[Nexus] Riverside 11

[Gullara]

http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx135/oots12321/Other/Riverside2-1.png
By Darklord Bright

Riverside, a small, modern city outside the reach of Remnant control. The city has always been known by one defining factor, it's status as a hive of scum and villainy. A number of factions vie for footholds in the city, though they are largely peaceful at the moment. No doubt some would jump at the opportunity to expand their influence. Riverside sits on the edge of the Nexus, so while it's still prone to the strangeness common there, it's far more stable than other parts of the Nexus. Being the hive and scum and villainy that it is, the streets can be dangerous and shady deals and dark alleys are plenty. Welcome to Riverside.


Current Events:

An artificial sun (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14641796&postcount=786) has been erected in the skies of Westside, lifting the perpetual darkness in the area and restoring a natural day night cycle.
The Democracy Now movement has taken hold in Eastside and a democratically elected council now governs it.
The new Westside City Hall and Enforcer HQ have been constructed (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14750508&postcount=901).
After the fires wiped out a number of homes, a new residential district in Northside is being constructed.
A new power generator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14517047&postcount=585) has been constructed by Evolution Industry. It provides new and extremely inexpensive power to those that choose to use it.




Northside:
Under revision
Northside, the richer part of Riverside. If you have money then you can get just about anything in Northside. That is if you know the right people. There is something odd about this part of Riverside though. Hardly a beggar or street urchin to be seen. In fact for a place of scum and villainy this place is too clean. Northside is the one that wears the best mask in Riverside. The best at covering up deaths and drug deals. The best at making everyone think that there is nothing wrong because everybody pays their protectors and rulers of Northside with what they ask for. This is Northside. A rich mask that hides the dirty city for what it is.
Eastside:
Eastside is mostly a middle-to-lower class, densely populated area. It's fairly multicultural, even by Nexus standards, and inhabited by a wide range of species and cultures.
Like the rest of Riverside, Eastside has been in the hands of either criminals or supernatural factions for a long time. Now it has changed - a democratic election organized by the Democracy Now movement led to the creation of the Eastside Parliament and a Mayor. They hold the power in Eastside now, and the Hunters enforce the law within it.
Southside:
The territory of the Court of One, Southside is an urban area heavily touched by magic. Based around the metaphorical and geomantic power of the river, the populated areas form a circle a distance around the river and its two tributaries. Within this circle is an area in which the normal laws of reality begin to alter, the changes becoming more profound the further one goes. In the very center is the Court of One itself, in a small region of primordial chaos and raw magical energies.

While the presence of such untamed magic presents danger to those who venture too far into it, the threat of crime in Southside is abnormally low due to the presence of the Devoured Legion. This knightly order has the dual purpose of administering justice and being the Court's punishment for capital crimes. Formed entirely of criminals 'reclaimed' by the magic of the Court, the Devoured Legion protects the populace as atonement for their crimes, using a series of crystalline pyramids to appear where they are needed.

The strangeness of Southside is offset for many by the promise it offers- it is not simply a place to live, but a place to change, and to move forward towards a new life. The Court of One offers power and purpose to those would take them, the ability to overcome the obstacles of poverty and despair, and the ability to let the river wash away the stains of the past.
Westside:
Under revision
Westside, where vampires walk openly on the street. Mostly because said vampires govern this part of the city. The city has been cloaked in a field of eternal night allowing the vampires to walk freely. Furthermore, each mortal citizen is required to donate blood to sustain the vampires. In exchange, the streets are kept clean, for the most part. Of course, the cover of darkness does attract criminals as well as less beneficent creatures of the night.
1
Factions:

Court of One: Southside
This faction represents the will and power of the fair folk queen, Genesis, each of its main members representing and acting on a facet of her nature. While often inhuman and sometimes fearful, the Court of One strives for the betterment of Riverside and the improvement of lives within its borders, offering power, purpose, and redemption to those who would join in its patterns and work harmoniously with the Court's vision.

Played by Vael or The Bushranger.
Followers of Scaal: Northside
The followers of Scaal are spoken of in hushed tones. When a black robed figure goes by people stop talking and give him the space he needs. These are the followers of Scaal. Not much is known about them besides they possess great magic, they protect this part of the city and its inhabitants for the right price, and rumors have it that Scaal is some sort of god or demon perhaps.

As of late, the followers of Scaal have been much less present in Northside. Most think they've gone underground for one reason or another, though nobody knows exactly what the truth is.

Played by ApeofLight.
Hunters: Eastside
The Hunters are built around the original organization with this name - a group of supernaturally-endowed human vigilantes. Now they recruit anyone willing to serve the people of Riverside. They act as the general police force in Eastside. Their uniform consists of a long blue coat with a stylized "H" on it. Their leader is Johann Pannewitz, one of the original Imbued Hunters. His title is Hunter Commander.

Played by Morty
People's Parliament: Eastside
The result of the Democracy Now movement among some members of Riverside, the People's Parliament is a democratically elected council that governs over Eastside.

Mayor:

Donncha O Donnail, played by Morty
Council:

Percival Obree-Banton, played by Earl of Purple
Sedrat Quelg, played by Lost_Deep
Brody, played by Slii Arhem
Andrea Infanti, played by Gulaghar
Vita Octavia, played by Happyturtle
Trind Calanolius Evenart, played by Wolfbane

The law is is enforced by the Hunters, once supernaturally-endowed vigilanties that have stepped in to serve the people of Eastside as law enforcement.
Sacred Order of Cunningham (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11067549&postcount=445): Citywide
The Sisters and Elders of the Sacred Order of Cunningham have a perspective based religion with a hodge-podge of beliefs pulled from science fiction and popular culture. They are not a celibate order, and in fact strongly promote marriage and sex (in that order) with the goal of having large families.

Except for the orphans and their caretakers, the members of the Order do not live in one location. Families have their own homes, and go to the Cathedral for holy services or group events. You know, sort of like people treat their RL churches.

Played by happyturtle.
Tenebras (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11187142&postcount=456): Westside
The vampires of Riverside came to the Nexus from the city of Gul-Thadar, a city where vampires and humans live in harmony. They took up the role of governing Westside after the city's leadership collapsed. Humans and vampires alike fill their ranks. They aren't above unsavory methods or shady deals, but they keep a good public face.

((All vampire NPCs associated with Tenebras should be assumed to be controlled by Gulaghar unless otherwise stated.))

Played by Gulaghar.

Places Within:
Northside

Moth Park:
About 100 acres, the moth park is approximately rectangular in shape, with a bandshell/performance stage at the north end, a soccer (football) field and softball diamond at the south and a forested area in the center.

It also holds two playgrounds (swing sets, slides, monkey bars) several fountains (most of which are nonfunctional) various statues and a network of walking paths.

Since the re-opening, Moth park is pretty popular with the local residents as well as those who come into the area to work or visit.
Police Station:
The police station is a large but simple brick building. All police activity is based out of this building. It's outfitted with interrogation rooms, a few offices, and other rooms that a police station would have.
Riverside Hospital:
This hospital is the only one currently in Riverside. It was built after the old hospital burned down some years ago. As a result, it's of fairly modern design. It works just like a normal, modern hospital would with the exception of magic being used along normal medical procedures to achieve better results.
Sawyer's Inn:
The inside of Sawyer's is beautiful, though humble. Whoever keeps the place, keeps it in fine condition.

The dark wooden floors are waxed and shiny. There are four wooden pillars that reach up to the ceiling. The four walls are painted in a brick red, with light grey accents.

Along the left wall there is a large hearth fire burning, with a dog and cat sleeping together. The dog raises it's head slightly to observe the newcomers, but doesn't rush to sniff them out.

Along the right wall is the customer service area, with a dining hall just past it. The smell of freshly baked bread and some kind of meat can be smelled eminating from beyond.

And then there is the back wall. There is a set of stairs leading up and another leading down. Both sets are made of the same wood as the pillars and floor.
Temple of Dalachrech: Earl of Purple
This building closely resembles all the other semi-detached houses along this road. The temple takes up both halves of the house, however; although the building has been designed such that the halves don't match to maintain the illusion of seperate owners. It has a red tile roof and is constructed from red brick, although the left half has been painted white. There's a pair of garages and two front doors, both of which work.

The temple is a private location. Please PM Earl of Purple before visiting.

Eastside

Cosiellio's Temple: Harnel
There's a small temple here that just finished construction last week. It's a fairly plain thing, more utilitarian than ostentatious, but it's made of marble and granite, giving it a glowing white appearance in the sun, with Cos' holy symbol in a large carved statue above the front door. It's a shield with feathered wings imposed along the front, giving it the impression of a heart. It's carved impeccably; it must have been done with magic.

The temple itself is relatively informal. There's a pair of priests here named Jules and Linette, though they don't wear anything like clergy vestments because Cosiellio doesn't have any sort of clergy vestments he'd prefer they wear. Jules is a half-elven man that appears to be approaching middle-age, while Linette is a teenage human; both were saved during the riverside riots, And Cos provides them with the things they need to live (money, healing, food, and rooms) as long as they maintain their functions as priests.

A few of Cos' faithful are here almost all the time - given the informal nature of the temple, everybody drifts in to say a few prayers whenever they're feeling like they should, or whenever they have the time. Cos himself regularly visits, of course, and answers prayers directly.
Fallow’s Furry & Feathered Friends: Earl of Purple
The shop is lit up with bright lights and neon advertising. Around the store is a secure, electrified fence and there's four watch towers in the corners. The gate is near a large, secure-looking building within which are three ogre guards. Inside lie four warehouses, a large collection of aquariums and gigantic tanks, a squat and ugly toilet block and three seperate bunkers for customers to evacuate into should something more dangerous escape, such as a smilodon from the Mammal House, a wyvern from the Reptile House, a giant carnivorous slug from the Invertebrate House or something worse. Patrolling the wide, open spaces are the occasional group of six uniformed humans armed with net-guns. Slaves can be bought here if one asks the right questions.
Golden Flagon Tavern:
The Golden Flagon Tavern was once the main hideout of the local mafia. It was destroyed, but recently it has been fully restored. It still tends to attract the unsavory sort, but the owner keeps things civil.

The tavern is very old fashioned. It's a stone building with polished, wooden supports. A fire always warms it's large hearth and the drinks always good. It makes for a comfortable atmosphere.
Hunter Lodge: Morty
The main administration building for the Hunter force. The Hunter Commander's office is located there, as well as the rest of the administrative staff.
Light's Heart: Shadowcaller
The citadel rises up like something taken from a sci-fi movie. The walls are golden colored, untainted by age and dirt. Like something that was just build just recently.
Five towers have been built into the wall, standing no less then 40 feet tall, looking like they have been cut out from the same stone.

Above the towers rises the citadel itself, completely square in form and made of the same golden stone it have numerous arrow slits carved out at the upper floors.

Leading around it's form is a wooden staircase going from the top of the citadel to the courtyard below.The only visible entrance is the massive gate made of obsidian colored wood which stands wide open, inviting anyone inside.
Parliament: Morty
Not far from the Town Hall, the small circular new building serves as the meeting place for the People's Parliament. It includes a large hall for meetings as well as offices for all the members.
Town Hall: Morty
Converted from several buildings in the middle of the district, it serves as the seat of the administration. The Mayor resides there.

Southside

Court of One: Vael
In the center of Southside is a clearing, its shape a perfect circle. It is relatively small in size, and the chaotic powers that surround the clearing and converge on it mean that it sees few visitors. Yet, here it is that the heart of the Court of One is found. Imbued with all the geomantic power of Southside, charged with the symbol power of the river, the Court of One has transcended a true form of shape, and so how it appears depends on the viewer. Some see it as a floating castle, flying above the clearing, while others see it as a pool of clear water.

One might assume that this area is the physical court, a place in which the members of the court meet- and while true, it is also the court itself. While its members may rove outward and touch other areas of Riverside, or even leave the city, the will of Genesis is always manifest there. As much as her body contains her, so too does the Court of One- yet here, she is not fettered by the laws of reality, here the world is raw and unshaped, and her power is at its highest.

So those few visitors who find their way here will find the power and presence of Genesis and the Court of One at their strongest. Here, the greatest and most improbable pleas can be answered, should they prove persuasive to the fey ruler.
Maelstrom Castle: Vael
Formed of circling, twisting walls and a labyrinth of gates, this proud and fae castle stands in the middle of a twist in a river, the currents of which churn and race around it, rising impossibly into the air to form new layers of the fort's walls out of running water.

Winding to the center of the structure, the river's flow partially hardens into mirror-like ice, forming a garrison in which the Devoured Legion resides. The polished ice that line the walls give views out of the crystalline pyramids in the centers of the most populated areas of Southside, and for the knights themselves, act as portals.
Radiant Ocean: Vael
Do not the waters of the river pour into the ocean? Though each comes from a different path, they join and merge, each mingling and sharing in the same world. Though some are vast and mighty, some weak and small, their nature is the same, and in coming together, their strength is as one. All are of the same family, each deserves the same kindness and share as another.
Let this court be an ocean. None who need its power will be turned away.

Radiant Ocean is a place of generosity and wealth, entertainment and exchange.

Home to the most populous portion of Southside, Radiant Ocean itself is a luxurious housing complex, its four petal-like wings of apartments separated by glass covered gardens. The central portion of the building is a market, in which imported goods and the products of the garden are sold and exchanged. The housing in Radiant Ocean is divided between those who most need it, and those willing to pay notable sums of money for a place in it, money which is then put into expanding the markets and buildings that have sprung up around Radiant Ocean.
Solemn Depths: Vael
At the city walls, where the river first passes into Riverside, there is a deep reserve. Carved deep into stone, it first appears as just a man-made lake, but once one enters the water, they will find that it is so much more. Buildings lost to time and the changes of Riverside reappear within beside more fantastic ones born from alien imagination, the lake's depths easily holding countless tall structures that glow eerily in the darkened water, while careful currents of water create an upwards clockwise gyre but leave the center of the reserve untouched.

At the still eye of the gyre and the bottom of the lake is a well lit with soft blue and green lights every so often, giving it a muted glow. Small streams of bubbles spiral out of it, their source a large number of spiraling side passages that lead into circular caverns with apparently self sustaining air pockets, and enough rocky surfaces for a human to draw themselves out of the water. Yet, going even deeper, one will encounter something even stranger- the water is easily breathable. Yet, at this depth there are also strange energies like those from the mists, capable of altering mortal form and reality around it. Still, they seem more constructed, more directed, manifesting in structured ways. From this point, however, what one encounters is no longer certain, changing readily for each new visitor.
Wellspring Tower: Vael
A tower of stone and glass with limbs that branch out like those of a tree, Wellspring Tower is positioned in nearly the center of Riverside, twisting the water of the river up into its hollow glass tubing in a manner that produces a quiet and beautiful song. Fountains, statues of ice and topiary, and small pools of water fill its courtyard, a vibrant and natural environment in the midst of the city.

On the inside, Wellspring Tower is much larger than it is without, its stretching limbs opening out into other planes of existence, containing entire worlds within its mighty arms.

Westside

Blood Donation Clinic:
A small clinic has been established in Westside for the purpose of collecting blood from those willing to donate. The blood is then distributed to those that require it. This is primarily Tenebras vampires, but any being that requires blood for sustenance can get it here. Some blood can be given to the hospital when needed as well.

The clinic itself is a small building. Inside there is a reception area, and a few different rooms for the actual procedure. There is usually one person on site twentyfour seven.
Cathedral of the Sacred Order of Cunningham: happyturtle
The Westside Cathedral is large enough to house people for emergency purposes, but in general, only the family of the pastor and the groundskeeper live there.

Pastor Rockwell is the Pastor
Sister Janice is the Pastor's wife, and a skilled hippiemancer.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Worcester_cathedral.jpg
Club Pulse: Shadowcaller
The club is quite easily noticed by the huge neon sign outside, Pulse was easily recognized as Riversides largest nightclub. Beyond the line and the bouncer outside is a classic club layout with a large dance floor with loud music and flashing lights.

In a slightly more calm area of the club is the bar run by an one-eyed bartender called Ryo.

There are two stairs leading up to the upper floor where it's easier to talk and drink.

The atmosphere is pretty heavy as you walk inside with techno music playing very loud.
Doctor Stroffelnburg's Psychiatric Clinic: Reinholdt
This rather unassuming white building contains the world's finest psychiatric doctor. After the setback at his hospital that caused the loss of the use of his legs, Doctor Stroffelnburg took his savings and set up a smaller clinic here in Riverside. Walk-ins are encouraged.
Enforcer HQ: Gulaghar
On the outside, this building almost looks like a bunker. It's a low, squat building constructed of stone. The only windows are on the front of the building and they are small. There is a fenced off area in the back that contains a number of vehicles.

The lobby area is fairly bare. There are a few different clearly labeled desks to approach, depending on the reason for being there. One is for general business with the Enforcers. The wall opposite the desks is lined with chairs.

Off to the left is a hallway that goes deeper into the building. An Enforcer guard stands at the entrance to this hallway at all times. At the end of the hall is a heavy steel door with a card based lock. Behind this door is an armoury that contains the Enforcer's weapons and armour.

On the opposite side of the lobby, there is a similar hallway, though it's not guarded on the lobby side. At the far end there is a door that leads to an area with a few holding cells and a desk for a guard to work at.

Halfway down the same hall is another hall intersecting it. This hall is lined with doors to a number of offices and other rooms.
Evolution Industries: Darkcomet
The Westside branch of EI. The main building is a fairly nondescript, tall (not a skyscraper or anything, but still with several floors) modern one, with a large Evolution Industries logo on it.
Evolution Industries Power Plant: Darkcomet
The Class 3 MACE unit offered by Evolution Industries is a large, static installation capable of generating enough power to supply all of Riverside with electricity, and it was Tenebras that commissioned the first of these installations from EI.

The installation is housed inside a large, reinforced building. The interior has multiple levels linked by elevators and stairs, all surrounding the roughly cylindrical silver crystalline structure that is the actual Class 3 unit. It's quite the view at the top for EI's employees and the occasional tourist, and naturally there are plenty of guard rails. Naturally, office space, bathrooms, and the like are all present in the building, though obviously away from the main spiral surrounding the installation itself. Many computers and other such pieces of equipment are present in the areas around the installation, perpetually monitoring and controlling its output.

The building itself is guarded and patrolled by Evolution Industries' corporate security division.

All that is known to the public, but given what Evolution Industries used to do, and the identity of its head, it's possible the place is far more guarded than it immediately seems...
Exbourne Manor: Gulaghar
Exbourne manor is rather old, though kept in excellent condition since it was restored when Tenebras moved in. The rooms are large and spacious, and most of the public areas have been painted in bright pastels and decorated with vases of flowers.

The ground floor largely consists of the lofty entrance hall, a comfortable living room, and the kitchen. Ramiro's office is also on the ground floor for easy access. The second and third floor have mostly bedrooms and attached washrooms. The basement serves as rooms for the servants primarily. In a separate part of the basement is a large vault as well as an Evolution Industries Class 2 MACE Unit which provides the building with electricity. Finally, the attic contains whatever it is that creates the darkness field within Westside.

The manor is surrounded by a courtyard. An iron fence surrounds it, and a number of trees provide privacy along the sides and behind the building. The courtyard is grassy and has a cobblestone trail leading to the front door. Behind the manor is a private garden. The courtyard's gate is almost always left open.
Light of Evolution/Control Center: Darkcomet
Once the Class 3 Installation was completed, the head of Evolution Industries approached the leader of Tenebras with an answer to a question that had been asked of him before-that of bringing light back to Westside.

The building at ground level is fairly normal-looking, wide but not overly tall. It is marked with Evolution Industries logos, and serves as the control and maintenance center for the site's true purpose.

The crystalline sphere that serves as Westside's artificial sun, known as the Light of Evolution, floats in the air far above the building, a bright blue beam linking it and the structure. This serves to power the Light. This beam is surrounded by a translucent, shimmering blue forcefield, to prevent anyone from interrupting it.

The beam is projected from a system usually at the roof of the building, and is taken in by a receiver panel at the bottom of the Light, which is how it powers it.

The Light brightens and dims as appropriate to simulate a natural day-night cycle, and the beam that powers it dims with it. After all, when it is dimmer, it requires less power. In the darkest times of the night, the beam projector deactivates and the forcefield drops. The former lowers itself down into the building, and the Light floats down on anti-gravity systems with their own onboard power. The Control Center's roof contains a hatch that, at this time, opens and allows the Light to land for maintenance. During the day, this hatch is normally sealed around the energy projector that powers the Light, preventing it from being used as a secondary entrance during this time as well.

Naturally, the site is heavily guarded by Evolution Security, and no tourists or civilians are allowed inside.

Interestingly, Evolution Industries has issued an official warning that it is not responsible for the results of anyone flying into the forcefield around the power beam, or the beam itself should those be somehow disabled. It is noted that death or serious injury is likely to occur.
MagMart: Lord Magtok
If the individual entering has any sort of familiarity with the other MagMart, back when it was its own building apart from Mallside, they'll probably notice that this Riverside one doesn't look anywhere near as glamorous as its predecessor. It's a modest purple brick building, the glass display windows aren't even properly bulletproof, and the smelly homeless people usually employed to wander around about the front of the store in a wacky MagMascot costume with an enormous cyborg head are mysteriously absent.

That said, you can still find just about everything here that you can at the Mallside store. Curtains to carpets, macaroni to monkeys on motorcycles, groceries to zombies garlic. The staff is always happy to help (or else), and if you aren't entirely satisfied with your shopping experience, you can pay a small fee to watch the MagMart employee of your choosing get fired out the MagMart complimentary employee morale cannon. Except in this store, the 'morale cannon' is really more of a morale bazooka, and while it's still fun to watch, it's nowhere near as charming.
Westside City Hall: Gulaghar
The newly constructed city hall is a towering, impressive building. It is crafted primarily out of a light stone. There is an old feel to it's design, but it is very much a modern building on the inside.

It opens up to a wide open lobby. The floor is a clean white and the room is brightly lit by florescent lights. Immediately to the right of the door is a reception desk where a receptionist can be found for direction during business hours. On the left of the entrance is a security desk where an Enforcer can be found. In the middle of the room is a small fountain with several chairs around it. On the far side of the room is an elevator and there are a number of other doors that lead out of the room.

On the second and third floor there are a number of offices. The mayor's office is on the third floor and there is an office for the Enforcer chief here as well.
History: by Lex-kat
Long, long ago, Riverside was a simple fishing village.

It was able to blossom into a city once trade begun, because of it's placement not only on the river, but between most of the other small villages within this area of the Nexus.

Of course, this means that the Merchants were able to take over the government of the city. But other than that, it remained quite peaceful.

Very few other cities attack Riverside, and it would remain neutral in conflicts. Though, due to the few that did try to attack it, the citizens of Riverside did develop a small military force. For protection purposes only, of course.

For years, Riverside grew in power, yet never exerted it over any of the other villages. That is, until a man named Johnny Duluth came to power.

At first, the people loved him. He was fair and just. And soon, he brought even more prosperity to Riverside.

Then a change. A small force of unknown marauders besieged the city. Mayor Johnny declared a state of emergency, reorganized the military, and with the help of some of his aides, transformed them into a offensive unit.

After a long 4 month battle, Riverside won a decisive victory. But they didn't stop there. Mayor Johnny declared that a nearby village was responsible for the attack.

He personally led the military and crushed the village with no resistance.

Some Merchants balked at this, and tried to warn the citizens of the dangers of allowing Mayor Johnny to take this power.

They were all silenced, one way or the other. Bought off, murdered, or their families kidnapped and held hostage.

By the time the residents realized what was happening, it was too late. They found themselves over run by the same marauders that they had "defeated" before.

Soon, the city was run by a Mafia-dictatorship, and Johnny Duluth was it's mayor.

What the citizens didn't know, was that Johnny Duluth was just a puppet. There was another man pulling his strings.

Ezekial Von Hookes, a prominent member of the Merchant class had employed Johnny for just this. He even arranged for his own daughter, Patricia, to be kidnapped, tortured, and finally returned to him a gibbering mess.

Mayor Johnny ruled Riverside for thirty years, before dying of a sudden heart attack at the age of 78.

A kinder, gentler man took his place, returning Riverside to a peaceful, defensive center of commerce it was before Johnny Duluth took over.

The citizens were happy. But deep within the dark corners, and under the city foundations, the Mafia still ruled. Ezekial passed his hidden empire to his son-in-law, Cameron.

Cameron and Patricia (yes that Patricia) had a son, Frederick Von Hookes. Cameron raised his son to be his successor. Slowly the citizens of Riverside became aware, yet intentionally ignorant, of the criminals that were truly in charge.

People would disappear, and the police did nothing. There were rumors of daughters from surrounding villages being kidnapped and sold to wealthy men, or held under the bar for the local prostitution ring.

By the time Frederick "retired", and Jonah took over, everyone in the city knew that the city was run by a mostly hidden group of men, maybe some women.

When Reinholdt came to town, and murdered Johan, and set the prostitutes free, business came to a screeching halt.

The Green Flagon Bar, where Johan ran his business out of, shut down for repairs. But has only just recently reopened.

There is rumors that Frederick has returned. ASnd people are afraid. Where Johan was cunning, Frederick was brutal.

++++++++++++++++++

The police are owned by the Mafia. Unless you wish to die, you turn a blind eye to any crime you see.

For the most part, the citizens are protected. Only those who try to reform or change the current system find themselves on the wrong end of the "law".

Otherwise, the victims are from the more rural villages surrounding Riverside.

The Mafia has dealings with people in other large cities, including the Empire run Inside. Though most of those are in deep hiding since the Empire took over.

More recently, SAINT, the Assassins guild has sprung up in the cities underworld. Since there has been no fighting between the guild and the Mafia, it is assumed that they have a peaceful agreement with each other.

Of course, in the most recent happenings, the Golden Flagon has been shot up recently when a human female and some blue girl came asking questions.

Soon after they disappeared, an earthquake struck the twon, felling many buildings. A strange man named Riv is reported to have been to blame. How that can be, the citizens do not know.

They are currently rebuilding.

Previous Threads:
Riverside X: Take a Walk on the Wildside (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253781)
Riverside IX (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248824)
Riverside VIII: A New Side (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238369)
Riverside VII (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226275)
Riverside VI (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218891)
Riverside V (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213952)
Riverside IV: Offside, 10 Yard Penalty (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207810)
Riverside III (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199842)
Riverside II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183453)
Riverside I: The Beginning (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180396)

[Slii Arhem]

Wildside

Jeanne grins. Now she has the information her boss asked for, even if she gets booted out of the forest now. But hopefully she can stay long enough to learn more. She stands and takes a bow. "The Celebrated Lenai, I presume." When she rises, that cheeky grin is still there. "I do not recall asking for your protection, nor would I since it seems to involve submission to your orders. I merely wished shelter in the forest, where I could be safe from humans. This is the first time I have encountered a forest that was considered the property of another. These poor trees..."

Jeanne as fey:
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/6420/tek50b4a005a0ecd1804155.png (http://tektek.org/avatar/51446859)

Wildside

Jeanne's grin is met with that same impassive stare, "If I was celebrated I wouldn't have such louts spreading such bile about with my name. And asking to take shelter here is asking for my protection, as I protect all that would stay here from those that would harm them. These trees, my daughters, are owned by me as a mother owns its suckling babe and in no other way. I own them because I protect them from the greedy hands of men with axes, and they own me because they need my protection and I am the only one who can provide it."

The rest of Lenai's perpetually earth-covered form sinks out of the tree, arms crossed before her chest but the rest of her body bare, "So why should I bother with you, mm? Why extend you the same courtesy when you would judge me so readily before hearing one word from my mouth? What have you done to earn your place among my honored children?"

[Lost_Deep]

Eadelain's Mindscape

The tiefling attempts to move over to Eadelain and touch her forehead to see if anything happens. Trying to see if there is anything peculiar she can pick out in the room beyond the tendrils.

Not really. If she looks, the shadows are a bit deeper than normal, and a bit more prominent than normal, but beyond that the odd black veins are the main oddity. Closer examination will reveal that the deep shadows are only cosmetic, probably indicative of something that doesn't have to strong an effect on this level of the psyche.

[ThirdEmperor]

Northside- Atop an Old Warehouse

Don't play dumb with us! Three guns are leveled in Emshadu's direction, a less verbal reminder that the soldiers are in no mood for games. If you knew the signal, you know why we're here, what we want and what we're offering!

So, yea or nay? Have you got what we asked for or haven't you?

[Gullara]

[The Rusty Dagger]

"Besides the northerners and us? There are a few Wenrath in the gardens and a then the Yu. Oh and a few of those devil-people. Now that I think about it, there are all sorts of minorities running around in that fourth tower cult. I never really see any of them though. They mostly keep to themselves." That's a lot of names that probably needs explaining.

[The Rusty Dagger]

"Fourth Tower cult? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with them. Please, tell me more." Samona says. Maybe she'd get more information out of this woman yet.


[Suncrest Manor]

"Are you kidding? We could change color every day if we wanted to." Irena replies at a moment of not stuffing food in her mouth. "I mean we could even make you a real redhead. The combination looks so fake, if you know what I mean?" I'm afraid to ask what she means. >.<

[Suncrest Manor]

It takes Nadia a few seconds to realize what Irena is talking about, and when she does she bursts out laughing. "You could try it on me if you want, if it'd put your mind at ease." She says somewhat jokingly. She does kinda want to see it at work, and might as well, right?


[Mysterious Cavern]

If Valente turns around he might be able to see a portal similar to the one in Malechenar that probably leads back to the containment cell. So he got a choice in this.

If he chooses the path of madness however and follow the light coming from Sylvia's wand he will find that the cavern actually isn't that large. He might also realize there doesn't seem to be any exit or any external sources of light here. So if he hadn't had his nightvision, he had been perfectly blind, he can hear something echo through the cavern though sounding like a gigantic air pump.

Soon enough he can also see something reflecting the light though. The source of the reflections looking to be about the same size or even larger that the last creature they encountered. As they wander closer through the shallow water he can see that the creature appears to be some sort of reptilian, it's scales looking like miniature solar-panels, reflecting all light aimed at them.

Sylvia suddenly stops and just stands there staring at the creature which appears to have been chained down to the rock floor with chains the size of footballs. Furthermore there appears to be a ring of crystals of the creature which now Valente can probably can guess is some sort of dragon.

It looks far more snake-like then the European dragon however, coiled up on the ground with not only one but six pairs of wings that are spread out over it's body. The sound of the 'airpump' seems to have been the creatures heartbeats, echoing loudly through the cavern.

[Mysterious Cavern]

Valente's eyes go wide as he looks at the dragon. Holy crap! "What is that thing?" He has about several dozen other questions to ask, because holy crap what is that and what is it doing here and etc etc.

[Hattish Thing]

On A Building

Enshadu's face is a bolted metal mask, and his mouth slot is jagged, looking like he speaks through a respirator/garbage disposal. His voice is gutteral, and mechanical. His hands shift into a five fingered mass of electricity each. A silent warning. Shh...boys, calm. You reek of stupidity and testosterone. I have money, machines. Take me to your leader.

[ThirdEmperor]

Northside- Atop an Old Warehouse

Not happening. The group formation shifts slightly, trying not to draw too much attention to the movement as they spread out to keep from presenting a clustered target. We're a hivemind. We know each others thoughts and, today, I'm speaking for all of us.

You can meet our leader when you cease prattling about disections and prove yourself a trustworthy ally.

[Hattish Thing]

On A Roof

Enshadu nods. His hands switch into a vast array of surgeical instruments, one tool to each finger. Ah. Nice to meet you. Vivisection, different. Well...to prove my skill...I'll need a volunteer. Money-wise, there's a check in my coat for you to take to your masters, a good will gift. Any volunteers?

[ThirdEmperor]

Northside- Atop an Old Warehouse

There's a lull in the negotiations, seconds ticking away without comment by the soldiers as they argue, debate and finally reach consensus.

Not a chance we're going up there. You can climb down here. And this negotiations moving to somewhere a little more secure. The leader gestures at the flock circling them, clearly finding the prospect of standing on an open roof unattractive when the skies are controlled by a potential enemy. Then we can do business.

[Hattish Thing]

Warehouse Roof--> Below!

Enshadu nods slowly. The two robotic machines teleport off into space with a buzz. Enshadu's hands switch to normal metal hands, with normal metal fingers. He clacks and whirs as he moves and speaks, heavy breathing heard over the respirator's static. He speaks slowly. Fine. Perfect. I'll be down in a second, where shall we meet? Your headquarters? If so...I'll need an...expendable volunteer. I was once a doctor...though the metamorphosis is a...difficult procedure. The cyborg creature slowly walks down off the building, walking down on transparent stairs that appear brick by see-through brick. Soon he arrives at the bottom, and tips his hat. Shall we go, gentlemen?

[ThirdEmperor]

No Longer Atop an Old Warehouse

You're not getting near our base and we're not here to be guinea pigs. Looking around, Argon picks out a bar at random from the three on this street alone. We're going there. Anywhere's better than out in the open like this.

[Hattish Thing]

Warehouse Alley --> Some Bar

Enshadunwill follow Argon. Fine then, though I tend to attract attention. Nowhere near? Why? I'm not a bad man... He snickers coldly, it soundsncreepy and mechanical. What shall I prove then? Hm? I need a subject to show you.

[ThirdEmperor]

Northside Streets -> The Gutted Fish

Too bad. We're not interested in whether you can take someone apart or put them back together. All we want is for you to cough up money and gear. That's it. The bar's a dingy little grotto, the floorboards underfoot rotten from years of steeping in spilled ale and vomit, the few patrons there-in giving E. and the brothers distinctly inhospitable glares. And you can prove yourself in that department right now. Go convince the bartender he should get rid of all these losers. Two of Argon's brothers break from the group here, flanking the doorway as a guard.

[Hattish Thing]

Dingy Inn

Enshadu's form shifts quickly in shadow until he assumes the guise of a beautiful young woman. She wears a daring red top with a short skirt. Her short blonde hair reaches her shoulders and her voice is silky smooth. Excuse me, Mr. Barman, how much would it cost for me to get this joint privately tonight? Me and my friends over there.

[happyturtle]

Wildside

"I'm not here to hurt the trees." Jeanne says. "I came here to escape humans trying to control me. It's no shelter here if I am to be controlled by another. But I did not come here to hurt the trees, nd have no reason to do such a vile thing."

[Shadowcaller]

[Eastside - Ghoul]

Once the muse noted that the apparent conversation had ended with one of the participants vanishing entirely, she was of the mind to leave soon but the fact that the one that remained appeared to be exiting the house quickly changed that to 'finding a place to hide just in case.' Already up against the wall, the fledgeling called upon the enhancements in her legs and lept upwards a few solid meters before reaching out and 'sticking' to the wall. It was an odd ability she had picked up during her time here but being able to stick to and climb sheer surfaces without assistance was quite useful. With a number of complex movements designed to soften the impact, and thus the noise made, of her suddenly hanging off the side of the house, what would follow would be a cautious but quick scramble up towards the roof. Once there, Ghoul would simply keep an eye out for this person from her vantage point while making sure to stay low so as to avoid presenting much of a profile.

Of course, the muse was completely aware of how paranoid she was acting if this all turned out to be for nothing.


Cow Hunting

"Of course." New stuff is always nice.
Admittedly, just a change of clothes would suffice really after today's adventures. Should probably go home and get cleaned up.

[Eastside - Ghoul]

There is a dark-skinned man exiting the building, dressed in jeans, a short and a dark blue jacket that all appear slightly too large for him. He stops for a moment as if he heard something and turns to look back at the house with a paranoid look at his face.

Cow Hunting

"I have no idea how we could get this cow anywhere though. We can't have it follow us back to the hotel can we?" She asks while looking at the cow. "Disposing of it here would just spoil the meat. Perhaps we should just tie it up in the forest and come back tomorrow? I doubt there are any predators around here whose up to the task of taking it down."

[The Rusty Dagger]

"They're crazy cultists, I heard they sell their souls to ancient gods, demons and spirits for power. Things that I really don't know anything about. They consists of all kinds of minorities like the devil-men and the Yu. Not exactly anyone I can relate to, I just try to stay away and let them do their dark work on their own." Jana explains. "Could I get some coffee by the way? I'm getting awfully drowsy."

[Suncrest Manor]

That would have to be done offscreen though. :smalltongue:

"You got it, but what do you say we ask the shadows first huh? I figure your safety is more important then your *censored*"

[Mysterious Cavern]

"It's... it's a dragon! Here, hold this!" Sylvia replies, handing over the wand to Valente, if he doesn't accept it, the cultist will simply drop it in the air, expecting him to take it.
She then rushes towards the dragon to take a closer look at it.

Northside

The gargoyles follow the two parties until they enter the inn, then they sit perched upon the buildings just outside completely motionless, a person that never been here before easily mistaking them for statues.

They will sit there until the two comes out of the main door again, two of them flying see if there is some sort of backdoor.

[Gullara]

[The Rusty Dagger]

"I'm afraid we don't have any coffee." Samona said. She pauses a moment to consider everything that's been said. Perhaps now she should work on being sure this woman isn't trying to deceive her.

Samona tries to meet her eye. She'll find they have an almost hypnotic quality. "You haven't tried to deceive me, have you?" She asks, her voice compelling the woman to speak honestly.

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia giggles a little, but nods. Time to figure this out. "Okay, so I guess the first obvious thing to ask would be what they want with me. Then we can go from there."

[Mysterious Cavern]

Valente grabs the wand, but his other hand darts to grab Sylvia and pull her back a bit harder than he'd intended. "Are you insane? You're just going to walk right up to that thing?"

[Reinholdt]

Cow Hunting

"Oh no way am I leaving that big thing to just be walked off by the first person who feels like taking it. We're just going to have to walk it wherever we're going to go with it, then eat it and give the rest away." Harnel says. Gotta do it today and mostly now too.

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

The barkeeper is a thin man, looking as if he'd been stretched out by some torturous device into a stick figure, a permanent, insincere smile plastered on his face. "Five hundred gold, no less." He doesn't even bother to look at Enshadu's new female form before naming the extorbitant sum.

Meanwhile, the brothers are casing the bar. The bulletproofed glass of the windows seems solid, at least enough to give them some warning before the gargoyles break through, assuming they try. Better yet there's a set of stairs descending to a basement room, with no windows at all. One way in, one way out. Perfect.

[Shadowcaller]

[Mysterious Cavern]

Sylvia is easy enough to drag back with her robe, but she doesn't not approve. "Whu-" She turns to look at Valente, "But it's chained down. It won't hurt me. I thought you would think it was as cool as I did..."

[Suncrest Manor]

"Okay, I don't think we need to write that one down. Now all we needs is some darkness and boom we'll get some answers! I can just do this like once every half-year though since shadows... well, they quickly grow bored with you." Irena explains.

[The Rusty Dagger]

"I... n-no. Of course not." Jane replies, suddenly sounding very nervous again.

Cow Hunting

The dragon sigh, "So should we go to GloG and kill it there then? I can't see us walking back to the hotel with it, or into the city for that matter."

[Reinholdt]

Cow Hunting

"That or we could take it back to my cave if you'd prefer." Harnel offers with a shrug. Whichever's closer.

[Gullara]

[Mysterious Cavern]

"Are you sure it can't hurt you?" Valente asks seriously. "Because it sure looks dangerous to me."

[Suncrest Manor]

"Ah, I was wondering why I'd never heard about this before." It seemed like it was too useful for her to not have mentioned it, but this makes sense. "Should we do it now then?" Nadia hasn't quite finished her food, but she's almost there.

[The Rusty Dagger]

"Why so nervous, Jane?" Samona smiles a cruel little smile. She tries to put her hand under Jane's chin. "You wouldn't lie to me, would you? Don't you trust me?" Jane should be having a very hard time looking away if she wanted to.

[Wildside]

Scora decides to make herself scarce. She climbs up into the tree silently and lurks behind some leaves so she's mostly out of sight. She still wants to see what happens of course.

[Slii Arhem]

Wildside

"I'm not here to hurt the trees." Jeanne says. "I came here to escape humans trying to control me. It's no shelter here if I am to be controlled by another. But I did not come here to hurt the trees, and have no reason to do such a vile thing."

Wildside

"There is a difference between control and contribution. The trees suffer my presence because they love me and need me, and I shoulder their needs because I love and care for them. You have no family bond to me, and I've asked no loyalty from you despite your small attacks and constant assumptions. What I've asked is what you can contribute to them besides a promise that you won't harm them. Neither they nor I would care much for another layabout doing nothing to help." Lenai finally moves from where she's standing against the tree, her impassive stare darkening into a glower.

"So, tell me what you would do to help around here, and if your words include another untrue slight against me then I swear I'll toss you over the wall and into the city myself so you can deal with those humans you detest so much. If you can't think of any way to help then the smartest thing you could do is turn around and walk silently back the way you came before your mouth runs off again and takes my patience with it."

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

The barkeeper is a thin man, looking as if he'd been stretched out by some torturous device into a stick figure, a permanent, insincere smile plastered on his face. "Five hundred gold, no less." He doesn't even bother to look at Enshadu's new female form before naming the extorbitant sum.

Meanwhile, the brothers are casing the bar. The bulletproofed glass of the windows seems solid, at least enough to give them some warning before the gargoyles break through, assuming they try. Better yet there's a set of stairs descending to a basement room, with no windows at all. One way in, one way out. Perfect.

At the man's sum, Enshadu simply takes out the envelope in his coat and hands it to the barkeep. Then, his form shifts back to his normal, far more intimidating form. Now his mask, bolted into his flesh, is showing, covered only by the tall hat. His purple, ripped, and somewhat burnt leather trenchcoat covers most of his body. However, it is evident both of his legs are mechanical, and his nanobot hands float beyond the metal stumps. Five hundred gold pieces here. You can open t if you want. Alright, you four. What was the point of that? He grins, underneath the mask. Care for drinks?

[Shadowcaller]

[The Rusty Dagger]

((Waiting for Teru now.))

[Suncrest Manor]

"Let's wait until we have eaten up. Have you thought at all about the adoption by the way?" Irena asks, while turning her attention back to the food.

[Mysterious Cavern]

"But it's a dragon, can you believe that?! Is there anything more awesome?!" She asks, seemingly not understanding Valente's hesitation at all.

Cow Hunting

"Ah, I like that idea. Let's head to your cave then, just up on my back and I will lead try to get the cow to follow us. " Probably by trying to pull it after them. That will likely not work if the cow decides to stay where it is.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Mmhm. I think I'll call the orphanage and see if they have some people that are interested that we can meet with." Nadia says.

[Mysterious Cavern]

"Yeah, I know, it's pretty amazing." Valente admits. "But at the same time, it's a dragon. We can't just go marching up to it." He's seen a dragon once before, and that was Gordon fighting Maggy and Ilpholin. It was an intimidating sight.

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

Again, the barkeep's far more interested in his money than Enshadu's shapeshifting tricks. Picking up a letter opener he checks the envelopes contents, nodding to Enshadu if it's the proper sum. "A'right, bar's yours for the evening. E'erybody else- OUT!"

The bars patrons file out one by one, grumbling angrily and shooting dirty looks at E and the quintets go, some even snapping threats at them. But grumble as they might, no-one's drunk or crazy enough to actually try anything.

C'mon, down here. Argon says, descending the basement stairs. If those things or whoever's behind them wants in, they'll have to come single file. And that suits the soldiers just fine.

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

The correct sum is indeed in the envelope, all five hundred dollars, crisp and flat. Enshadu simply stares at the patrons as they leave, scoffing at a few of the threats, but not appearing overly hostile. Enshadu tips his hat to the barkeep and follows the quintets. Thank you for your business, sir. He stares at the quintets each, analyzing their facial movements and posture. Lead the way sirs...I look forward to negotiations. Enshadu, before he walks down the stairs, hands the barkeep an extra ten dollar bill. Here, a tip. He'll then walk down the stairs.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

"I could call them right now so we get that done." Irena offers, picking up her cellphone. "No sense of waiting after all since you give birth in, what? Like a month?"

[Mysterious Cavern]

Sylvia opens her mouth to say something when she suddenly pauses. "...did you see something?" Valente can probably see it the instance the cultist saw it, a light being lit at the island they came from. Uh-oh.

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

A familiar sight comes wandering towards the hunter headquarter, Tarim the pitlord dressed in his usual gold-colored armor. Somehow he looks even more upset then normal though. He is looking for the first hunter he can see, wherever they are outside or inside the building.

[Morty]

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

There's a lot of Hunters in their HQ - entering, leaving and watching over the place. Tarim is stopped by two Hunters on guard duty - one of them is an Imbued human (although it's impossible to tell of course) and the other one is an orc.
"State your business, please," the orc asks politely.

[happyturtle]

Wildside

While Lenai is speaking, Jeanne sends a telepathic message to Paris / Mercutio.

So boss? You want I should make nice so I can stay? Retreat quietly? Or burn the place?

Jeanne is rather rooting for the latter, but she doubts her new boss wants to make an outright enemy over something so petty.

Then again, he is a Pride demon...

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish- Basement

Pulling up a seat facing the stairs, Argon sets his gun on the table and sits, gesturing for Enshadu to do the same in the chair opposite. So, I take it those things weren't yours, were they? Any idea of who sent them? They don't match with the themes of any group against Excelsior, but E's quite obviously got enemies of his own. I doubt I need to point out that we're not to happy with that.

His brother's taken up post besides the stairs, leaning against the wall idly as he waits. Just in case. The gargoyles up and vanishing isn't sitting well with the soldiers- That kinda force seems excessive if they were just there to observe.

[Mr. Moon]

Eastside - Weird William's

Eastside - Weird William's

The lumbering councilman shrugs hopelessly, as lost as Maya is, "Not particularly. She likes making a scene, kicking up a fuss, and going where the booze is, but there're any number of bars and parties open for business since Eastside got its independence, so that won't narrow it down much unless you look for the ones with the most fires and broken property. Could probably put the word out that someone's looking for her myself, but I'm not sure I'd do that for a pretty face I just met." He admits honestly. He's still got his old connections, sure, legitimate though some of them might have turned in the aftermath of the riots, but using them for a girl's book report would stretch everyone's patience even though he's trying to be helpful.

Oh. Maya's smile droops dramatically under the cover of her hood. This might be more difficult than she'd hoped, although at least she had some direction to go in now.

"Oh. Well, thank you anyway, Mister. If you happen to see her, can you tell her I'm looking for her?"

Wildside

Jeanne is met with a deep and long-suffering sigh. You are here on reconnaissance, please try to avoid burning the forest down. And if you can manage to avoid being utterly incompetent for as long as possible, perhaps actually crossing the threshold into the forest would be a task worth aspiring to.

[Hattish Thing]

Gutted Fish Basement

Enshadu taps the table with his floating metal hands. ...No. They weren't mine, nor do I have any clue who's they were. No one I know uses gargoyles. Enshadu sits softly on the chair. Might just be guards of the city. I don't know. Why the secrecy? Hm? What do you need to talk of so privately?

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yeah, I suppose." Nadia takes the phone, but she doesn't use it just yet. "A month sounds about right, yeah. Damn, I can hardly imagine that I'll be giving birth in just that long." It's a bit of a nerve wracking thought, to say the least.

[Mysterious Cavern]

Valente looks at it in silence for a moment. "Do you think someone followed us here?" He suggests. Sylvia's sudden shift in attitude unsettles him, though.

[Slii Arhem]

Eastside - Weird William's


Oh. Maya's smile droops dramatically under the cover of her hood. This might be more difficult than she'd hoped, although at least she had some direction to go in now.

"Oh. Well, thank you anyway, Mister. If you happen to see her, can you tell her I'm looking for her?"

Wildside

Jeanne is met with a deep and long-suffering sigh. You are here on reconnaissance, please try to avoid burning the forest down. And if you can manage to avoid being utterly incompetent for as long as possible, perhaps actually crossing the threshold into the forest would be a task worth aspiring to.

Eastside - Weird William's

"It'd help if I knew where to send her to to meet you, but I suppose it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to help you out if I saw her." Brody admits, scratching his beard. Odd kid, this one, but nice.

[Shadowcaller]

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

Tarim glares at the orc, the pit lord's eyes literary burning as he points at him. "You, follow me. I have discovered corruption in the very core of the city."

[Mysterious Cavern]

"Uh... we should probably... hide." Sylvia replies and attempts to drag Valente towards the dark waters surrounding them as the light draws closer.

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena makes a face. "It will probably hurt so much." She looks almost disgusted at the very thought of it.

[Morty]

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

The two Hunters look at each other and shrug. They know Tarim probably isn't trying to pull a trick on them.
"We'll dispatch a patrol to go with you," the orc says as the human speaks through the radio quietly.

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish- Basement

You know, I'm not to sure myself... Argon says, glancing up at the ceiling with an air of feigned thoughtfulness. Oh. Wait. Now I remember. It's 'cause there's a flock of monsters waiting out there! How does that not register as a concern for you?! 'Oh, gee, there's a bunch of stone monstrosities floating around over my head. Guess I'll pretend they ain't there and go on discussing my dangerous and highly illegal business, a-duuuuur.':smallyuk:

[Hattish Thing]

Gutted Fish Basement.

Enshadu just sits quietly, tapping away at the table. Well...Sorry. I thought surely you four could handle some crude animated stone! Anyways, what do you wish to discuss? Weather? The weeks crossword puzzle?

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish- Basement

Shaddup. Just... Just shut up. Argon leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table and holding one hand with the other, as though they'll strangle Enshadu of their own accord if he doesn't. If you continue wasting our time, this will end in blood and gunfire, got it? Stop asking what we're here to talk about. You read the wall, you know why we're here, otherwise you wouldn't have known the signal. So, you either have what we asked for and are about to give it to us, or, you're wasting our time. And I think we've made it well and clear we don't appreciate the latter.

[Reinholdt]

Cow Hunting

"Ah, I like that idea. Let's head to your cave then, just up on my back and I will lead try to get the cow to follow us. " Probably by trying to pull it after them. That will likely not work if the cow decides to stay where it is.

Cow Hunting

"Alright. Let me know if you need help pulling or something." Harnel says, climbing back on Cessie.

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish- Basement

Shaddup. Just... Just shut up. Argon leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table and holding one hand with the other, as though they'll strangle Enshadu of their own accord if he doesn't. If you continue wasting our time, this will end in blood and gunfire, got it? Stop asking what we're here to talk about. You read the wall, you know why we're here, otherwise you wouldn't have known the signal. So, you either have what we asked for and are about to give it to us, or, you're wasting our time. And I think we've made it well and clear we don't appreciate the latter.

Enshsdu sighs. Fine. Simple, you've seen that I have enough money to waste bribing a barkeep I could have just killed. Service-wise, I make cyborgs, and high-tech weaponry. Chemical weaponry as well! Now, soon I can give you a tour of the factory, would that suit you?

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish- Basement

Mhmm. Wonderful. Would it be possible, Argon wonders, to hook E's metal cranium up with a fancy little shock chip to zap him whenever he's being a moron. Or better yet, scoop out some of that unused brain matter and replace it with a pound or so of plastic explosive? There's one part you've missed, however. I'd say we were quite explicit in requesting a gift of those resources. Call it a peace offering.

[Shadowcaller]

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

The pit lord gives them brief look, "Follow me." He says with a gesture and then walks off in the direction of the presumed look.

Following the demon, the hunters can soon see a group of white-robed acolytes of the burning light have gathered around a building that seem to be under renovation.

At the entrance of the building which is nearly completely surrounded by the group is a horned woman dressed in a business suit. As the hunters and Tarim approaches, she quickly notices them, her purple eyes quickly scanning them. "Finally, you are the police right?" She asks.
"These fanatics are blocking the way to my clinic."

"We're here to end this corruption demon." Tarim replies as he makes his way through the crowd.

Someone should probably explain what the heck this is about since these people are quite clearly upset about something.

Cow Hunting

"Don't worry, I think I can handle it." The drago replies before she grabs the rope they tied around the neck of the cow and then get's off the ground, attempting to lead it to Harnel's cave.

[Gullara]

[Mysterious Cavern]

"You're kidding me, right?" That just figures that she'd drag him into some kind of trouble. He does follow her though, if reluctantly. he calls upon some of his innate abilities to make the darkness hide them a little more effectively.

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia almost winces at the thought. it's hard to imagine, really. "Yeah, I guess it will." She doesn't look like she appreciates being reminded of that fact.

[Terumitsu]

[Eastside - Ghoul]

There is a dark-skinned man exiting the building, dressed in jeans, a short and a dark blue jacket that all appear slightly too large for him. He stops for a moment as if he heard something and turns to look back at the house with a paranoid look at his face.


((Sorry about the wait. I was wondering why Riverside wasn't updating until I realized that a new thread had been made.))

Ghoul simply held still. Peripheral vision wasn't great at noticing detail but it worked quite well to detect motion. Plus, people didn't have a great tendency to look upwards unless provoked so, with just a bit of luck, the muse might excape detection by simply staying in her crouched position until the man had turned his head far enough that she would be outside his range of vision.

If she was able to remain undetected until the man gave up looking around, then the next thing on her agenda was to return to the Dagger. She didn't have anything conclusive to consider the location to be compromised but she could at least voice her suspicions to her Sire and be ready just in case.

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish- Basement

Mhmm. Wonderful. Would it be possible, Argon wonders, to hook E's metal cranium up with a fancy little shock chip to zap him whenever he's being a moron. Or better yet, scoop out some of that unused brain matter and replace it with a pound or so of plastic explosive? There's one part you've missed, however. I'd say we were quite explicit in requesting a gift of those resources. Call it a peace offering.

Enshadu grins. This was fun. An offerring, gift. Fine. Say, sir, what weapon do you prefer the most?

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish- Basement

Again, Argon feigns thought, scratching his chin. Hmm... Well. I suppose I always have had a preference for, oh, automatic fire, heat-seeking nuclear warhead spewing rocket launchers.

Try and match that order, E.

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish Basement

Enshadu growls again before reaching into his coat, and pulling out a metallic, chrome box. A push of a button opens it, and Enshadu sticks his hand deep inside, deeper than the box's dimensions would allow, and pulls out a large, chrome rifle. This is a very special rifle. It's a special firearm for a special bullet. It locks on to a target, and pierces through all magical, pysionic, and physical shields. The bullet pierces all armour, save my special alloy. It also self-destructs if you try to take it apart...Now, what will you offer me?

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

Interesting. Sounds to good to be possibly true, so it probably isn't. But just in case it is, might I have a better look? He holds out his hands to take the device, a spark of greed in his eyes as he examines it. Almost certainly a hoax. But you can dream. And you can certainly hope.

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

Enshadu softly laughs at Argon's greed. He taps the table again.Oh, it works, my friend. It woorks on anything but me. Only I know the metal it cannot pierce. Sure, take it. It's already loadd...test it on the barkeep?

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

Argon shrugs. And that would prove? I can kill him with any old gun. If this thing's half as loud as a real gun, you may wish to cover your ears. With that warning, Argon holds the gun out carelessly in one arm and pulls the trigger, aiming for the left wall.

[Zefir]

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

The two Hunters look at each other and shrug. They know Tarim probably isn't trying to pull a trick on them.
"We'll dispatch a patrol to go with you," the orc says as the human speaks through the radio quietly.

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

If they want they may call Jeu, the winged man. He is still around looking for a partner to go on patrol.

[happyturtle]

Wildside


Wildside

Jeanne is met with a deep and long-suffering sigh. You are here on reconnaissance, please try to avoid burning the forest down. And if you can manage to avoid being utterly incompetent for as long as possible, perhaps actually crossing the threshold into the forest would be a task worth aspiring to.

What incompetence? I entered the forest, discovered that Dionysus is the father of the hateful nymph who planted it, and learned that he has nothing else to do with the place. I also learned that there is a single human inhabitant and only a few fey due to said nymph's unfriendliness. As far as I can tell, I've completed the mission you gave me, Jeanne responds telepathically. And rather irritably. It isn't fun being scolded at by two beings at once.

Jeanne lowers her eyes and adopts a contrite appearance and tone. "I can be a teacher and playfellow for Scora." she says.

[Morty]

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

If they want they may call Jeu, the winged man. He is still around looking for a partner to go on patrol.


[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

The pit lord gives them brief look, "Follow me." He says with a gesture and then walks off in the direction of the presumed look.

Following the demon, the hunters can soon see a group of white-robed acolytes of the burning light have gathered around a building that seem to be under renovation.

At the entrance of the building which is nearly completely surrounded by the group is a horned woman dressed in a business suit. As the hunters and Tarim approaches, she quickly notices them, her purple eyes quickly scanning them. "Finally, you are the police right?" She asks.
"These fanatics are blocking the way to my clinic."

"We're here to end this corruption demon." Tarim replies as he makes his way through the crowd.

Someone should probably explain what the heck this is about since these people are quite clearly upset about something.


Jeu will be told to go with the patrol. Apart from him, there are three other Hunters, two humans (one Imbued) and a drow. The non-Imbued human is the leader.
"Start at the beginning, please," he tells the horned woman and Tarim. "Tell me what happened here."

[Shadowcaller]

[Eastside - Ghoul]

The man doesn't appear to notice her, but still looks rather uneasy as he turns around, walking in the direction of the dagger.

((I'll post for gulaghar next round, and no problem.))

[Mysterious Cavern]

"Shhh..." Is all the response he get from Sylvia as she slowly starts to crouch down into the cold water. The rocks are hard and the water black with dirt, causing the experience to be a particularly unpleasant one. The fact that they have to go pretty deep down into the water to even stay remotely hidden doesn't help either.

The can see three figures walking across the passage between the two islands. One of them holding a wand similar to Sylvia's that she put out the instant she heard something.

While two of them appear to be human, the third isn't.
If Valente hadn't seen one before, he can now see a so called 'shadow vampire' or thera'dun.

The eyeless creature is dressed in a very elegant purple robe, happilly followed by two small dogs.

One of the others is Sekai, the fourth tower cultist that recruited him to the fourth tower. The third persons appears to be a woman, her face hidden in a brown hood. "This is ridiculous, they can't be here. How could they have opened that door? No less found the secret gate?"

"They are here." The vampire states as they stop in front of the chained down dragon, his two dogs starting to bark as they come closer. "There is no need to hide children, we won't hurt you. In fact, I like to know how you accomplished this feat." The shadow vampire speaks out loud, seemingly speaking to them.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Um..." Irena starts, quickly realizing that had been the wrong thing to say. "Maybe we should speak to the shadows now huh?" She asks while getting up from the table.

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

"They are trying to-" "My business-" The two demons start, the woman resigning with a dreary sigh as Tarim points an accusing finger at the building behind her.

"They have the nerve to actually charge people to become corrupted! In the middle of the city!" The pit lord roars.

As he seem to be done the woman raises her finger, "...if I may. I'm not trying to 'corrupt' anyone. My name is Tibatha Rosewood and I'm just trying to sell a service here. I didn't realize there was such controversy in it however, from what I had heard, the nexus was a liberal place to live in, but these goons have proved the opposite." She says with a gesture towards Tarim and his followers.

[Terumitsu]

[Eastside - Ghoul]

Once she felt the man had gone far enough for her to safely descend from her perch, the muse followed the man at a distance.. At least as long as they were moving in the same direction.

Still, the whole 'sudden appearance' thing was bothering her and once the man seemed intent on heading towards the Dagger, then she would send ahead a quick message to her Sire. She had left behind that hexagonal radio before leaving after all. Given that she didn't vocalize her message, the voice on the other end would be rather mechanical, though.

[The Rusty Dagger]

"Potential threat found. Description of person is as follows.." crackled the radio. After a description of the man in question, a followup inquiry asked: "Is this a known entity? Would recommend considering the potential of the location being compromised if unknown. Speak into device to respond."

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yeah, sure. Let's do it." Nadia pushes herself up with a bit more effort than it took Irena. That belly isn't getting any smaller. "So what do you have to do?"

[Mysterious Cavern]

Valente doesn't curse out loud, but he wants to. He should have known this was a bad idea. For some reason he doesn't trust the vampire, despite not having any real reason not to.

He puts his mouth right near Sylvia's ear so he can whisper as quietly as possible. "Is there anywhere else we can go away from here?"

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

Argon shrugs. And that would prove? I can kill him with any old gun. If this thing's half as loud as a real gun, you may wish to cover your ears. With that warning, Argon holds the gun out carelessly in one arm and pulls the trigger, aiming for the left wall.

Enshadu nods. True...I hope you wouldn't mind if I killed him? I need some refreshment. I'll just be a minute if you don't mind, or I can bring him down here? Oh...I'm fine, my ears are fine. The E14 Prototype is silent. The gun is held, and successfully fired. The bullet smashes into the wall, going through the stone, wood, and anything else in between, opening up a 2 foot hole in the inn, smashing through anything in the way. The bullet passes out of the gun, it's silver-green, and enlarges as it flies to a two foot transparent green orb. The orb keeps smashing until it reaches thirty feet. Then it evaporates. Tooold ya so. Enshadu speaks in a sing-song voice.

[Earl of Purple]

Eastside- Surface

Two newcomers are here! Hopefully. One is looking around in obvious wonderment at just about everything, but especially such things as clouds, trees, grass, flowers and some of the buildings. This newcomer is a drider, with a delicate, long-legged spider-body beneath her dark-skinned drow torso clad in a white silk shirt. Her long white hair is paler than her shirt, and her eyes are shiny black compound eyes that would be as at home as on a beetle. Around her neck is a two-tailed scorpion amulet that she's not making any effort to hide, but she's also wearing a rapier across her spider abdomen in a black chitin sheath within easy reach of her hands. Also on her abdomen is a large silk net that closely resembles a large spider web. Possibly because it was.

Her companion is likely more focussed on where they're going and avoiding danger.

[Shadowcaller]

[Mysterious Cavern]

Sylvia just shrugs and shakes her head and then points at the water.

Meanwhile the vampire is slowly moving around the little island, getting awfully close to them. "There isn't anything you need to fear, I have no reason to hurt you for getting in here. Think about it. You are both guests here, hurting you would the last thing I want to do."
Sekai is throwing a worried glance at the dragon, but doesn't say anything for now. Just waiting on the shadow vampire to finish his search.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Oh, we just need a dark spot... like the washing room!" Irena exclaims, not bothering to even take away her plate, leaving the kitchen just as it is.

[Eastside - Ghoul]

The man continues towards the broken dagger but is constantly looking around as if he suspected he was being followed.

[The Rusty Dagger]

"They g-got a fire vampire!" Jana blurts out, not daring to even move.

Outside The Gutted Fish

Blowing a hole in the wall isn't usually the best way to have a secret meeting. Whatever they are doing in there though, the gargoyles masters realizes it's probably quite illegal (by their definition at least) and decides to call for reinforcements.

[Gullara]

[Mysterious Cavern]

Valente nods and holds his ground. Maybe they'd go away if they were lucky. He's not quite that optimistic, but you never know.

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia chuckles and picks up both their plates to drop them off in the sink. "Lead the way, love." She says and will follow Irena out of the room.

[The Rusty Dagger]

Dammit. That's not good. "We'll talk more soon." She tries to gag Jana and pick her up. On their way, she picks up the communication device. "I'm going out the back and headed [direction]." She says before she heads out the back entrance and starts making her way down the ally they end up in.

[The Alexandrian]

[Eastside - Surface]

The other newcomer is indeed here too, much to her partner's pleasure, I reckon.

She is a large jaguar-serpent-human hybrid. Her golden eye color sets her apart in a crowd of busy people. Her build is athletic. Her lips are reminiscent of flowing streams of countless rose petals drifting upon a stream of the clearest water. Her hair is chestnut-brown and extends just past her shoulders. Her entire lower body from her hips down is the tail end of a sapphire-hued snake. Her arms are covered in the jaguar fur and her hands, though shaped like your standard human hands, have sprouted dangerously sharp claws which jut out of the tips of her fingers that are perfectly adept at ripping out throats and less appropriate for manipulating delicate objects should the need arise. Her face is splendidly ornamented and framed by rambunctious strands of hair spilling down from the top of her head until it reaches the middle of her upper back where it animatedly bobs back and forth as she slithers down the street. She's wearing the least amount of spider silk clothing she can get away with without being indecent by her cultural standards, which, suffice to say, aren't that stringent.

She's navigating through the street alongside her partner, enjoying the rays of the sun that are warming her fur, skin, and scales. It has been ever so long since she last bathed in the light of the sun, and she is loving every second of her leisurely down the road. She might be holding her partner's hand in her, if her partner has consented to it. She had, shall we say, appropriated a heavy purse gold from a false tree stump during their journey to this town, and it jingles and jangles where she has tied it at her side.

"Sssee? It isss real! And best of all, there's no ceiling!" :smallbiggrin:

She grins at her partner, keeping a lookout for any fun-looking buildings or neat shops they could stop by on their sightseeing trip/honeymoon.

[Terumitsu]

[Eastside - Ghoul]

"Understood." was the reply Ghoul sent before calmly pulling out her carton of cigarettes and rapping the bottom of them against her palm as she walked forward. She was no longer actively following the man but still heading towards the Dagger. If he made a sudden change in direction that coincided with her Sire's movement, then she might have to take a more active role but until then, she felt she could relax if only slightly. Fishing out a cigarette and pulling the ignition chord dangling off the end, the muse took a long draw as bluish smoke curled around her fingers. Probably one of the best parts about being dead. Or half dead or whatever.

If the man were to turn around and make eye contact then he would get all of a short, unconcerned nod from the muse before he would be promptly 'ignored.' ...Though, just to be safe, a quick last pulse of the sonar might be merited. With the man being this obvious, he could be a decoy of sorts.

[Reinholdt]

Cow Hunting

"Don't worry, I think I can handle it." The drago replies before she grabs the rope they tied around the neck of the cow and then get's off the ground, attempting to lead it to Harnel's cave.

Off they go to his cave then!
Outside's a little crowded right now though. Repository instead?

[Shadowcaller]

[Mysterious Cavern]

The vampire stops, "Please, come over to me." This time his words are laced with powerful mental suggestion.

Cow Hunting

That or outside, I doubt they will stay in the cave for very long.

[Eastside - Ghoul]

There is nothing underground at least, but the man is increasing his pace now, looking somewhat annoyed.

[The Rusty Dagger]

"What but-" Jana protests before she's gagged and lead out into the alley, she isn't moving very fast though.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Leave it be, we can take of it later." Irena says as she notices Nadia picking up the plates. Whenever she actually follow her girlfriends advice or not is another matter, but they do actually have a dishwasher. No way Irena would clean the plates by hand like some savage. No way.

In any case, it's unsurprisingly rather dark in the washing room which fits the witch's purposes just fine. "Okay... what was the first thing I was going to ask again? Why they wanted to met you right?"

((Lost Deep, I will post in exbourne manor in my next post.))

[Gullara]

[Mysterious Cavern]

Valente suddenly takes a couple steps forward, but then he stops. He has a better resistance to these things innately, but it's still effecting him some. Although he does seem to be fighting it now, the two steps he took probably made enough noise in the water to give them away.

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia chuckles and sets the dishes down. She actually did intend to deal with it later, though she suspected Irena didn't.

Once in the washing room, Nadia nods. "Yeah, that's right. We'll start with that at least."

[Slii Arhem]

Wildside



What incompetence? I entered the forest, discovered that Dionysus is the father of the hateful nymph who planted it, and learned that he has nothing else to do with the place. I also learned that there is a single human inhabitant and only a few fey due to said nymph's unfriendliness. As far as I can tell, I've completed the mission you gave me, Jeanne responds telepathically. And rather irritably. It isn't fun being scolded at by two beings at once.

Jeanne lowers her eyes and adopts a contrite appearance and tone. "I can be a teacher and playfellow for Scora." she says.

Wildside

Lenai's mouth twists as she thinks, taking a few moments to let Jeanne stew before she responds, "I shudder to think what opinions would develop in her under your influence if you are so quick to judge and insult me before you saw me, but it is ultimately not my choice. Scora let you in here in exchange for a story, so you are her responsibility until the story is finished being told. Your actions will reflect on her, and she will share your punishments if you harm anything within the forest. If she asks you to leave, I will enforce her wish, but until then you may stay at her pleasure and not have to answer to me."

[Earl of Purple]

Eastside - Surface

"Then, what's keeping everything down if not the pressure of countless tonnes of rock and soil above our heads? And where do you propose this 'rain' comes from if not a leaky aquifer in the rocks above?" Charynrae looks nervous as she speaks, and grips Sylvia's hand very tightly to prevent her lover from being sucked into the sky by the lack of a ceiling. I'm not sure if she's seen rain yet, but if so she hasn't seen enough to know it for a regular occurrence rather than a once-in-a-lifetime event.

[The Alexandrian]

[Eastside - Surface]

A science question! Sylvia isn't even remotely close to partial enlightenment in that academic field (or any academic field come to think of it), but she does know that if she jumps up into the air something pulls her back down again. People aren't randomly blown into the wild blue yonder or anything under normal conditions, at least not in her experience. No matter! On the other hand, the second question will a piece of cake for her to answer!

"Ah, don't worry about it, love."

Sylvia reassuringly coos and attempts to gently squeeze Charynrae's hand.

"I lived up here for a long, long time ssso I believe me when I promissse that we have nothing to fear from the sssky. It cannot fall on usss or sssweep usss off of our feet without giving usss fair warning and it can't lift usss off of the ground becaussse sssome natural force wantsss to keep us rooted to it!"

"And rain comes from flying animalsss biting those puffy white and black things up in the air!"

Sylvia points at the clouds lazily drifting across the midday sky.

"That'sss where sssnow comesss from too!" :smallbiggrin:

[Earl of Purple]

Eastside Surface

"OK. If you're sure." Charynrae still sounds nervous, and she won't stop gripping Sylvia's hand as tightly as she is.

[Gullara]

[Wildside]

Scora slithers out of where she was hiding and lies across a branch again. She gives the two of them a toothy grin. "Oooh, so I'm in charge, huh?" She likes the sound of this.

[Evolution Industries]

A luxury car stops outside of the Evolution Industries building. Ramiro steps outside and glances down at his watch. Fifteen minutes for the meeting he'd scheduled the day before. The vampire straightens his suit and walks inside. "I have a meeting with Mr Halley." He tells the receptionist (or whoever it is that looks to be the person to talk to.)

[Murkus]

Westside

"No. I'm on my way to a pub in Eastside- Weird William's. I'm accepted there, but I doubt you would be. Just, be aware that Riverside can be a dangerous place at times, and you are likely to upset people with your anti-technology field. Though you should at least be safe from the slavers that occasionally snatch homeless people- they use vans and advanced weaponry." Weird William's is a lycanthrope bar. Mateo is accepted because he enjoys hunting and has joined several werewolf bands in the past.

"Thank you, young man. I will tread softly," Caesa says, nodding as respectfully as an old woman can. Or at least what appears to be an old woman. With that, she'll start to move on, walking off down the sidewalk and shutting things off as she goes.

[happyturtle]

Wildside


Wildside

Lenai's mouth twists as she thinks, taking a few moments to let Jeanne stew before she responds, "I shudder to think what opinions would develop in her under your influence if you are so quick to judge and insult me before you saw me, but it is ultimately not my choice. Scora let you in here in exchange for a story, so you are her responsibility until the story is finished being told. Your actions will reflect on her, and she will share your punishments if you harm anything within the forest. If she asks you to leave, I will enforce her wish, but until then you may stay at her pleasure and not have to answer to me."


[Wildside]

Scora slithers out of where she was hiding and lies across a branch again. She gives the two of them a toothy grin. "Oooh, so I'm in charge, huh?" She likes the sound of this.




Jeanne turns and bows to Scora. "At your ladyship's pleasure," she says.

[Zefir]

((Sorry if I kept you waiting was away for a day))

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

"They are trying to-" "My business-" The two demons start, the woman resigning with a dreary sigh as Tarim points an accusing finger at the building behind her.

"They have the nerve to actually charge people to become corrupted! In the middle of the city!" The pit lord roars.

As he seem to be done the woman raises her finger, "...if I may. I'm not trying to 'corrupt' anyone. My name is Tibatha Rosewood and I'm just trying to sell a service here. I didn't realize there was such controversy in it however, from what I had heard, the nexus was a liberal place to live in, but these goons have proved the opposite." She says with a gesture towards Tarim and his followers.

[Eastside - Hunter Headquarters]

The winged man Jeu(who needs a post in the directory) stands by the others. The pit lord may have noticed that the winged man didn't show any 'normal' reactions a celestrial beeing would show off in this case. Something the demon may not have seen before.

"Sir we should I hear out the people?" he asks the leader.

[Morty]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

"They are trying to-" "My business-" The two demons start, the woman resigning with a dreary sigh as Tarim points an accusing finger at the building behind her.

"They have the nerve to actually charge people to become corrupted! In the middle of the city!" The pit lord roars.

As he seem to be done the woman raises her finger, "...if I may. I'm not trying to 'corrupt' anyone. My name is Tibatha Rosewood and I'm just trying to sell a service here. I didn't realize there was such controversy in it however, from what I had heard, the nexus was a liberal place to live in, but these goons have proved the opposite." She says with a gesture towards Tarim and his followers.


[Eastside - Disturbance]

The winged man Jeu(who needs a post in the directory) stands by the others. The pit lord may have noticed that the winged man didn't show any 'normal' reactions a celestrial beeing would show off in this case. Something the demon may not have seen before.

"Sir we should I hear out the people?" he asks the leader.

"Watch the crowd to see if anyone tries to be aggressive," the Hunter tells Jeu before turning back to the demonness and Tarim.
"So you set up a clinic in which you modufy people in exchange for money?

[Shadowcaller]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

"I'm not sure we are talking about the same type of 'modification' as there are a lot of misconceptions about it. But yes, we transfigure, as is the preferred term, our clients in exchange for money." Tibatha explains but don't get much more said until Tarim takes the word again.

"That we even listen to this demon! This is beyond a shadow of doubt a ploy to let the corruption inside the city walls! No matter how these agents dress it up, the facts are still clear! Don't say you already forgot what the demons already have done to this city?!"" He shouts, making his voice heard far past the crowd gathered around the clinic.

As for Jeu, Tarim don't have much experience with 'celestial' creatures. In his world only 'demons' exist.

The crowd around them looks rather tense, some of them outright angry, seemingly sharing the pit lords resentment of Tibatha's business. None of them look to be armed though (with the exception of Tarim) and those white robes are clearly not made to be fighting in.

[Eadelain's Mindscape]

Astrana will look through any books in the room for anything weird and if she doesn't fit anything cut the connection. Eadelain won't wake up though as the tiefling is preparing another trip into the mindscape now that she know what it looks like in here.

[Mysterious Cavern]

Sekai and the shadow vampire quickly turn in the sound of the splash while the third hooded man seem to look around the rest of the cavern for something.

"Ah, there you are. Don't try to hide now, if you just follow Sekai here back to your compound she will make sure you get clean clothes. The water must be freezing." The vampire states as it gestures to them to come up from the water.

Sylvia, who moved as well when the vampire commanded it seem to find little choice in continuing towards them. Unless Valente drags her back of course.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Okay, we just need to wait a few minutes before they appear." Irena replies and presumably casts some sort of spell as she grunts a bit in pain. "So what's so funny anyway? Is there some vampire in-joke I'm not aware of?" She asks while they wait.

[Gullara]

[Mysterious Cavern]

Valente reluctantly walks with her over to them with with Sylvia. He doesn't say anything when they're in plain sight. He's not at all sure how to explain themselves.

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia looks concerned at the grunt of pain, but she doesn't question it right now. Maybe it was nothing.

"Back in the kitchen? Nope, I just find it funny how much of a slob you are." She gives Irena a wry smile.

[Outside the Rusty Dagger]

Samona pushes her along for a short ways. She says something quietly into her communicator about bringing the car around. In the meantime, she takes the gag off Jana. "Tell me quickly about this fire vampire."

[Lost_Deep]

Eadelain's Mindscape

Nothing is found, and the connection is severed. Eadelain remains unconscious, and as thus is godmoddable within reason.

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

No. You're not killing anyone right now. And I wouldn't argue with the guy holding a gun that just punched through thirty feet of stone. This is acceptable. Still only half of what was requested on the wall, but, acceptable. In return we offer a very limited alliance in regards to killing Magtok.

Now, do you actually have any plans for doing so, or were you just planning to mailbomb him until it starts working?

[Zefir]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

Jeu takes his time before he goes back to the leader to report in.

"Only the Pit Lord shows some weapons. I can't say if there are any caster or not, but with the current information they aren't hostile."

Speaking just loud enougth so the leader hears it.

[Morty]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

The commander nods when Jeu reports and turns to the horned woman.
"That is, unfortunately, correct. We have seen what demons could do to the people of this city. We cannot ignore this threat. I am afraid we will have to conduct an investigation of your establishment, ma'am," he says.

[Lost_Deep]

Hunter Recruitment Center

A rather slow day at the recruitment center is interrupted by a Krogan walking in. He's in civilian garb... which means he's only wearing low-profile armor under some cloth. His head plate is smoother than most Krogans, and a dark drey color. "Hey, this is the place to sign up for the hunters, right?" He asks as he examines the room.

[Shadowcaller]

[Outside the Rusty Dagger]

"I can't! I'm running from something!" The frustrated noble exclaims.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Hey, I'm not a slob!" Irena insists. "I mean, it looks pretty okay around here. It's nothing like those houses in the home cleaning shows." She's technically correct there.

[Mysterious Cavern]

Sylvia is completely silent, not saying anything as the two walk into the light. "Are these the two who went missing earlier?" The shadow vampire asks, turning to Sekai who is staring at the two coldly.

"Yes, Sylvia, one of our acolytes and Valente, our newest recruit."

"Ah, yes. The nexus vampire." The vamire turns back to them with a smile and nods politely. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Lord Harold and regret that we must met under these circumstances Valente. Why don't you get back and clean yourself of and we can talk more later?"

[Eastside - Disturbance]

Tibatha looks rather displeased but nods none the less. "I wasn't aware of that, but if you consider that nessecary officer. I'm not completely unaware of the controversy of this business after all." She says with a look at Tarim who stares at her coldly.

"However, I'd like to request that this 'investigation' doesn't slow down what we're doing here. There isn't even much to investigate yet as these people came knocking on the door as soon as we started to set up the clinic."

[Morty]

Hunter Recruitment Center

A rather slow day at the recruitment center is interrupted by a Krogan walking in. He's in civilian garb... which means he's only wearing low-profile armor under some cloth. His head plate is smoother than most Krogans, and a dark drey color. "Hey, this is the place to sign up for the hunters, right?" He asks as he examines the room.

The clerks and officers all turn their heads towards the hulking lizard-man who just entered. Even in the Nexus, a Krogan is an impressive sight.
"This is the Hunter recruitment center, yes. I assume you're here to sign up for the force," one of the Hunters present says.

[Zefir]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

Jeu has nothing to add right now and will follow the leader.

[Lost_Deep]

Hunter Recruitment Center

"That's right." He replies. "Figured that I might as well do something constructive, now that there's a legitimate group in charge here."

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

No. You're not killing anyone right now. And I wouldn't argue with the guy holding a gun that just punched through thirty feet of stone. This is acceptable. Still only half of what was requested on the wall, but, acceptable. In return we offer a very limited alliance in regards to killing Magtok.

Now, do you actually have any plans for doing so, or were you just planning to mailbomb him until it starts working?

Enshadu had already made sure that the weapon could not pierce the elementium discs that are built underneath the skin of whatever flesh he has left, or the cyborgs actual metal parts, (once again made of elementium). Alright...fine. Maybe later. The other half will come...with time. He smiles slowly, pointless though seeing as the mask covers his face. I am working non three plans. One: Mailbombing, not a very good plan. More to test security then anything. Two: Attack his base...his home, I"ve been engineering a special virus that targets cyborgs, and humans. This will effect everything in that place. I just need access to the sewers underneath, there I can pump the virus into the base using a special fan. The virus will spread out into the air through sinks, bathrooms, showers, anything that connects to the sewer, and within ten minutes, everything in the place will be dead. Personally, I like that plan best. Three: I've been mass producing the weapons you have in your hand. I now have about three hundred of the best weapons ever made, stored at my factory. I just need cheap soldiers. Clones. If you build clones for me, I'll supply them with weapons...better than any you could make. Then we can attack anywhere...even destroy Remnant, those guns go through everything but one kind of metal, and I'm made of it, so don't think you can betray me either. Which plan do you support?

[Morty]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

The patrol, including Jeu, will be stationed in front of the facility to keep watch as the commander makes a call to the HQ. After a while, a van arrives from which another team of Hunters exits. They will conduct the investigation. They begin with surrounding the building with police tape and entering it.

[Hunter Recruitment Center]

"Very well. Please step to the office on the left to begin your interview," the Hunter says, pointing to a door in the back.

[Lost_Deep]

Hunter Recruitment Center

"Arright, thanks." The Krogan will go through the door.

[The Alexandrian]

[Eastside - Surface]

Sssylvia sssincccerely hopesss that Charynrae will accept the absssenccce of a ccceiling over time. She can't have her girlfriend all wound up like this on their honeymoon! That'd spoil everything she planned for them to do!

"It'sss okay, Charynrae. I'll keep you sssafe."

Sylvia promises, attempting to lightly lean against Charynrae affectionately.

"Are you hungry or thirsssty? We can buy much fresher ssstuff than canned meatsss and preserved fruitsss up here. There are thingsss much tassstier than fungus too!"

[Darkcomet]

[Evolution Industries]

A luxury car stops outside of the Evolution Industries building. Ramiro steps outside and glances down at his watch. Fifteen minutes for the meeting he'd scheduled the day before. The vampire straightens his suit and walks inside. "I have a meeting with Mr Halley." He tells the receptionist (or whoever it is that looks to be the person to talk to.)

The receptionist gives Ramiro the appropriate directions. "Mr. Halley will see you there at the assigned time. You may arrive early, if you wish."

[Gullara]

[Evolution Industries]

"Thank you." The vampire nods tot he receptionist and follows the directions. Once he arrives there, Ramiro knocks and enters when indicated. "It's good to see you again, Mr Halley."

[Suncrest Manor]

"That's technically true, but it's not a good sign when that's the standard you're comparing yourself to." Nadia says amusedly. "I'm trying to think of the last time you did laundry, washed the dishes, or cleaned the bathroom. I'm drawing a blank."

[Mysterious Cavern]

Valente keeps his eyes lowered. "Yes sir." He says. It almost sounded like there wasn't going to be any consequences for being here. He's not quite that hopeful, though.

[Lex-Kat]

{Sawyer's Inn}

There's a loud thump from inside one of the thick walls near the kitchen. Gah damn it! A muffled cry can be heard. Who the heck.... another loud thump, like someone hitting the wall with their fist, and then silence.

A moment later, an attractive young woman walks out of the downstairs, rubbing her head. She has black hair with a violet streak on the right side. She's wearing a skintight black leather bodysuit, and three inch spike stiletto heals, tipped in silver.

Anyone here know.... she looks around the room, no longer rubbing her head. Ooooh. New management, huh? Sorry folks. she then heads for the nearest exit.

[Slii Arhem]

[Wildside]

Scora slithers out of where she was hiding and lies across a branch again. She gives the two of them a toothy grin. "Oooh, so I'm in charge, huh?" She likes the sound of this.



Wildside

Jeanne turns and bows to Scora. "At your ladyship's pleasure," she says.

Wildside

"An odd thing to say for one so opposed to being controlled." Lenai remarks before turning to Scora, "You're in charge of how long she stays and if she goes, as well as teaching her the ways of the grove. If she harms something it will be as much your responsibility as it is hers. Take this seriously, please, as I'll be keeping an eye on you two." Lenai shakes her head, not knowing why she bothered going to all this trouble just to possibly teach Scora a lesson about responsibility. The mess with Jeanne left an awful taste in her mouth.

She fades into a tree though, leaving the two to be ostensibly alone despite the fact that she said she'd be watching them.

[Darkcomet]

[Evolution Industries]

The room Ramiro enters is a fairly standard meeting room, a long table with two seats set up on opposite sides in the center of the room. Otherwise it's rather nondescript, aside from the general color scheme of EI-white walls, blue table, blue chairs. And security cameras.

'Mr. Halley' is not actually there, immediately, as Ramiro manages to arrive early. However, assuming he waits, the man himself spontaneously appears in the room at one of the ends of the table and takes his seat.

"Hello again. As always, it is a pleasure to do business with you."

[Reinholdt]

Cow Hunting

And so Harnel and Cessie return to Harnel's cave. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14309184&postcount=192)

[Gullara]

[Evolution Industries]

Ramiro does indeed wait, and will supply his greeting after DC arrives. "If you don't mind, let's get right down to business, shall we?" Ramiro sets his briefcase on the table and pulls a map from it. "I have already found a number of locations that the building housing the MACE unit could be located. I'd like your recommendations on the matter based on the area it could cover. What was the area it could cover again?" The map has a few areas marked out. A few are closer to the center of Riverside as a whole instead of just the center of Westside, while a couple more are closer to the Westside/Northside border.

[Wildside]

Scora rolls her eyes. "I heard you when you were talking to her." She says dismissively. Darn Lenai, being so serious all the time.

After the nymph has left, Scora turns her attention to Jeanne. "So what are we gonna do, hm?" She ponders. "Can you climb trees?"

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

As Irena is sitting on the couch in some other timeline, Nadia walks over to her and sits across her lap, facing her. "Hello there, beautiful." She says warmly. Hopefully she wasn't interrupting a good TV show.

[Darkcomet]

[Evolution Industries]

"The Class 3 installations were designed to be able to cover a large section of a city such as Inside individually, but this is the first that has been commissioned. Due to the lesser scale of Riverside, it could theoretically power the entire city. Location matters less physically and more politically." He stops for a moment, thinking. "So long as it is hooked into the grid, it will be able to power the city cheaply, cleanly, and by itself once it is complete, easily undercutting other power suppliers, likely resulting in them going out of business. Together, Evolution Industries and whichever faction formally commissions and controls the installation-yours, of course-will have their influence increased significantly. With that in mind, the location of the installation is your choice to make, as you are commissioning it."

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

"But that's just details. There's never anyone here anyway so why care about that? But if you want we could get like a servant or something. But then we couldn't have sex everywhere though." Yeah, that's a distinctive disadvantage.

[Mysterious Cavern]

Sekai seem a great deal less pleased then Harold who just waves them off as the cult leader leads them away. The vampire and his hooded follower staying behind with the chained up dragon.

"I'm-"

"Not. A. Word." Sekai hisses in response, causing Sylvia to shrink back, looking straight down at the rock floor as they pass through the portal again.

Sekai walks very quickly through the fire vampires containment chamber and will drag the two through the hall if they don't keep up with her.

If Valente speaks up before they reach the compound again, Sekai might slap him if she thinks no one is looking. Once they are back in the compound again, the room goes completely silent. The members just looking silently at them, probably feeling that asking questions would be the quite stupid in this situation.

Valente reach Sekai's office (which she taken over after the now deceased Niccaru) which Valente never been in before. Then they are quickly pointed to two chairs before the cult leader. "Sit down." She orders. Assuming they do, she sit down on the other side of the the desk and stares at them. "Explain yourself." She says coldly.

[Eadelain's Mindscape==>Astrana's Room]

Astrana wakes up groans slightly from the effect of the crystals. Even brief exposure to it's effect could cause some serious headaches. But that's just how things worked. Reaching up, she will strap off the crystal and look for Cynthia. "Cynthia, we're going to need a sacrifice." She states. "For a protection spell." Now they just need to find some cute animal!

[Earl of Purple]

Westside

"Goodbye. And, I'm older than I look." He's between one hundred and one hundred and fifty years old, though can't pin down exactly how old- he's only vaguely aware of which year it is.

Eastside Surface

"Now this I must try. Tastier than fungus? Lead on, Sylvia, lead on." Charynrae smiles as she looks at her lover. Hopefully they aren't in the area of Weird William's; I'm not sure either of them qualify as a lycanthrope, and that's the main custom of that particular pub.

[Morty]

Hunter Recruitment Center

"Arright, thanks." The Krogan will go through the door.

The door is fairly large, as is the room behind it. It's obviously designed with large individuals in mind. It is fairly spartan in design, with white walls and a single desk in the middle. The desk is large and so are the two chairs on both its sides.
The person sitting behind the desk is large, with dark green skin and strange, angular features.
"Please, take a seat," he says, motioning to the chair. "And tell me your name."

[The Bushranger]

[Eastside Disturbance]

Among the newly arrived investigation team is Andromeda, who eyes the now-cordoned-off building with a sigh, and a bit of nervous anticipation.

[Lost_Deep]

Hunter Recruitment Center

"Markot Kragx. Call me Kragx." Kragx doesn't sit down, instead standing in the middle of the room.

[happyturtle]

Wildside

Jeanne doesn't bother addressing the inconsistency charge from Lenai. It isn't like she's seriously calling a pubescent dryad girl her Mistress. It's the sort of silly thing you say to humour a child. Besides, everyone knows that fey are flighty, so if she's going to act one convincingly, she has to be foolish and inconsistent.

Or so Jeanne imagines. Not so many fey end up in Hell, what with being creatures that don't tend to fall under the jurisdiction of Heaven, Hell, and the Abyss. So she's mostly going off of legends, stories, and an encounter or two with fey that did end up in Hell (usually due to making a bad deal with a devil somewhere along the line.)

"I can climb," Jeanne says, and will try to climb the tree that Scora is in. Of course, she's not good at climbing compared to Scora and her sister, but she manages okay, and without hurting the tree.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"You know, I wouldn't mind just having sex in bed that much." Nadia points out. Though she does admit that having so much freedom is nice... "Maybe we could hire someone to just come in a few days a week. I'm sure we could restrain ourselves that much."

[Mysterious Cavern => Sekai's Office]

Valente glances at Sylvia, but only briefly. "I didn't know we weren't allowed to go there." He says lamely.

[Astrana's Room]

Cynthia sits up suddenly. She'd laid back and was staring at the ceiling up until now, but she's suddenly alert. "Um, what kinda sacrifice?" She asks, not entirely understanding.

[Evolution Industries]

Ramiro's eyebrows shoot up. "That is significantly more powerful than I would have thought. You continue to impress me, Mr Halley." Ramiro looks over the map a moment before putting it away. It seems he'd need to take this new information into account.

"I'll decide on a site in the near future. What else do you and your people require for the installation?" He asks.

[Wildside]

"Well that's something at least." Scora turns on her back and props her head up to look at Jeanne. "Now what am I going to do with you? Aconia and Cole are off somewhere probably." She frowns a little.

[Darkcomet]

[Evolution Industries]

'Mr. Halley' shakes his head. "Little. Once we have the payment to cover the construction and an appropriate site, we can begin, though we would appreciate any extra security you can offer. Naturally, we'll be charging as any power company does once the installation is online, but thanks to your involvement, your interests will receive discounts."

[Gullara]

[Evolution Industries]

"Excellent. The security will of course be provided to you. Whatever you need." Ramiro says. His mind works through the potential of all this. "I will contact you within the next few days to finalize everything."

[Zefir]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

Jeu will try to slap on Andromeda's shoulder.

"Don't worry. You aren't alone." he sais friendly.

Then he enters the building.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Oh, okay. I could live with that." Irena replies before falling silent for a moment. "...they are here." She states, Nadia not really noticing any difference within the darkness of the washing room.

"Um... how to phrase this... There are two strangers looking for Nadia, my fiancee. Why are they looking for her?" The witch asks out loud.

The lampade can't hear a reply at first but then if she listens closely she can hear faint murmurs coming from the darkness all around them.

"...they say they want to protect you from getting with child with the goddess by the decree of some prophecy. Huh. They really suck at their job then."

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Irena was laughing at Nexus funniest home videos, currently showing a voltrob being mistaken as a football by a minotaur which causes hilarity to ensue. One have to question the reality of that video though.

"Hm, uh, hey!" Irena greets Nadia with a foolish smile, her attention suddenly divided between the show and her girlfriend.

[Eastside Disturbance]

There are still a group of burning light followers hanging around the building as they arrive though substantially less then last time. Guess some people have other things to do then hanging around buildings.

The horned woman Tibatha is also there to greet them, but currently seem to be busy with showing a few large green-skinned big-nosed workers inside. She turns her head in their direction as they come closer though. "You must be the investigation team. I'm Tibatha Rosewood, the owner of this clinic." She presents herself, offering her hand to shake.

[Astrana's Room]

"The larger animal the better." Astrana replies while slowly getting up from her chair. "Could be like a dog or a cat..." Uh-oh.

[Sekai's Office]

Sekai stares at them for a moment. "I have a hard time comprehending what would be worse. That you you managed all this by purpose or if you were ind-wretchedly stupid enough to steal a key from a secure office, use it to open the most dangerous containment cell on the castle and then use the hidden door in there... without even knowing that it was not allowed!!!" At this point Sylvia starts to quietly sob in her seat, looking utterly ashamed.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia frowns a little. "I guess they are." It's rather off putting that there's all these people trying to influence her when she just wants to get on with her life in peace. "Maybe ask what they'll want after they find out I'm already pregnant." She suggests. Maybe they'll want to help with the goddess.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Nadia notices Irena's distraction and decides to get right to the point. "I was wondering if you knew when your birthday was. I don't think you've ever mentioned it, and I figured you might not know it." What with Irena's past.

[Astrana's Room]

"What?! You can't hurt a kitty!" Cynthia insists. For a demon, she's not very keen on this whole sacrifice thing.

[Sekai's Office]

Valente looks over at Sylvia. Geeze, she's crying? "Okay listen. It was all my idea. I wasn't trying to do any harm, I just wanted to see what was in there." He has no idea why he's trying to shift some of the blame off Sylvia.

[Outside the Rusty Dagger]

Samona turns her attention away from Jana for a moment, showing signs of her own frustration. She uses the device to communicate with Ghoul. "Keep an eye on that man." She orders.

Before getting a response, she's already addressing Jana again. "Tell me what you're running from." She compels her. Her abilities are far less effective when used so bluntly, but she was starting to feel rushed.

[happyturtle]

Wildside

"Who are Aconia and Cole? Maybe we should go find them." Jeanne says.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Alright. So what will they do once they find out Nadia is already pregnant?" Irena asks the shadows, followed by the faint murmurs again.

"...they don't know. But- oh ****." Irena swears out loud in rage. "They have been told to kill you."

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"What?" Irena asks surprised, reaching for the remote to shut down the TV. "You mean... but I wasn't born. Not like that... you know, it's weird."

[Astrana's Room]

"It doesn't have to be a kitty, Cynthia, it could as easily be a rat. But then it would be a bit less effective." The tiefling attempts to explain to the young demon.

[Sekai's Office]

Sylvia stops sobbing for a moment and turns to look at the vampire, not sure what to say.

"Really now?" Sekai raises an eyebrow. "I'm not sure what kind of game you're playing Valente but is that your best excuse? I know Sylvia been down in the containment chambers a few times now but you have kept yourself up here all the time. Don't take me for a fool." She states. "But if you like to take the blame, so be it. It doesn't really matter anyway since as far as I'm concerned, you're both equally guilty." The cult leader raises from her seat. "Sylvia, you're going to stay in your room until I have decided what to do with you, Valente. You are going to see Lord Harold this instance, don't keep him waiting. Also, if you tell anyone what you saw in there, you don't even want to know the consequences. Is that understood?"

Sylvia manages to nod weakly.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia's skin can't normally get much more pale, but somehow it manages to. "Oh gods." She curls her arms over her stomach, almost protectively. "Dammit all, what are we going to do?"

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Yeah, I know. That's why I asked. So I guess you've never really had one, huh?" Nadia pauses thoughtfully, despite the fact she's already thought of all this beforehand.

"So I have an idea. I do want to do something for you for things like that, but I don't really do anything much for my birthday. How about instead of normal birthdays, we take a day or two right around my birthday where we do something for each other? Like, something one of us wants to do that we might not actually do normally. We each take a turn to pick something, and then we do it." It's almost as if she has some kind of motive behind all this.

[Astrana's Room]

"Well, okay. No kitties." Cynthia says. "Rats are okay." Just as long as she doesn't discover that there are cute rats. :smalltongue:

[Sekai's Office]

"Yes ma'am." Valente says quickly. He looks at Slyvia but doesn't say anything else. He'll stand then, and if Sekai has no reason to stop him, he'll exit the room. He pauses briefly outside.

[Wildside]

"Aconia's my sister and Cole's the human I mentioned before." Scora explains. "We can probably find them somewhere." She thinks for a moment. They could be quite a ways away since the forest extends around the entire city, and they might not even be with each other.

"Alright, let's go see." She suddenly drops out of the tree, but it's entirely controlled. Her long tail is still wrapped around the branch, and she uses that to guide and slow her descent. "Come on, slowpoke." She calls back to Jeanne as she starts slithering off.

It remains to see who they'll find.

[Lex-Kat]

{Quest to find Secret Slave Society}

Bianca begins to wander Northside doing two things.

1) She's listening to the people talking, hoping to pick up the general vibe of the place.

2) She's scouting for places that pique her curiosity. Mostly buildings that look to be hiding something.

3) She's buying food. She's hungry.

She walks up to a store/vendor. Where's the best place for fine dining?

[Mr. Moon]

Eastside

Eastside - Weird William's

"It'd help if I knew where to send her to to meet you, but I suppose it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to help you out if I saw her." Brody admits, scratching his beard. Odd kid, this one, but nice.


"Thank you sir!" Maya bows lightly at the waist, her hands clasped together in front of her. She lingers for a moment, before turning and heading off.

Of course, she still has her hood down, so she might run in to something. Or someone.

[Morty]

Hunter Recruitment Center

"Markot Kragx. Call me Kragx." Kragx doesn't sit down, instead standing in the middle of the room.

The half-ogre Hunter raises an eyebrow, but doesn't press the issue.
"Well then. Why don't you tell me how long you've been in Riverside and what you've been doing until now."

[Lost_Deep]

Hunter Recruitment Center

"Not long. I've been here and there, A bit in Westside, some in Northside. I've been acting as muscle for a couple vigilante groups; wound up with a civilian group in Northside for a while. When I heard about this democracy setting up, I decided to come over and see if you needed some muscle."

[Morty]

[Hunter Recruitment Center]

"I see," says the Hunter slowly. "What sort of vigilante groups were they?"

[Darkcomet]

[Evolution Industries]

"Excellent. The security will of course be provided to you. Whatever you need." Ramiro says. His mind works through the potential of all this. "I will contact you within the next few days to finalize everything."

He nods. "Of course, take all the time you need. I'll get my people ready for the construction-I don't think most were actually expecting to ever get to that, really."

[Shadowcaller]

[Sekai's Office==>Fourth Tower Compound]

Sekai actually raises from her seat and follows the two outside, making sure that Sylvia goes to her room. She gives Valente a last glance before getting into the room, Sekai closing and locking the door behind her.

She will then lead Valente out into the common room and point at Lucis who currently is reading through a book. "Lucius, would you be so kind to show Valente to Lord Harold's room? It's important."

"...okay." The tiefling replies, not really seeing any other choice.

[Suncrest Manor]

"We call exbourne manor or the police... or something. If they won't help us I'll... deal with those ****** myself." This usually means killing but Irena doesn't use that word anymore. *nodnod*

"Don't worry Nadia, I won't let them as much as see you." She promises, attempting to take her girlfriends and squeeze it.

They still got one question left though.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Irena scratches her head. "Sure, I guess. So I'd be like a second Christmas then?" Irena knew what Christmas was, people usually pretended to care more about the homeless then and the drunks tended to get just a bit drunker to forget how hopeless their lives were. Oh and then sometimes people gave gifts to each other.

[Astrana's Room]

"Okay, can you find me some rats while I prepare a ritual Cynthia? It's very important if we're going to find out whats happening to Eadelain." The tiefling asks while grabbing a ritual dagger with her tail, putting it in her hand.

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

Well, there are new manors being build in northside and there is a gigantic Gothic-styled flying castle looming over the city. Oh and there are gargoyles flying around, seemingly scouting the area.

Probably worth mentioning at least.

[The Bushranger]

[Eastside - Disturbance]


Jeu will try to slap on Andromeda's shoulder.

"Don't worry. You aren't alone." he sais friendly.

Then he enters the building.


There are still a group of burning light followers hanging around the building as they arrive though substantially less then last time. Guess some people have other things to do then hanging around buildings.

The horned woman Tibatha is also there to greet them, but currently seem to be busy with showing a few large green-skinned big-nosed workers inside. She turns her head in their direction as they come closer though. "You must be the investigation team. I'm Tibatha Rosewood, the owner of this clinic." She presents herself, offering her hand to shake.

Jeu gets a bit of a look from Andromeda at the shoulder-slap, but the silver-haired, dusky-skinned young woman shrugs, and heads into the building. The Testificatesogreoid workers get a brief look before her attention turned to Tibatha, and she takes the offered hand, shaking firmly.

"Andromeda Myslyvets," she introduces herself. "I hope we can quickly and satisfactorarily resolve the issue with a minimum of fuss."

[Lost_Deep]

[Hunter Recruitment Center]

"I see," says the Hunter slowly. "What sort of vigilante groups were they?"

"Nothing too bad; I specifically avoid extremists. Let me think... there was one "proactive" group, but they stopped caring about the people and became another gang. Not sure what happenned to them after I left. There was a vigilante start up in Eastside, but it didn't get a lot support and kind of crumbled. I was in a buddy duo for a bit, but that guy lets his agenda get the better of him and walked headlong into his trap. Idiot was obsessed with vengeance. Probably the main one is the civilian group in Northside. Less of a vigilante group and more of a city watch, them. Take care of the crimes that the snobbish nobles won't touch. Good man at the head, no corruption tolerance and a mean right hook. Things have settled down there a bit, so I figured I'd show my bit of support for democracy."

[Morty]

[Hunter Recruitment Center]

The half-ogre takes a moment to digest it. Well, not too bad. No worse than a lot of their Hunters have done. A new social order requires a degree of starting over at any rate.
"Very well. I believe there is nothing damning here. I assume the skills you would bring to the force would be strength and physical toughness."

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

Yay!! :smallbiggrin: Bianca goes off to get something to eat, then heads back to where she can easily see the floating castle, finds a nice place to eat and watches it until she's finished eating.

If no one disturbs her while she does this, she'll approach the first decend looking citizen that crosses her path and points to the sky. Hey, who lives up there? she asks conversationally. Must be some filthy rich aristocrat, am I right?

[Gullara]

[Fourth Tower Compound]

Lucius can probably see that Valente looks rather worried about all this. This entire situation is a mess. The vampire just shrugged at Lucius. He'd have to explain after Sekai was gone.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yeah, we'll call the Enforcers and they'll do something." Nadia says. The last things she wanted was Irena risking herself for this. "But first, what should our last question be." Just stay calm. It'll be fine. Unfortuantely, Nadia doesn't feel very calm.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Sure, something like that. I just thought it'd be a good way to get 'gifts' for each other, because I know I'm terrible at buying regular gifts." Nadia says.

[Astrana's Room]

"Okay, I can try." Cynthia has no clue how he's actually going to catch rats, but she'll give it a shot. The little demon pushes herself off her seat and walks out of the room. It'll be a while before she returns.

[Evolution Industries]

Ramiro chuckles a little. "Very good, then. We'll speak again soon. Good day, Mr Halley." Unless there's anything else, Ramiro nods to DC and will take his leave.

[Zefir]

[Eastside - Disturbance]


Jeu gets a bit of a look from Andromeda at the shoulder-slap, but the silver-haired, dusky-skinned young woman shrugs, and heads into the building. The Testificatesogreoid workers get a brief look before her attention turned to Tibatha, and she takes the offered hand, shaking firmly.

"Andromeda Myslyvets," she introduces herself. "I hope we can quickly and satisfactorarily resolve the issue with a minimum of fuss."

[Eastside - Disturbance]

Jeu takes the hand for a shake as well.

"I'm Jeu." he sais. Since Andromeda said all needed he has nothing toadd. He will start to look around. He don't want to miss anything that may be important.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fourth Tower Compound]

"You will return here as soon as the meeting is done Valente, I'm not finished with you yet." Sekai states before walking off.

Lucius just looks questioningly at Valente, assuming he's going to explain. It might be noted there are more members that are looking at him however.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Not sure." Irena replies curtly, still boiling with rage. "Maybe where they are staying so we can make exbourne arrest them or something?"

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"So what did you have in mind?" Irena asks curiously.

[Astrana's Room]

Meanwhile Astrana prepares the protection spell, if Cynthia could bring enough rats, she might be able to step inside the darkness without that subconscious harming her or taking over her mind.

[Eastside - Disturbance]

"So do I." The demon agrees before turning towards her clinic. "But as you can see, it's still somewhat of a mess. those people over there are watching my every move." She states with a gesture towards the burning light followers who currently are pouring up some cups of some cups of warm liquid from a thermos to each other. Apparently they are planning to stay here for some time.

"In any case, there really isn't any reason to fear what we do here. Our alternations are completely reversible after all. The clinic have access to dragon scales." She explains while starting to lead them towards the building.

Jeu will probably not be able to see many people around besides the workers and the protesters. The inside of the clinic is hard to see from here, it's glass windows reflecting the grey skies this dull early morning.

[Gullara]

[Fourth Tower Compound]

"Come on, let's go." Is all Valente says for now. Assuming Lucius leads the way, the vampire will start talking after they're away from the others. "You might as well not ask. I can't really tell you much beyond that I'm in trouble for going somewhere I shouldn't have."

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yeah, sure. That's a good idea. Ask that." Nadia says. Maybe this could be dealt with quickly.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Weeeell." Nadia looks thoughtful for a moment. "I was thinking that you and I could go on a date. You know, a fancy supper, we can get you dressed up all fancy..." She grins a clearly evil grin.

[happyturtle]

Wildside

The dryad and the devil-in-disguise will find Cole lying on the ground, with a few very large bees crawling on him - about the size of rats. Mori the dog is asleep nearby. Cole is wearing only a loincloth. He's tanned a bit all over, and has put on a little bit of muscle. He actually is starting to look his actual age of 15 now.

"He looks harmless, for a human," Jeanne says to Aconia. "What are the things on him?"

[Gullara]

[Wildside]

Scora smiles broadly as they come across Cole. She looks at him admiringly, but her eyes only linger for a moment before she glances at Jeanne. "They're bees of course." She says like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

The dryad moves over to Cole quietly and positions herself at his head. "Hey there, sleepy head." When he opens his eyes, Scora's smiling face will greet him.

[Astrana's Room]

Cynthia returns a while later. She holds a bucket with a piece of plywood over the top. Sounds of movement come from within. It looks like she was successful, but not without some difficulty. The little demon has several scratches and bites on her arms. Black blood drips down her arms from a few of these wounds. She's dirty too, but at least she thought to change into her tshirt, so that's ruined instead of her dress.

"I got three, Astrana." She says proudly. Astrana might be struck by a strong feeling that she should help and comfort the wounded little girl that will amplify and grow from any similar feelings Astrana has on her own.

[Lost_Deep]

[Hunter Recruitment Center]

The half-ogre takes a moment to digest it. Well, not too bad. No worse than a lot of their Hunters have done. A new social order requires a degree of starting over at any rate.
"Very well. I believe there is nothing damning here. I assume the skills you would bring to the force would be strength and physical toughness."

"Yeah, but I like to think I'm pretty smart, too. Let's be honest here: you're only going to start fights when things have gone horribly wrong. The rest of the time you either try to keep fights from happening or stop fights that are already going on. I like to think that I'm good at those things: putting a decisive end to fights or discouraging them from happening. Keep things civil because no one wants to be in the same room as an uncivil krogan, right?"

[happyturtle]

Wildside


[Wildside]

Scora smiles broadly as they come across Cole. She looks at him admiringly, but her eyes only linger for a moment before she glances at Jeanne. "They're bees of course." She says like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

The dryad moves over to Cole quietly and positions herself at his head. "Hey there, sleepy head." When he opens his eyes, Scora's smiling face will greet him.


"Those are not normal bees," Jeanne says, but then she sees how Scora reacts to Cole. Oh ho ho! So the little dryad has a crush! Now this is a topic Jeanne knows all about.

Cole blinks awake. "Hi Scora." About this time, Mori gets a sniff of stranger and wakes up - instantly alert, and barking at Jeanne.

[Shadowcaller]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

Yay!! :smallbiggrin: Bianca goes off to get something to eat, then heads back to where she can easily see the floating castle, finds a nice place to eat and watches it until she's finished eating.

If no one disturbs her while she does this, she'll approach the first decend looking citizen that crosses her path and points to the sky. Hey, who lives up there? she asks conversationally. Must be some filthy rich aristocrat, am I right?

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

The elderly woman looks curiously at Bianca as she walks up to her. "That flying thing? I heard there are vampires living up there actually. I had hoped this part of town could be clear of such things, as if westside wasn't enough." She states with a irritated glare at the flying building.

[Fourth Tower Compound]

"Well, you might not even remember whatever that is you know soon enough if you're meeting with the shadow vampire." Lucius comments as they walk down the corridor, soon coming to a set of stairs.

[Suncrest Manor]

"So where are these ****** staying?" Irena asks and for the last time the murmurs reply. The next moment the witch's cell phone lit up the washing room as she's scrolling down to find exbournes number and call it.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"...you actually want that?" Irena raises an eyebrow.

[Astrana's Room]

"Oh dear, are you hurt?" Astrana asks, kneeling down in front of Cynthia. "Let me look at your hands."

[Gullara]

*shakes fist at ninja SC* Will edit.

[Wildside]

Scora winces when Mori starts barking. "Hey hey. Quiet you. No barking." She scolds the dog, though there's very little real bite in her tone. "Jeanne's allowed to be here."

[Morty]

"Yeah, but I like to think I'm pretty smart, too. Let's be honest here: you're only going to start fights when things have gone horribly wrong. The rest of the time you either try to keep fights from happening or stop fights that are already going on. I like to think that I'm good at those things: putting a decisive end to fights or discouraging them from happening. Keep things civil because no one wants to be in the same room as an uncivil krogan, right?"

"That is an apt description," the Hunter says. "Very well. I believe you're eligible for futher evaluation. There is a short process in which we judge your skills, attitude and applicability in more detail."

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

The elderly woman looks curiously at Bianca as she walks up to her. "That flying thing? I heard there are vampires living up there actually. I had hoped this part of town could be clear of such things, as if westside wasn't enough." She states with a irritated glare at the flying building.

Vampires? When'd vampires get here? She looks around, studying the architecture. This is such a lovely city. Are there any homes for sale? Then lowers her voice. And any rumors of a secret society? she keeps a smile on her face, as if it's just a normal conversation.

[Gullara]

[Fourth Tower Compound]

Valente looks startled at him. "What do you mean?" Oh no, this doesn't sound good at all. Dammit, what is he going to do?

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia sits down and waits for Irena to be done. she tries not to worry too much, despite the situation.

When Irena makes the call, an unfamiliar male voice answers. "Tenebras, how can I help you?"

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Well it's not something I'd do normally, but I kinda want to do it at least once." Nadia says with a shrug. "It'll be fun, I promise."

[Astrana's Room]

Cynthia puts the bucket down and holds out her arms. "One of them bit me, and they have sharp claws." She explains. These rats weren't the most docile animals unsurprisingly.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fourth Tower Compound]

"Oh, everyone knows that if you make a visit to Lord Harolds room, he will suck out all your memories and replace them with whatever he likes you to know. No one remembers it of course, they just come back believing they just had a conversation with him." He replies as they start to walk up the stairs.

[Suncrest Manor]

"This is Irena and there are two crazy murderers staying at the flying horse inn who are planning to murder my girlfriend Nadia Rizzo. They must be arrested before they have the chance." She states remarkably calmly.

The flying horse inn lies in northside.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Oookay. If you want to. I'd probably make an ass of myself though." She did beg outside a few fancy restaurants in what feels like an lifetime ago.

[Astrana's Room]

Astrana kneels down before Cynthia and takes a gentle hold of the demons arms to look at them carefully. "They don't look too bad, but there might be a chance of an infection unless you demons are immune to disease. Are you?" She looks up into her eyes with concern.


Vampires? When'd vampires get here? She looks around, studying the architecture. This is such a lovely city. Are there any homes for sale? Then lowers her voice. And any rumors of a secret society? she keeps a smile on her face, as if it's just a normal conversation.

"These vampires or those in Westside? Not sure it matters, my cousin told me they're really all the same kind. Weird creatures those are." The woman replies. Her next question leaves her thinking a bit however. "Well, there is that hat society, but I'm pretty sure that's just a myth." She replies quietly.

[Gullara]

[Fourth Tower Compound]

Valente doesn't reply to that. If that was true they'd do it to Sylvia too, wouldn't they? It's probably just Lucius screwing with him. He can't help but be worried still, though.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Alright, hold for a moment. I'm going to connect you with the Enforcers." There's a short delay before a new voice answers.

"Miss Irena? I've been updated on the situation. I'm afraid that if that's where they are now, they're out of our jurisdiction. We can watch for them and arrest them when they enter Westside, however. Can you provide a description of them?"

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Don't be ridiculous. You're far too amazing for that." Nadia gives Irena a peck on the lips. "And don't forget you get to pick something for us to do too. Whatever you want. Oh, and my birthdays was a month ago, so we can do this stuff any time." She chuckles.

[Astrana's Room]

"Um, I dunno." Cynthia shrugs. "I've never been sick before." She says. Probably not a guarantee of anything, though.

[happyturtle]

Wildside


*shakes fist at ninja SC* Will edit.

[Wildside]

Scora winces when Mori starts barking. "Hey hey. Quiet you. No barking." She scolds the dog, though there's very little real bite in her tone. "Jeanne's allowed to be here."

Mori stops barking, but Jeanne hops into a tree as Mori approaches. Mori is growling. Grrr. Bad devil smell! Can't his boy and his tree-girl smell what's wrong? Grrrr!

"Hey, back off, Mori," Cole says. "Sorry, Ma'am, my dog doesn't normally act like this." Maybe that should tell you something, huh Cole?

"Oh, it's okay. I'll just stay here till she gets used to me," Jeanne says.

[Gullara]

[Wildside]

Scora slithers in front of Mori and puts her hands on her hips. "No more barking." She pets him in what she hopes is a reassuring way. "She's really nice most of the time. I'm sure she'll warm up to you."

"Anyway, Jeanne, this is Cole, Cole this is Jeanne. She's gonna be around here for a while and I'm in charge of her."

[Lost_Deep]

Hunter Recruitment Center

"Alright. Where to?" Kragx asks. He'll go where he's told, unless the directions are weird.

[The Bushranger]

[Eastside - Disturbance]


"So do I." The demon agrees before turning towards her clinic. "But as you can see, it's still somewhat of a mess. those people over there are watching my every move." She states with a gesture towards the burning light followers who currently are pouring up some cups of some cups of warm liquid from a thermos to each other. Apparently they are planning to stay here for some time.

"In any case, there really isn't any reason to fear what we do here. Our alternations are completely reversible after all. The clinic have access to dragon scales." She explains while starting to lead them towards the building.

Jeu will probably not be able to see many people around besides the workers and the protesters. The inside of the clinic is hard to see from here, it's glass windows reflecting the grey skies this dull early morning.

"I see." Andromeda frowns a bit, and shakes her head. "What exactly do the dragon scales do, again? I'm not entirely up to speed on the details," she explains politely.

[Zefir]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

Well I thought we are already in the building.

"In which way do you have access to dragon scales?"

Even this can be important. Maybe they just imprison them or worst.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Don't 'miss' me if you can't do a damn about it. You'd rather hang around our home for days, maybe weeks, rather then actually deal with the problem? Geez! What if we you know, like to leave the house or something? My girlfriend is about to get murdered here!" She doesn't sound particularly pleased. "So who do have authorization over northside then?" Perhaps Nadia should have made this call...

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Dunno what that would be, but I can probably think of something." Irena replies with a faint smile.

[Astrana's Room]

"Better that you take a shower then and make sure to clean those wounds, alright?" She states with a concerned look at Cynthia.

[Malechenar]

"I'd be more worried honestly." He comments as they go up yet another set of stairs and there are a lot of them. Upward they go, always upwards until Valente can through one of the many stained glass windows can see they are going up the tallest section of the castle. The city down below looking increasingly tiny and unimportant.

Finally they reach a small hall where they are stopped by a rather familiar figure in a hood. "Lord Harold is expecting you." It murmurs.

[Eastside - Disturbance]

"I'm sorry, I thought they had already kept you up to date with what we do." Tibatha says with a look at the hunter. "The dragon scales which we buy from another company that specialize in them can reverse the transfiguration we perform here in case our clients regret their decision. So far however, the clients who have taken that decision have been minimal. The disadvantages are very small really." She explains while starting to walk in after the troll-ish fellows carrying the boxes.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

There's a brief pause before the man replies. "Alright, listen here. We can't do anything for you, but I can point you to someone who can. You'll need to bring money, though."

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Oh dear. Should I be worried?" Nadia asks with mock worry. "You wouldn't take advantage of me with this, would you?"

[Astrana's Room]

"Okay Astrana." Cynthia glances at the bucket. "Was three rats enough?" She looks up at the tiefling hopefully.

[Malechenar]

Valente swallows hard. "Alright, I guess I'd better not keep him waiting." Valente nods at the hooded figure.

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]


"These vampires or those in Westside? Not sure it matters, my cousin told me they're really all the same kind. Weird creatures those are." The woman replies. Her next question leaves her thinking a bit however. "Well, there is that hat society, but I'm pretty sure that's just a myth." She replies quietly.

Bianca frowns slightly. Last I heard, there were no vampires in Riverside. Period. What happened to the nice safe mafia run city I used to love? She pouts. She looks over the woman, trying to decide if her leg's being pulled. Hat society? I'm not certain that is the same evil slave cult I'm looking for.

[happyturtle]

Wildside


[Wildside]

Scora slithers in front of Mori and puts her hands on her hips. "No more barking." She pets him in what she hopes is a reassuring way. "She's really nice most of the time. I'm sure she'll warm up to you."

"Anyway, Jeanne, this is Cole, Cole this is Jeanne. She's gonna be around here for a while and I'm in charge of her."

Mori nuzzles against Scora and whines softly. She's a devil! Scary!

Cole twitches a little at this strange woman being given his name - his actual name! - but he doesn't object. He's trying to overcome his upbringing. "I am honoured to meet you, ma'am," he says. Okay, he's still got a long way to go.

[Shadowcaller]

[Astrana's Room]

"They should be." She says with a smile. "Just go ahead and clean yourself up before we start this, okay?"

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Irena smiles, "Geez, I haven't even thought about anything yet. I'm beginning to think you don't trust me or something." She teases.

[Suncrest Manor]

"I'll pay any amount of money to keep her safe if that's really needed." Irena replies dryly. So now she needed to pay for protection huh?

[Malechenar]

The figure turns to Lucius. "You may leave."
The tiefling just stands there for a moment before he turns and does just that.

Meanwhile the hooded figure have moved up to Valente, it's skin the same color as clay with cold dead blue eyes staring at him. "Empty your pockets." The creature says.

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

"No, no. From what I have heard, they are just really into hats. Not slavery or evil... just hats." She replies. "You'll find plenty of other evils in this city though. Not long ago there was a terrible riot here. They say it was some god that caused it. Terrible business I say." She shakes her head in disapproval.

[Gullara]

[Wildside]

Scora is completely oblivious to any distress she's caused Cole. "There we go. Now we all know each other. Well, you can probably meet Aconia later. I dunno where she is." The dryad waves her hand dismissively. "Unless you know where she is, Cole."

[Astrana's Room]

Cynthia beams at her despite the stinging pains of her scratches. "Okay. I'll be back when I'm done." The demon exits the room and goes to find stuff for a shower.

[Suncrest Manor]

The man gives an address to a less than reputable part of Westside. There's another pause, and then he continues talking. "I assure you we'll have our people do everything we can. Nothing will happen to your girlfriend. Good day, ma'am." And with that he'll hang up.

"So what's happening, Irena?" Nadia asks.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Nadia giggles. "Well... I suppose I can probably trust you. Just this once."

[Malechenar]

Valente does as instructed. He doesn't have much. Just a few random things of little importance. He hasn't been able to recover most of his old belongings yet. He doesn't speak or do anything otherwise.

[happyturtle]

Wildside

"Mori, go and find Aconia," Cole says. Mori whimpers a little, looks back at Jeanne, and has to be ordered again, before she trots away.

"So what do you all do here?" Jeanne says, dropping down out of the tree and sitting cross legged on the ground.

[Terumitsu]

[Outside the Rusty Dagger]

Samona turns her attention away from Jana for a moment, showing signs of her own frustration. She uses the device to communicate with Ghoul. "Keep an eye on that man." She orders.

Before getting a response, she's already addressing Jana again. "Tell me what you're running from." She compels her. Her abilities are far less effective when used so bluntly, but she was starting to feel rushed.

More of the same it was, apparently. Ghoul shrugged and simply kept pace with the man in question. Any actions taken would be narrated back to her Sire if they seemed to be the sort that could endanger her but otherwise there would be no visible urgency about her manner.

Of course, that could all change in just a few moments...

Still, with all things said and done, there really was little the muse could do aside from watch and wait with a hand near a trigger.. Just in case.

[Shadowcaller]

[Astrana's Room]

The tiefling smiles as Cynthia walks off, "Just remember to hurry, we can't make her wait forever." She then grabs the rats and goes to prepare the ritual while the little demon is showering.

[Suncrest Manor]

"The guy I talked to directed me to some shady group that would take care of our problems if we paid them." Irena replies. "I guess they're legit? I'm putting a lot of trust in these vampire- uh, I mean, Tenebras now."

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Hey, when have I ever pulled something on you?" Irena giggles as well and returns her kiss, holding Nadia close.

[Malechenar]

The figure checks him very carefully for weapons which the vampire might uncomfortable, but finally he's send inside. Opening a ornate wooden door he's let into a very large room with stained windows of various colors looking over what appears to be the slums and the newly build manors far down below. At the far end is a desk with a chair that looks more like a throne ornate with two gargoyle statues on either side. At least they look like statues, but you never know.

A large pack of dogs of various breeds and sizes come to happily greet him, barking and trying to smell him.

[Morty]

Hunter Recruitment Center

"Alright. Where to?" Kragx asks. He'll go where he's told, unless the directions are weird.

Kragx will be led to a training area behind the recruitment center. There, he will be tested for his aptitude for combat and other such situations. If everything goes well, he'll be free to be sworn in as a Hunter.

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]


"No, no. From what I have heard, they are just really into hats. Not slavery or evil... just hats." She replies. "You'll find plenty of other evils in this city though. Not long ago there was a terrible riot here. They say it was some god that caused it. Terrible business I say." She shakes her head in disapproval.

Really? That's a shame. Bianca shakes her head sadly, then sighs. Maybe you could tell me where I could find this non-so-evil hat society? I have a thing for hats myself. She says, indicating a raspberry colored beret that the old woman likely hadn't noticed before, since it wasn't there.

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

I favor the one that doesn't have a flaw the size of the Grand Canyon in it. Argon scowls. Even his shiny new toy can't distract him from E's idiocy forever, it would seem. Magtok lives in a mountain. I also happen to live in a mountain, so it is from personal experience that I tell you, mountains are generally not connected to sewer systems.

[Gullara]

[Astrana's Room]

A while later, Cynthia returns all showered and with fresh pajamas on. A couple of her wounds are still oozing a little bit of black blood, but the demon is carrying a box of bandaids. "Look what I found. Can you help me put them on?"

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia frowns at that. "One of the Enforcers did?" That sounds... shady itself. "I guess if you think it's a good idea." It doesn't sound like the most ideal situation, but it's Irena that has the information.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"That's true." Nadia eyes her suspiciously. "I'm still keeping an eye on you, though." She runs her hands through Irena's short hair and kisses her, this time clearly with the intent of making out for an extended duration.

[Malechenar]

Valente wasn't quick expecting that. "Uh, good dogs." He tries to make his way through them. He pats some of them on the head, as if he thinks that's all the attention they want.

[Wildside]

"Um, just hang out I guess." It's hard to think of these things when posed with the question. "Climb trees, look at the bees, sometimes I like to look into the city and see what's going on." Scora shrugs. "Just stuff, you know."

[happyturtle]

Wildside

"I don't like to look at the city. It makes me feel queasy inside," Cole says. "I tend to the bees and hunt with Mori and play music for my sisters."

"Why are the bees so big?" Jeanne asks.

"Because their Lord and Lady will it so," Cole says.

Jeanne rolls her eyes when Cole isn't looking.

[Shadowcaller]

[Astrana's Room]

"Of course, we do need to hurry though or she'll wake up." And she didn't have another pact bound like that. The tiefling will proceed to help the little demon with the band aid.

[Suncrest Manor]

"I don't know, with murderers around it might be. I don't want you to be hurt just since I didn't want to hire in some goons to take care of the problem. It's probably best if I go there alone though. Once Tenebras comes over here I mean." Geez, Nadia is pretty much trapped in her own home.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Irena doesn't mind making out at all, holding Nadia close, her tail sneaking up along the lampades back, underneath her shirt, as they do so. She can still feel the swell of her girlfriends stomach as they embrace each other however. "So how long?" She asks as she gently touch Nadia's stomach. "I'm almost curious to see the little bastard."

[Malechenar]

The dogs swarm around him, some eager for his attention, others barking loudly and a part just curious who this strange young human is and why he smells so funny.

Then their owner makes his appearance, Lord Harold walks up to greet his new guest. "There, there, leave the boy alone." He scolds the dogs who none the less continues to run around the young vampires feet. "Don't worry about them, they always make such a mess when someone makes a visit."

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

"Truly? Well, they are said to be based around northside but have members all over the city, all debouted to hats. It sounds quite silly, but they seem to take it very seriously. I know a young woman who might be a member if you're curious." The elderly woman replies.

[Outside the Rusty Dagger]

The man, now finally having reached the inn don't enter through the front door, instead he is going around towards the back door. This is probably now a good thing.

Meanwhile, currently moving away from the back entrance Jana look bewildered at Samona. "How should I know that?!"

[Gullara]

[Astrana's Room]

Soon enough Cynthia is all bandaged up. "What do we do now?" She asks curiously. She feels a bit out of the loop as to what's going on.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yeah, I guess so." Nadia doesn't want to let Irena go alone, but she knows she's in no state to be doing anything that could be dangerous. Not that it makes her feel any better. "Just promise me you'll be careful."

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Nadia gives Irena a disapproving look at her choice of words, but she lets it go otherwise. "Less than a month now. I'm pretty curious to see him too. I wonder what he'll look like." Nadia places her hands over Irena's.

[Malechenar]

Valente chuckles a bit nervously. "That's fine. They're not that much trouble." He manages to push by them to stand before Lord Harold. "You, ah, wanted to talk to me?"

[Wildside]

"It's totally because of the trees. They drink from the flowers on the trees and the trees are special." Scora says. "Well, these trees I mean." She points at one of the hibiscus trees.

[The Bushranger]

[Eastside - Disturbance]


"I'm sorry, I thought they had already kept you up to date with what we do." Tibatha says with a look at the hunter. "The dragon scales which we buy from another company that specialize in them can reverse the transfiguration we perform here in case our clients regret their decision. So far however, the clients who have taken that decision have been minimal. The disadvantages are very small really." She explains while starting to walk in after the troll-ish fellows carrying the boxes.

Andromeda's expression is neutral. She really might not have known, or she might be testing. But either way, you couldn't tell from her look...

"I see," she obvserves with a nod as she follows Tibatha inside, her head on a swivel taking in every detail she can of the facility and operations, watching for anything suspicious.

She can't define what 'suspicious' would be, except that she'll know it when she sees it...

"And these advantages and disadvantages are?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Astrana's Room]

"I've already sacrificed the rats." The tiefling gestures towards the bodies of the three rodents laying on the floor. Having apparently been emptied of intestine which are no where to be seen. "The protection spell should work now, so just strap me back in okay?" She states while moving back towards the armchair.

[Suncrest Manor]

"I know you'll worry even if I tell you don't to. But still, don't worry." Irena smiles faintly. "You know I can take care of myself, and if I didn't trust Tenebras, would I really let them protect you like this?"

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"I dunno, I know even less about god-babies then I do about normal babies. I bet he will be one of those over-performers who is just perfect at everything though." She chuckles a bit, not really seeing why Nadia is looking at her so disapprovingly.

[Malechenar]

"Quite so." He moves out of the room again, gesturing towards the chars right in front of his desk. "Why don't you take a seat while I serve them some food?" At the sound of 'food', the pack quickly loses interest for Valente and rushes after Harold.

[The Alexandrian]

Eastside Surface

"Now this I must try. Tastier than fungus? Lead on, Sylvia, lead on." Charynrae smiles as she looks at her lover. Hopefully they aren't in the area of Weird William's; I'm not sure either of them qualify as a lycanthrope, and that's the main custom of that particular pub.

[Eastside - Pizza!]

While Sylvia does have the ability to transform from a human into a beast at will akin to certain werewolves, she's more feline than canine and would probably have barney at Weird William's instead of a hot meal.

A refreshing breeze might start to pick up right about now because nature is cruel and wants to scare Charynrae!

What's that on the corner over there? Why, it is a quaint, little family owned and operated pizza parlor! Sylvia and Charynrae's luck must be extraordinarily high today as it is none other than the famous, travelling Luigi's Pizza Parlor as the three vibrant, 2D, pixelated signs mounted above the "doorway" would indicate! The location of the front "doors" of this restaurant changes daily, so it is common for people to randomly stumble upon the restaurant once but nearly impossible for them to visit it again without first following Luigi on a Nexus-based social networking site or two. The pizza is so tasty that people are more than willing to jump through hoops to purchase a slice of it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or dessert. This entrance isn't a permanent fixture in this town because, while Mario and Luigi are a little more than associated with a mafia if the Mario Brothers Gangsta Rap is to be believed, their pizza parlor has little to do with vampires, cults, gargoyles, werewolves, skeletal undead, maniacs, sinister plots, or serious things in general.

Sylvia attempts to slither over to the Mario-themed big, green, horizontal warp pipe that serves as the entrance to the restaurant and cautiously tap it with her free hand!

"Maybe thisss place sssellsss sssomething deliciousss. Pizza isss usssually pretty good to eat for lunch."

"Want to try sssome, Charynrae?"

[Earl of Purple]

Eastside- Pizza!

Weird William's doesn't just cater to werewolves; wererats are quite common in cities, and the bouncer is a werebear. Also a hill giant.

"OK then. Oh, stalactites, what's that breathing?" Charynrae looks around, visibly panicking at the very large probably predatory monster that happens to be invisible or a building.

[Gullara]

[Astrana's Room]

"Okay." When Astrana sits down, Cynthia will tie the crystal back onto her forehead. then the demon will go sit down to wait again.

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia smiles at Irena, pushing the worries to the back of her mind for the time being. "Yeah, alright. I'll stop worrying just as soon as you're back."

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Nadia laughs with her. "I just hope he has a normal life. He definitely doesn't deserve to have to deal with all the mess that brought him into the world." The lampades looks down at her stomach and their hands over it.

"I had a name idea, by the way. Eliseo. What do you think?" She looks back up at Irena expectantly.

[Malechenar]

"Right. Yes sir." Valente goes and sits down as instructed. He looks back in the direction of Harold as he waits. He tries not to fidget too much.

[Lost_Deep]

Kragx will be led to a training area behind the recruitment center. There, he will be tested for his aptitude for combat and other such situations. If everything goes well, he'll be free to be sworn in as a Hunter.

The aptitude for combat is.. high. He knows how to use most every kind of gun, and is about as dangerous in close combat as any veteran krogan.

Apart from that, though, he is pretty smart. Maybe not the most polite, but he is professional and highly intelligent.

[The Alexandrian]

[Eastside - Pizza!]

I've never heard of wererats before, but I have heard of werebears. They were supposedly the most common type of werebeast in Skyrim, but you can't encounter a single one of them in the game, which disappointed me like nothing else. Maybe Sylvia and Charynrae will have to stop by Weird William's for dinner or something, if only for the atmosphere.

Sylvia picks up on Charynrae's surge of fear immediately and spins around hissing only to find herself facing...

Nothing?

Sylvia attempts to wrap an arm around Charynrae's waist protectively, exhaling slowly as a rush of adrenaline hits her system.

"It'sss okay, love. That'sss jussst the wind. Air movesss like that up here. If we were in any real danger, everyone around usss would be fleeing and calling for the guard."

"That sssaid, I think we ssshould head indoorsss. I have a feeling that rain might be here in a hour or two, ssso we'll need to buy coats from a ssstore or sssomething sssoon."

[Earl of Purple]

Eastside- Pizza

Wererats are mainly Dungeons and Dragons, I think. I'm not sure if they are anywhere else, but they are on the 3.5 SRD. And the atmosphere is terrible- like unwashed animals, some of them slightly ill, mixed with damp dog and stale alcohol.

I was disappointed to discover that the Volkihar couldn't move through ice like that book in Oblivion said.

"Yes. Let's get indoors." Living underground is incredibly dangerous, especially compared to the surface. Charynrae is jumpy because any drow that wasn't jumpy usually got eaten, or assassinated. Or in several cases, both.

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

"Truly? Well, they are said to be based around northside but have members all over the city, all debouted to hats. It sounds quite silly, but they seem to take it very seriously. I know a young woman who might be a member if you're curious." The elderly woman replies.

Well that would be very helpful. Thank you. I'd love to meet her. Bianca then waits for the little old lady to lead her to her friend.

[The Alexandrian]

[Eastside - Pizza!]

Maybe Sylvia and Charynrae should never ever eat at Weird William's ever. It sounds a little gross with the whole smell of ill animals thing.

Charynrae has had a hard life. :smallfrown: Sylvia hopes that living in the lap of luxury for a week or two will help Charynrae relax on the surface world!

Sylvia attempts to lead Charynrae into the warp pipe.

If Charynrae allows herself to be pulled through to the other end of the warp pipe, she'll find herself standing in a gigantic multi-level brick room! Mario Bros music is playing in the background! A small, currently unmanned oak desk for toads tasked with checking reservations is positioned in front of them. A pile of menus is stacked in a recess in the wall. Posters of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Wario, Waluigi, and Daisy hang from the walls alongside shelves of golden and platinum awards. Televisions are strung all along the top of the walls, Nintendo consoles hooked up to each and every last one of them. A thin, tall waiter wearing blue denim overalls, a green shirt, and a green cap with the letter 'L' on it hurriedly approaches the pair and greets them!

"Hello! Itsa me, Luigi! I'd be in the back filling out paperwork, but my head waiter, Mario, is missing! I can seat you immediately on whichever floor you'd like. How many people are in your-a-party today?" :smallconfused:

[Zefir]

[Eastside - Disturbance]



Andromeda's expression is neutral. She really might not have known, or she might be testing. But either way, you couldn't tell from her look...

"I see," she obvserves with a nod as she follows Tibatha inside, her head on a swivel taking in every detail she can of the facility and operations, watching for anything suspicious.

She can't define what 'suspicious' would be, except that she'll know it when she sees it...

"And these advantages and disadvantages are?"

[Eastside - Disturbance]

Jeu as before follows behind. He is a bit confused by the troll-ish fellows carrying the boxes. Assuming they aren't from the hunters^^.

"What's in the boxes they carry?"

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

I favor the one that doesn't have a flaw the size of the Grand Canyon in it. Argon scowls. Even his shiny new toy can't distract him from E's idiocy forever, it would seem. Magtok lives in a mountain. I also happen to live in a mountain, so it is from personal experience that I tell you, mountains are generally not connected to sewer systems.

Enshadu nods. Well, Magtok IS Magtok, he must have some kind of ventilation system. What with all the experiments I suspect go on in his base. It could work. Oooor, we could...conjoin our industries. You make clone soldiers, I supply the most powerful weapons in the world, we take over anything. Eeeven Remnant. Espescially with stolen Magtech...if we could get our hands, fleshy or otherwise, on some. Ehat do you say?

[Shadowcaller]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

"It's just decorations." Tibatha explains she let's them inside, the two trolls putting the boxes among many others and politely tips their blue hats as they pass by the group again.

"You're welcome to look through them though if you don't make a mess. The essence will come tomorrow along with the dragonscales." The demon explains as she moves behind the counter with the letters Hella´Human. Written in dark red.

The rest of the clinic is pretty gray, the walls in the process of being repainted, chairs and tables standing on top of each other.
"There are many advantages, but a lot of them are different from person to person. We have a list of common transformations though if you're interested." She hands over them two pamphlets. "There you will find the base advantages too and the most common reason people choose to take this treatment. It's know to be able to cure such hard-to-treat diseases as Cancer, AIDS, M.E... not to mention the ravages of age."

"There are disadvantages of course, such as silver starting to shine in your presence and being burned by it's and a few other metals touch. There are also a few cases where the clients have been rejecting the treatment or have rather... violent transformations. In such cases we of course stop the procedure and the client gets a refund." Tibatha explains. "It's not secret that most of those who work here eventually decide to get the treatment themselves though. My husband among them."

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

The old lady doesn't seem to plan to show her to her friend however, she seem comfortable enough on her park bench. "Her name is Alice Mortely and she lives on 41 Tardy street, just past that old blue mailbox. Next to the Clam store." The lady explains. "She is a bit odd though, but don't you tell her I told you that, alright?" She says with a faint smile.

[Astrana's Room]

Astrana focuses and soon enough she should be back in the mindscape again.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as possible. Now we just need to wait for those Tenebras people to arrive. Is there anything you want to do while we wait? The font door is already locked so you don't need to worry about that." Irena says as she sit down on the floor. They could play strip poker! Or just strip. *nodnod*

Not sure impending assassins put you in the mood though. :smalltongue:

[Malechenar]

Soon enough Lord Harold returns and takes a seat in his throne, pressing his inhumanly long fingers against the table. "So Valente was it? You are the newest guest on board Malechnar. The first person in this world in fact who have honored us with their presence." He smiles. "Should I assume you're not that familiar with our customs considering that earlier accident?"

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Shouldn't his adoptive parents name him though? I thought that was a thing." Irena replies as she moves her hands up to Nadia's shoulders. That stomach sure made it hard to make out.

[Lost_Deep]

Eadelain's Mindscape

Astrana will wind up back in Astrana's Room in Eadelain's mind. The illusory Astrana is here, and casually acknowledges the real Astrana's existence before going back to observing... the inky hole in the middle of the room.

Before, Astrana wasn't acknowledged at all... presumably, Eadelain is closer to waking and her subconscious is doing more now.

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

No. No, that's not going to happen. We've already stated the limits of our deal with you.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Well, if you have no better ideas, you could give me a foot rub while you're down that." Nadia giggles, knowing that Irena wouldn't bee too keen on that idea.

Some time later, there's a knock at the front door. Looks like someone's here.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Hrm, I guess, maybe. You're probably right." Nadia frowns disappointingly. "I just had the idea and liked the name, you know." Oh well.

[Malechenar]

"I'm afraid not, sir. I haven't been here for very long and I've only met a few people so far." The vampire answers.

[Earl of Purple]

Eastside- Pizza!

"Oh, I don't mind which floor we eat at. Do you, Sylvia? Oh, there's only two of us." Unless Sylvia invited others without telling Charynrae, which would make the drider priestess rather upset.

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]


The old lady doesn't seem to plan to show her to her friend however, she seem comfortable enough on her park bench. "Her name is Alice Mortely and she lives on 41 Tardy street, just past that old blue mailbox. Next to the Clam store." The lady explains. "She is a bit odd though, but don't you tell her I told you that, alright?" She says with a faint smile.

Bianca bows her head slightly. Thank you, ma'am. And off she goes, finding her way to 41 Tardy Stree, just past the blue mailbox and next to the Clam store.

Once there, she walks up to the door and knocks four times in quick succession, then waits for an answer.

[The Bushranger]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

Andromeda listens intently, accepting the pamphlet and flipping through it.

...possibly with just a bit of a blush as she notes some of the more...interesting...transformation types.

"...to be honest, I don't see how anyone would voluentarily choose to become...something like this, although I suppose that might just be my personal opinion. You say that reversion can be done at any time, and that it's freely provided upon request, and that you don't...push, this transformation on anyone, then?"

[Zefir]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

"A change, either into a demon or anything else, shows us how unconfortable people felt with their body."

Jeu says while looking through the boxes. He is doing the best he can, looking inside and cheking what's in it. If a box shows signs of secret space he will take a closer look until he finds it, if possible.

[Shadowcaller]

[Malechenar]

"So who have you met? What is your first impression of this castle?" The vampire, bringing his fingers together as he seem to look at Valente despite the complete lack of eyes or sockets.

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena mentally groans. There were murderers around and she was still thinking about foot massages? Oh well, it was a great deal better then worry.

"Uh... sure." She replies. Hopefully those Tenbras people would arrive soon...

-----------------------------------

Irena is quick to check her smartphone who is connected to the cameras (she got help connecting all that) who is at the gate as the phone alarms that someone is using the buzzer.

Making a call, the two enforcers will hear the witch voice coming from a speaker nearby. "Who sent you and why?" Irena always considered some paranoia healthy.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Maybe you can assist in the naming or something? We're running out of time to find some suitable parents before the kid is born though. I checked it up online and it looks like there are all sort of documents you need signing and meeting with the family etc." She rather not do the first part, she dreaded all sort of paper work.

((I'll post for the mindscape and the quest for the secret slave society once I get back.))

[Gullara]

[Malechenar]

"Mostly some of the others from the Forth Tower. The others my age." Valente replies. "The castle seems like a nice place to live so far. I'm still getting settled in for the most part."

[Suncrest Manor]

The Enforcers look between each other briefly. "We're with Tenebras. We were told that there was a potential murder threat against a Nadia Rizzo here."

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Yeah, I know. The fact this whole pregnancy has been so fast is half the problem. We can only really wait now, though. The orphanage said they'd call just as soon as they found some candidates. Then we'll meet with some of them and sort out the rest after that." Nadia says.

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

No. No, that's not going to happen. We've already stated the limits of our deal with you.

Enshadu breathes in heavily. This was not going right. He taps the table. And...just what limits would that be? Hm?

[happyturtle]

[Wildside]

"It's totally because of the trees. They drink from the flowers on the trees and the trees are special." Scora says. "Well, these trees I mean." She points at one of the hibiscus trees.

"Oh. Lenai's trees. I guess she made them that way," Jeanne says.

"The bees love them. There are so many hives now, as more bees are drawn to the forest," Cole says.

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

We dislike Magtok more than we dislike you, so we are willing to lend assistance in removing him from the picture. Unfortunately, there's really no-one else on this plane less despicable than yourself, so, after that we will be parting ways. The end. So saying, Argon pusheshis chair back and stands to go, tucking the E14 rifle under his arm.

[Shadowcaller]

[Eastside - Disturbance]

Tibatha looks bewildered at Andromeda for a moment before she slowly manages to piece together an answer. "...no, we do not." She looks to be about to add something but then stops herself and turns to Jeu instead.

The celestial will not find anything else then color buckets, wall paper, posters about demon-hood and other not-so-secret things within them. "That is correct, most of our customers describe it as a very positive experience once they have gone through the transfiguration. Not to mention that some people don't like age to be the end of them. I personally feel like I'm helping people to a better life."

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

The moment she knocks on the door she can hear a voice from the other side. "Yes? Who is it?"

Eadelain's Mindscape

Curious.

Astrana goes up an examines the dream-self more closely, even daring to put a hand on it's shoulder just to see what's happens. The spell should protect her from anything harmful... hopefully.

[Malechenar]

"I'm glad to hear that." The vampire comments with a smile. "I try to make all the guests here as comfortable as possible. That is my duty as a host after all. But with that said, I have some more ponderous questions from you. Ryhe have taken an certain interested in you to be exact and have asked me to do a little review if you don't mind?"

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena briefly wonders if she is going to ask them after names as that was what she really was after, but decides it's probably silly. Instead the gates slide open at the push of a button, "Come on in then."

Heh, she loved this security system. It felt like she was some evil villain.

Being let inside the yard, Irena is also there to slowly open the door for them. I'm not sure where Nadia is though, but she probably heard the signal from Irena's phone as well.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Can't we look for candidates ourselves?" Irena suggests. "I bet you're much better then some home, you are going to make the final call after all."

[Gullara]

[Malechenar]

"Oh?' Uh, I don't mind at all. Go ahead." Valente says, just a bit hesitantly.

[Suncrest Manor]

The two Enforcers head straight for the front door. "Afternoon, ma'am. We'll be keeping an eye on the house itself. I'm Macario and this is Renato." He gestures to his companion, who has his helmet on and hasn't spoken yet. "We have a number of others in the area as well."

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"We probably could, but I really wouldn't know where to start. These people probably deal with people wanting to adopt kids often enough too." Nadia says.

[Wildside]

"Yeah, you can barely go anywhere without being able to find bees. It's pretty cool. I like to watch them move around their hives. Those things are huge now." Scora says.

[Lost_Deep]

Eadelain's Mindscape

The mental Astrana looks more or less like Astrana, but a bit more human. She's obviously not all human, but the nonhuman aspects are downplayed. As Astrana touches the mental version, she turns toward Astrana."Yes? Can I help you? Or, help me, apparently."

[The Bushranger]

[Eastside Disturbance]

Andromeda's expression shifts a bit, to an expression that indicates she belatedly realises she may have made a serious faux pas...

"...I see. Well, I think we can take a quick look at the rest of the facility? So far everything seems to be clear and above-board to me..."

[Zefir]

[Eastside Disturbance]


Jeu looks at Andromeda.

"We should take a close look. Only if we look over every single part of this we can calm down the people outside."

[Shadowcaller]

Eadelain's Mindscape

Huh, this was weird, cool, but still weird. "Any insight on the hole I'm about to enter? Or this in general?"

[Malechenar]

"Good, so tell me Valente what are vampires like in your world?" Harold asks.

[Suncrest Manor]

"You should tell Nadia the plan in detail. I'm off on a errand." The witch tells the two. Meanwhile a strange bird lands on the roof of the manor.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"You could put up a poster on the wall." Irena suggests, leaning back in the coach.

[Eastside Disturbance]

"I could show you the room where we inject the essence if you wish." Tibatha suggests. "Please put back what you took from the boxes though, we are going to use that later."

[Lost_Deep]

Eadelain's Mindscape

Mental Astrana looks down into the hole. "Hmm. I don't know what it is, only some ideas. I'm trying to learn more, but most of my methods aren't working."

She kneels next to the hole, and points at some of the root or vein like things coming off of it. "And look at this; while it is definitely entangled with the mind, it doesn't actually seem to be a part of it. More like it is slowly fusing itself into the mind. It might be a part of the mind naturally, but if it was you would think that it would mesh in better. As it is, it strikes an amount of contrast with the rest of the mindscape."

[Terumitsu]

[Outside the Rusty Dagger]

Going around the side of the building? Kinaesthetically speaking, the man was rather blatantly showcasing himself to the muse's eyes to be at least some kind of issue and to suddenly alter his course like that was.. Well, suspiciously serendipitous to say the least.

Snuffing out the lit end of the narcotic between her fingers, Ghoul stowed it in a pocket before pulling her helmet over her head. Sure, it would make her a sight if it were daylight but the dark colors of her armor might simply make her stand out less amid the urban colors. At the least, the small, slightly glowing red slits of the helmet that marked her eyes wouldn't make her any less intimidating but that wasn't her concern right now.

In any case, the man would potentially be in for a surprise when the well armored and, apparently similarly armed, figure called out to him. "Hey you! Got a moment?"

[Gullara]

[Malechenar]

"Oh, well I can't give you every detail or anything. I haven't studied it like some people, but I can give you a good idea." Valente explains enough to give Harold a general idea of how their vampirism works, going into a bit of detail about some of their capabilities, and how different vampires develope a few different variations in abilities.

[Suncrest Manor]

It's just then that Nadia comes up behind Irena and puts her hands on her fiancee's hips. She freezes when she catches sight of the Enforcers.

Macario's eyebrow shoots up when he sees her. "You know, I was wondering if it could've possibly been you when they told me your name. I'd thought I heard you came over here too." The vampire's eyes look at Nadia's hands on Irena's hips and then back up to their faces.

"Uh, yeah. You know, thought it'd be a good opportunity." Nadia smiles nervously. She slides her hands off Irena and buries them in her pockets.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Yeah, but the Wall... well, it doesn't exactly get the best attention." Nadia says. "Why do you think we should take care of it ourselves anyway?" She asks.

[Outside the Rusty Dagger]

This woman is amazingly dense, but Samona already knew that, didn't she. "Tell me about the fire vampire." She orders, throwing more compulsion into her words. This would be so much easier if the car was here, but it wasn't quite yet.

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]


The moment she knocks on the door she can hear a voice from the other side. "Yes? Who is it?"

The name's Bianca. I heard that you like hats. Bianca says loud enough to be heard through a door, but trying not to be too loud.

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

We dislike Magtok more than we dislike you, so we are willing to lend assistance in removing him from the picture. Unfortunately, there's really no-one else on this plane less despicable than yourself, so, after that we will be parting ways. The end. So saying, Argon pusheshis chair back and stands to go, tucking the E14 rifle under his arm.

Enshadu growls and stands up. The room seeming to darken a little bit. You have answered nothing! HOw are we to remove him? Hm? The only way to kill off Magtok is by destroying the cloning vats..and each individual Magtok! We need to attack the Magcave. It's the only way...How are we to do this? Hm? Are any of the soldiers or Argon wearing metal?

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

Even besides their guns, the soldiers are carrying extra ammo, combat knives and dart rounds tucked away in case Enshadu gets nasty, plus shoe and belt buckles. It's not all that much, but if Enshadu can manipulate metal I imagine he could cause some significant damage.

Oh, you're listening to us now? Argon smirks, sitting down again. I'd like to point out that actually helping you fight Magtok was never part of the deal. We merely agreed to advise, so already we're being quite generous.

[Shadowcaller]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

"I love hats!" Comes the reply followed by a pause. "I'd let you in, but I'm a bit all over the place right now, can you wait some minutes? You could tell me how much you love hats in the meantime, I love meeting like-minded people."

[Malechenar]

"Fascinating, you spread through the same way as the erathi." Valente might have heard earth vampires being called this. "But I understand that you, Valente, aren't just any vampire. Ryhe mentioned something about a abnormality about you that is missing in others of your kind. Do you know anything about this?"

[Suncrest Manor]

"So you two know each other?" Irena asks curiously, with all these guards around maybe she didn't need to be that stressed.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Since I don't trust children's homes. They're... well, I just don't want they to deal with it. What do they know anything? You're going to be the mother after all."

[Gullara]

[Malechenar]

"Well, um... This is going to sound dumb, but I was changed, but I don't really know what into. Not exactly I mean." Valente rubs the back of his head awkwardly.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Um, kind of. I went to high school with his daughter." Nadia explains.

"I used to volunteer a lot at the school for this and that, so I'd met more of her class mates before they graduated." Macario adds. "It's good to see you, though. Looks like you're doing pretty good for yourself." He glances past them into the manor.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Nadia is momentarily distracted after Irena refers to her as a mother. It's a funny thought, really. It's definitely not something she'd thought she'd ever be close to experiencing. She just gets to go thought all the uncomfortable parts of it now.

"Er." Whoops, Nadia lost track of what they were talking about for a minute. "Well maybe we can try something ourselves. I'll call them first thought, just to see if they maybe have something. Why don't you like children's homes anyway?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Malechenar]

"How were you changed?" Harold asks as he leans over to the side, supporting his oval-shaped head on his right hand.

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena laughs, "Yep, Nadia is quite the gold digger. It's my house and money." She teases. The lampade didn't even have a job anymore. :smalltongue:

Not that Irena is any better, she never did a honest day of work in her life, then she got money from a demon.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Maybe since I was raised at one, I dunno." Technically that wasn't a children s home though.

Eadelain's Mindscape

Astrana nods thoughtfully. "I suspect it might be a result of some sort of experiment. I'm not sure it's connected to her intelligence though or if that's separate from this. I think the only way of really finding out though is going straight to the source." She says with a meaningful look at the black hole.

[Gullara]

[Malechenar]

"I don't know everything, but I'm stronger, faster, my senses are more keen. And I've noticed that any sort of wounds I get heal very fast, but I've never had anything worse than a small cut." He explains.

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia laughs nervously. Macario gives them both a funny look, like he can't quite figure something out. Between the pregnancy, Irena and what she's said, and Nadia's odd appearance, this is all rather puzzling.

"Right then. I suppose we'd better not keep you." He says to Irena. "Nadia will be kept safe, though you may want to consider staying here yourself. You never know if these people would try and get to Nadia through you." He recommends.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Nadia frowns a little. "I thought you'd said you were forced to stay at that mental hospital." The concern is evident in Nadia's tone when she brings that up. She knows that that wasn't a happy time in her life in the slightest.

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

Even besides their guns, the soldiers are carrying extra ammo, combat knives and dart rounds tucked away in case Enshadu gets nasty, plus shoe and belt buckles. It's not all that much, but if Enshadu can manipulate metal I imagine he could cause some significant damage.

Oh, you're listening to us now? Argon smirks, sitting down again. I'd like to point out that actually helping you fight Magtok was never part of the deal. We merely agreed to advise, so already we're being quite generous.

Enshadu has the ability to control metals, and draw them into himself. Right now, he's glaring through the lenses at his face mask. So...Advise me? What do you mean advise me? I'd not make an enemy of me, my friends. Or I will simply continue my plans, and you'll be next in line. I could kill you all, right now! But....what would the point in that be! No weapon you own could even scratch me. What...exactly are you going to help with? I need a cloning vat, or several. That's all I need....you supply this, and we can talk about trading with our companies, if this was a waste of my valuable time...your blood will spill today. Enshadu's metal arms clack and turn. Two extra arms unfold out of the cyborg's lower chest. Now he has all four of his metal, clawed arms out, folded over his chest.

[happyturtle]

Wildside


[Wildside]

"Yeah, you can barely go anywhere without being able to find bees. It's pretty cool. I like to watch them move around their hives. Those things are huge now." Scora says.

"You need to be careful. The bees might attack you if you get too close to their hives," Cole warns Scora, sounding a bit worried.

[Gullara]

[Wildside]

"I don't get that close. You don't have to worry about me." Scora says with what she thinks is a reassuring smile. "Besides, they don't bother me any when I'm around them other times."

[Lost_Deep]

Eadelain's Mindscape

Astrana nods thoughtfully. "I suspect it might be a result of some sort of experiment. I'm not sure it's connected to her intelligence though or if that's separate from this. I think the only way of really finding out though is going straight to the source." She says with a meaningful look at the black hole.

"A dangerous route. The power hasn't been able to break your wards, yet, but that may be because it isn't fully integrated into Eadelain." the mental Astrana stands up, and looks back at the real Astrana. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

Oh, stuff it. We agreed to advise, the payment for which has not been delivered. We agreed to possibly assist in an assault on the Magcave, in exchange for weapons. The soldier behind Enshadu's got his gun trained on him now, trying to line up a shot on one of his unarmored parts. We at no point agreed to give a cloning machine and make no mistake, we will not be doing so at any point in the future. Now, you can put a hold on your idiocy and listen to what we have to say, you can give us the weapons and let us take care of Magtok, or you can continue to threaten and lose the one alliance, however tenous, you have any hope of securing. Please do feel free to take the last option. I for one would be more than happy not to do business with you.

[The Bushranger]

[Eastside Disturbance]


Jeu looks at Andromeda.

"We should take a close look. Only if we look over every single part of this we can calm down the people outside."


"I could show you the room where we inject the essence if you wish." Tibatha suggests. "Please put back what you took from the boxes though, we are going to use that later."

"Likely a good idea. After all, while a person is smart, people are dumb, cowardly animals," Andromeda sighs with a nod, before giving Tibatha a tired smile. "We would appreciate that, yes, if you could?"

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

Oh, stuff it. We agreed to advise, the payment for which has not been delivered. We agreed to possibly assist in an assault on the Magcave, in exchange for weapons. The soldier behind Enshadu's got his gun trained on him now, trying to line up a shot on one of his unarmored parts. We at no point agreed to give a cloning machine and make no mistake, we will not be doing so at any point in the future. Now, you can put a hold on your idiocy and listen to what we have to say, you can give us the weapons and let us take care of Magtok, or you can continue to threaten and lose the one alliance, however tenous, you have any hope of securing. Please do feel free to take the last option. I for one would be more than happy not to do business with you.

Enshadu obviously seems to be losing his patience. He growls and clacks his clawed metal fingers. All of Enshadu is metal, the only parts of him not metal happen to be his upper chest and his head, his upper chest shielded by layers of surgically implanted plates of elementium. His head, covered by the mask/respirator system. I will give you the weapons, but, I want to assist in the siege. I want to kill Magtok just as much as you do! I give you the weapons, we attack Magtok. Deal?

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

Argon's patience is already lost, so I suppose it's only fair he returns some of that annoyance upon Enshadu. Good. When can you deliver the weapons?

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]


"I love hats!" Comes the reply followed by a pause. "I'd let you in, but I'm a bit all over the place right now, can you wait some minutes? You could tell me how much you love hats in the meantime, I love meeting like-minded people."

Sure. I can wait. she pauses, thinking about how much she loves hats. How does one explain? I love how they keep my hair dry when it's raining. The way certain hats accent perfectly with the outfit I'm wearing. And all the varieties. There are berets, fedoras, western, bucket hats, trilbies. Oh, I love trilbies. The right girl in a trilby, just melts me. She's running out of things to say. Uh, how about you?

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

Argon's patience is already lost, so I suppose it's only fair he returns some of that annoyance upon Enshadu. Good. When can you deliver the weapons?

Enshadu nods slowly. In a week you will have five shipments of one hundred E14's. Delivered to wherever you wish, by me. You will use these weapons to destroy Magtok, with me. Understand?

[ThirdEmperor]

The Gutted Fish

And we will be calling the shots in this operation. Our lives on the line, our rules, understand? Argon's gets to his feet again, this time with a more final air. We'll have the battleplan ready when you deliver the weapons.

[Hattish Thing]

The Gutted Fish

And we will be calling the shots in this operation. Our lives on the line, our rules, understand? Argon's gets to his feet again, this time with a more final air. We'll have the battleplan ready when you deliver the weapons.

Enshadu nods. Fine! Deal...you have a deal...But, I am to be included in this operation. I will kill Magtok. He deserves...repayment, I want one of him. Alive. Fine, a week. Where shall I ship them to?

[Zefir]

[Eastside Disturbance]

"If it's not to much, we should look at every Room we pass."

Jeu will place the stuff back in the box as far as possible without wasting to much time.

[Shadowcaller]

[Malechenar]

"I don't know everything, but I'm stronger, faster, my senses are more keen. And I've noticed that any sort of wounds I get heal very fast, but I've never had anything worse than a small cut." He explains.

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia laughs nervously. Macario gives them both a funny look, like he can't quite figure something out. Between the pregnancy, Irena and what she's said, and Nadia's odd appearance, this is all rather puzzling.

"Right then. I suppose we'd better not keep you." He says to Irena. "Nadia will be kept safe, though you may want to consider staying here yourself. You never know if these people would try and get to Nadia through you." He recommends.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Nadia frowns a little. "I thought you'd said you were forced to stay at that mental hospital." The concern is evident in Nadia's tone when she brings that up. She knows that that wasn't a happy time in her life in the slightest.


"A dangerous route. The power hasn't been able to break your wards, yet, but that may be because it isn't fully integrated into Eadelain." the mental Astrana stands up, and looks back at the real Astrana. "Is there anything I can do to help?"


[Eastside Disturbance]

"Likely a good idea. After all, while a person is smart, people are dumb, cowardly animals," Andromeda sighs with a nod, before giving Tibatha a tired smile. "We would appreciate that, yes, if you could?"


[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

Sure. I can wait. she pauses, thinking about how much she loves hats. How does one explain? I love how they keep my hair dry when it's raining. The way certain hats accent perfectly with the outfit I'm wearing. And all the varieties. There are berets, fedoras, western, bucket hats, trilbies. Oh, I love trilbies. The right girl in a trilby, just melts me. She's running out of things to say. Uh, how about you?


[Eastside Disturbance]

"If it's not to much, we should look at every Room we pass."

Jeu will place the stuff back in the box as far as possible without wasting to much time.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Now you're worried about me too? Geez, I will be alright people." Irena insists, though she would pay to hear Nadia explain this to Macario, but here she was supposed to met these people. "Anyway, I'll be back as soon as possible, you won't have to wait long!" She says before attempting to give Nadia a quick kiss and head out the door to go to the meeting place. The kiss is partly to tease Nadia.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Uh... yeah, but aren't they sort of the same thing?" Though the more she thinks about it, maybe not. "You don't have to be concerned about it though Nadia."

((I'm going to see the Hobbit now so I'll post i all other places after that.))

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia returns the kiss, but she glances at the Enforcers out of the corner of her eye. Macario looks obviously put off, while Renato looks as impassive as he has since they got there. Even so, the lampades gives Irena's a hand a squeeze before she departs. "Come back soon."

Once Irena is gone, she leads the two Enforcers inside to discuss how this was going to work.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Nadia shakes her head at Irena's question, but she doesn't explain further right that second. "Of course I have to be concerned. Everything that causes you any kind of pain is my concern, and I'll always be here to help you in any way I can."

[ThirdEmperor]

Enshadu nods. Fine! Deal...you have a deal...But, I am to be included in this operation. I will kill Magtok. He deserves...repayment, I want one of him. Alive. Fine, a week. Where shall I ship them to?

"Hamlet. Little village about eighty miles northwest of here." Depending on the day. Distance can shift easily in the Nexus.

[Hattish Thing]

"Hamlet. Little village about eighty miles northwest of here." Depending on the day. Distance can shift easily in the Nexus.

Enshadu nods. Fine. Consdier it done, you'll have your weapons in a week. I assume you're going to leave now? Lead the way...

[Shadowcaller]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

"I like them hiiigh as a house! A true beaver made of beaver ornate with gold and the musk from a crocodile! Can you imagine such a hat? Or a trilby made of dragon skin with the soft insides of a werebear. If it hadn't been murder, I would have made such hats right now!" She explains. "Do you have any hats with you? I really like to look at them."

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena hopes the discussion is caught by the security cameras as she starts to head towards the meeting place she was directed to, keeping an eye out for mysterious strangers.

[Malechenar]

"And what caused these changes?" Harold asks.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Yeah, but it's not important Nadia. It was years ago after all. Let's concentrate on something else, like what we're going to eat tonight." Irena says with a faint smile.

[Eastside Disturbance]

"Of course." The demon replies. "This way if you please..." She will then lead them through a short corridor into a room guarded by a very thick door which appears to be newly installed. The room is perfectly white and perfectly sterile. "Here the injection chamber will be. As you see we already installed the door, but here there is going to be a seat where we inject our clienst are we sedated them, just in case. Violent transformations are very rare but for the safety of our staff and clients we prefer to keep them under check a few hours before we let them out. We also run some check ups with clients after we released them so there aren't any other problems." She explains.

Mindscape

"I know it's dangerous, but by the same logic, her unconscious will only grow more powerful and harder to reach the longer I wait until it might actually start hurting people. So far it's my best lead to figure this out."

[Lost_Deep]

Mindscape

Mind Astrana looks back down at the hole.

Hmm

"It doesn't seem to be Growing stronger." What? "Eadelain got a... look at it when you tried hypnosis. And through my lens, I can see that it's not actually growing stronger. How do I say this? It's like two or three bottles connected by airtight valves, and one is full of a high-pressure gas. You open the first valve a bit, and the gas begins to spread into the next container. The amount of gas isn't changing, but it's in a larger area, and hypothetically could have a larger effect."

Disturbingly, as Mental Astrana has this revelation, dark shadowy stuff flows up her legs and back, into her head. Mental Astrana herself looks unchanged, but appears to be unaware of this.

[ThirdEmperor]

Enshadu nods. Fine. Consdier it done, you'll have your weapons in a week. I assume you're going to leave now? Lead the way...

Argon nods curtly, then heads up the stairs with his brother following along. The two soldiers at the shopfront scan the street outside for threats, one of them poking his head out the door to look upwards, in case the gargoyles are waiting in the sky.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor => Meeting Place]

Irena has to go a ways to get tot he meeting place. Driving would have been easier, but walking is far less potentially disastrous. :smalltongue: She arrives at the address and finds that it's a small grocery store. One you'd expect to be family owned or something like that.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Alright, Irena." Nadia concedes willingly. She wasn't going to push Irena to talk about it if she didn't want to. Maybe some other time. "As for supper, maybe we should try cooking something. We did plan on doing that after all."

[Malechenar]

"I'd... rather not talk about i if that's fine with you. It's a part of my life I want to put behind me. It was another person here in the Nexus, though." Valente says.

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]


"I like them hiiigh as a house! A true beaver made of beaver ornate with gold and the musk from a crocodile! Can you imagine such a hat? Or a trilby made of dragon skin with the soft insides of a werebear. If it hadn't been murder, I would have made such hats right now!" She explains. "Do you have any hats with you? I really like to look at them."

Oh really? Those are, uh, some really fantastic sounding hats.

I do have some hats with me, never know when you may need a specific toper. though, I don't have any nearly as extravagant as the ones you just described.

[Hattish Thing]

Argon nods curtly, then heads up the stairs with his brother following along. The two soldiers at the shopfront scan the street outside for threats, one of them poking his head out the door to look upwards, in case the gargoyles are waiting in the sky.

Enshadu just walks straight forward, not afraid of anything, before disappearing.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor => Meeting Place]

Irena peers inside the store window before she cautiously enters it to see what's in there.

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

"That's fine, should I send scabbers to get them for you? I think I need a few more moments. Need to redo all my stitches." The voice replies.

[Malechenar]

"I ensure you that I don't want to invade your private life, but Rhye have ensures me that the nature of this change is very important. So without mentioning any names, do you know what cased this effect?" The vampire asks.

[Outside the tavern]

As Eshadu and the soldiers leave, the gargoyles are still out there, perched upon nearby buildings, looking down at the group without as much as moving. Still like statues they watch them slowly leave.

They are however, not alone as something underneath the ground is stirring, following the group underneath their feet.

Mindscape

Astrana shudders noticeably. She wanted to solve this, but what of the wards didn't held? She had no idea what that black stuff actually did, but it probably wasn't anything good. What if she was infected without even knowing it? The mind Astrana didn't seem to notice. "Still, it spreads and that isn't good. If your parable is correct, the darkness probably is less condense it other areas..." She wasn't sure how much more she should tell her counterpart considering the darkness might be controlling now or something.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"I want to make tacos." Irena suggests. "I bought some taco bread yesterday... that's what they call it right? Taco bread?"

[Lost_Deep]

Mindscape

"Or this might be the least dense area, or it could be one of the denser ones. It's impossible to say, especially with this mindscape. It's interesting that the natural mindscape is a riverside projection, but it also makes sense considering her amnesia."

The black has stopped flowing into her, presumably since Mind Astrana isn't thinking about the darkness anymore? This is confusing and foreboding.

[The Bushranger]

[Eastside Disturbance]

Andromeda eyes the Installation Room with a mild expression of distaste. "I suppose that's logical enough. I presume that any...violence, would subside once the transformation is complete."

[Gullara]

[Meeting Place]

Irena will first see an old man standing behind the counter near the door. His hair has long since went grey, though it must have been very light to begin with, and there are more than a few wrinkles marking his skin. He's not helping anyone at the moment, but rather arranging the candy bar display.

Standing over by the coolers is a young girl, no older than ten. She's a scrawny little thing and has a short bob of blond hair. As Irena looks at her, she hefts one of several milk jugs off the floor and puts them in the cooler.

Lastly, there is an elderly couple poking around the shelves and putting a few items into a small cart. Looks like they're picking up a few groceries.

When the man at the counter notices the witch, he adjusts his glasses and greets her with a smile. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia leads the two men inside and to the dining room. "So, can I get you anything?" She offers.

"That's fine." Macario says. "So this is all... Irena's? That was her name, right?" He gestures vaguely at the house around them.

"...Yes." Nadia answers hesitantly.

"So what are you two, some kind of item?"

Nadia purses her lips. "She's my fiancée."

Macario is obviously surprised to hear that, and even Renato looks at her suddenly, although his expression is impossible to read behind his helmet. "And the baby?"

"It's complicated, and I wouldn't want to talk to you about it anyway." Nadia curls her arms around her stomach.

"I can't say I like the idea of a child being raised in an environment like this. What kind of ideas would they get?"

Nadia winces, as if she'd been struck physically. "Who asked you anyway?"

The vampire snorts. "No one, I suppose."

"Just... just do your job." Nadia stalks out of the room before he can say another word. She leans against the wall in the next room. "Leave me alone."

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Tortillas." Nadia corrects. "And that sounds great. I think we need cheese, hamburger, tomatoes, lettuce maybe, I've only had them, like, once before. And I never made them either. They look pretty easy, though."

[Malechenar]

Valente shakes his head. "I really don't know the exact cause, just how it happened." He says.

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]


"That's fine, should I send scabbers to get them for you? I think I need a few more moments. Need to redo all my stitches." The voice replies.

Redo all your stitches? No, no. I'll just sit down here and wait, if that's okay with you. Without waiting for an answer, Bianca sits down. She reaches into a nearby shadow and, after a moment of scrounging, pulls out an old cowboy hat badly in need of repair. It's a dark red suede, with a black leather band around the crown that is partially torn off.

She then reaches into another part of the shadow, as if choosing another pocket, and after a moment pulls out a set of needles and black thread. And so she begins trying to fix her ancient, worn only once before, hat.*Stab* Ow! grumble grumble. Stupid frickin' needle. she sticks her thumb in her mouth, to soothe the fresh pin-prick.

[Shadowcaller]

[Meeting Place]

Irena strolls towards the counter, looking around the place. So this was one of those mafia restaurants huh? "Yeah..." She says while leaning conspiratorially towards the counter. "I heard you could buy certain... favors here." She basically went with all the accumulated knowledge she had of mobster movies here. You needed a lot of ellipsis if you wanted to be suggestive.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"We need hamburgers for tacos? Won't that be like eating hamburgers then?" The witch asks with a raised eyebrow. How confusing.

[Malechenar]

"Valente, what you say stay between us. I'm not interested in your past, just in this condition. The fourth tower have expressed interest in it as well so they might soon ask you the same questions. I can promise you however that the information you share will be treated very confidentially if you feel the need of privacy. Secrecy is something of a specialty of mine." Harold argues.

Mindscape

"Yes, with nothing there she projects what she see instead." Astrana agrees, suddenly realizing that this might count as talking to herself. "In any case, what would happen if you stepped inside that void? You're technically a part of her mind after all." Or was the mind-Astrana a part of her that manifested separately when she entered the mind? No, that wouldn't make much sense.

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

"Okay, just give me a few moment moments dear." The female voice replies. As Bianca is mumbling it speaks up again however. "Did you say something? I'm almost done!"

[Lost_Deep]

Mindscape

"I... true."

She seems to think for a bit. Unlike last time, there isn't an insightful revelation... or a stream of shadows.

"Presumably, I'm her subconscious projection of you, what she thinks of you, who she thinks you are. Going in there... might alter me, and from there what she thinks of you. And, of course, considering that we know that this power is connected to Eadelain's subconsciousness in some way, it might actually change you. Especially while you're connected to her mind like this. However, this might not be a risk. I don't know. Have you tried introducing anything else to the power?"

[Gullara]

[Meeting Place]

The man gives her a puzzled look. "Flavours? Flavours of what? I'm not sure I understand what you mean." So much for that working.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Not hamburgers. I mean ground beef. I think there's some kind of seasoning you get for it too." Nadia clarifies. "We can probably look it up."

[Malechenar]

Valente sighs. "Alright. It was the leader of AMEN, Ilpholin, that did it. Besides that and what I told you already, that's all I know."

[Shadowcaller]

[Meeting Place]

"No, favors... I need something done and I heard that this was the place to go to." Now she just felt clumsy.

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

"Ah, right. That makes more sense." She replies, and the scene can probably fade out now.

[Malechenar]

"So you don't know how she did it?" Harold continues to question, his tone completely neutral, not betraying any hints of how likely he might think this really is.

Mindscape

"I really wish I could, the only thing I have been able to try are books and they return to the same place where they were, but tainted with that inky substance. Theoretically I could attempts to use the mindscape's representation of Cynthia... but I couldn't do that." She says with a glance at the little demon. "The idea however is that the wards are supposed to protect me from such influence when I go there."

[Lost_Deep]

Mindscape

"It hasn't been able to break wards, yet. It has tried, though. If Eadelain wakes up too much, it may try again." She looks over her shoulder in the general direction of Eadelain's mental room. "Of course, we aren't trying to communicate with it in the material realm this time. You aren't. I'm not?"

The world may never know, Eadelain's Notion of Astrana. With luck this will be the only time such pronoun troubles are an issue.

[Zefir]

[Eastside Disturbance]

Andromeda eyes the Installation Room with a mild expression of distaste. "I suppose that's logical enough. I presume that any...violence, would subside once the transformation is complete."

[Eastside Disturbance]

"So how rare exactly are these violent transformation?"

Jeu asks as he watches the room, poking the walls.

"Did these people apear more aggressive then before?"

[Gullara]

[Meeting Place]

"Oh, I'm sorry. My hearing's going in my old age. You want my son. I think he's in the back right now." The man points to a door at the back of the store. "Go right ahead. You should be able to find him fine."

[Suncrest Manor - Some Other Time]

Nadia gets off Irena's lap and pulls her to her feet. "Let's go see what we can do." And they do indeed go to prepare tacos off screen.

[Malechenar]

"She ah... well, she bit me." Valente says awkwardly. He really wishes she never had to talk about this.

[Lex-Kat]

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]


"Okay, just give me a few more moments dear." The female voice replies. As Bianca is mumbling it speaks up again however. "Did you say something? I'm almost done!"

Bianca rolls her eyes, when the mystery lady announces it'll be "a few more moments", then gets back to her needle work. It was nothing. Just jabbed myself with a needle. Bianca answers the question.

But the whole time she's thinking nasty thoughts against the hat woman. Something along the lines of evisceration.

[Shadowcaller]

[Eastside Disturbance]

"Less then 10 % of our clients." Tibatha explains. "As for aggression, that's the reason we are trying to check up our clients mentally both before and after the process. If there are signs of aggression however, we suggest that they should revert back. They usually don't listen to our advice however, I can't recall a single case where someone have wanted to return back to the way they were actually."

[Quest to find Secret Slave Society]

As Bianca is sitting there, the door suddenly opens, revealing a woman in a gigantic purple top hat. Her skin is grey with black combed hair which hangs just past her shoulders. She looks kind of dead frankly, even if you look past the grey skin there are visible stitches across her arms which are a different color then the rest of her body.The green turtleneck she's wearing might even cover up more such stitches. "Hello! Come on in!" She exclaims with a wide smile.

[Meeting Place]

"Ah, right." The door in the back, now this was more like it. She casually walks up to it and enters as if she was working there, this was the place where they hid all the bodies she mused.

[Malechenar]

"So she injected you with something through the bite? Or was it more like a sea vampires kiss?" Harold asks.

[Gullara]

[Meeting Place]

The back room looks like a regular storage area. Piles of neatly stacked boxes are its most exciting feature. There are two other doors. One that goes outside the building and another with an unknown destination.

Also in the room is a young man. He has short blond hair, blue eyes, and is quite well dressed. He's also strikingly handsome.The man stands from his seat when he catches sight of Irena. He looks her over, starting from her feet and working his way up. "How can I help you?" He asks with a charming smile once he's reached her eyes.

[Malechenar]

"I'm not actually sure. There wasn't any way for me to tell, really." Valente says unhelpfully. "I guess she might have."

[Yet Another Instance of Suncrest Manor]

At some other night, Nadia steps into the bedroom after she knows Irena's already inside. "Hello there, beautiful." She leans against the door frame, wearing nothing more than some of her lingerie that she can still fit into properly.

[Shadowcaller]

[Meeting Place]

Yay, eye candy!

This was more like Irena had pictured it, like being in Baccano! The witch looks intrigued at the young man. "I need to hire someone that's good at taking care of business. I have two would-be assassins that I don't like to be around anymore. Do you know anyone who could take care of that problem for me?"

[Malechenar]

"Curious. Would you mind me taking a small blood sample from you? It would be for scientific purposes of course." Harold asks.

[Yet Another Instance of Suncrest Manor]

Irena is sitting in the bed eating a chunk of brie cheese with a Nintendo DS resting on her lap, sounding loudly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_H9cGdKT_Q). As Nadia enters she seem to swallow the chunk whole however, quickly putting the rest of the cheese away. The DS completely forgotten. "Oh, hello there."

((I'll post in the mindscape once I have eaten dinner, I haven't forgotten Lost!))

[Gullara]

[Meeting Place]

"Assassins, eh? Yeah, I could round up some of the boys and we'll do them up for you.We usually charge for protection, though." He smirks a little. "If you've got the dough, then we can talk."

[Malechenar]

"I guess you could." Valente replies hesitantly. It wouldn't really hurt.

[Yet Another Instance of Suncrest Manor]

Nadia giggles at her reaction and saunters over to the bed. "You like what you see?" Nadia smiles more broadly. It felt so good to see Irena react like that, no matter how bloated she felt.

[Shadowcaller]

[Meeting Place]

"I got plenty of dough, the question is how much you charge to make sure these guys don't trouble me again." Irena asks, letting him set the price.

Mindscape

"I doubt it'll listen honestly." The tiefling replies as she slowly starts to step closer to the darkness. "No, I'm going to try something else."

[Malechenar]

"Good, I like to you report to doctor Shanus as soon as possible. I'll have a guard escort you there." Harold replies with a gesture at the door.

[Yet Another Instance of Suncrest Manor]

Irena smiles, "As far I'm concerned, the pregnancy have only made you better-looking. Unless you count the belly." She gestures vaguely towards Nadia's swollen stomach. "Maybe there really is something divine about you now?" Though Nadia had always been a goddess in Irena's eyes.

[Lost_Deep]

Mindscape

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Mental Astrana asks. She wants to help the real Astrana as best as she can... it's the least she can do for the real version of herself.

[Gullara]

[Meeting Place]

"Ehhh, hard to say right now. How 'bout after we find out how much trouble it was to ice them, we'll talk price?" He says, his smile broadening.

[Malechenar]

Valente nods. "Yes sir." He stands, and if there's nothing else he'll go as instructed.

[Yet Another Instance of Suncrest Manor]

Nadia giggles and crawls into the bed next to Irena. "I'm glad you think so, because I feel huge." She jokes.

The lampades trails her fingers over the other woman's stomach and hooks her fingers around the waistband of her sweatpants. "I think I need to get you in something like this, because if you look so amazing in sweats, you'd drive me crazy in lingerie."

[Shadowcaller]

[Meeting Place]

"Sounds fair, oh and I'll pay you extra if you try to keep it quiet. I don't want my fiancee to know the exact details. Just make them disappear." She replies, trying to match his smile.

[Malechenar]

"You may leave now, it was good talking to you." Harold says with a gesture towards the door.

[Yet Another Instance of Suncrest Manor]

Irena giggles, leaning over to close the DS. "You did give me that kind of clothes, don't you remember?" She asks. "I'm just pretty bad at using them."

Mindscape

"I'm not sure what's going to happen in there, but I suppose you could try to pull me out if you tie a rope around my leg if something seem to be going wrong. But that's assuming I'm not teleported away when I enter it. Or something else completely different." Astrana replies.

[Lost_Deep]

Mindscape

"We can hope," Replies Mental Astrana as she tries to tie a rope around Astrana. Don't worry about where the rope came from. It's not important. "Give the rope pair of sharp tugs and I'll try to pull you out. Good luck."

[Gullara]

[Meeting Place]

The man looks a bit disappointed when she mentions a fiance. Ah well, just business then. "Discrete is my middle name. Don't you worry about a thing. Now, tell me more about this hit."

[Malechenar]

"Good day, sir." Valente nods and leaves without another word. He looks around for the guard that will escort him to the doctor.

[Yet Another Instance of Suncrest Manor]

"Oh, I remember. And that, my love, is a terrible lie." Nadia smirks as she leans in to give Irena a brief, tender kiss. "How about you go put some on and I'll be the judge of how good you are at using them?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Meeting Place]

"Well there is a group of people, I think there is only two, but there could be more, that is hanging out in this inn called the flying horse. They are armed and dangerous, probably have some magic too." Irena explains, also slightly disappointed. But Nadia wouldn't want any threesomes, oh well.

[Yet Another Instance of Suncrest Manor]

"Mmm... can't I just undress instead?" The witch suggests hopefully, putting on and off clothes required so much effort.

Mindscape

"Thank you, if I don't make it out of this... well I can probably adapt." Astrana replies with a smile before taking a deep breath before entering the darkness.