Dares Are Immature (Arley)

[Kenneth Hao]

"Never in my life......." Kenneth watched his brother from the chair he planted himself in. They had been daring each other to do some really stupid things. Pure boredom in the Hao family always made a strange outcome... this was one of them.

Denneth had walked out in only a nighty gown on Kenny's dare, walked past a couple homes, and bought a light pink and tan dress. The moment his twin had walked through the door with a that dress he laughed so hard his sides hurt.

"I guess I'm next." Kenny finally stopped laughing enough to prepare himself for what Denny might come up with.

"I dare you to go out in this dress and see how long it takes for the guards to question you." His voice was serious but Kenny had the most dumbfound look on his face. Denny's snicker then turned into hysterical laughter. "Also twin, don't say my name to the guards if you're caught!"

"You think I'd do that, twin?" Kenny asked innocently. The thought ran through his mind already which is probably why Denny had said something. "Alright, I won't, but if I get caught I'm running. You never said anything about them having to arrest me. I suppose I deserve this one."

He gave a goofy smile. It was fair after all.... Fair as long as he didn't get arrested.

Kenny had left the room the were staying in quickly so he wouldn't have second thoughts. He walked silently thanking the whatever may be up there not many people were out during the night. The down side would and could be people confronting him about it. It really wasn't the brightest idea to run around like this. Not that cross dressing is that bad.... It's the fact that they have been in the area for a few weeks now. The guards knew them.

He looked around for something to do while he waited for the guards. Sure, he could just stay out for a bit and pretend to get caught but what's the fun in that? His brother had been truthful it's only right he would be to his. He couldn't find anything, of course. .

He decided to walk aimlessly.

Which turned out to be a terrible idea... He ended up walking to the middle of no where. "I'm in a dress and I have staff on my back. This looks real brilliant..."

(ooc: Denneth is not being played. If and when he is played I'll let the player know of this thread. Hope that is alright. He will only be in this post here.)

[Arley Voegeli]

Arley had been walking around his home village for a while, it had been almost 10 years since he had last been here, and he finially remembered the name of the village, it was called Volare Beach. He walked around the town taking in the sites of a past life. He walked by the tavern his father got in a bar fight and died in. It was a sad sight to behold as the memory of his fathers demise flashed through his mind. He had made so much progress since then...He was now a Grey Warden, he had some coin, and was a capeable fighter. But he missed the old days when he took care of his dad when he was drunk, or walking around his the few friends he had. Still, it was nice to be home dispite all the bad memories.

The Chantry was still in power here and mages kept themselves hidden well. The Tepmlars didn't know him here like they did in the Free Marches. Arley was a Mage supporter and killed alot of Templars, he was a wanted man in some places. But not in Ferelden, but he had other reason to come home. He wanted to meet the Warden King, Alistair, and he also wanted to see if he could do some recruiting. Recruiting a younger man was a personal goal of his, though he was young, he wouldn't mind training someone, it was interesting to Arley and he was friendly enough to be a good teacher.

As he walked around the town he saw a group of Templars, walking toward the tavern, they where only about three minutes away, but Arley could sense something out of place. They stopped and turned their heads. There where four of them and only one had no mask. His head was turned to one of the strangest things Arley had seen in a while. It was an Elven boy.....In womans clothing, the Templars weren't looking at that, though they had to be smirking atleast, as it was hilarious. But the person had a staff on his back....This was bad, he looked pretty young, maybe seventeen or eighteen, but that didn't matter, they kept staring. Arley decided to walk over to him, with a smile on his face Arley said "Come with me, those are Templars atop that hill. They are going to chase after us so we must be quick." Arley stated to the man.

[Kenneth Hao]

"Seriously... Where am I. Last thing I remember seeing is... dirt. That helps oh so much." He stood still, shaking his head at himself. First, he's dared this. Second, he forgot not to take his staff with him. He had become so accustom to remembering it he brought it subconsciously. Worst of all, he had to be caught by guards on this dare. "I'm surprised I haven't been caught by Templar's through these three years." He chuckled lightly.

Usually, the young elf had more wits about him. This time though, he screwed up pretty badly. He would need to find his way back home and into the rented room before getting caught.... or worse... followed.

A deep voice brought Kenneth to his attention... the humans words made him move quickly but not so quick it looked like he was running. If the Templar's were coming, they wouldn't chase down quickly. "Couldn't get any worse."

He looked over to him then brought his eyes back in-front. "You're helping me?" He spoke rather quietly. "Odd, you don't look like a mage. But I'm not complaining."

He matched himself well with the mans pace. Being on the run made him pretty athletic. If needed, he'd probably run faster than the Templar's. "I don't hear footsteps... yet... I'm Kenneth. I usually don't dress like this." He smirked. "Got dared." He left out his mistake in grabbing his staff. He need not look more like an idiot than he already did... even if he was a funny sight.

"If I'm going to die or have to end up fighting, might as well talk to the last person who's helped me." He thought.

[Arley Voegeli]

The footsteps came quickly and the Templars where on their tail. "Apostate! Stop now, or face death!" Yelled on of the men. Arley didn't fancy running but he had another person with him, and didn't want to risk his life. He said his name was Kenneth, a bit of a strange name for an Elf. "My name is Arley, nice to meet you, but I'm going to need you to stay behind me," Arley ordered, he hoped he would listen to, if he didn't he would probably die. Arley knew Templars as he had been fighting them for a while. "Back off! This Apostate is my bounty! If you want to claim him you have to get through me!" Arley barked, and before they could say anything he took out his bow. With gracefull speed he unquivered an arrow and shot. Hitting a Templar in the slit of his helmet.

They paused in awe of their friend dying so abruptly. They took out their swords and took a few wary steps toward Arley and Kenneth. "Lay down your arms! Or we will be-" the Templar was cut off Arley had shot another arrow, foolish Templars, they should have just attacked him when they had the chance. He dropped his bow and grabbed his daggers from his back and readied for battle. "Come and get your slop! Templar Pigs!" he sneereed viciously. Arley waited for their assualt but they didn't budge. He paused, strange they where scared out of their skins. Arley chuckled loudly, "Whats wrong? Scared?" Arley said playfully. He decided not to hesitate he ran full speed toward the Templars, they still stood there stuck in place. In one fatal swoop Arley jumped at the Templar without a helmet as he was leading the group, he swung his razor sharp blade at his throat with all his power, blood spurted on Arley's armor as the Templar fell to the ground, and a loud thud as his head rolled. He did't stop there the others had finially sprung into action swinging their swords weakly at him. He deflected the blades with ease. He ducked another strike and stabbed through ones foot then coming up and slashing him three times ending at his neck. Arley sprung backward, "Would you like to take care of this one Elf?" Arley smiled at him.

[Kenneth Hao]

"Apostate! Stop now, or face death!"

Spoke too soon. Why Kenneth thought he might, for once in his life, be lucky about something... he'll never know. Arley seemed to be his only fighting chance, so he wasn't too quick to turn his back to him. Usually, he fought with his twin... never with someone else. Not that he gave a second thought about fighting with Alrey, though, it just felt strange; almost foriegn.

"I'm no persons bounty." He thought crinkling his nose in disgust. The deep soul hatred for Templar's only grew every time they attacked.

Arley looked strong, skilled even, but he didn't expect such swiftness of hits. Very fluid. He must have had a lot of training. A warrior, perhaps.

Kenneth reached behind him to place a hand on his staff. He didn't take it from its place quite yet. Arley seemed to be having too much fun killing Templar's. It was rather interesting to watch.

"Of course." The hint of venom with his tone. He gave Arley a devilish smirk as he focused his drawn staff to the last Templar.

A strong ball of fire ran through the staff and hit straight at the Templar's heart. It through him back a few feet but still held his ground. Kenneth shot another fireball his way. The Templar stumbled before he hit the ground.

"That was almost too easy." He raised an eyebrow to the fallen Templar. The man started to move again. Weak movement, but still movement nonetheless. "That won't do." He pointed his staff at the man again giving him.... a shock. Electricity surged through him until he finally stopped moving.

"Not that the thrill of killing off idiotic Temphoes isn't fun... but I'd rather speak where there are no dead bodies about." He gave a chuckle. "Thanks for that. I would have stepped in sooner, however, didn't want to ruin your fun."

Kenneth lead Arley to an area that didn't seem to have any people. "You support mages, obviously, but why?" Curiosity couldn't help but speak out.

[Arley Voegeli]

The Elf asked why Arley supported Mages, after he disposed of the Templar. Arley wasn't mysterious, nor would he withold information from him, he said with all sincerity; "I support them because it is...Correct, while some Mages are Maleficars, most are not. I believe that the Templars are to opressive, and they are self-righteous pigs," Arley stated to the young man. He called him young because Arley felt old, after all his travels as a Grey Warden, he felt....Seasoned. "But mostly they are wrong, so, Kenneth is it? How is it you haven't been caught? Seeing as you go outdoors with a staff and are clearly male; wearing womens clothing?" Arley laughed, the kids dare becoming even more funny by the second, and eventhough Arley knew he was dared he wanted to hear the main reason behind it.

He basically saved Kenneth's life, Arley doubted he could have handled that many Templars at that age, he wasn't bashing him or anything, but Arley couldn't have taken down skilled warriors at his age and he knew it, but he used two daggers, he was a rouge, so strength wasn't his forte. He used his wits, and he hoped that this Elven...man did so also. Kenneth was a perfect candidate for the Grey Wardens. He is skillfull and Willfull, and those rhyming words where the best combination. "Oh I must introduce myself I am Arley Voegeli of the Grey Wardens, and it's nice to meet you Kenneth" Arley said with a smile, he hoped he could get to know this guy he seemed to be a good person and he loved Elves, they where better people that his human counter-parts, Elves have real values, some city Elves dont but the Dalish...Arley had the utmost respect for them, they stuck to their roots and didn't stray from that eventhough they didnt know their past. "So I assume you're not Dalish?" Arley asked

[Kenneth Hao]

The only thing Kenneth disliked about the humans is their height. He hated being shorter than most humans. It often made him feel like a kid. Now wasn't the time to bother with height difference, though. He owed Arley for saving his life. Kenneth isn't new to magic, but isn't as skilled as he would like to be. He could have taken a few of the Templar's, although to survive he would have had to run.

"Maleficars... I will never understand blood magic. Ah, yes, Kenneth. Strange name for an elf, no? My parents..." He shook his head at the memories of them. They were strange themselves, but in a good way. "Thought of it. My twin is Denneth. Why they thought weird matching name would be nice is something I will never understand."

" And I wonder the same thing. Usually, I blend in with the shadows when I have my staff with me. Or try too. I have grown so accustom to remembering it, I seemed to have forgotten to leave it behind this time." He paused to look at his chest. "I don't really fill this out do I?" He laughed at the thought of having breast.

"It's nice to meet you as well. I don't think I could possibly dislike someone who's willing to help mages." Kenneth gave Arley a friendly smile. Despite conceitedness, even he couldn't say he would have lived through those Templar's; not without running of course. "No, my grandparents were Dalish though. I had thought of the Hao family returning to them, but we can not. My brother and I lost our younger sibling three years ago. I was away at the time. My family had been in the way of an ambush. I'm assuming it was hate crime with elves and humans but I'll never really know. When I returned my twin had been badly injured. My parents were dead. And Asher was missing. Denneth and I have been searching for him since."

Kenneth wasn't sure why he gave Arley a piece of his past. "But no, I'm not Dalish." Kenneth raised an eyebrow. "How am I to repay you for your help, Warden Arley?"

Arley had said he was a Warden. Most Wardens never asked for payment, right? If they did, Kenny had nothing to offer... Something told him, though, that Arley wouldn't ask for coin.

[Arley Voegeli]

"Well I am not going to ask for money, nor will I ask why your are dressed like a woman," Arley said with a laugh, he put his daggers back in his sheathes. Arley listend to his story with intrest. "So, you have a brother? I have no siblings, I had Delphine...But she was killed by Darkspawn. Also, I would like my payment in a preposal. I was obviously not going to give you the the Templars or the Circle, I require you to become my apprentice, a Grey Warden, if you want to. But that's how you can repay me, help me fight Darkspawn. If your brother is as skilled as you are I can have two recruits, we need help, and if not you can just be a companion with your brother and get out of the wreched place." Though Arley was from the coastlands he hated them, they where a source of death and brutality, the thugs here showed no mercy.

He hoped he could get his first Grey recruit right here, but it mattered not, more so he wanted to help this mage and his seemingly mage brother against the Templars, they didn't deserve this sort of persicution. The Templars where tyrannical bastards and they had no respect. As a Grey Warden he wasn't supposed to take sides as he was a "Guardian of the Peace in Ferelden", but the Templars where becoming more and more bold as the days past, and killing, or making more Mages tranquil, Arley thought that was wrong. "So Apostate, do you wish to become a Grey Warden or do you want to try and repay me another way?" Arley said, though he doubted the mage could pay him, seeing as he didn't want coin, or servitude.

[Kenneth Hao]

Kenneth listened to the small bit of Arley's past with just as much interest. It wasn't a lot but now they could relate. Delphine, although not a sibling, obviously meant a lot to the Warden before him. The attention only grew with his next words. A proposal. He wasn't sure what he could possibly offer a person with a title such as his.

There went that same dumbfounded look he gave his twin before any of this even took place. "I heard him right, I think." He thought. This honestly surprised him. For a moment, he pictured himself as a Grey Warden fighting darkspawn along side his brother and Arley. And in that moment, he could see himself doing it. With a little practice he could be a darkspawn killing machine. If joining meant possibly saving lives, he felt no wrong. However, a question that would sear into his brain if he didn't ask... He needed to know if he would still need to run from Templar's. No, his guess would be not.

"If this is a way that I can repay you, then I will join the Grey Wardens." He forced his dumbfounded look from his face. "However, I must ask my brother of this first. We stick together. If he agrees, you have yourself two new recruits. I can assure he is as skilled as I am." He paused. "If not, I will find another way to repay you."

Kenneth couldn't imagine his twin turning down an opportunity such as this. It would mean they would finally have a purpose. Not just finding their lost brother, but more. Plus, they might not need to run from Templar's any longer.

"I should explain why I am dressed in women's clothing." An expression pressed across his face clearly showing he was amused. "My twin and I had been daring each other to do some rather.... interesting things. I dared him to go out in a women's night gown. He did. And he brought back this." He pointed to the pink colored dress. "Dared me to walk out in it until I got questioned by some authority. With my staff with me, though, I can't finish my dare. At least not yet."

[Arley Voegeli]

"Honestly, I would say you fulfilled your end of the bargain, you killed a Templar on your dare, and got asked to become a Grey Warden, I'm authority...Sort of, I have Darkspawn Authority!" He said jokingly, he really had no authority at all maybe over some new recruits that require training, witch is something Arley can't offer to him, as he is a mage. "On a serious note though, We need Mages in our ranks, though they say we should be neutral, I choose to do what is right, so not only do I kill darkspawn, but I fight Templars also. For the events that are to come in the coming days, all mages need to unite, even if it requires joining forces with Blood mages. There is no way the Mages can survive the Templar hoardes, they are like darkspawn in that fact, and you know they are rentless you cannot stop untill ever last one is dead, unless they betray the Chantry and join us," It was a mini speech but he couldn't stress enough that the Templars where not a weak opponent.

"Also, we might have to worry about another blight, I doubt it, but Darkspawn are everywhere." Arley added. He wondered if his brother was a mage also, he hoped he might be a rouge then he might be able to train someone too. Arley is a good duelist, even with a sword too, and he is a good archer. He's skilled for sure but he couldn't do it alone, and was tired of traveling alone too. He hoped that it would be a little more fun, seeing as he was usually alone when he traveled. No one was around when they killed those Templars but there were comrades of his rushing to the scene. Kenneth and Arley were pretty far away and thankfully didn't suspect, nor were they paying attention. "This civil war has these Tempys all riled up, the attack on sight now it seems." Arley said picking up pace to avoid detection.

He wondered where they where going, he wasn't sure if he lived here or was at an inn. Did his parents live here? It didn't really matter at this point, but he didnt want to get lost. "Ha, do you know where your going? I dont know this town," Arley chuckled nervously, he hated getting lost.

[Kenneth Hao]

The more Kenneth listened the more he realized becoming a Grey Warden might be his only hope. He may have escaped the Templars for the past three years but this time was too close a call for his liking. He needed to do something. While it might not be the safest choice for him and his brother it was better than running from Templars day by day. Plus, he would surely be trained at some point. If not, all the fighting would be training enough for him. He's a fast learner, clumsy person, but a fast learner.

As Arley said himself, Kenny would still fight Templars when needed. Besides the fact they kill mages, they force mages into blood magic because of how they treat them. If it weren't for his fathers training and his own willpower he may have turned into a blood mage himself. The very thought of it bothered him. He wouldn't stop fighting for what he felt right... fighting against Templars felt right.

"I want to join the grey wardens. No doubt." He made his decision final, no turning back. He just needed to get his brother to come along as well. "Honestly, I have no memory of this place. Perhaps I could hide my staff and we can go drink. I always end up home, Maker knows how, after I've drank." he smirked. It wasn't a lie after all. He couldn't count the times he got himself lost, drank, and somehow ended up home.

[Arley Voegeli]

Arley really wanted the drink that was spoke of and he agreed, but there was something that needed to be done first. "Ill have a drink with you, but one thing must be done first. I need to duel you, you obviously seem capable enough for a Warden, but I have to be sure, sadly we must fight eachother. I have to know you are capable, weather I want to believe it or not. I will not hurt or kill you or anything, obviously," though Arley chuckled nervously at the thought, he hated fighting Mages, magic was a powerful tool, but even skilled magisters could be beaten with the right tactics.

He won't get hurt, I wont actually cut him. Arley thought to himself. "I will not actually hit you, no offense, but I have fought against the vast Darkspawn horde, and I know I am more skilled, but you are premitted to use whatever magic you have, unless you use blood magic, then I will have to kill you. But from what I've see you are no melificarum. If you prove to be skilled enough I will tell you about the Joining and being a Warden. But....I will have to duel your brother also, and since you have agreed to being a Warden you have sewn your fate, forever, but if your brother cant fight like you we will have to leave him behind. Also, know that becoming a Warden is no small commitment, you will be forced to give up any hopes of a normal life." He said calmly, he hasn't recruited anyone before, but he found that he wasn't bad at it.

"Now you must fight me, right here right now." Arley's tone changed fast, he liked this guy but had to know he was worthy, Wardens were chosen from all walks of life, criminals, nobles, mages, and dwarves. This was no different, he drew his vicious daggers and smiled; he liked it better when he wasn't killing people, though it was harder to actually duel a Mage than it was with someone who weilded a sword. But he had fought enough darkspawn emissaries to know how to tatically dispatch one, though this day he wouldn't be killing. Honesly he hoped he was atleast injured by the Mage brothers, he knew he couldnt lose, well he didnt know that, but he assumed.

But he hoped for injury so he could bring back promising recruits. As only 20% of them survived the joining, but he had a feeling about this one, and the brother he hadn't met. He felt the injury imminent, though he knew he could prevail but honestly there was no winning in this battle ground, he just hoped that this guy was skilled, and from what he saw he was, Arley was good at picking the capable ones out, always has been. He became a Warden because he was, so sustaining injury from one of Kenneth's spells shouldnt be hard for Kenneth, that is, if he could hit Arley..

[Kenneth Hao]

Kenneth never underestimated Arley's skill, not once since he meeting the Grey Warden... but fighting him? Even if he said he wouldn't hit the thought of fighting this man was almost intimidating. The thought of hurting the Grey Warden made him feel even more uneasy. "Is it even possible to hurt him?" he thought arching an eyebrow. Surely there was some weak spot. Everyone had a blind side that was possible of finding if skilled enough.

"I don't need to focus on blind sides. I should be more focused on.... am I supposed to hit him? I'd really rather not shock someone who just sav-" his inner babbling stopped with Arley's sudden change of tone.

Kenny knew if he had any hope of hitting him he would need to be as far away as possible. A simple push back spell would suffice.

"Can't we just wait until we've had a drank. I'm parched," he started trying to keep his joking tone at bay. "Well, okay if you insist." He used his magic to push Arley off his feet, a quick surprise hopefully. Talking won't help loose the darkspawn's train of thought but he wasn't dueling darkspawn at the moment. He was dueling a man who probably had years experience on him.

"Avoid the daggers." he thought. That's what he needed to do, whether Arley would hit or not.

He didn't know if he threw Arley off his feet. He was too focused on where the daggers were and the distance between them.

Aiming his staff, he charged some quick sparks to his new friends feet. Following, a small ball of fire to the chest. "Aim better be on my side today." Kenny didn't use his magic as strongly as he could have. Arley should know this from the electric shock he gave the Templar. That didn't mean if Arley got hit that it wouldn't hurt, it most likely would sting a bit.

[Arley Voegeli]

Arley figured that fighting the Mage would be difficult as it always was, but he knew one thing, as did Kenneth most likely, that he required distance to fight without distance he couldnt do much, and Arley figured thats what would end the fight, but he didnt know if the Mage had any combat training other than in magic so he did not assume anything. Arley was knocked to his feet but stood up quickly. He could react and think quickly, this was good, Arley thought to himself. He charged at the man, his daggers would prove to be an easy distraction, he would be wary not the get hit by them, that he could tell. But Arley had no plan to hit him.

Kenneth shot sparks at Arley's feet they hit with a sting but still he stayed on his feet, not losing ground, he still charged. But he was thrown an unexpected fireball, this kid was very unpredictable, and that was a good sign. Barely dodging the fireball and feeling a slight tingle in his feet he trew a flury or strikes toward him, in what he called "shadow strikes" because they weren't ment to hit Kenneth, but he could probably dodge them with his staff if he was skilled enough. He tried to keep to his promise not to hit him, with this blades atleast.

He swung his blades precisely as Kenneth was in a dress he had a lot of weakspots, as he wasn't in armor, and Arley's shadow strikes where to the neck, gut, and tendan on his armpit, though he actually didn't hit those spots his blades where about 10 inches away, he has done this before. After that he made a soft tap to his stomatch that could easily be blocked if Kenneth was paying attention to everything, and if he wasn't Arley would teach him basic combat skills, as a staff can be used to pummel an enemy. "You are better than I thought," said Arley mid-punch.

[Kenneth Hao]

Everything good so far. Kenneth just needed to keep up his good work and he would be rewarded in the end. Or scared, whichever. Arley used a move he had seen many times by others either fighting or training during his travels. Something that could be avoided if quick enough. He started to wonder how long he would need to duel Arley. Surely Arley would end this soon. Perhaps he would end it as soon as he shown himself good enough for the Wardens. "I already accepted the challenge. Just show him what you're capable of." he thought jumping back from the moving daggers.

He dress twirled at the bottom as soon as his feet landed. "I feel like a princess." Using his wits he sent small sparks to Arley's wrists with each strike he threw at him. He needed distance again.

He sent another spark to his feet, only this time a bit stronger. Quickly, needing a distraction, Kenneth grabbed the dagger strapped to his ankle. He raised it with confidence. No, he wasn't left handed, and no he didn't know how to use it, but he hoped it would slow Arley down with surprise. He used the first spell to send him off his feet again, only stronger this time. Using 'Haste', he started flying sparks everywhere.

He may not be the strongest mage but he knew a lot of spells. He just needed to remember his energy. It had gone down quiet a bit. Enough to fight longer, of course, just leaving him. He would need to be careful.

"I don't really know how to use this thing." He tossed it to his feet. Patience. Arley will end this when needed.