People in the scene: Keys of May and Serene Arum

Serene Arum turns her head to the side until she feels the familiar and all-too-wonderful feeling of her joints popping back into the right places. This, of course, comes with an audible 'snap' sound that makes a few nearby wandered wince and look her way, half-expecting someone to be behind her giving the final twist of the green haired woman's life. "Much better, bloody Erymanthoi," Arum says to herself, her Riverspeak heavy with a strange, foreign accent.

Keys of May is wandering Nexus again, searching for something yet nothing at the same time. His great hearing picks up the pop sound and the words she says afterwords and he looks over the the woman he sees and raises an eyebrow. "Heh, blood ape problems?"

A slender, green eyebrow comes up when Arum looks to Keys of May. For a moment the woman is quiet, appraising the man with a hint of amusement sparking behind her eyes. "Something like that. There were a few 'free' ones running amess of things," she answers.

Workin' on it with Tsangun's. Until it is done: About 5' 6" tall, bright green hair and eyes, lightly tanned skin and quite cute to look at. Carries around a Green Jade powerbow with a Hearthstone set into it.

Keys of May sizes up the woman before him, taking an interest in her very beautiful figure. He smirks at her and says, "Oh? You must be pretty tough to be taking on demons. Do you fight them alone or do you have a group of fellow hunters?"

Serene Arum's cheeks tinge with colour; not red, but a dark forest green as she adjusts the bow at her shoulder in an effort to draw some notice to the Jade weapon. "Both, if I can get other hunters all the better, but if not I'm capable of dealing with them on my own," she explains, a smile gracing her lips.

Keys of May raises a brow as he notes the powerbow and says with a bit of awe, "Ah ha. I see. You are blessed of the dragons then? I bet you rarely need the help of others at all then. Where do you hail from, miss-?"

Serene Arum's quick to move her forearm over her stomach as she bows to Keys of Arum. "Serene Arum," she gives her name first as she looks up, still holding that respectful, polite pose for a few seconds longer. "As for where I come from, just a small oasis-city in the far south, and yourself?"

Keys of May bows as well, and smiles at Serene Arum. "My name is Keys of May, Lady Serene Arum. I am actually from the islands to the far west, past the oceans." He points to the sheathed grand daiklave on his back and continues, "And a mercenary of sorts as well."

Serene Arum's fleeting smile returns, lasting several seconds longer than it did before as she nods her head and tilts it to the side. "Interesting weapon. No doubt one that most mortals are incapable of wielding properly," she replies, her tone asking the question that her words didn't voice: what are you?

Keys of May ponders how to answer the question left unsaid, as many people seem to flinch at his blunt answers, "I am a powerful beastman of sorts. I wield the strength and cunning of the shark into battle." He gives her another of his curious smirks.

Serene Arum hmmms thoughtfully for a few moments before her fading smile turns into a wide grin. "Shark-Blooded then," she states firmly with just enough of a playful hint to show that she wasn't being - intentionally - rude. "It's a pleasure to meet you, no matter what you are, Keys of May."

Keys of May smiles, relieved that she seems alright with his answer. "I am glad you are comfortable. I know many people who become rather edgy after learning that." HE gives her another look over. "So, would I be being too forward if I offered to help you hunt for awhile?"

Serene Arum hmmms again, this time a short while longer before a nod comes to her head. "I don't see why not... You /are/ good with your sword, right? It's not just for show?" she asks, wanting to make sure. She had seen plenty of people carrying weapons purely to stroke their own egos.

Keys of May grins at the woman, looking her over and says, "Heh, the weapon is definitely not just for show. I have quite a deal of skill with it. In the West, people called me Rizzand the Hungry for the way my blade seemed to hunger for my opponents." He smiles at her, "I trust you are pretty good with your bow?"

Serene Arum lifts an eyebrow again. "Rizzand?" is all she can ask about Keys of May's answer to her question. The man's own curiosity draws forth a bout of laughter from the Wood-Blood that lasts for several seconds before the sparkling look in her eyes return. "Quite good, yes. and if worse comes to worse I can always close whatever wounds you may suffer while hunting."

Keys of May chuckles, "Yes, way back I was known as Rizzand, but I took upon the name Keys of May after an incident with the Lintha family killed most my crew. I couldn't afford to cling to the name after that." He raises another eyebrow, "You are an archer and knowledged in medicine? You are quite a mystery, Serene."

"I see... Although I'm afraid I don't know much of these 'Lintha'," Arum says with a shrug, the name was familiar but she didn't know specifics. "Of course. I'm more than a mercenary, if the need arises or the price is right I'll gladly tend to the wounded instead of shooting at people, both are quite enjoyable at times," the Wood-blood says before looking away, "besides. I need to find a way to heal that which cannot be healed."

Keys of May looks at her curiously, and asks carefully with a concerned voice, "What is it that you look to heal then? What is it that cannot be healed?"

Serene Arum's eyes snap to look towards Keys of May. There's something there, anger perhaps? Wariness? Something that wasn't there before. As soon as it came though, the expression faded into a roll of the woman's shoulders. "A demonic malady that troubles the mind, body and soul," she finally answers before letting out a heavy sigh.

Keys of May studies the woman before him with renewed interest, but doesn't wish to intrude, so doesn't press the issue. "I see. If there is something you wish of me, I am more than willing to aid. I don't require goods for my services, as the spoils of battle is sufficient to me."

Serene Arum smiles again, this one wider and more honest seeming. "Good. I have need for captured demons for the most part. I need to study them, see if I can discover the reason and a cure for the curse that ails my family back home."

Keys of May peeks his interest, as he knows of one who can summon demons. "Oh? Do they have to be free demons or would summoned ones work just as well for your study? Perhaps I can help you more than I first thought."

Serene Arum thinks over the man's offer for a few moments. "Either would work for my purposes. Summoned demons may be... easier to deal with than hunting a free one, but free ones also have their benefits and peculiarities."

Keys of May nods to her and says, "Well, I do know someone who can summon demons should you feel the need. Personally, I think hunting them would be more enjoyable. Not as fun to just bind them, in my opinion."

"Free demons are rarer though, so summoning may be our best option," Serene Arum points out before she shrugs again, this time ending the action with a soft laugh, "but that's neither here nor there. I wish to have a rest before I deal with demons and their kind again. For a while at least."

Keys of May gives her a suggestive look as he says, "Would you perhaps like some company in the mean time? I am currently relaxing myself and it is always more enjoyable with someone to spend the time with."

Serene Arum returns Keys of May's look with one of her own: a reserved yet friendly, suggestive yet coy expression. "It'd be best, no? If we intend on working together there's no sense going into battle blind. For all you know I could be a demon worshipping maniac ready to shoot you the moment your back is turned," she jokes.

Keys of May chuckles at her joke, "Oh? Well, maybe I should get to know you -much- better, then." His suggestive smile on his face as we asks, "So, do you have a room here yet? I have a nice place in the center of town that you are more than welcome to share."

Serene Arum's head shakes back and forth a few times, sending strands of green hair flying in the same motion. "Not yet, no. Truth be told this is the first time I've ever stepped within the bounds of this city," the Terrestrial admits.

Keys of May raises a brow, "Oh ho! Well, allow me to show you around. I have been here quite a few times and I know the place well." He smiles at her, "Nexus is a dangerous place sometimes though. Especially the Firewander district lately. It is a jungle there and some of the previous residents are quite tough and short tempered."

"A... jungle? The East has some strange cities, but I wasn't expecting there to be a jungle inside of one," Arum replies as she looks to Keys of May as if he'd just spouted off the most unbelieveable lie one ever could. Along the lines of 'I caught one thiiiiiiis big!'.

Keys of May nods to her with eyes that almost don't believe it as well. "Yes, it was once a wyld land, but Prince of Revels warped it into a vast forest now. It really is amazing. Too bad the wyld tainted beings didn't feel the way I do. Many of them went crazy mad."

"Hmmm? Prince of Revels? Is he the ruler of this city?" Arum asks with a lifted brow as she looks around, "I could have sworn that I'd heard this city was ruled by a council and a figurehead. Or is this Prince the figurehead?"

Keys of May shakes his head and says, "No, he often clashed with the council. He was a resident Solar, but I heard he has left and been traveling the Hundred Kingdoms."

"Solar?" Serene Arum asks as she brings a hand up to rub her forehead. "I see... What's the common term for them?" she adds before going off on a small tangent of words in Old Realm and Riverspeak before clicking her fingers, "ah! Anathema, I think I've heard it called? My apologies, my upbringing was somewhat sheltered." 

         "Indeed, he is one of the Solar Anathema. So, needless to say, there was many problems between him and the council." He looks at her with a grin, "So, is there any place you would like to see in particular, Serene?"

As if to answer Keys of May, the Dragon-Blood's stomach gives a low growling. This, of course, brings another dark green blush to the woman's cheeks as her arms cover up her stomach. "Someplace to eat, first. Preferably someplace that doesn't serve trail rations."

Keys of May smiles wide at the woman, nodding as he puts a hand on his own stomach. "Well, we can't have that! I know a few nice places nearby that is sure to sate your appetite." He begins to lead her to a nicer part of the city where many of the fine places to eat are at.

Serene Arum follows at Keys of May's side. She definitely doesn't look like she's lying about her recent arrival in the city: given how she looks around at practically everything that she can see in the city. "This is certainly different than from back home, but I've been finding things different ever since I left," she says with a laugh, an attempt at small talk.

Keys of May looks at her with a warm smile. He knows the city well enough, having been here alot. "I know the feeling. Big cities were never my thing. I prefer the open waters and the feeling of a cool breeze on my back." He sighs, remembering the far west. "What was your home like?"

"Very hot, very sunny. Noisy too. There was almost always a festival of some sort going on at any given time," Arum answers with a shrug of her shoulders as she looks towards a nearby clothing shop with mild curiosity, "very different from this place, but that's to be expected I suppose."

Keys listens intently, having not spent much time in the far south himself. "I have only heard rumors of the intense heat of the south. I never had the pleasure of venturing there myself." He looks at the shops and says, "If you see anything you would like, you need only say so. I know many people new to Nexus enjoy seeing the many shops and merchants."

"Food first, enjoyment later," Serene Arum says with another bout of laughter as she stretches herself out, seeming to become more and more comfortable around Keys. "I would suggest going for a visit. The spirit courts can be annoying at times, but it's pleasant if you don't go during the hotter seasons."

Keys of May starts to say something when his own stomach growls like a monster. "Well, it seems we are in agreement about that!" he says, laughing himself as they nearly reach the place to eat. "I suppose I might venture down there sometime. Not soon, mind you. The East has my attention for now." He opens the door to the building for Serene.

"Of course. If there were more things of interest in the south I wouldn't be here, now would I?" Arum asks with a grin before she looks around again. "So tell me about the west? I've never ventured there, nor to the north."

Keys of May smiles at the question and shrugs, "Well, the West is a very different place from here, that is for sure. It is humid. The seasons aren't too different either. Lots of pirates though. In fact, many times being a pirate out there is treated with respect, depending on his reputation."

"Really? And here I've been hired to kill bandits, which are a form of land-based pirate from what I've heard," Arum muses with an gleeful little expression.

Keys of May chuckles a bit, "Well, to be honest, the bandits here are much more cruel. Pirates tend to accept payment in return for protection from other pirates. Refusing to pay them though, can lead to them forcefully taking goods, as they see parts of the water as theirs. It is an interesting culture."

Serene Arum hmmmms softly. "Sounds like it. I'll have to bother you for more information, such as who these 'Lintha' are," the girl muses again, "but. We don't have to talk of those things now."

Keys of May nods with his large smile, "Indeed, for now, let us have something to eat!" He wonders too himself if the recent few weeks have made him soft, talking to someone he doesn't even know that well openly. Not that it bothers him at all anymore.