[Nexus] HT's plots

[Shadowcaller]

Coffin Hunting

Astrana could hear the sounds of the fighting, but is starting to get really nervous when they don't come up. She stands ready to blast any zombie-like creature walking to the stairs.

She is pretty tense though, keep looking behind her in case some monster decide to come from the open door.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

Vino and Durin barely escape the zombies, with some nasty wounds! Of course, they probably aren't too bad for the vampire. Vino is going to want to get healing on the scratches and bites, though.

Now that that's over with, they can just go up the stairs back into the main room of the mansion and get out!

Wait, is that organ music? It's... Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Oh, great.

[happyturtle]

Coffin Hunting

At the top of the steps, Vino allows Durin to catch the blood pouch.

"Durin, what does that mean?" he asks when the music starts.

While some small part of his mind makes a note that if he gets out of here alive, he really should get an organ. Using wind magic on it would be So Awesome.

[Gullara]

[Coffin Hunting]

Durin drinks the blood hungrily, making a mess of it. He takes a moment to collect himself, and is partially successful. "Nothing that I know of. Though, the organ is very popular among older vampires back home." Some things not even alternate dimensions can cause to be different.

[Shadowcaller]

[Coffin Hunting]

"Never heard it, sounds ominous though. Let's just try to get out of here." She did want to ask Durin what had happened but she felt it just wasn't the time.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

As Astrana, Durin, and Vino talk, the organ music changes to the next piece. Great Fantasia and Fugue in G minor. Lovely. Whoever's playing the organ has some talent.

If they leave the secret passage, they'll be able to see the person playing from the balcony. It appears to be a very large man wearing a simple brown robe. His back is turned to them and he has long and messy brown hair. The organ-player doesn't seem to notice them, even if they come down the stairs, being completely engrossed in his music.

[happyturtle]

Coffin Hunting

"Let's get out of here. Quietly." Vino says. Maybe he won't notice them!

He quietly leads the party out the way they came.

[Gullara]

[Coffin Hunting]

Durin nods his agreement. Sneak sneak sneak.

[Shadowcaller]

[Coffin Hunting]

Sounded like common sense to Astrana, let's just get out of here... quietly.

For a warlock she's actually rather good at sneaking and goes after the others.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

They easily sneak by the man! And to the great double doors at the entrance!

...

The doors are closed and locked. The keyhole is on the inside. They're going to have to find the key if they want to escape that way.

[happyturtle]

Coffin Hunting

Oh no! If only Vino had some sort of device for destroying wooden things!

*thwack thwack thwack* on the door.

[Gullara]

[Coffin Hunting]

Well, that's rather loud. Durin turns to face the man and wait for a reaction, sword held at the ready.

[Shadowcaller]

[Coffin Hunting]

Astrana turns the same way as Durin, ready to cast away a demonic bolt in direction of the organ playing man in case he's getting ready to attack.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

The axe hits the wooden door!

And promptly bounces off with a twang, not even denting the wood. Seems it's protected by magic.

The man playing the organ... doesn't seem to notice? How strange. He should have noticed them by now.

[happyturtle]

Coffin Hunting

Bet Rot wishes he'd used that magic on his coffin.

Vino switches over to thwacking on the wall instead.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

The axe fails to break through the stone wall as well. <.<

And the organ-playing man still doesn't turn around, even though the metal-on-rock clang was quite loud. Maybe he's deaf? Or ignoring them.

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider will lead his and Renetta's carriage for several days, stopping frequently to let the elf rest and eat. He doesn't hunt like his blood calls him to do, but instead stays by her side as much as he can.

During the night he'll build a warm fire for them to stay around, and if she wishes him to, he'll stay next to her as she sleeps. If she wakes up though, more often than not, she'll find him standing awake and sitting up a bit, watching and guarding.

On the final day before they reach her home, he stops the mule and unties it to let it eat. He's somewhat haggard from lack of sleep, but gives her a small smile. "We're almost there."

[Gullara]

[Coffin Hunting]

Well, this seems obvious. They're going to have to confront the man, aren't they? Durin takes a few steps toward him, sword ready. "We need out, and you are going to let us out." he informs the man.

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta, on the other hand, has been sleeping fairly well. There are brief bouts of nightmares, but they are mostly kept under control. It gets better every day, and she's getting much more comfortable sleeping with him.

The elf gets out of the wagon, perhaps with some assistance, smiling at him all the while. "I know. Things are actually starting to get familiar." She sounds nervous, and excited.

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider goes about the nightly routine, making the fire and fixing the blankets as the meal cooks. This time though, it's different. He seems slow, distracted, and won't seem to look at her too much while she's aware of him.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta seems to notice, it's hard not to, really. She looks a tad downcast as a result. She seats herself near the fire, looking into it silently. She'll stay like that for a while, looking thoughtful, but her brow is furrowed a bit.

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Eventually, Waterstrider sits next to Renetta, offering her a bowl of soup and a waterskin. He'll eat in silence, ears drooped at the moment. "Renetta..." He starts when he's finished eating as he looks into the fire. "Am I going to lose you here?"

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

"I don't want to lose you." She answers honestly. For a moment she stirs her soup absentmindedly, lost in thought. She wants to suggest that he stay there with her, but she knows that would be greedy. "We'll figure something out."

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider's ears fall in sadness and he pulls his knees up. "Renetta...can I hold you tonight?" Something about the way he asks will tell her that this is likely something other than just laying next to each other like they have been doing. "Just...just in case..." He starts, but is unable to finish, not wanting to speak aloud what they both fear.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

After a moment, Renetta nods. "Okay." She's not sure what to expect, but you know what? It doesn't matter. She wants to be close to him tonight as much as he wants to be near her.

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider leans over a bit to give her shoulder an affectionate nuzzle before getting the both of them more food, smiling a bit and obviously much happier. When it comes time for bed, he'll carry the elf gently into the carriage and tuck her in before crawling into the blankets, facing her. If she doesn't object to any of this, he'll stroke her cheek gently with his good paw as he looks her over, wanting to memorize every bit of her so he'll never forget.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta gazes into his eyes, a small smile on her face. She places her hand on his waist. Feeling content for the time being, she pushes away her fears and worries, if only for one night.

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

The Wolfen pulls the warm blankets over their shoulders and snuggles in closer, wrapping his arm around her gently to hold her as he leans forward to give the nape of her neck an affectionate nip. It shouldn't be painful as he's extremely careful with the amount of force used. Afterward, if she doesn't object, he tucks his head in against her chest to be able to breathe in her scent as he starts to drift off.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta wraps her arm around him tighter and closes her eyes. She's still smiling as they drift off. When she does sleep, it will be the first night in a long time that is completely undisturbed by nightmares.

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider drifts off with her, lulled to sleep by the sound of the hearts beating in her. He'll stay asleep the entire night, and its entirely possible that she wakes up before him for once.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta does indeed wake up before him. Her eyes open slowly and are greeted by the sight of the sleeping wolfen. She lies there a moment longer before deciding to wake him up. "Waterstrider. It's morning." She says into his ear and lifts her hand to stroke the back of his head.