Madame Quixotic

Madame Quixotic was drawn to the advertisement of a beauty pagent like women are drawn to Orlan. She sauntered across the beach in typical gypsy fashion, not having had time to change into beach attire before arriving to sign up. She scrolled her name across the sign up sheet and winked to mynx whispering, "I only pity the competition. I'm clearly the definition of sexy. CLEARLY." With that she turned to return to her caravan, her many bracelets jingling and thinking she really needed different attire to handle the heat. ~Madame Quixotic Revealing all the fates have to offer.

Ayshela Ayshela’s steps were lighter than usual as she walked with her arm linked in Ansel’s. She wasn’t sure what it was about them that made her so giddy. Sure, they were quite handsome, but so were many of the gents at Pen Castle. Whatever the reason, she decided she’d enjoy it now and analyze it later. If all visitors of Madame Quixotic’s got escorted and made to feel like a princess on parade, then she would be sure to sign up for one fortune reading after the next! She giggled to herself at the thought. Arriving at the Seeress’ door, she didn’t have to knock. Ansel opened the door for her. Stepping inside he took her hand and led her across the threshold into the colorful, candle lit room. Madame Quixotic smiled as they stepped inside. Ayshela didn’t notice, her eyes were on Ansel. “Thank you for the escort, Ansel.” He gave her a winsome smile and bent at the waist to place a kiss gently on the back of her hand. “I never turn down an opportunity to spend a little time with a beautiful woman.” “ACHHHEEEMMMMM” Madame Quixotic cleared her throat with little to no subtlety. Ayshela looked over to the Gypsy woman and blushed giving her a slightly sheepish smile. Giving Madame Q a knowing wink, he released Ayshela’s hand. “I believe this is where we part, M’lady. Good day.” With a gentleman’s bow, he quietly retreated into the hallway, shutting the door quietly behind him. Finding herself distanced from the charm of the Scantavia brother, she now took the time to drink in the details of the gypsy seer’s room. “I like the rich colors you’ve chosen, Madame Quixotic.” She sat down across from the older woman. “Yes, yes. They are often associated with royalty, so I thought it rather appropriate.” Ayshela found herself a bit curious. “Are you saying you’re of royal heritage?” “Oh Heavens yes, child. Did you not know? I thought my very presence probably made it quite obvious.” She waved her multiple-ringed hand through the air dismissively. “It’s nothing big, be queen for a day, you’ll find it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Now, I don’t think you came here to discuss my genealogy, now did you, child?” Ayshela regretfully shook her head indicating that she did not. Part of her didn’t buy into this fortune telling stuff, and she’d much rather walk away with a unique tale about the Seeress. “Good, well let’s just see what the mystics have to say about you, shall we?” With that she placed her hands upon the crystal ball, its soft glow lighting her wrinkled face. “Hmmmm…very interesting, many broken and betrayed bonds in your past, lady Ayshela. You find yourself here seeking a trust you haven’t been able to find easily.” Ayshela squirmed a bit in her chair. She didn’t like being probed into so personally. Especially into areas of her past that she had worked so hard to bury behind her. Madame Quixotic closed her eyes momentarily. When she opened them, they seemed unfocussed. She appeared to be looking through the crystal ball, rather than at it. Her voice lowered to that of a husky whisper. “You do not wish to be sought, but you shall be found. Soon you will be reunited with someone who sent your life tumbling in new directions. This reunion will once again send you spinning in ways you thought were only in the past.” Ayshela gripped the arms of the chair she was sitting in as the gypsy collected herself. Her mind was reeling with the possibilities of whom this reunion could be with. *IF* it was even true in the first place, she reminded herself. Before she could voice any questions, she ripped off a page from her journal, handed it to the shadow mistress and pointed to the donation box. “Remember, those who give, receive.” With that the woman ducked behind a scarlet silk curtain in her trademark exit.

BWAHAHAHAH Orlan's prediction is done. But I must warn you, it is not for the faint of heart or weak stomached. *grins* ~Salinye

Warning, not for the faint of heart. *grins* Orlan ran a hand through his hair before raising his knuckles to rap upon the door to Madame Quixotic’s chambers. “Come in, Orlan.” A deep breathy voice responded from within. Orlan entered the dimly lit silk draped room. Incense burnt as always, although instead of the usual neutral scents she normally chose, this time she had the sultry smell of Jasmine filling the room. Different sizes of glass bowls were placed around the room. Supple petals of roses were afloat upon the colored water within them. The dancing flame of candles was the primary source of light within the room, however, Madame Quixotic’s desk stood empty and dark. “Come. Sit with me, Orlan.” Came that same breathy voice from the sitting area to the left of the room. That portion of the room was divided from the rest of the room by pink sheer curtains hung from the ceiling. Vines of white roses swirled around the top and down the corner of the makeshift seductress tent. Orlan, having never been into Madame Quixotic’s chambers before had no reason to suspect that this setting was any different than it always was. Parting the sheer curtain he paused as his mind raced to cope with the horror his eyes met. The Seeress was sprawled seductively across the pink velvet high backed couch. Her hair was in a genie style ponytail that cascaded from a twisted bun atop her head. Dangling sets of fake pearls lay draped over her bulging sagging cleavage, her voluptuousness barely contained within its pink ruffled bra. The rolls of her stomach layered one upon another resembling melting wax, which ended in a pile upon the velvet cushion. A revealing gypsy style skirt started at her hips flowing down to her ankles. Its sheer pink material attached only at the front and back revealing the scanty matching pink thong she wore beneath it. The split sides revealed her legs immediately bringing the mental image of an elephant to Orlan’s mind. Her wrists and ankles were adorned with the finest of gypsy jewelry. The sexy, sexy mage pulled his horrified eyes off of her body and back to her well-painted face. Winking at him while sticking out fuchsia colored pouty lips she inquired, “Won’t you join me, stud?” “Of course.” The elder of the Pen said clearing his throat doing his best to recover. Entering the fortuneteller’s love nest he sat in the chair across from her and nearest the part in the curtains that he entered through. “Help yourself to the wine, love.” She breathed twirling a piece of her ponytail around one finger. “Ahh, no thanks. I think I’ll pass.” He said as politely as he could muster trying hard not to look anywhere but her face. “I, uh…just thought maybe we could get to the prediction?” “Ahh yes, the prediction.” She said sitting up as her many rolls of skin shifted with the change. Standing she looked at him through lowered lids and began speaking. “Dooom, dooooooooom doooooooooom….” Oh no, not another prediction of DOOM. He thought to himself. “Doooommmmm diddy doom doo doo. Diddy doom doom.” The Seeress continued singing and sashaying over to him. “You know.” She knelt in front of him, her eternal cleavage nearly resting in his lap. “We could make beautiful music together.” She fluttered her eyelashes placing a hand on his knee. The chair Orlan sat in scooted back through the sheer pink curtain as he stood up away from her touch. “Ahhh, I think I’d just really like a prediction, thanks.” He had been in a lot of odd situations with women before, being the sexy, sexy man that he was. However, this one would not die from his memory soon….Unfortunately. “Ahhh playing hard to get are we?” She said coyly standing and continuing her sashay over to him. You wouldn’t believe the things I have seen and learned.” She draped her arms around her and puckered up as if she expected to be kissed. “Uhhh…Madame Quixotic. I’m sure you know….many…uh…unique and interesting things, but I’d really just like to have my prediction so I can go, ma’am.” It couldn’t be known whether it was the rejection entirely, or being called ma’am that set the lingerie clad gypsy off more. However, as Madame Quixotic was often hot and cold, this situation was no exception. “FINE!” She screamed into his face unpuckering her kissable lips. “YOU WANT A PREDICTION? I’LL GIVE YOU A PREDICTION!” She screached backing him towards her desk. “SOON THERE WILL BE AN ENTIRE 24 HOUR PERIOD WHERE EVERY WOMAN WHO SETS THEIR EYES ON YOU WILL BE REPULSED BY YOU AND WILL CRAVE TO BE AS FAR AWAY FROM YOU AS POSSIBLE!” The shocked mage was bend backwards against her desk and nearly flinched as her arm shot out towards him. Although, instead of accosting him further she ripped a page from the journal from her desk and shoved it at his chest. “THERE, NOW GET OUT!” ….and the mage did so with remarkable speed.

Rydia! Your prediction is done, and PLEASE forgive me if it's horribly written! For some reason I had a hard time capturing the wonderfulness that is Rydia!! :0) I hope you enjoy it! ~Salinye

Miss Rydia Rydia stood outside Madame Quixotic’s door subconsciously adjusting her ears in silent debate. You should go inside. I don’t want to go inside. Yes you do. No I don’t. You might find adventure in your future. Yeah, I might find more frustration, too. Well….that’s true, but, Madame Quixotic does have a lot of shinies. ….. !!!!!!!!!!! Gripping the door handle, the elven woman calmly opened the door and walked inside. The room was, as always, dimly lit casting a soft glow over the red, golden and violet hues that were the seeress’ choice décor. However, when seen through the eyes of one miss Rydia, the room took on an entirely different look. Light twinkled off of the metal hooks that the silk cloth material was so carefully draped upon. The mirror above the sitting area across the room from the fortune Teller’s desk revealed a dance of twinkling flames. The smooth crystal rocks that sat within a vase caught the light just right and appeared as if they had their own inner glow. Even the multitude of jewelry that Madame Q wore shimmered with its own brilliant glory! However, as beautiful and awe inspiring and distracting as these things were to her, nothing caught Rydia’s attention as much as the large glowing shiny crystal ball that sat in front of the Seeress. “Oooohhhhhh” She said almost reverently. “Shiiiiinnnneeeyyyy”. Walking up to the desk in an almost a trance like state she stood admiring the crystal ball running her hands over it in impressed awe. “Ahem.” Rydia looked up momentarily remembering her purpose and seeing Madame Quixotic for the first time. “Sit down deary.” The old woman stated. “Let’s see what this shiny has to say about you, shall we?” The elven woman nodded eyes wide and constantly drifting back to the crystal ball distracted by its foggy glow. The Seeress chuckled to herself knowing it was pointless to try to make conversation with the girl. Rydia was powerless against the ways of the shinies. Madame Quixotic knew she wouldn’t have her full attention again, and was glad she’d have the journal page to send her off with. Joining the elven woman’s gaze upon the crystal ball she watched nodding to herself at the scenes that performed for the Seeress alone. “Ahhhh.” She said with a soft smile, her voice taking on a more husky tone. “You already possess the brightest of all shinies, the gift of true love. A bit of a peacemaker, you are. You will need to rely on this heavily in the near future, as two people who are close to you will need your strong reinforcement. You’ll know when you are needed, just remember this: When they’re curt, they probably hurt and when they’re real, they’re beginning to heal.” Rydia sat still mesmerized by the loveliness of the crystal ball, yet slowly began to chant “When they’re curt….” The old fortuneteller couldn’t help but laugh at the girl’s obsession and tearing off the page from the journal she tucked it into Rydia’s hand and escorted her to the door.

Salinye Celestialgrace Salinye rubbed the underside of her chin with the feathery end of her quill while staring into the wall of her chambers lost in her own thoughts. The chortle of Charles, her dove brought her from her reverie. Smiling she extended a hand out and the dove left its perch upon her windowsill and flew to land gently on her hand. “Hello, Charles”, she cooed petting the bird lovingly. The dove, however, seemed to have something else on his mind other than affection from his mistress. He chortled at her again causing her to laugh in surprise. “What has gotten into you?” Charles gave Salinye an exasperated look then performed some superb avian balance as he perched on one leg raising the other to reveal a small scroll tube attached. “OH!” Salinye exclaimed feeling a bit foolish. “You have a missive for me!” Smiling she untied the tube from his leg. Sliding the scroll from its wooden encasement she rolled it over to observe the seal. It wasn’t one she recognized. At first she assumed it a random symbol, but upon closer inspection she thought it slightly resembled the neck and head of a giraffe. Breaking the seal she unrolls it and reads the quick written missive. Salinye~ I have arranged for the brothers to pick you up, as it is time for your appointment. On a side note, please rub that ink smudge off of your nose quickly, for the brothers should arrive about now. ~Madame Quixotic Just as she finished reading the missive there was a rhythmic knock at her door. The mage jumped in her seat surprised causing poor Charles to flutter off of her hand with a disgruntled chortle. Tossing the note aside she got up from her desk and began walking to the door. Passing a mirror she froze and stepped back in front of it noticing that she did indeed have an unsightly smudge of ink on her nose. Mumbling under her breath she rubbed her nose with the palm of her hand and the ink disappeared. She ran her fingers through her hair just for good measure before finally answering the door. Sure enough there stood the Scantavia brothers dressed in their usual attire of no shirt and black pants cinched with gypsy scarves. One bowed deeply as the other took her hand and kissed it causing her to blush lightly. She linked one arm through each of theirs and was escorted to the Seeress’ quarters. Perhaps I need to visit Madame Quixotic more often. She thought to herself with a giggle as she entered the fortuneteller’s lavishly gypsy-decorated room. Smiling she walked right up to Madame Quixotic’s desk and sat down. “Hello, Madame Quixotic. It’s lovely to see you. Thank you for sending the brothers to escort me. They’re quite charming in their own way.” The Seeress laughed. “Ahh, yes. The ladies seem to enjoy them while the men plot their demise even as we speak.” Salinye’s eyes widened. “What? Who does? I’ll put a stop to that nonsense immediately!” “No, no, my dear. That won’t be necessary. You see, the entire fiasco is being led by the scaled one-They have no hope at success. She replied chuckling at the scenes playing out for her mind’s eye. Raising an eyebrow Salinye couldn’t help but laugh as well. “You mean Wyvern? In that case, I’m not too concerned. Well, now that that’s out of the way, shall we get to the fortune reading?” Madame Quixotic opened her mysterious journal before her. “You have the mind of a wizardess, curious and ready to get down to business.” The elf blushed a bit, as the statement was true. Putting her hands up on her crystal ball she stared into it intently raising an eyebrow now and then or furrowing her brow with concern. “Hmmmmm, many walls surround your heart. Dark pasts haunt you.” “Yes, well…can we move on to things I don’t know, perhaps?” The mage asked purposefully yet kindly. The old teller looked deep into her eyes. “Hmmm…I see…very interesting. Very few have such a deep capacity to love, and yet fear to do so.” Salinye shifted uncomfortably in the stiff backed chair she sat in. She considered perhaps leaving calling this whole visit a waste of time. After all, the point of this visit was to focus on the future, not what she has buried in her past. Her thoughts of leaving wer vanquished when the teller’s voice switched to a more husky tone. “Well now, miss Celestialgrace. Though you are filled with many woes, I see that soon you will be offered a reconciliation you desperately long for. One that will renew a life you’ve sorely missed and heal some especially deep wounds. However, this offer will come at a great cost, a great sacrifice. Where one wound is mended, another would appear.” Tearing a page with the prediction magically inscribed upon it out of her journal she handed it to the mage with slight concern in her eyes. “You be careful. Weigh your options heavily.” Salinye nodded accepting the paper and leaving the office pondering what her fortune could possibly mean.

Caryon Mageta Caryon leaned back from the hunched over position he had been in all morning tinkering with one of his many creations. A bell was going off somewhere behind him reminding him that it was time to leave for his scheduled appointment with Madame Quixotic. Pushing his goggles off of his eyes to rest upon his head without turning to look over his shoulder he muttered “Okay.” The bell immediately stopped ringing obeying the voice of its creator. Standing up and turning away from his workbench he lifted his well-tanned arms above his head to stretch the kinks out of his back. Leaving his quarters he took the most logical path to Madame Quixotic’s suite, which took him right through the well-populated Cabaret room. The muscular artificer didn’t even notice as several of the ladies eyes followed him as he passed through the room. “He’s quite beefy for a nerdy scientist type.” One whispered to the other with a giggle as she admired him in his leather pants and vest. “Yes,” the other whispered back. “Except, I’ve heard his heart was broken and now he’s not interested in repairing it. The irony of a scientist who creates all kinds of things, but won’t repair his heart.” The whispers continued on as the rumor mill at Pen Castle continued to spin. Upon arriving at Madame Quixotic’s door he rapped upon the door twice. Receiving no answer he opened the door letting him inside. The room as usual was dimly lit by a multitude of burning candles and was sweetly scented of burning incense. Colorful material in deep royal reds, gold’s and violets draped the surface of the walls giving the environment a bit of a surreal feel to it. To the left of the room where Madame Quixotic normally sat behind her desk among her revelator’s paraphernalia sat instead a tall machine. Caryon, not the type to be spooked by a shady room and unexpected machine approached it matter of factly running his artificer’s eye over it. It was only a few inches shorter than he stood. The bottom half was wooden and sat upon the floor much as a gumball machine would. It even had a slot to insert coins into. Below that was a second slot, only this one horizontal rather than vertical. The top half was a large square glass box, the inside of which was lined with a heavy velvet curtain so that Caryon could not see what the machine contained. Curious, Caryon went to the donation box that sat by the door and withdrew a geld coin. He then walked back to the machine and inserted the coin. For a moment nothing happened, all remained silent. Then, just as Caryon was thinking perhaps it was a mistake to come here in the first place the machine began to make a slight whirring sound as a slip of paper ejected from the horizontal slot. Taking the paper he read aloud with an amused smile. I saw that. You can’t donate already donated money, cheapskate! I’d expect that from Wyvern, but not from you! For SHAME! I’ve seen better behavior in Giraffes! Caryon then shoved the note deep into a pocket of his leather breaches his hand resurfacing with several coins. Smirking he mumbled, “fair is fair,” before depositing the coins into the machine. Immediately lively music began to play over toned by the humorous laugh of the Seer. The curtains began to slide back within the glass box and lights began to flash around the top. Once the music died down Caryon found himself looking at the top half of a mannequin Madame Quixotic, her doll like hands resting on either side of a crystal ball. Caryon folded his arms across his chest to watch the wonderful machine work. “Hello Caryon Mageta!” The doll like Madame quixotic said her jaw moving straight up and down with a slight clicking sound and then fell silent waiting for a reply. After a few moments of silence the artificer got the hint and cleared his throat. “Ahhh…Hello Great Madame Quixotic.” He replied feeling not in the least unusual for speaking with a machine. “Well now, let’s see what the fates say about you, shall we?” Asked the little Seeress with a raised wooden eyebrow. The lights in the machine dimmed so that only the soft glow of the crystal ball illuminated the glass box. A light fog filled in around her for added dramatics while the doll Hummed and ahhed. “I see. I see. Very interesting indeed.” With that the light in the crystal ball went out and the velvet curtains quickly closed removing the Seeress from his sight. It was Caryon’s turn to raise an eyebrow curiously. However, he had natural patience with machines and stood his ground silently until at last another piece of paper slowly slid out of the horizontal slit of the machine. Reaching down the artificer read the words written upon it. Long ago misery drove you to achieve a greatness beyond the every day world. This gift has caused much pain. Now it is time for that very greatness, that very gift to bring about a happiness for you and those around you. Caryon couldn’t help but raise a skeptical eyebrow as he stuffed the prediction into his pocket and left her quarters pondering its words.

Wyvern “And IF you ever barge into my quarters again without knocking, I will personally see to it that all geld you touch TURNS TO RUST!” This was the sentence that screeched through Wyvern’s mind as he stood outside the door of Madame Quixotic’s quarters. How could he forget such a threat! It often haunted him in his almost nightmares! He extended a long claw and was about to tap on the door when the sing songy voice of the seeress called out to him from within. “Come in, Wyvern. No need to scratch up my door.” The almost dragon hesitated for a moment. It’s not that he necessarily disliked the woman, he just wasn’t sure he liked her, either. After all, being the…less than honest almost dragon he is, knowing someone who is potentially immune to scam is a bit unnerving. He carefully used his scaled hands to gently turn the doorknob without marking the surface of the door with his claws. Entering the room his nose twitched a bit as the smoke of aroma filled his nostrils as he shut the door. “Look, Mr. Wyvern. I had an extra large chair brought in just for you.” She said kindly motioning to the rather large overstuffed chair sitting across from her desk. Wyvern couldn’t help but smile. “This is more like it.” He thought to himself as he strutted up to the chair feeling quite important. Climbing into it he turned to face her and folded his clawed hands trying to look dignified. The seeress raised an eyebrow humored. “Well now, I see you are a “seasoned” business man. No point in waiting, we might as well get right down to it.” Wyvern nodded his head as professionally as he could muster. Madame Quixotic opened the empty paged journal that rested in front of her and rubbed her hands over her crystal ball narrowing her eyes to stare into it. At first Wyvern thought perhaps the old fortune teller was looking for her own reflection as she turned her head from this way to that all the while looking into the globe. The almost dragon was just about to interrupt when Madame Quixotic’s eyes began to glaze over with a new depth, and she began talking in an oddly deeper voice that was clouded with intellect. “I see you finding GREAAAAAAT fortune in……” Here the narcoleptic old bird dropped her head onto the table with a resounding THUD leaving only the sound of her soft whistling snore filling her chamber. The almost dragon could barely contain himself as he muttered clawing the table greedily. “Find great fortune in….in WHAT? WHAT? Lady!” Just as he was beginning to crawl up onto the table the old teller jerked her head up suddenly and continued talking as if she had never stopped. “…in serving your fellow man.” The almost dragon jumped back away from the table as if physically struck falling into his over stuffed chair horrified. “You will also find rich wealth in…” The almost dragon placed his front claws greedily on the table again listening intently. “…CHARITY!” Again, Wyvern repelled himself away from the horrid word staring at the fortuneteller as if perhaps she had completely gone mad. “A day soon will come, when you will find it in your best interest to donate your time, money and talents to a cause more important than you. All those around you will mark the day on their calendar as a great and rare day.” Wyvern clamped his jaw shut a slight bit of smoke seething from between his almost pointed teeth as he glared defiantly at Madame Q. Finally, after some consideration he leaped onto her table, grabbed her crystal ball and began shaking it like an 8 ball rotating it over and over in his hands looking for different answers. Shake. Shake. Shake. “You got the wrong almost dragon, lady! That ain’t my fortune. I know mine must be in here somewhere.” Shake. Shake. Shake. “Mine is the one full of geld.” Shake. Shake. Shake. Madame Quixotic looked up at him annoyed as her eyes focused back to normal and ripped a piece of paper from her journal while letting loose a loud whistle. Moments later the Scantavia brothers entered the room and literally pealed the crystal ball out of the greedy almost dragon’s hands and escorted him from the room with a smirk.

I apologize in advance! Falcon was next in line. However, in the middle of researching his character my idea's for Justin's hit me full force! I just had to write his up while the muse was fresh. However, I won't bump you again, Falcon!! Justin Silverblade A roar of laughter, feminine and masculine alike erupted from a table in the Manor of Tongue’s Café. “Well, there might have been three of ‘em, but lemme tell ya, they never bothered me again after THAT!” Justin Silverblade said puffing out his chest with much bravado before drawing a long swig from his glass of ale. “Well, I would think NOT after that whole mess.” Tralla replied receiving a fresh round of laughter. Ariel interrupted the story telling as she carried over a fresh tray of drinks for the gathering friends receiving a parting wink from the man of the hour. Justin had quite a way with words. He could tell a tale like no other. He got a lot of different reactions from them, however, the most common were either laughter or being thrown from whatever establishment he was in at the time. The former mercenary had a good heart with an ego that matched his commonly puffed up chest. Ever since he had arrived at The Pen he had retired his sword preferring to spend his time in the company of friends, food, and a stout ale. Many nights had been spent in front of the fire in the Cabaret room, or around a table in The Manor of Tongue’s Café swapping stories of past adventures. Tonight was no exception. Just as he was leaning forward to wow them with yet another story from his past the door burst open inciting a giggle from the ladies in the café. Justin looked over the many turned heads and groaned as the Scantavia brothers waltzed into the room stealing all the attention. “Hello, hello!” They said in unison extending their arms out with their greeting. Many feminine “hello’s” excitedly echoed through the room while strangely most of the men seemed suddenly very interested in their drinks. “Please, won’t you come join us?” Tralla asked pushing some of the men over to clear a spot for them. “Justin was just telling us some stories from his past, I’m sure you two have many GLORIOUS stories from your travels with Madame Quixotic!” The Scantavia brothers smiled as Ansel answered. “Ahh, yes, M’lady, indeed we do. We’d love to join you, however, I’m afraid Mr. Silverblade will be leaving.” Justin raised an eyebrow at the fruity gypsy man and momentarily considered pulling his sword out of retirement. The thought brought a smile to his face as he asked, “I am?” This time it was Aromen who answered with a charming smile that irritated the former mercenary even more. “Of course, you’ve been summoned by Madame Quixotic. You did sign up for a reading, didn’t you?” He asked painfully polite. “Uhh, yes,” Justin stumbled caught off guard. “However, my name was far down on the list, surely she hasn’t gotten to all the names before mine already?” “Ahh, no my friend. You are right. She certainly has not. However, when the Madame summons, who are we to deny her call?” Aromen asked pointedly. Justin considered the gypsy man’s words for a moment before staring regretfully around the table at his friends. “Well, it appears, the Madame wishes to see me, and you all know I hate to keep a lady waiting.” He said with a wink causing everyone to roar in laughter at the thought of him calling on the Seeress socially. He rose from the table and began heading for the door when Ansel sprang to his side. “M’lord Silverblade, do you wish an escort, or do you know the way?” “I can manage.” He grumbled in return. “Ahh very good then.” Ansel replied before turning and calling towards the table Justin had been sitting at. “Ahh then, you wish to hear a tale or two do you?” Squeals of delight were the last thing Justin heard before he left the café. ***** Ten minutes later Justin’s ill-tempered mood at having been out-staged by the Scantavia Brothers was replaced by a growing curiosity about his appointment with the Seeress. She was an odd woman, and all the talk as of late. He wasn’t sure he believed in this fortune telling business, however, it did have the potential to be one of two things, or perhaps both-Entertaining, or the beginning of an adventure. Approaching the door to Madame Q’s personal chambers he could smell the faint smell of incense that now seemed to reside within the South hall. He politely knocked upon her door. Getting no response he knocked a bit louder. Still receiving no response he decided to let himself in. After all, she HAD summoned him. As he opened the door part of her desk was illuminated from the light in the hall. The rest of the room however was shrouded in darkness. “errr Hello? Madame Quixotic, uh..ma’am?” He called out hesitantly. A quiet shuffle could be heard from somewhere beyond the back of the room until finally what must be a door opened from behind the back curtain. Some of the light from that open door spilled beneath the curtain for a moment before it quietly shut again. “Justin Silverblade I presume?” She asked before stepping into the dark room.” “Yes, ma’am.” The former mercenary answered a bit unsure of how to speak to a Seeress. The old woman shuffled into the room and lit one candle upon her desk that lit up the surrounding area leaving the rest of the room in haunting shadows. “Come in, come in. As I told one of the fellows before, I don’t give predictions to a head alone.” Justin smiled a bit sheepishly before entering the room and shutting the door behind him. He approached the desk assuming he was supposed to sit across from her when she stopped him with her words. “No need to sit down, this won’t take long. You’ll have to forgive my attire.” She said pointing to her bright and tacky bathrobe. I wasn’t expecting to read this evening.” Justin nodded mumbling, “Oh, it’s alright. I don’t mind.” Truthfully, he couldn’t tell much difference between her tacky daytime attire and this tacky nighttime attire. “Now.” She continued. “The mystics are fickle. I was just about to step into my bubble bath when poetry was laid within my heart.” Justin was glad it was dark in the room, because he was a very visual man, and the mental image of Madame Quixotic stepping into a steamy bubble bath made the poor man cringe despite himself. “I immediately had to run here to my chambers, NOT even having time to throw my clothes back on and write the words from the mystics down.” This statement was almost more than the poor man could take and he sat down in the chair despite the woman’s earlier suggestion that there was no need. Madame Quixotic, however, seemed not to notice. She picked up the journal that always lay upon her desk. Clearing her throat she read the words written upon a page aloud to him in her scratchy husky voice. “Three ladies you adore, All of which you’ve seen before. Within the realm of your sight, Each will stand in new light. The one with beautiful eyes, You will momentarily despise. The one whose laugh is like an angel’s voice, You will hug and long rejoice. The last is special, you must see, For without her, you’ll cease to be. If not for her, you’ll take your leave, Many left behind in tears to grieve.” Justin listened to the poem looking up at her his eyes a bit wide. “Are you sure that was meant for me?” He asked. “Son,” She replied ripping the page from the journal and handing it to him. “There are two things you never have to doubt in this world. First, the evilness of giraffes, second whether I am sure of my predictions. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a bubble bath to attend to.” With that she left Justin alone holding his poetic prediction clutched in one hand.

Zool A red mist slowly flowed out from a shadowed corner of a corridor being sure to wait until it was empty before doing so. The mist moved swiftly and silently barely noticeable in the dim lighting and stopped to hover before the door of Justin Silverblade’s personal quarters. The filmy substance slowly sank to the ground and disappeared beneath justin’s door reappearing on the other side. The room was dark and empty, just as Zool had hoped. Flowing through the sitting room he went directly to the bedroom. He didn’t stop to look around, he knew exactly what he wanted-clothes. He didn’t want to show up for his reading with Madame Quixotic dressed in a mishmash of cloth and household items, therefore, he decided he would borrow some clothes, and return them after his appointment. With any luck they would be gone and back before Justin even knew they were missing. That was Zool’s plan, anyway. Just as he was about to float through the closet door the light inside of it flipped on to reveal Justin standing there with a knowing smile upon his face. “Hello, Zool.” Now, if Zool had had a physical body at the time, he would have jumped, because finding Justin waiting for him in the closet more than startled him. “Justin…uhhh hi. I suppose you want to know why I’m here.” The mist fumbled over his words. “No, no.” Justin said in a friendly tone. “I know why you’re here. Madame Quixotic sent me a missive and let me know you’d be coming here. She wanted you to know that she’ll be providing a distraction in the cabaret room five minutes before your scheduled appointment so you don’t have to worry about a repeat of the other night. Also, here, take these.” He held out a bundle of neatly folded clothing. “You can return them whenever. I included a cloak. Hopefully it will provide enough shadows that no one will notice that there isn’t actually a face or hands.” “Thanks, I, uh…appreciate it.” Zool finally managed to stammer out still a bit embarrassed. ******* An hour later Zool stood in front of the door to Madame Quixotic’s chambers dressed in black pants, a dark blue shirt and a black cloak. He had some doubts that she would be able to provide a distraction that would draw the majority of the Pen population away from their usual evening activities. However, whatever she did, it worked! He had not run into a single person from Justin’s room to here. ****** Meanwhile, in the Cabaret room: “Ladies, ladies!! One at a time, please.” Ansel said with a charming smile calming the barrage of questions and offers being thrown at them from the crowd of women that surrounded them. “Yes, M’lady, we’d love a drink.” Aromen replied winking to Annael who fluttered her wings and blushed before leaving to fetch that which she had offered. The Scantavia brothers had made a rare social call to the Cabaret room and were drawing quite the crowd. Immediately surrounding them were most of the Pen’s women. On the outskirts of the room were most of The Pen’s men, glaring and grumbling, some even plotting. “How long will you be staying?” Tzimfemme asked eying their trousers for panty lines. “That’s all up to Madame Quixotic, M’lady.” “Would you be willing to do another performance for us? We’d love to see another performance.” Salinye asked with a broad smile. “With so many beautiful women around, how could we not do what is requested?” Ansel replied placing a kiss upon the wizardess’ hand causing her to blush furiously. A squeal of joy erupted from the women as a groan of disgust rumbled from the men followed by a low growl that was sure to be Daryl. The groans fell on deaf ears, however as the Scantavia brothers began a song and dance wooing every lady in attendance. ***** Zool reached out a leather clad hand turning the doorknob and let himself inside. Madame Quixotic was already sitting behind her desk. A multitude of candles burned all around the room along with the sweet smell of incense. “Oh! Come in, come in, Zool. I’m so glad you made it. Justin must have gotten my message to you, I take it?” She asked over excitedly. “Yes, I don’t know what you did, but it worked. Thank you.” Zool’s voice replied from within the shadows of his hooded cloak. “Well now, come sit down so we can get down to business! Oh, by the way, it really isn’t necessary for you to wear that get up in front of me, however, we’ll be having a visitor shortly, and it’s best he only sees your back in order to ensure the least amount of distraction.” She replied opening her mystical blank journal in front of her. “A visitor?” Zool asked uncertainly. “Oh yes, yes, but don’t you worry about that. It’s nothing I can’t take care of!” She replied patting at her hair. “Now, you are an odd fellow, Zool. I’m thinking you might even have your priorities wrong!” She scolded as if a teacher talking to a child in detention. “What have you been doing wasting your time hanging around in a frame and not out here living a life of the living? I mean, REALLY!” Zool had a feeling that she was just getting started with this speech when the door suddenly flew open. Wyvern, dressed in a four-leaf clover T-shirt, with two pink horseshoes hanging around his neck, and some sort of rabbit’s foot pinned to his shirt burst in the door and threw himself on the ground panting heavily. "I'm sorry, Madame Quickytoxic, I didn't have a chance to sign up on your sheet! Please forgive me it was an accident! I was distracted by my precious geld! I would be forever grateful if you were to read my current fortune... I haven't counted my geld in a long while, and thus am in a desperate need to know the exact amount of fortune I currently have!" He exclaimed in one long-winded run on sentence as if he were afraid if he didn’t get the words out quickly someone would stop him. Madame Quixotic got up from her desk and stood over the almost dragon, then bent over to look in his eyes. Unfortunately, the seeress had worn a blouse with an exceptionally long neckline giving Wyvern a view of her ancient sagging cleavage scarring him slightly forever. “You, Mr. Wyvern, will get up and march RIGHT out of my office BACK to the Cabaret room and add your name to the sign up sheet like a good almost dragon. And IF you ever barge into my quarters again without knocking, I will personally see to it that all geld you touch TURNS TO RUST! NOW!! OUT WITH YOU!” Wyvern’s eyes grew wide with horror. One could not be sure if he was more scarred by the sight of her cleavage or by the thought of never being able to obtain geld again. However, it can be said that no one has ever seen the lazy almost dragon jump up and scramble out of a room so quickly in all their lives. As he ran down the hallway in fright she poked her head out of the door calling after him in a sweet grandmotherly voice, “OH, and do come again soon, deary! I look forward to our appointment!!” Shutting the door again she sat back down across from Zool. “Now, where were we?” She asked in that same kind grandmotherly tone. Zool hoped she had forgotten she was truly in the middle of chastising him. “Uh, I believe you were about to give me a prediction.” He said hopefully. “AHHH, of course!!” She began rubbing her fingers around her crystal ball gazing intently into it. Zool didn’t see anything particularly interesting it was just a clear orb to his misty eyes. However, Madame Quixotic’s grandmotherly look quickly shifted into a serious gaze as her eyes glazed over a bit. “Hmmm…You are unique indeed, Mr. Zool. You have been avoiding life for a long time. Soon the time will come when you will discover a way to join the world of the flesh and blood again. The opportunity will be found within The Ward room. DON’T GO THERE ALONE AND ABOVE ALL AVOID THE CENTER!” Her voice took on a haunting tone as she bellowed that warning to him. “Now,” She continued softly again. “If you choose to make this change in your life, it will come with both a great cost and a great reward. Do not fear the cost, for the reward makes the loss worthwhile.” Zool sat hovering within his garments as these words settled in his mind. He was dying to ask some of the questions that were quickly brewing within him, however, when he looked back up to Madame Quixotic she ripped a page out of her journal, shoved it into his cloak and stood. “Now, don’t just sit there. Out you go, and I hope you brought some geld in those cloak pockets. Donation box is by the door. Thank you, come again.” With that she disappeared behind a velvet curtain

Lord of the Gay Madame Quixotic stood beside her desk tapping her foot with her arms crossed above her sagging chest. She watched impatiently as the handle of the door slowly turned. As the door creaked open a black hooded head poked out around the door to meet her threatening gaze. “YOU’RE LATE!” She shrilled in a high-pitched voice. “My time is very valuable, you know.” The Lord of the Gay just stood there staring at her. It was only 3:02 am, and his appointment was scheduled for 3:00am. “Well now, you better come all the way in, I don’t give readings to mysterious heads alone! Besides, you were awfully anxious for a reading last night, weren’t you?” The mysterious dark figure walked into the room closing the door behind him. He was dressed entirely in black and his pale features were hidden within the shadows of his hood. He clasped his hands behind his back and listened to the Seer rant. “Whatever were you doing lurking around my tents, anyway? I wouldn’t think that a bunch of empty tents being aired out would be a huge interest to you! We always air out our tents if we stop someplace that we don’t need them! Heaven forbid we let them get moldy or musty, that just won’t do.” She crossed to sit in her chair behind her desk “So, there I was last night, trying to enjoy a nice bowl of Chowder when the mystics warn me about you. SO, I had to GET UP and waltz out into the area of the Tents to scare you back to the tower and remind me of your SCHEDULED appointment tonight. Do you know I braved the GIRAFFE TERRITORY?!” With this last sentence she slammed her hands upon the desk sitting forward in her chair outraged. (The same reaction most conversations about giraffes led to.) The Lord jumped a bit surprised by the venom in her voice. He was about to reconsider his appointment when she suddenly and without warning changed her temperament. A large smile slowly crept across her face as she opened a blank journal and laid it before her. “Tea, dear?” She asked primping her hair out of habit. The mysterious figure simply shook his head from side to side indicating that he didn’t want any tea. “Pity, it’s quite exquisite. I gathered it from a far away land. One that had Green water and pink trees! But, alas, that’s another story entirely. Won’t you sit down?” The Lord of the Gay walked forward, his gait smooth, almost seeming to glide from his position by the door to the chair that sat across from Madame Quixotic. “Now, deary. What is your name?’ The lord simply sat in the chair staring at her from within the shadows of his cloak. “Well, no matter, really. I know your name, and not that silly title everyone calls you by, either.” She then leaned in and whispered, “but we’ll just keep that between us.” Then she winked before sitting back and continuing on. Now, I suppose you have come for a reading, yes?” Lord of the Gay nodded sitting a bit forward in his chair indicating interest. Madame Quixotic picked up her cream china teacup that was bordered with pink elephants on parade and drank the last few swallows from it. “Mmmm, yes. Most delicious.” She mumbled to herself before turning the cup upside down to dump the tea leaves onto the matching china saucer. After placing the cup down out of the way she used one long purple fingernail, to stir the mash of soggy tealeaves on the plate. “Hmmmm I see, very VERY interesting. Your mysteriousness is not limited to your appearance, but also in the place you inhabit.” She said to herself more than him. Suddenly, her eyes widened in sincere surprise and then almost immediately glazed over as she spoke in a more serious husky voice. “You, Mysterious Dark Figure of The Pen Castle, are about to discover some most FASCINATING truths. Some of which you seek so diligently will come to light. Search your dwelling high and low. Look in the place you’ve continually missed, and you will find some truths about The Pen, that few know. Whether or not you share these rooms, or these truths will rest entirely upon your shoulders. If you wish them not found, they will not be. However, if you wish to share, you will be rewarded by something very surprising.” Madame Quixotic shook her head gently as her eyes came back into focus. Looking down she saw that the black and green mush of the tealeaves was smeared all up the finger she used to push the matter around. Crinkling her nose in disgust she violently shook her hand spraying the mush all about her. Some even disappeared with the shadows of The Dark Mysterious Figure’s cloak. However, he simply accepted the page with the prediction written upon it that was ripped from the previously blank journal when she offered it to him and gave a slight bow before exiting the room having never spoken a word.

Peredhil Peredhil could barely get his sentence out of his mouth before the old woman, much more sprite than she looked, leapt at him from her spot on the couch throwing her sagging arms around his neck and pulling back on him with all her strength. The kind hearted half elf was caught completely off guard and therefore toppled forward under her surprisingly strong grip. The Seer hooked one of her belled feet under the handle of the door slamming it shut behind them. “YOU SAAAAVED ME!” She squealed pulling him tighter in a firm hug. Before he could answer her the door to the carriage was ripped off its hinges with a loud CRACK and the outline of a very large Guinea Pig could be seen. Madame Quixotic let the half elf go with a great joyful cry. “AND YOU BROUGHT BACK UP! YOU SMART MAN!” Peredhil stood between his hulking bodyguards and the grateful fortune-teller waving his hand at Guido and Nuncio to let them know to stay their hands. He then turned politely to the Seer and kindly asked, “Madame Quixotic, whatever do you mean?” She sat up from her still slouched position on the couch reaching a hand up to fix her mussed hair before speaking in a conspiratorial whisper. “Well, you see. I have been given private chambers within the castle to do my work. However, I realized that I had left one of my seeing stones here in the carriage. Well, naturally I couldn’t send the brothers out to fetch it, with all these lovely ladies running around, I wouldn’t see them back for WEEKS! So, anyway, I came out here myself, and just as I was walking into the open courtyard, do you know what came around the side of the castle?? DO YOU KNOW????” She nearly yelled jumping at the sound of her own voice. Peredhil politely shook his head indicating he had no idea what she had seen. “Well,” she began again in her conspiratorial whisper. “It was those blasted giraffes!! I knew the moment I saw them that they were coming for me. So I hiked up my skirt and ran in here and haven’t left since. Until YOU! You came to SAVE ME!” She smiled adoringly at her would be rescuers. Guido raised an eyebrow looking at her as though she were no more than a raving lunatic. Peredhil, however, patiently smiled and offered his elbow. “Well, M’lady, shall we escort you back to your quarters then?” Madame Quixotic stood linking her bony ringed hand through his elbow and smiled. “My, you are a kind boy, aren’t you? Unusual for plains walkers. Most that I’ve met have been QUITE self-absorbed if I do say so myself! Although I did meet a rather nice clown once. He was a thoughtful fellow.” She continued to ramble on like this, the topic of her conversation shifting with every whim of her mind as they walked towards the great double doors that lead from the courtyard into the Castle. However, something reflecting the light of the moon to the left of the courtyard caught her attention causing her to stop mid-ramble. She narrowed her eyes dropping her hand from Peredhil’s arm and walking over to investigate the source of the reflection. The half elf followed her curiously until they were both standing over a rather fowl smelling pile of goop. “Oh, I apologize, Madame, It seems one of our members has been ill. Perhaps up too late with too much to drink. It happens from time to time.” Madame Quixotic bent low to the foul pile then stiffened standing back up straight pointing at it accusingly before looking around paranoid. “No, no! You know what this is? THIS is Giraffe puke!” She remained pointing and shook her head in a vicious nod. That’s what this is alright.” Peredhil merely smiled and nodded. “Well, shall we get inside then, where you’re more comfortable?” Madame Quixotic looked at him. After glancing around one more time to be sure she wasn’t being followed, she allowed him to escort her inside. *** The inside of Madame Quixotic’s chambers had been elaborately redecorated. The entryway had been converted to her fortune telling domain. Many exquisite sheaths of red, gold and purple material were draped along the ceiling and walls in gypsy fashion. The room was lit by various candles placed throughout the room. The combination of the natural lighting and the rich hues gave the room a musky romantic feel to it. Along the left wall was a red couch with gold and purple pillows, as well as a matching sitting chair. Along the right wall a crystal ball, journal, burning incense and various other objects sat upon a large desk. Two chairs sat on opposite ends of the desk, one for Madame Quixotic, and one for her patron. Currently, that patron was Peredhil. Madame quixotic walked around the room lighting candles and incense all the while rambling an apology. “I’m very sorry, please be sure to only leave me half a donation. Usually this is all done before my guest arrives, however, if it weren’t for those PESKY GIRAFFES!” Peredhil couldn’t help but smile when the old lady wasn’t looking. Her mad ramblings were rather amusing. Finally, when she was content that the atmosphere was just as she wished it she sat behind her desk and faced the kind bard of The Pen. She gently placed an empty journal before her and opened it so it’s blank pages were face up. “Now, who are you?” She asked looking at Peredhil as if she had never in her life seen him before. “My name is Elrond Peredhil.” He replied politely as if he had never before introduced himself to her. “Hmmm” She said to herself placing a hand upon her crystal ball and gazing into it knowingly. “Very interesting.” She said as her eyes widened at what she saw. Peredhil also looked at the crystal ball, which to him appeared unchanging. Finally she looked up her eyes slightly gazed over. Placing a clammy hand upon his she spoke in a rather serious deep voice. “Kind you are, but deep are the wounds. Soon, you will do something you have not done in a very VERY long time. You will take a small journey….alone. Completely alone. Through this journey you will find yourself enlightened. With that enlightenment a small corner of your heart will mend. However, caution is advisable. Heed the advice of your sons before you leave, for their advice will not lead you astray upon your long overdue trip.” Peredhil sat a bit stunned and blinked. For indeed it had been a very long time since he had spent any extended time completely alone, especially outside of The Pen. Just as he was about to question her about this prediction her eyes cleared, and she ripped a page from the previously blank journal handing it to him. He looked down noticing that her prediction was written on it word for word. “Very well now, out you go. I must rest my mind.” Standing up and turning she walked through one of the curtained walls. The soft sound of a door being opened then gently shut could be heard and the half elf was left to help himself out.

Please don't respond to the readings on this thread. I will post all predictions on this thread each in it's individual post. As you complete your work responding to the prediction and how it comes to pass I will make one thread that I will keep updated with links to the completed works. :0) Thank you, and ENJOY! ~Madame Quixotic

Madame Quixotic is ready to take appointments now!! Please see the thread "Madame Quixotic" and sign up at the bottom!!! (BTW, why isn't Salinye's sig working? *grumbles about how she's had nothing but problems since ATTBI switched to Comcast* Madame Quixotic Ever so Exotic