Ranot Part 1

Edit: Changed demon's name once I got permission to use what I wanted to origanally

Ranot, the elven planeshifter, was talking to yet another lich. He didn't particularly enjoy speaking with the undead; especially those who went out for their way to become such. Most of these creatures were rotting horrible abominations who hand never heard of a gentle repose spell.

This specific undead hostess was grinning maniacally as she was questioned on the nature of the recent changes to the negative energy plane and their cause. Though in her defense Ranot was ultimately unsure if the skull had the ability to look any other way. Most of Elayne's raven black hair had fallen out centuries ago along with her skin flaking off. Some though this lich was combing through her sparse hair as if it was as full as it had ever been.

She finally spoke, looking up from four books Ranot had placed in front of her. The voice was sweet, even seductive if it hadn't been accompanied by the skull and the clicking of the dry teeth snapping together every word or so. “Darling, these tomes you have presented to me are absolutely worthless.” To punctuate this statement, her bony hand, bedecked in rings and bracelets, swiped the books violently off the table. Ranot cast a quickened mage hand to keep them from falling to the floor and possibly shattering the tome made of fragile fairieglass.

“If you want my help you will give me more than just a few useless books, most of which I already have in my extensive collection.”

The elf knew this was a lie. He knew this because of the four rare tomes he offered, two were unique spell books belonging to ancient wizards of note from far away planes. The other two, while not entirely unique incredibly hard for even him, a planeshifter with more experience under his belt than his relatively young four hundred years would otherwise indicate, to find. The books were not the issue here, it was what Ranot was asking for.

“Great and mighty Elayne,” the elf punctuated this honorary with a bow allowing the cowl of his cloak to cover his face with a magical darkness that his cursed red eyes shined through. “You know more than you are telling me don't you? Greystalk has promised you something great indeed or has done something to cause you incredible fear.”

Elayne flinched back at this, it was difficult for the even the powerful wizard to gauge her emotions as her face was nothing but a magically animated skull with some dried and dead musculature hanging off it, but he thought he had struck a cord.

“Powerful lich lady, Greystalk is trying to take the negative energy plane for himself. He is trying to set himself up there as a god among the undead of all planes. If he succeeds he will have the power to, with but a thought, destroy you or worse enslave you. I ask for but some knowledge so that I may oppose him. I will use my power so that even if I fail to stop him, you will not be known as an informant. Elayne, please, help me help you.”

Ranot used his mage hand spell to lift the books up to the rotting lady's table again. “You know the worth of these collections my lady, you know the power contained within that I am offering you for but some simple information, and you know the power Greystalk will have if I do not stop him.”

Elayne carefully gathered the once spurned payment carefully to her. The exposed bones of her fingers clacking on the wooden desk in front of her. She let out a sigh, which Ranot felt was rather dramatic being that this creature didn't need to breath much less sigh, exasperatedly or no.

“I will tell you what I can you horrible elf. Please sit.” Her bony arm and bejeweled skeletal fingers gestured at a chair in a corner which slid across the lavishly carpeted floor coming to a stop in front of her desk. Ranot pushed back his cowl, revealing his pale face, pointed ears, and copper hair. His eyes, glowing red orbs didn't change. He sat and prepared to listen to the decomposing lady lich, the self crowned queen of Krelania, describe her encounter with Greystalk. There was fear in her voice as she spoke of the god-slaying demon Greystalk and his destructive visit to her kingdom.

Staring at a boulder (This is REALLY bad)

Ixxi was starting blankly at a rock, brooding. The rock was big, grey, rough, hard, and large, very large, less a rock and more a boulder. Okay so Ixxi was staring blankly a a rock; did it again. Ixxi was staring blankly at a boulder, brooding. He liked to brood; he got attention that way. He looked up. Ohh! Cute girl! Meh... doesn't even notice me or my... boulder, yes boulder. Wait... why is the cute girl sitting next to him?

The young cadet decided not to look, if he looked, he'd stare, if he stared, she'd get creeped out, if she got creeped out she'd leave, if she left, the cute girl wouldn't be sitting next to him anymore. Looking at the boulder seemed the best course of action to pursue. The boulder was round, hard, course. Wow... I'm being an angsty wuss! She's sitting next to you moron, just say something before she leaves.

"Hello" Ixxi stated while looking at the not rock.

"Huh?" replied the sitting girl.

Awesome, now she's looking at me and I'm looking like an idiot just sitting here staring at my boulder, I'm done for. Ixxi turned his head and said in a voice that was much higher and squeaky than he last remembered it. "Hello, I said hello." Okay, thought Ixxi, I'm doomed.

"Oh" said the now giggling cute girl "I didn't understand you."
Ixxi tried not to blush while staring at his rock that was not a rock but rather a boulder.

"So do you always sit here staring at this rock or..." started this girl

"Boulder," Ixxi interrupted "Sorry, I just was thinking that it's much to big to be a rock, and you said rock, and I was just thinking it wasn't a rock but rather a boulder. I mean, look at it, it's very large." Ixxi stopped realizing he was rambling.

"Sorry, your staring at your boulder."

Well if I wasn't doomed before I am now. She sounded rather angry.

Wow... this is bad. I mean BAD so we'll start over again eventually.

Okay... I hate the way this story is going... so I'm going to reset it. I said it's an attempt doesn't mean I only get one right? Well to keep something more than my wangsting up here I'll post a story I started writing a while back... it's about mecha pilot training. If I remember correctly it's basically two teems at a training academy and they start to like each other and there's mechs... maybe I'll keep that one going. I used philosopher names for the mecha chassis in that story as I did for the starships here so don't get confused. I'll post it right after my last try at this Batman mission...

Part 1

Commander First Class William Henderson stepped into the classroom aboard the training frigate Thales. The air was cool on his brow his footsteps echoing as he boots contacted the deck below him. William viewed the newest class in front of him. "Hello cadets! I am Commander First Class William Henderson. Please refer to me as Commander Henderson."

Commander Henderson surveyed the room took in the hundreds of students sitting in the great room. "Over the next several days you will be trained and tested for an opportunity to serve on the newest starcruiser, the warship Aquinas. The best of you will be promoted to the bridge crew aboard the new ship, others will serve on other illustrious ships."

-----

Cadet Ixxi was sitting there when a tall blonde man with a full beard and mustache wearing a crisp navy uniform. After the introduction Ixxi knew that he would serve on that ship. He had seen the Aquinas being built and he knew he would be a bridge crew member once he had seen the most beautiful ship in the Earth Navy.

Last Ixxi had seen while Aquinas was in dock her hull had been completed. She had four fins arranged in the shape of a sideways "H" and the bridge was placed on the bottom cross section jutting out from the rest of the ship.

Commander Henderson was discussing the basic functions of the Cadets aboard this training frigate. The Thales was mostly sent to the inner systems as a delivery ship. The cadets were to be assigned into several teams and would be placed on different shifts. Their work would be assessed by commanders assigned to each group.

----- End part 1

Notes: Yes I realize this isn't great. Okay maybe it's downright horrible but please give me a chance. I will do my best to finish this out hopefully is will be a great story. Thanks for reading wish me luck.