my life is a small thing...(intro)

[ohmaiden]

She feels the cold certainty of the blade across her throat, the pressure making her breathing constrict. Her eyes close, and she prays to the gods that this is as painless as possible, and that the grief her parents suffer is not too much. The blade presses harder, and she gasps a little before it is drawn across her neck, and then...nothing. This

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[ninja_niko]

Lucivar may not be happy, but Niko on the other hand is quite calm and zen - and he pauses in his carefully executed Kata to say hello.

He is dressed soberly - though he may have pointy objects under his coat, they aren't visible, and his smile is calm as he approaches the girl.

"Are you alright?" He's in his early 20s - and despite his very clean and blond braid, he is clearly of Greek descent.

[ohmaiden]

"I think so?" She looks at him, lost. "I--I'm supposed to be dead. Something must have happened, the gods intervened, perhaps..." She trails off, a little lost in thought.

[ninja_niko]

"Maybe they did. This is a strange place." He's very calm, not cold, though, and gentle. There's a reason Niko leaves a trail of broken hearts in his wake - he's really charming, because it's all genuine.

"My name is Niko Leandros. Let me help you." He offers her a hand, to get up if she still is lying down.

[ohmaiden]

She takes his hand, blushing a bit. "Thank--thank you," she says, brushing her dress clean. "And I am Iphigenia, of the house of Atreus." He has a Greek name--she assumes he'll know what she's talking about.

[ninja_niko]

He does. Niko may be self-taught, but he is a very applied scholar, specialized mythologies and the preternatural - a good complement to his ninjitsu and swordskills, considering what he does for a living.

"And I am of the house of Rom. It is an honor, your Highness." He bows, strict and formal, dojo-style.

He's getting used to royalty, what with being Fingon's Reluctant Shrink (TM).

[ohmaiden]

Ohh, good, another royal one. She smiles, a little relieved, honestly. 'You--you said you could help me, sir?"

[ninja_niko]

Oh, Niko isn't a royal - he's a half-gypsy, or half-roma, if you prefer, and his mother is a prostitute. But he does happen to train and be the confidante (albeit reluctant) to the High King of the Noldor.

"I will, with pleasure." He offers her his arm. "I must tell you things about this place that will perhaps disconcert you. Please, do not be alarmed."

[ohmaiden]

She blushes, because apparently that's a trademark of hers, and takes his arm carefully. "Oh, sir, as long as you are here to guide me, I do not think I will be frightened."

[ninja_niko]

Most people aren't around Niko. "Your trust honors me. First let me tell you that this place is called the Mansion - and that here, you will meet people from very different places and times."

[ohmaiden]

"Oh, how strange and wonderful!" She's not frightened at all--more excited, rather.

[ninja_niko]

"It is certainly strange, and wonderful at times, My Lady. But please beware - there are dangers as well, lurking."

[ohmaiden]

"...Like what?" If her father's here, well, then...she doesn't know what she'll do.

[ninja_niko]

"Magic, mostly, and an angry god who occasionally wreaks havoc," Niko says quietly. "But there are those who will protect the innocent as well. Do not fear, please."

Anyway, Morgoth isn't allowed on Mansion grounds - so one has to really go out of their way to get killed by him - he's not the only threat, though.

[ohmaiden]

She moves a little closer to him for protection, a bit scared. "This place is something I could have never imagine," she whispers, looking around.

[ninja_niko]

He gives her a bit of a grin, calming. "I know - me neither. But don't worry, as I said, you will be safe. My family will protect you."

[ohmaiden]

"I thank you for your protection, sir." A nod.