign says, "They just don't understand."

Rhayveign lets her thoughts briefly wander to the moment she first felt the connection she is speaking of.  The moment she connected with her mentor and the moment she aligned with Elithain Cross.  When she realized she truly was a Child of the Shadow.  When she realized why she was drawn to the dark trees.  She allows herself to feel hope that there may be others beside herself and Cruxophim... that Rubi may become an ally.

Rubi says, "Nobody else needs to know about it, anyway."

Rhayveign grins at Rubi.

Rubi says, "I'm having a hard time knowing who to trust, anymore, besides a very select few.. And I hate that."

Rubi clenches his fist.

Rhayveign nods at Rubi.

Rhayveign says, "It's difficult... ya see how fast folks turn on each other around here."

He thinks to himself - That's right.. but Rhay wouldn't turn on me like that..

Rubi nods to Rhayveign.

Rhayveign says, "Best to keep yerself surrounded by a few that ya know are loyal."

Rubi nods to Rhayveign.

Rubi says, "I count you among those.."

Rhayveign grins at Rubi.

Speaking to Rubi, Rhayveign says, "Thank you, and you as well among mine."

Rhayveign tries to contain the giggle that is on the verge of spilling over from the humor intended in that last statement.  She is almost certain Arachne would proud.

Rubi nods.

Rubi scoots his chair back and stands up.

Rubi's thoughts turn inward - So much to think about, and mull over... or is there? I came to Rhay looking for a solution.. Something that will help me not to lose anymore important people in my life.. There's only one left, and we barely know eachother, but.. I feel a connection. Maybe I should stop by the orphanage soon..