Welcome to Gaia! ::

As the sun began to set the Kumpania had settled where they planned to make famp for the evening. Vardos of all shapes and sizes sat end to end, creating rings of circles around a central bonfire that was already raging. Flames rising up to lick the sky as embers floated through the air. Even though is was night time the Kumpania was still bustling with life. Men and women milling about completing chores or catching up with one another. Older members sitting on their porches telling stories to the younger children of days long past, monsters that lurked just outside the safety of the Kumpania and stories about the many exploits of their illustrious Baro.

The sound of voices and laughter filled the air as many began to gather around the central non fire to settle in, dance, play music and sing songs. It was a typical night in the safety of the Kumpania and there was no place safer than there. There were legitimate threats in the darkness outside the rings of Vardo.

At the center of the camp sat one particular Vardo. Large with intricate designs carved into its wooden outer exterior. Curious designs and perhaps some even more curious symbols. Perhaps they were wards to keep those who might try to snoop around. It would keep any interested parties out while protecting those who dwelled within safe. When there were occupants.

Suddenly the door to the Vardo swung open and out stepped a devilishly handsome dark haired man who’s green eyes seemed to glow in the dim light of the bonfire. A thin cigar settled between his lips as gazed about the camp, smiling fondly. The door closing behind him as if by an unseen hand. Which was fine. There were precious things contained within. And a certain red head that he was quite fond of. For the moment he had some time to himself and he figured it would be a good time to make an appearance amongst his mortal family. Unknowingly they protected his Vardo during the day when he could not venture outside.

Glancing up at the night sky he admired the stars that blinked and twinkled in the inky night sky. A beautiful sight to the Ancient Vampire.

Moving towards the bonfire there were many who greeted him. It had been a while since they had seen their Baro before he had returned from the temple to go in this adventure with Grendel and they were al eager to hear his stories that he of course had to share. Passing them on to the story tellers of the group to repeat at later times. As he drew close to the fire Ravnos settled himself down into a long bench. The remnant of the tree they had cut down to create some firewood. He settled himself, taking a long drag from his cigar he nodded to those that greeted him. Smoke drifting from his mouth and swirling up into the night sky.

If Fennix thought his dark complexion hid him from that sharp green gaze well, he was quite wrong. Ravnos was Ancient, far far older than all of his clan. He wrote the book on his clan, quite literally. Ok ok, that was just an epic poem and a giant farce. Ravnos had been surprised anyone had latched on to the idea but they sure did.

As was such Fennix could not escape his sight. Ravnos was a master of many clan disciplines and Obfuscate was easy enough to niggle out. Of course the younger Ravnos made a beeline for his Vardo. Ever since Fennix had arrived in the Kumpania he had had this strange obsession with trying to break in the Disciples’s Vardo. Well, that probably was not a good idea at this time. There was a reason the carvings were there. Why magic infused within it.

When Fennix reached out his hand to test the back door a cloud of smoke enveloped him. The scent of cloves, warm spices and something else one couldn’t quite put their finger in fill the air around him A figure leaned his head over the younger Ravnos’ shoulder. “You know, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I hear there’s something very precious to me and something very dangerous to snooping thieves in there.” Ravnos was not a tall man but he could cut an imposing figure when he wanted to. The reputation that most gave him always proceeded the Baro. Which was fine by him. Give others a reason, real or not, to be wary of your presence.

Laughter filled the air as a hand clamped down on Fennix’s shoulder. If he had scared the shot out of him all the better. And the thought made him laugh more. Guiding Fennix away from the Vardo he directed the young vampire back to the bonfire with another chuckle. “You need to take control of your vice, Prietenul meu. Dangerous things await sticky fingers in there.” Letting go of the other male he laughed a couple more times before he seated himself back on the bench. “Tell me, what do you hope to find in there? There’s much treasure yes but is it worth the risk?” A dark eyebrow lifted as he stared at Fennix curiously, green eyes shimmering in the firelight. The Disciple’s gaze could be a bit unnerving to those who did not know him well. And while he thought of all his clan as family he knew very little about them aside from a small handful. His time had been spent elsewhere, with others. Wanderlust had hit him hard and so he was traveling with his Kumpania for a time.

If Fennix said anything other than yes it would surprise Ravnos. His clan’s reputation as thieves was touted as truth. Every Ravnos was a thief but not all thieves were Ravnos. Some vices ran on the mundane side ehile sometimes others were more to the extreme. But the better the story to tell the better your reputation lived on. And Ravnos had many stories.

“How fortuitous for you then, prieten. I would hate to think we had a known thief among us.” Brushing back long; dark hair he leaned back slightly, stretching out his legs and crossing them at the ankle. The firelight shimmering on the gold of his boot heels. That was the way of it though. No Ravnos in their right mind would ever allow themselves to be caught and branded a thief. A cheat. Or any other name in the book that was synonymous with their clan name. At least according to the other clans.

But what did they know? Most were more than eager to look down on his clan. The brand them criminals. Not that it wasn’t true. No. But he would never openly admit if call his family criminals.!it was just their give. Their curse. One he had brought upon them with his own actions. But he had let go of that guilt a long time ago.

Quirking a dark brow, Ravnos tilted his head slightly. His jewelry chimed and flashed, catching the firelight. “Oh? I thought perhaps our little Kumpaniya was rather safe. But thank you for the warning. I will be sure to reenforce my security.” He wasn’t worried about bandits or robbers. Most, and he meant most, knew to stay away from his Vardo. And he had never been robbed himself. But it seemed Fennix was going to be a reoccurring thing. He wouldn’t say nuisance but Ravnos would definitely deter him. And if he did manage to get inside the dark Ravnos would certainly find a red haired deterrent waiting for him inside.

But he was on vacation. Well, kind of a vacation. They were searching while they traveled with the Kumpaniya. For a home. For all of them. He did not disclose this fact to many and certainly not to those he did now implicitly trust. Fennix was a slight unknown to him. But perhaps Ravnos would change that. He wanted to know the younger members of his clan. Yo be a visible presence for them. Spending most of his time at the temple, taking care of his children and being with Grendel left him separated from his people. But truth be told he would not have it any other way. The Disciple enjoyed his new found life with Grendel greatly.

“Good answer.” He rumbled. Taking a drag from his cigar as he reached into the sleeve of his shirt and pulled out another. Tossing it to his fellow clan mate. “If it wil sate your curiosity a little I keep some of these in there.” A little tidbit. He knew it would do nothing for the younger vampire’s vice but that was fine. He had no reason to worry about Fennix getting into his Vardo and making trouble.

“So, unul tânăr. Tell me about yourself.” Might as well start with the obvious questions. If he was going to glean any information from him, about him, he should start with the basics.