[System]
Age: 24
Magic: Lost Magic: Energy Control Magic; Mayt can control and manipulate various types of energy. He inherited this magic from his family.

Amplify - Amplifies a specified energy, cannot amplify magic.

Reflect - Reverses an energy, such as motion, at half of what it was originally.

Shape Magic - Shapes the caster's magic 'container'
Reinforce Inanimate - Reinforces an inanimate object with the caster's magic, making it more durable and allows it to act as an alternate method of using another energy control spell.
Reinforce Body - Reinforces the caster's body, making it more durable, but can cause serious damage if the energy control spell attached to this isn't maintained properly. Considered "Forbidden", but is not a taboo.

Warp - Redirects an energy, does not need to be actively used.
Magic Level: S
History: Mayt Derren Marris grew up in a small town, its name of no importance, in the middle of virtually nowhere. In his hometown, he had grown to know almost half a dozen different parents. He was taken away from his birth parents at age 10, as they were both incapable of properly taking care of a child. His second set of parents were nice, but his distrustful tendencies, and getting new parents just before his teen years, he blocked them out. They fed him, clothed him, and took him to school, that was all that was important about them to Mayt. They weren't his birth parents, he didn't like them. They gave him to the local orphanage the first time he drew a knife on them, which he had done in an attempt to prove that, despite his somewhat meek frame, he could be a powerful fighter. He didn't have to be a bookworm. By this time he was 14

At age sixteen, Mayt was adopted by, as he likes to put it, "Parent Wannabees". His parents were sort of doing a trial-run on adopting a child so that they had some idea what to expect. They didn't expect a child distrustful of them to the point of learning how to cook and handle himself while not getting in the way. Mayt turned into a child who simply lived in the same house and breathed the same air. He had gotten a part-time job, bought his own food, did his own laundry, and cleaned his room. Despite his seemingly good-nature in doing this, he acted very sour, and often was caught by Truancy Officers, and managed to barely pass his classes. Not caring about the future, the month he was allowed to leave his parents house as a legal adult, he did, setting out into the world. He wondered at first, choosing to go town to town on foot, enjoying the walk, and eventually starting to enjoy being on the road, where he could think.

By his twenty first birthday, he had rented an apartment in a small city, and has chosen to stay there for a while. He needed money and odd-jobs while traveling wasn't cutting it. On his birthday, he received a package from his birth parents. At first Mayt was skeptical of the package. He hadn't known his parents since he was a child, yet they knew where he was setting up temporary residence? Once he had gotten over this, he opened the package to reveal something stranger still, a Katana. They not only had known where he lived, but had known he had been practicing, off and on, different sword skills. Mostly due to the fact that they interested him, and he couldn't understand how they had known. He still kept the weapon, and he started to train more with it, eventually finding somebody of teach him in a more official manner. At this point, he has some skill with the weapon, but he is far from professional.

Around twenty three, he started to realize he had magic, he just had never noticed it. He discovered this when practicing with the gift sword, and he had accidentally burnt the blade on a hot day, leaving char on it. Despite how often he tries to clean it, the blade never seems to not have that char from his first real use of magic, and ever since he's been practicing to the best of his ability. He does it best through his weapon, but he can do it when not wielding his weapon.

Personality: Loner, vocal in his opinions, and stubborn.
Team Members: None
Three Strengths:
1. Good Cook, Mayt, having lived on his own for a long time, has learned how to cook pretty well, without any reliance on magic or supernatural abilities.
2. Loyal, Mayt's trust isn't the easiest to gain, but it's not difficult either. And when his trust is gained, he is quite the loyal friend, risking bodily harm to protect those close if neccessary.
3. Swordsman, Mayt is somewhat skilled at using his Katana, and he can use his magic through it.
Three Weaknesses:
1. Loner, Mayt prefers to work on his own as he has all his life, which makes it difficult for him to work in a group and follow a plan.
2. Anarchist, Mayt often outright disobeys orders simply because they were given. He doesn't take this to an extreme, but the wrong choice at the wrong time can be devastating.
3. Lost Magic, Mayt's magic is a form of lost magic, meaning it is more powerful than most magics, but also is more dangerous for him to use.
Greatest Love: Doesn't really have one.
Motivation: To find where he belongs.
Appearance: Mayt stands at 5'11" tall, and typically wears simple clothing that's close-fitting but not very restrictive. No real protection. When he's traveling, he carries a large backpack filled with his stuff, and his Katana is kept at his side. He has light skin, and medium-dark brown hair that he keeps trimmed at a little under an inch long. His eyes are green, and he's starting to grow a little bit of a mustache. The scabbard for his sword is simple leather, unadorned, but slightly charred as well.
Additional Details: Mother now lives in Magnolia Town. Maximum potential unknown, and it was recently discovered he has a great deal of knowledge about his magic stored away in his head via archive magic.

[User]
Sasha gave Angelo a smile, knowing that he'd want help choosing a job, but she Spoke to Mayt first, "I don't think we'd be endanger, unless we stay there too long" She said, looking down to the request again. She folded it up, and put it in the satchel she wore on one shoulder, across her body, resting on the opposite hip.

"Sure, I can explain the guild to you, although I'm not sure about other guilds.But Phoenix Wing is...unique." She said, glancing to the Request Board again, thinking about what would be good for Angelo. She could always ask if he wanted to come along with them, but she had a feeling that finding the herb might not be easy, and it might not be in the open. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable, by going into a cave.

Sasha looked back to Mayt and smiled, nodding, "The guild is quite large. At the back, there's dorm rooms that you can rent, and inside here we have the common hall, there's a library too, and the kitchens, its a large place. I don't even think even the Master knows all the knocks and Crannies. Phoenix wing...its more then just a guild" She said softly, grabbing another job off the board, and handing it to Angelo, "Here, this one, Worm Hunting, might be good-especially if your crow can help you, as long as they're alive. Or the Vulcan's one might be good, but I'd be wanting someone else to help with that one too, just because there might be a lot of them, if they want them exterminated" She said, giving him a smile.

When Mayt asked if she was ready to go, she started to nod, then said, "Wait, one minute" She said, moving past and jogging to the library. Sasha loved books, despite her issues. She looked for any book that said plants, and grabbed one, before heading back out to Mayt, "I think this might help us Identify the herb, if its in here" She said, slipping the book into her satchel as well, then nodded, "Ready to go"

[Assistant] Thank you my dearest sasha!" Angelo said half hugging her to be playful with her then Angelo looked to Wes and he held up his request paper and asked "Wes would you like to join me with some vulcan hunting since the librarian is meant to be for women I could use another guy out their with me in case theirs more then I can handle." Angelo said holding out his hand for a shake to see if he wanted to join Angelo

[User]
"Good." Mayt would say, once Sasha says there shouldn't be any danger. He'd listen politely as she talks, not interrupting her. When she headed off to the library, Mayt would follow, mostly so he'd know where the library is, but he'd let her find the book unperturbed, leaning against the wall by the door. Once she reports she is ready, he nods. "Alright, off to my house then." He gives her a wry smile and starts to walk out of the Guild, looking behind to make sure she's keeping up.

The place he's staying at is only a few blocks away, and when they get there, it's nothing special. "Okay, I'll be back in ten minutes, tops." He quickly jogs in, eager to find out what this job entails. He'd be back out in just under ten minutes, Katana on his hip. He nods to her. "Alright, I've got everything I need." He smiles slightly, his left hand resting naturally on the scabbard, though it still fidgets up and down its length, adjusting and playing with loose anything. The blade is absolutely ordinary, and completely unadorned with anything beyond some simple designs. He is obviously used to it on his side, and part of the handle is actually blackened.

He also changed his shirt to something slightly heavier, and put on a jacket that she can see through the open front that has warm fur inside, but he doesn't look hot or like he minds wearing these clothes at all. He doesn't immediately offer an answer as to why he was wearing this. "None of my parents taught me any kind of geography, and I didn't exactly do well in school, so you show the way." He says this as if he had more than two, which, of course, he did.

[Assistant]
About to leave, Wes suddenly heard a voice call behind and noticed it was a guy telling him that libraries were for women. Feeling a bit offended, Wes gave a cold look at the guy. "Libraries can offer more than just want women needs. For example, magic, it used to be plentiful years before our generations, yet not much carried over during those years and magic was really prosperous back then. But if we ever need to remember what was from the past we learn from books that was either researched or written during that time. And we can't ever forget those mistakes or accomplishes made before because we can learn from such things." Wes stopped a bit wondering if Angelo was still listening.

"Anyways, I probably should come with you. Can't risk you going by yourself and getting killed without anyone knowing can we now." Wes walked back over the request board and returned the Librarian job. "By the way, how do you know my name because I don't usually stay in the guild hall too long. And since you already know my name, what's yours?" Wes asked while walking back.

[User]
Sasha laughed, and returnned the half-hug to Angelo, , smiling, then jogging to catch up with Mayt, following behind him, before catching up to walk beside him. She had to walk quickly, her short build forcing her to do so, but Sasha didn't mind. As they arrived, she stayed aside, not wanting to intrude, and it gave her time to take out a map she had drawn herself. Despite the fact that she had difficulty reading, she could read a map well, especially since she had drawn this one, and short-handed the names of towns and places to things she knew, and could read well. She mapped out a path for them to take to the city without sound as Mayt went inside his place, getting what he needed.

As she waited, she took out a ribbon from her satchel as well, returning the map into a pocket, and she tied her hair up, keeping it out of her face, not wanting to have her vision obscured. She looked up and smiled as Mayt came back out, a sword by his side, and she nodded in understanding, realising that he had been missing his blade. He seemed more comfortable with it on, and she listened as he talked, nodding.

"I have a map, and I know the way" She said, wondering what he meant by*none of y parents*, did he have more then one set? She wondered, then shook her head, deciding it didn't matter. "You should wear the sword, even in the guild hall. You seem more...comfortable and confident with it on" She slammed her mouth shut, sometimes it seemed to have a mind of its own, and spoke without her thinking about it.

She blushed, glanced away, "Um. We should start off" She said, "maybe stop and get a couple of sandwiches and such for the trip" She tried hard to get passed the awkwardness she felt, and squirmed slightly.

[Assistant] My name is Angelo, I mean no offense about the librarian thing our about books I'm just saying that they were probably looking for a woman." Angelo said smiling a little patting him on the back as an apology "by the way just cause you stay here a lot didn't mean you live here" Angelo said hinting to him how he knows as he rolled up the request sheet and he put it in his pocket leading the way back outside with to do the job wondering if he wanted to talk and know each other or to just do the job get paid and come back seeing as how they both spent plenty of time in the guild hall they should know each other by now at least that was angelo's train of thought

[User]
Mayt smiled back, definitely feeling more confident with a weapon he knew he could use. He'd blush slightly at the comment that he should always wear it, and he shrugged. "I haven't been around long, and generally everywhere else I've been people looked at me distrustfully for carrying a weapon around. But sure, I do feel better with a weapon I know will work." He says this after the sandwich comment. "And sandwiches would be great." He stretches slightly, before putting his hands back down. He fidgets slightly as he motions for her to lead the way. She did have a map after all.

When they begin to walk, he'd go in awkward silence for a few moments, before speaking quietly, hoping to start a conversation. "I actually only got the sword last year, it was a gift from my birth parents for my twenty third birthday." Despite how casually he tries to say this, there's still a hint that he's distrustful of something to do with that phrase. "It was actually practicing with it one day that I learned I had magic, though I accidentally burned the blade permanently, but I keep the edge sharp, and get it repaired when I need to." He smiles at her, and casually unsheathes the weapon so she can see the blade.

The blade has a nice gleam on it, save for the odd burn. The burn starts at where the handle turns to the blade, about in the middle of the large flat side. It curves very slightly with the blade, but not enough as it meets up with the sharp edge a little more than half the way up, and continues with it until almost the very end, where it takes a sharp curve and goes along the blunt edge to the tip. The mark looks like he's tried to polish it off many times, and there's a very slight shine to it, but it's very dull compared to the rest of the blade, which is regular, save for "Mayt Derren Marris" carved into it. The carving was obviously done by a professional, and before the burn.


[System]
Major NPC 1
LD: 3000

Gender: female

Age: 51

Hometown: Currently lives in Mauville City; previous locations unknown

Appearance: Light Asian skin color. Shoulder-length straight hair, mix of black and silvery gray. Gray-brown eyes. A little short and quite thin for her age. Maintains a very tidy appearance and usually dresses in nice, professional clothing.

Personality: Justine seems like a serious, perhaps cold woman. She doesn't talk very much. While it's difficult to move her to strong emotions, she cares deeply about her city.

Backstory: Justine is the founder and CEO of Porytech, one of the world's leading technology corporations.

Known Pokemon

Nickname: none

Species: Porygon-Z

Gender: none

Level: 45

Ability: Adaptability

Known moves: Psybeam, Signal Beam

Held item: Porytech Virtual Pokemon Speech Translator

Nickname: none

Species: Greninja

Gender: male

Level: 46

Ability: Protean

Known moves: Water Shuriken

Held item: Expert Belt

[User]
"He's not apologising."

"But he's leaving."

"But he hasn't apologised yet!"

"But he's going to leave!"

"I'm fully aware of that."

Seras quietly seethed for a moment, squeezing Charity's arm forcefully while her frustration and reason reached an amicable agreement. She could excuse a simple misunderstanding over his behaviour, or even simple ignorance on Wells' behalf, but she'd watched gears turning behind his eyes while she spoke. He'd stubbornly refused to apologise for provoking the two most volatile individuals he could lay his hands on - even without the willful crassness behind his words, the sheer disregard he displayed for the people around him was inexcusable. Nobody else has been interested in fighting, so why compromise everyone else's life for your own amusement? The fact that she'd had to threaten him before he'd finally conceded only made things worse, after being denied a peaceful introduction to her fellow avatars when registering and once again tonight. She didn't want to be dragged into conflict, much less be pushed into a combat-ready frame of mind

At the same time, he'd eventually backed down. Everyone else had reached an entirely peaceful arrangement with each other - she'd have to thank Vuduin and Kaze later, when the opportunity arose - and their hosts would ensure that he conducted himself properly from hereon out. Whether he chose to leave or stay, Wells was no longer her problem. She could relax for the rest of the evening, cast Wells from her mind and trust that Theobald and Justine would clean up any mess that he made. She didn't have to spend her peaceful meal on high-alert.

With a combination of relief and reluctance, Seras allowed her frustration to fade. We will settle this later, Wells. But tonight is more important than you are.

As she released the pressure on Charity's arm, she heard Charity mentally grumbling under her breath. "I assume that you're feeling better now?"

"A little bit," she admitted. "If I enjoyed dealing with arguments like these, I wouldn't have left home."

Charity offered a reassuring squeeze in return.

Feeling far more composed, Seras turned towards their hosts. "Thank you for stepping in, mayor," she apologised. "Please forgive my hostility; Wells has endangered the public earlier through similar recklessness and I'm afraid that I responded disproportionately due to those events." Although her choice of words was more diplomatic than she'd prefer, she sincerely regretted the fact that arguments had occurred in the first place - that was a strong enough reason to apologise. None of their hosts had wanted to be involved in an argument either.

Without glancing back at Wells, Seras offered a grateful smile towards Germaine. At least one of us remained composed. "I agree entirely - we missed the opportunity to really talk earlier, and I'd love to learn more about the other avatars over dinner as well."

As they walked through the restaurant doors, Charity's voice whispered inside her head.

"I'd still be careful around Germaine, you realise."

"You're being far too paranoid - he handled the situation better than I did."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Charity cautioned. "You wanted Wells to back down. You might have overstepped by making a threat, but you wanted things to end peacefully rather than end in a fight. I can't even tell what Germaine wanted, and I'm not entirely certain whether he can either."

With that sobering thought in the back of her mind, she glanced around the inside of the restaurant. The room was large and impressive, decorated with all of the trappings of an upper-class establishment. They really spared no expenses, didn't they? As Germaine settled next to Vuduin and Seras and Charity pulled up adjacent seats besides Germaine, they were shortly joined by another figure - the haughty avatar of Xerneas from before. Although his demeanor was somewhat too superior for her liking, Tantalus had introduced himself politely and peacefully - she could respect someone who was courteous.

Reaching across the mostly-empty table, Seras offered her hand to accept the shake that Tantalus had previously offered. "Seras Bancroft, travelling artisan and avatar of Diancie. I've heard mention of an avatar from Sinnoh with healing powers - it's a pleasure to see that you made the journey."

[Assistant]
Tantalus stood, stunned, as the little Porygon-Z rapidly shook his hand. To say this was a surprise would be an understatement. He found himself fading from the haze when his arm began to develop an ache.

"Your enthusiasm is astounding, although I'd appreciate if you could tone it down slightly." A small smile crept across his lips, as he spoke, and he patted the Porygon on the head, avoiding the spike. "It is, however, nice to meet you too. You have better manners than some Avatars, here." As he finished his sentence, the Porygon released him, much to Tantalus's relief.

What a friendly little thing. Apate's voice commented, floating around in his head. Tantalus replied with a scoff.

The tension in the air had subsided, if only slightly, due to the valourous attempts of what he could only assume was the Mayor, the woman who was with him, and a child with an extreme fondness for bells. That  was the Avatar of Suicune? Interesting…

As the last of the fire within the girl was extinguished, she knelt down to comfort her small pokemon, and introduced herself. "Rebeca. Just Rebeca. You mentioned something about dinner? Been a while since I ate, s'long as these two can come with."

Another voice drifted up from the crowd. "Yes dinner is being provided for us courtesy of the mayor and Justine. Well I at least am getting rather hungry thinking about our dinner so I'm going to go inside." It's origin was a man dressed in rustic looking black outfit, ragged at the edges. It gave him an uneasy feeling, stirring memories he'd rather forget.

Wait, dinner? Looking up at the fancy establishment before him, Tantalus considered the thought. Not needing to eat often was a real benefit, however food in this region was proving to be utterly delicious, and he was getting hungry from walking through the city.The street food vendors dotted around the city had resulted in a pleasant smell spreading over several areas he had passed through today.

He turned his head towards his Mawile, a token gesture, given their ability to communicate telepathically. Apate. What do you say about joining these Avatars for a meal? A few have piqued my intrigue, and I'd like to gather some more information. A proposition that was not entirely untrue, if marred by an underlying need to sate his appetite for more than conversation.

You are hungry aren't you? A note of sarcastic humour creeping into her voice, even telepathically, which always annoyed him. I thought you wanted to stir up trouble, when we arrived.

I still do, but that can wait. Everyone is going to be here for a while yet. Besides, you did win the coin toss. Smirking to himself, Tantalus began to walk towards the Ritzy Raichu, with Apate in tow.

The place was impressively large, and decorated with ornamental features ranging from eye-catching to tacky, but with any luck the food and company would make up for the shortfalls present. Looking around, it became clear which table the Avatars were gathering around. The man from before was already present, along with another sporting a suit and white hair. Next to him was a the girl that Tantalus had seen speaking, rather forcefully at that, to one of the other Avatars earlier. It was an impressive tirade she had conducted, winning the dominance battle between the two. That said, she was doing it to protect the people nearby, and if the man truly had kicked off, Tantalus could have used it to his advantage. Nevertheless, sitting nearby might prove interesting enough. Beside her sat a Gardevoir, presumably hers, so Tantalus took the chair beside the Pokemon. As he sat down, Apate jumped onto his lap, and draped her jaws over to the left, away from the Gardevoir sitting beside him.

As he got comfortable, the girl reached an outstretched hand over in his direction. "Seras Bancroft, travelling artisan and avatar of Diancie. I've heard mention of an avatar from Sinnoh with healing powers - it's a pleasure to see that you made the journey." Tantalus blinked. She'd heard of him. Ego overflowing, he swallowed a laugh, instead opting for a sincere smile as he shook her hand.

"Ahh, the Avatar of the Crown Jewel of Kalos, it is a honour to meet you. Coming here wasn't actually my idea, this little one dragged me here by force." As he finished, he inclined his head forward to Apate, who was still sitting calmly. "Now that I am here, however, I think i'll stick around for the time being. The entertainment is delightful." With that, Tantalus relaxed, waiting to see who would arrive next.

[User] It didn't take long before Wells reached Ali Baba's Genuine Italian Pizza. It was the place he first visited in his apprenticeship. And it was also where he met Helioptile. He managed to apprentice for a very old master electrician, who was retiring due to health problems. Wells would take over his business, together with the Helioptile who was his partner for most of his life. It was a place with memories that made good food taste even better. So he really didn't mind eating there, especially after beeing greeted by the restaurant's owner. The moment he walked in, he could see the people behind the counter walk into the kitchen, presumably starting to work on the regular order. He sat down in a couch by a corner, smiling as the memories flooded back and the smell of many pizzas being made filled his nostrils. He also smiled, as he enjoyed thinking about how Velas reacted to his next unorthodox action. He never expected people to be so easily provoked, but the way they seemed to suddenly care about him was immensely satisfying. Wells often felt pathetic, but he never stopped being amused by simply getting the attention of others, whether it was good or bad. As he asked what the future would bring, his order arrived on the table. As he bit into the first slice, his smile widened. He relished the thought of eating alone. And he enjoyed the nostalgia brought by someplace familiar. For a moment, he was saddened by the thought of being an avatar... but he realized where it could take him if he grabbed the chance, and smiled again.

[Assistant]
Rebeca swallowed hard as she followed the others into the restaurant. The surroundings were far more elaborate than anything she was used to. Normally she found herself camped out in the open air, here everything was dolled up, dressed up and neatly put into place. Even amongst the other people she felt out of place. Where they were dressed to the nines in fancy looking suits and dresses (though Kaze did look rather funny in a suit that was clearly too small for him), all she had on was an old grey t-shirt, pair of shorts and hiking boots that were practically falling apart.

Out of everyone there, the pink girl stood out and apart from them. Seras, she said her name was. It was obvious that she had put a great deal of time into her appearance for the night, which might have explained her short patience with the Wells guy. The elaborate braid hanging down her back probably would have taken hours to make, given its length.

Awkwardly tucking her own hair behind her ears, Rebeca tried to remember the last time she had actually washed it, not just dunked in a river or stepped under a waterfall. Probably too long ago, she decided as she sat down across from Seras.

Mihkail hunkered down behind her chair, closing his eyes again. If it's any consolation, you don't smell too bad.

Thank you, I feel so much more comfortable now, was the dry response. She just hoped they didn't mind her looking like she had just crawled out of a dumpster.

[User]
The mayor and Justine followed their guests inside the restaurant. Mayor Mayer plopped into the seat next to Rebeca and across from Germaine, smiling broadly at both. He seemed particularly happy to be seated next to Groudon, a local favorite. Justine took a seat at the end, an empty seat to her left and Tantalus across. She sat up straight and silently observed the others at the table. No Porygon-Z. Justine had sentenced it to spending dinner in its pokeball for its antics with the fire extinguisher, with a chance of parole for good behavior.

Moments later, a young woman in a pristine white shirt and black skirt arrived at the table and passed out some menus. The menus featured golden lace-like patterns along the edges, and about one-third of the items on it were virtually unpronounceable to those not accustomed to a life of luxury.

"Good evening," the server began. "My name is Yolanda, and I'll be honored to serve you at the Ritzy Raichu tonight. Can I start you off with something to drink?"

Mayor Mayer requested a glass of cabernet sauvignon... to start. Justine was content with a glass of water.


[System]
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Species: Human

Appearance: Allysse has long, waist-length, dark brown hair, large dark brown eyes, and olive skin. She has freckles, thick, dark eyebrows, and peachy pink lips. She is 5'3" and has a petite, small, skinny frame. She has a soft, kind vibe or demeanor emanating from her. She looks like this image (but doesn't wear glasses and has more tan skin):

Allysse wears the outfit of the girl in the picture above, along with a necklace with a quartz crystal on it.

Abilities: She has photographic memory and medical knowledge (she is a doctor).

Special Weaknesses: Allysse is allergic to gluten (she has Celiac disease).

Weapons: She carries an extendable baton.

Items: A brown bag which contains a photograph of herself, her parents, and her dog; a small amethyst rock; and her baton. She also carries bandages and a small bottle of alcohol for cleaning wounds.

Backstory: Allysse was born to a loving family as an only child. Her father was a physics professor and her mother was a doctor, so she felt the pressure to pursue an academic career even though her parents did not force this upon her. She decided to study medicine like her mother, and completed her studies and obtained an M.D. Soon after she got her degree, her father passed away from illness, and the death of her mother followed a year after. She felt lost because she had no job, responsibilities, or loved ones around her. So, when she heard of Trios, she thought it could use her medical knowledge for its ever-growing population. Coming to Trios was also a way for her to try to find her life's purpose, and finally give back to a community.

[User]
Boris

 Boris was about to thank the tin man who hadn't provided a name, but he quickly turned his back on Boris and ushered the two girls away. Boris didn't mind at all, in fact he thought very little of it. Instead, he was busy repeating the words that the tin man told him, making sure he wouldn't forget what the messages said. He had pretty much memorized the words pretty well when one of the girls with the tin man broke away and started a dash up the street toward a store named:

Delicious Delights

Of course, Boris couldn't read but, judging by the nice tasty colors of the sign over the door, he figured it must have been a candy store, and the display of actual candy in the shopfront windows was a dead giveaway.

Boris sure did like candy, a lot, and his own tin of hard candy was running low. Refilling his candy supply was an obvious priority before continuing on his job to find the people who hurt the invisible girl, so he too started his way towards the candy store with a happy spring in his step.

When he entered the store, the shop attendant gave Boris a strange look. A man like him probably wasn't expected to be seen in a place like that. Again, Boris didn't pay the look of the attendant too much mind, he was already too busy looking over the jars of candy lined up along the shop counter. His mouth was watering a lot, and making a decision of which candy to buy was very, very difficult.

---

Madison

 Madison didn't bother turning her attention back to the woman who had been staring at her, and she soon grew tired of the blood display on the church tower. She knew all there was to know about that. Taking up the pastry from the counter, she shoved the whole damn thing in her mouth without thanking the stallholder and started walking towards the nearest inn she could see. Probably best to secure a room so she didn't have to do so later.

Like most people, the receptionist at the desk couldn't wait for Madison to get the hell away from him. He took her money, gagged on her stench a few times, and practically threw the key across the counter at her.

Up in her room, she took a small look over the town from her window, but didn't stay long. Locking her room behind her, she headed down the stairs and back out on the street. Her next order of business was clear: A hardy breakfast. One pastry was hardly even an appetizer. She had seen just the place to go from the window in her room, some Diner called:

Big Alf's BLD
(Big Alf's Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

It was located just north of the bazaar, and that's exactly where Madison was headed.

[Assistant]
Due to the commotion and panic in the Bazaar, nobody seems to bother to want to answer Karter's questions, they're all far too busy being panicked.

After a while though, a man finally responds to Karter's questions. "Yes. Someone hung a corpse from the tower and caused the Bell to spew blood. You'd best stay away from there." They say, before vanishing back into the crowd, too fast for Karter to do anything but catch a glimpse of the black suit the man was wearing.

Up in the distance, through the crowd, Karter can briefly catch a glimpse of what appears to be a person gesturing for him to come over.

---

& @Hokum

"H-hey! Don't go running off alone!" The girl says as Kura dashes off towards the candy store. Sighing, she quickly follows her

As Boris and Kura approach the candy store, their attention is briefly drawn to their right as they both notice someone sitting on a low wall across from the candy store.

Sitting on the wall is a young girl in a white dress and a tattered white cloak eating from a large bag of cookies sitting next to them on the wall, she looks at both Kura and Boris for a moment, before smiling.

As the rain begins to set in, the girl reaches out to grab something behind the wall she's sitting on, and pulls out a black umbrella, holding it above her so her cookies don't get wet while she continues eating. The umbrella itself seems to be a reasonably expensive one, but it doesn't appear to be close-able, instead it appears to be a covering that can be detached from the handle it's on in it's entirety.

---

Vesania nods as Allysse begins running, and follows after her as it starts raining. The worst part of the storm is yet to come, but all around people are already putting on cloaks or heading indoors.

Once inside the inn, Vesania doesn't appear to have gotten wet from the rain, and the receptionist addresses Allysse, smiling as she gestures for her to come closer. "Good Morning Miss, it seems the weather has turned hasn't it? Would you like a room?" The Receptionist asks, completely ignoring Vesania.

---

As the storm slowly approaches the shore, the rainfall in the town intensifies. People head for shelter as the storm rolls in, and soon the streets of the town are almost abandoned as people have gone inside, leaving only the people who absolutely have to travel on the streets.

[User]
Madison

 Since Big Alf's Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner was open all hours, it had swinging saloon-style doors. Soon after the rain outside started to fall, Madison pushed through those diner doors, allowing them to slowly flap close behind her while she quickly surveyed the place. There were a good number of people already there to take part in Alf's breakfast menu, which is served till midday. Everyone in the diner stopped what they were doing to gawk at the unsightly mammoth excuse of a woman. Eyeballing them all with a sneer, she soon spotted an empty table near the center of the room and made tracks in that direction. The floorboards creaked underweight with each step she took, while customers near her path started gagging on her stench and murmuring discriminating comments under breath.

When Madison took a seat, the chair itself seemed to groan beneath the stress. Every customer for a four table radius took up their plates and scattered to other tables in an attempt to escape the smell. Some even vacated the premises as they held their noses and tried not to let the impulse to vomit get the better of them. The menu had quite a good range, though. Madison flipped through the pages, her strained breath wheezing as she perused the many options.

Eventually, and less than willingly, a young female waitress hesitantly shuffled her way to Madison's table, stopping a good two meters away to take her order. The poor girls face was already pale, eyes glazed with impurities, nostrils fibrillating and jaw trembling in her attempt to bear the eye-watering offense.

"May I.. M-m-m… may I take your ord –"

It was no use, the young lady was cut off by her own vomit filling her mouth. Her cheeks bulged, her lips pinched, and body took a hurling pose. Miraculously, she stopped the vomit from exiting, swallowing the vomit as a tear ran down her cheek and she straightened her posture.

Madison slammed the now closed menu down on the table in front of her, then practically snarled at the waitress while demanding her food –

"I want your Big Alf's Complete Breakfast! I want a steak with roast potatoes as well, with a full dish of mushroom sauce! Don't you hold out on me, you hear? I want a side stack of pancakes with syrup! I want this thing you bastards call a Big Alf's Beef and Bacon burger, hold the salad! – What the hell ya serving salad with shit for anyway? I also want a full rack of Pork Ribs with Plum Sauce – again, don't go easy on the sauce like a bunch of tight-ass misers! You hear me? And what is this thing you have, Fries? What are they, strips of potato or something? Huh? I'll take myself a serve of them as well! Make that two serves! Salted!" Madison paused for a second, glancing at the closed menu to recollect her options, then continued in an equally nasty tone: "I want three serves of Ice Cream and Fried Banana for dessert. Give me some fruit as well, keeps me regular, you know what I mean, you Skank? And, oh yeah, throw in a side of Lemon Pie. A slice of Apple Pie as well – and don't you dare skip on the cream! Don't forget a stack of Eggy Cinnamon Toast and two serves of Pudding!" Madison paused again to seal one nostril, shooting out a gob of snot from the other, which slapped down on the floor at the waitresses feet, and then concluded her order in a grungy tone; "A Jug of Milk and another Jug of Water! – And don't take too damn long, Skank! I haven't got all damn day, you hear me??"

At this point the waitress was visibly dizzy from trying to hold her breath as much as possible. She was rolling her head about awkwardly, body swaying, while attempting to siphon the air with thin lips to catch a clean pocket of oxygen. But she wasn't about to argue with Madison about half of her order not being part of the breakfast menu, and she didn't even question whether Madison could actually pay for all that food, some of which were the more expensive items on the menu. She just wanted to get the hell out of there as soon possible. Still, she didn't have the strength to speak another word without spilling the content of her stomach all over the floor. She simply nodded, turned, and scuttled away to the kitchen to deliver the order, as fast her legs would carry her.

Roughly thirty minutes later the delivery was made, three cooks from the kitchen, making a total of two trips each, delivered her order and made their retreat without saying a word. They didn't dare prolong the situation with unnecessary chatter.

Madison didn't thank them, of course. She quickly got absorbed in her feast with the pained eyes of everyone in the diner watching on in morbid disbelief.

[Assistant]
Kaldalis looks back at the church to see the town guards taking control of the situation, securing the area and attempting to take down the body and stop the bell. He looks back to see Kura and the girl running towards a store. He decides to leave Kura with the girl's care, she seemed old enough and she did know Kura even though Kura didn't recognize her, but he wasn't surprised that she didn't anyway. He returns Kuy'val dar back to its sheath as he turns his sights to a nearby inn.

He walks through the crowd, most of them moving aside to let him through as a large figure with a sword encased in full steel armor would send a message to people. He makes his way to the innkeeper, where he takes a few golden coins out of his satchel and places them on a counter, asking him for a room. The innkeeper obliges, handing over a key to Kaldalis while motioning to the stairs behind him. He gives a small bow to the messy-looking man before making his way up the stairs. He soon found his room, pushing open the wooden door and grabbing his luggage from inside his cloak before setting it down on the floor. Kaldalis would then lock the door behind him before slumping down on a nearby chair, taking off his helmet and taking out his journal. He begins thinking about the scene at the church and begins jotting down notes on his journal, describing the event.

[User]
Fairy
 Karter looked around for the man that told him what was going on, so he could thank him. The Commotion made that harder that it was worth. He said "thank you?" anyway.

 Karter noticed someone trying to get his attention. No... that can't be right. Who could see me in this crowd? He decided to investigate anyway, pushing his way over in that direction as discreetly and politely as possible. He's still drowsy, so "as secretly and politely as possible" is not particularly discreet and only a bit more polite.

[Assistant]
Fairy

As the rain begins to intensify, Kura draws up her cloaks hood, thinking herself quite clever as she does so (manifets-... mafeni... which comes out as a quiet giggle), walking into the candy store, and thinking of Orange again, frowning as she didn't get a response last time. Does that make any sense? No not really. At least if you're not Kura, who finds this perfectly normal.

[User]
After entering the inn, Allysse looked behind her to see if Vesania had followed. She was surprised to see Vesania was completely dry. Allysse wasn't soaked herself, but her hair and clothes were thoroughly dampened. "Wow, you got lucky, huh? You're dry as a bone," she chuckled. Just then, a man in fancy armour walked into the inn. Even though the innkeeper had addressed her first, the man went in front of her and got a room for himself. Allysse was a bit taken aback, but waited for him to finish and then talked to the innkeeper and got a room for herself.

Wielding her room key, she turned to Vesania and said, "You should probably be heading home right? I mean, I wouldn't mind staying in your company for longer, but I figured you must have other stuff to do and I'm just sucking up your time."


[System]
Age: 211, to his best estimate
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 192 lbs
Race: Vampire
Birthplace: England, circa 1667 (Elizabethan era)
Short Bio: Born in the Elizabethan era and surviving into the Victorian, Vail has seen the rise and fall of two centuries' worth of dynasties—not just human, but supernatural as well. As a member of the Hygrace family, he was raised in the wealth and prestige of the most powerful vampire clan in London. His uncle, Lord Reginald Hygrace, was a respected leader, known across the nation for offering protection to any vampires who needed sanctuary from The Order of the Saints: an influential group of men and women who tracked down and killed the "demons" for a living.

For nearly a century, Reginald's efforts kept both his family and the rest of the vampires safe. However, around the year 1750, he made the mistake of taking in a man named Lord Elias Wynter. At a glance, Elias seemed like just another refugee seeking sanctuary with the Hygrace family, but in truth, he sought to overthrow the ruling dynasty completely.

Unbeknownst to the Hygraces, the Wynters had been plotting for quite a while to take over and change the way that vampires lived in England altogether. They believed that as "superior beings," they should fight back against humans instead of hiding from them in fear. They saw the Hygraces were weak and cowardly, unfit to lead their kind, and so started a rebellion.

When he commenced his attack, Elias managed to kill Reginald, but his attempt to finish off the rest of the oldest generation was cut short by his victim's younger brother—Vail's father—Peter, who went on to take over as the leader of the Hygrace clan in his sibling's stead. Unfortunately, the Wynter family refused to give up after just one defeat and has continued to fight for power against the ruling dynasty ever since.

For Vail, the following century of his life was spent predominantly in hiding. As the son of the most powerful vampire in England, he had to look out not only for members of the Saints but the Wynters as well. With such a large target on his back, he learned how to fight and wield a gun in order to protect himself. Both skills have saved his life since.

Of course, he can't spend all his time in seclusion without going stir crazy, so he finds time to attend parties and other large gatherings put on by other aristocrats in London to get out of the Hygrace manor on occasion.

[User]
"I have in the past, but it's been a while since the last time I've touched a board," Vail replied when Victoria asked if he had played chess before. "I can't say I've kept in practice lately." It was the way most of his hobbies went. He often spent a few years at a time mastering this or that, only to move on to something else when his interest eventually faded. The only habits he had kept up with over most of his life were reading, since authors were always coming up with new and interesting books, and dancing, which also adapted with the times. It was difficult to get bored of either when he always seemed to learn something new whenever he practiced. He enjoyed the challenge and mental stimulation of being surprised.

"I see," he looked her over again when she spoke of the tea. "Then I'm grateful… Although I don't believe your blood needs much enhancement." He hadn't had any trouble drawing up a steady flow when he bit her the last two times, and there had been nothing wrong with the taste either. Still, part of him was curious to find out if her persistence in staying hydrated would affect her blood at all. If it did, he might enjoy feeding on it even more than he already did, though it was hard for him to imagine liking it even more. If there was ever a chance for him to avoid getting addicted to the drug in her veins, it had long since passed.

As Victoria said she was accommodating, Vail had to agree. He didn't bother to hide his staring this time as she leaned forward, exposing the skin of her smooth shoulders to him. The scent of her blood still lingered faintly from the last time he had bitten her, mingling pleasantly with her perfume and tempting him with its sweetness. Combined with the bare flesh he could see, practically snowy in its fairness, he couldn't wait any longer. He'd done his part by chatting with her. Now, he wanted to take what he'd come for.

At her mention that she could wear even less if he preferred it, he looked up again to meet her gaze, slightly surprised by the flippant way by which she suggested it. In the world they lived in, they were already crossing lines that most women wouldn't dare to touch. He wondered again if she was challenging him. Even when she had asked him to hide the wounds he inflicted, he had been courteous enough to only lift her shirt where he wanted to bite her. It sounded like she didn't much care for respect though. He studied her with intrigue. If she was willing to open that door, then he would gladly step through it.

"I just might," he whispered to her, a feral grin crossing his features just before he rose from the lounge.

Stepping over to the table, he put out the lantern that had been glowing and silently circled back to where Victoria was seated. Though the gesture was partly for her sake—he doubted she would enjoy watching him pierce and bleed her delicate body—he honestly enjoyed the power that came with the darkness. Her human eyes couldn't make out what he was doing until they adjusted, giving him a few minutes to have complete control over the encounter. It was an exciting sensation.

Kneeling on the edge of the chaise lounge, Vail rested his hands on the Lady's shoulders and pushed her down onto her back so that he was hovering over her like he had the last time. Now that she had essentially given him a pass to prey on her in whichever way he pleased, he intended to have a little fun with it. She was a beautiful woman, after all. No sense in pretending like he wasn't seduced by her physical charms.

He leaned down so his face was close to her neck, breathing in her stimulating pheromones as he trailed his fingers over her curvaceous figure. After a minute, he located the slit on the front of her dress, hidden within the fabric frills. It was easy enough to loosen, and he pulled it open to expose her soft flesh underneath, which he continued to explore as he searched for a tender spot to bite.

Though he was the predator and she was his prey, he found the heat of the moment exhilarating. He hadn't been so close to a Lady in a long time. The feel of her skin and the aroma of her essence intoxicated him. He even felt slightly lightheaded, his heart was racing so quickly in his chest.

The prelude was exciting, but the prospect of tasting her blood was even more so. Shifting lower against her, Vail traced his tongue over the right side of her bare midriff, where he had decided he would feed from her this time. The left side had been a decent enough place to draw up a flow before, so he saw no reason to change it just yet. He took her by the wrists as he sank his fangs into her tender flesh, losing himself in the rich flavor of the blood that pooled against his teeth.

[Assistant]
Lady Victoria smiled in Vail's appreciation to the lengths she had gone to accommodate his needs. But she wanted to try and accommodate his other desires, he may be vampire, but he was still a red blood male. There was no denying that Victoria had begun to inadvertently flirt with the vampire. Whether she knew it herself or not remained to be seen. She was wary his eyes kept drifting over her. It was almost as if he were undressing her with his eyes already. His whispered hush tone to maybe take up her offer of wearing even less was welcomed. She couldn't say she was at all surprised by this. He was a vampire and he would be able to get easier access to her flesh, without the foreplay. Unless he preferred to unwrap his present slowly rather than being handed to him on a plate.

His feral grin caused her heart to skip a beat as he stood up. She anticipated his next move, which was to turn the lantern off. She was already breathing faster as soon as the room went dark. All she could hear was his movements, his footsteps on the floorboards edging closer. She could smell his cologne get stronger as he kneeled by the chaise lounge. Not knowing exactly where he was or what he was doing, excited the woman as she wondered what she was going to feel next and where. Suddenly she felt his hands on her shoulders as they pushed her back. She laid back, exhaling heavily. His fingers on her bare shoulders, they felt so tender, so gentle. She could feel his hot breath on her neck. Why start there when he knew he couldn't bite where it could be seen? Was he…having his fun with her? It made her close her eyes and draw in what body heat he had.

His fingers trailing down her curves, made her tingle but the moment he located her skirt slit and pulled it open, a small whimper escaped her lips. She tried her best to keep quiet but couldn't stop the nervous giggle. She liked the idea of him removing her clothes inch by inch. She really enjoyed the prelude to his bites. Feeling the sound of his own breaths taking in her scent, her form, her blood when he drank it. He was enjoying it as much as she was, not just the blood drinking part of the hunt either, she could tell he wasn't so eager to just bite and run, he savoured this moment.

Those fangs sinking into her waist wasn't as painful as she'd expected as his saliva had numbed and primed the area. She wasn't as frozen as before, she wanted to reach up and grip onto his shoulder. Those strong broad shoulders, that held such powerful arms and chest that defended her from another vampire. Alas, he had her wrists pinned, so her leg shifted upward and brushed against his side. She couldn't help her rising hormones and attraction to this man. And she knew it was wrong…sinful to even lust for a vampire or any man she wasn't betrothed to for that matter, she couldn't control her desire. His intoxicating presence. Her lips quivered as she tried to keep as still as she could for his feed to be clean and swift.

[User]
Everything about the moment was like a drug to Vail. His senses were overwhelmed by Lady Victoria—the taste of her rich blood, the smell of her pheromones, the sound of her breathy voice, the touch of her soft skin, even the sight of her bare flesh. No matter which perception he relied on, he enjoyed the sensations that came with it, and he sank into all of it like a shot of cocaine. He could tell she was enjoying herself too, perhaps just as much as he was, judging by the rapid pounding of her heart that he could hear inside her supple chest. Somehow, knowing that pleased him. He liked being able to draw these strong reactions out of such a beautiful woman with just a stroke of his fingers, and he relished the control he had over how the encounter was to go at all.

As Victoria brushed her leg against his side, Vail shuddered excitedly. He wasn't sure if she was toying with him or if the motion had been involuntary, but it was enough to get his own heartrate up. He let his hands fall away from her wrists—she seemed calm enough that he didn't have to worry about any sudden outbursts—to instead grip her round hips as he drank the blood that seeped from her waist. Though he had made the deal with her to feed on her essence, he couldn't help that he liked the other perks that came with it. Having such an attractive Lady at his mercy appealed to his primal side in a way that mere hunting couldn't by itself.

If he was honest, he wanted even more of her, but he restrained himself from pushing. She had agreed to give him her blood, nothing more. Besides that, there was a part of him that was leery of getting attached to her beyond his draw to the drug in her veins. If he let her get closer to him outside of their predator-prey relationship, everything would just be unnecessarily complicated. She was a human, a mortal whom was destined to die when her brief life faded. He didn't want to risk growing intimate with her and opening the door to any complex emotions that would make him more connected to her than he already was. It was better if he let his addiction to her remain solely with her blood, so their inevitable part would be easier to bear.

When the flow of her wound finally tapered off, Vail lifted his head, tracing his lips with his tongue to collect some of what hadn't reached his mouth. Even though he had just fed on her three nights ago, her essence was just as satisfying to him as it had been the last time. He shifted on the lounge to sit upright, letting her slender legs rest across his lap. His gaze swept over her again as he followed the curves of her body, and he rested his hand on her midriff to help her slow the blood that still trickled from the puncture wounds he'd inflicted.

Despite his hesitation to get close to Victoria, he was letting her in more than he realized. The more time they spent together, the more comfortable he felt around her. There was even a bit of protectiveness that had begun to build up inside of him. As selfish as it was, he wanted her all to himself, both to feed on and talk to as he pleased. He didn't yet realize the depth of his attachment to her though.


[System]
Age: 24
Height: 6'-0"
Weight: 170lbs
Allegiance: Aspirian Royalty
Distinguishing Traits: Wherever the party is, Cas is bound to be there also. He's a free spirit with a tendency to act without thinking through the consequences, although due to his cushioned upbringing and high status, he rarely has to face them. Despite his wild lifestyle, however, he has a soft side and has been known for taking in stray and injured animals he finds in the streets of the capital city.

Short Bio: As the son of the reigning king, Atlas Maydestone, Caspian has lived the entirety of his life in the capital of Aspiria. He was born with a silver spoon in hand, enjoying the finest luxuries the country had to offer even when he was as young as five years old. This experience shaped him as a person. He grew up seeing the glass half-full and believing Aspiria was every bit as perfect and amazing as his father wanted him to think it was.

As a child, he spent most of his education being groomed to take over as the next king but never really took his future duties seriously. In his mind, it was so far off, there was no reason to worry about it. That is, until his father's health took a sudden decline when he turned eighteen. Suddenly slapped in the face by the reality that he was actually going to be the next leader of an entire country, he began to pay more attention to his teachers and did his best to understand all the different jobs he would have when his father died. However, the more he studied, the more he realized how unqualified he was for such an important role.

To deal with his rising sense of insecurity, Cas delved back into any and every social event he could find around the capital city. Partying and drinking with friends took the edge off his fears and helped him to forget about the impending future of his kingship. Deep down, he knew his coping strategy wouldn't change anything, but for now, it was good enough to keep him from getting absorbed in the weight of it all. He would just continue to put it off until he had to face it, the same way he handled the Scourge.

The rebellion (better known as the Scourge by everyone who lived in the capital) was the other big, glaring problem he tried not to think about. To make the enemies seem less imposing, he and his friends would make crude jokes about them and discuss all the creative ways the king could punish them for treason when they were eventually defeated by the state, but secretly, he was always on the lookout for anyone who seemed suspicious. As the crown prince of Aspiria, he'd heard the threats the rebels spat about himself and his family, and he was concerned about what could happen if they ever managed to get inside the stronghold walls.

He just hoped the military was strong enough that he would never have to find out.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

[User]
"I hope not too," Cas agreed with a tired smile when Maisie said she hoped he wouldn't stay for a month. "You're nice company and all, but I want to get home as soon as possible… Wouldn't want to intrude on your 'guy free zone' any longer than I have to." He winked at her jokingly as he added on the last bit. In all seriousness, Iris's friend was more pleasant to be around than he'd expected. He had nothing against the amnesiac, but given her track record with Ethan, Regis, and whoever else she knew that was part of the rebellion, he hadn't had the highest hopes that he would get along with anyone else she knew. Their hostess was turning out to be someone he could have seen himself becoming friends with if the circumstances were different.

When she brought over his tea, he laughed along with her. "Today's been hectic though," he shrugged one shoulder. "To be honest, I'm pretty sure I forgot cellphones existed for about twenty-four hours." Going a few days without access to one had definitely shifted his priorities. He'd gotten so used to relying on things he could see in front of his face that the thought of finding more tools like electronics hadn't really crossed his mind. He was just glad he'd thought of calling his father before he and Iris left her friend's place tomorrow.

"I'll just give them a meeting location to pick me up somewhere outside," he assured Maisie as he took the phone from her hand. He didn't really understand why she was so concerned about the soldiers when he'd already told her that they would listen to him, but he was too exhausted to waste time arguing about it. Instead, he dialed the number he knew by heart to reach the royal family's residence and lifted the brick-like phone to his ear while he waited for his tea to cool.

It wasn't his father or a servant who answered the phone though.

Who is this? An unfamiliar voice demanded through the speaker, masculine and hostile in its tone.

Cas blinked, thrown off until he realized that his call must have been intercepted by capital security, since it was coming from an unknown number in the twelfth district. His initial surprise was replaced with a wave of relief. He'd needed to get in contact with the military anyway, so this was much faster than speaking to the king first. "Oh, thank god," he sighed. "This is Caspian. I'm stuck in Tongsen, and I need—"

Alright, I'm going to stop you right there, the soldier interrupted in a growl. I don't have time for this nonsense right now. Do yourself a favor and don't call this number again. The warning was punctuated with a dial tone as the other man hung up.

"Um, what the hell?" Cas stared at the phone incredulously. He hadn't known what he was expecting when he'd tried to call home, but this grumpy guard definitely wasn't helping. With a twinge of annoyance, he punched in the number again and lifted the device to his ear.

The same soldier answered: Listen, kid, if I have to tell you one more time—

"No, you listen to me," Cas snapped. Under normal circumstances, he would never have lost his temper with a disrespectful soldier this quickly. However, right now, he was tired, achy, and didn't have the patience to put up with anyone else who would delay him from getting back to the mansion. "You're going to send an escort team to the gate between Tongsen and Bel Bicis to pick me up tomorrow morning. I expect them to be there no later than eleven. That should give you plenty of time to organize whoever and whatever you need to carry out your orders. Are we clear?"

To his bewilderment, the soldier just laughed. You've got balls to try telling me what to do, kid. I know you're not really Prince Caspian. In fact, I've traced the signal of this call to your exact location, and if you call this number again, I'll send a drone in to blow you to pieces. Just try me if you don't believe it. I'll enjoy proving you wrong. He hung up the phone again.

Cas gawped at the device in his hand, in disbelief about how certain the solder had been that he wasn't who he claimed to be. "What the fuck!?" he squawked. "He thought I was a prank caller? When I've been missing for five days? How stupid can he be?" He moved to dial the number again and then froze with his thumb still hovering over the keypad. Knowing that the military actually had the capability to trace calls and send drones to strike enemies remotely, he couldn't risk trying again and getting them all killed.

With a frustrated scoff, he set Maisie's phone down on the table and picked up his drink. "Well, that was a waste of time," he muttered, slouching down on the sofa and taking a sip of the warm tea. "Looks like we'll have to go with your idea after all, because my own guards can't recognize my damn voice."

[Assistant]
Maisie took her time enjoying her cup of tea, watching as he took the phone. It was hard not to feel relieved when he had mentioned he would give them a location meeting spot rather than her address. It wasn't that she didn't trust his word, she didn't trust the soldiers not to ruin everything in their wake. Especially seeing as the crown Prince had been taken hostage it wasn't going to end well; she knew it wasn't no matter the result. There was no way the Prince could be taken and there not be some consequence because of it, someone was going to suffer, and it would be their people. Maisie knew their people would be the ones to suffer first as they were insignificant to the King.

"Yeah it's been quite hectic, I can't imagine what you are going through." Maisie sighed to herself as she took her cup of tea and started to drink it relaxing in the kitchen as she looked at him making the call. Maisie felt somewhat guilty for his situation as the rebellion had gone too far, but as much as she knew felt it deep down she knew that there was barely anything she could do about it.

Hearing him speak down the phone she turned making herself busy, she didn't want to just be stood there listening although it wasn't hard to eavesdrop because it wasn't that far away from the kitchen. Frowning as she heard him, she didn't think that the call was going well, not by the sounds of it. Glancing down at the cup of tea she went to say something but already he had started to call them back and this time he sounded demanding. Maybe this will be the one? Thinking that the next call would do it, but moments late she could see his face drop. "Ah…" Finishing off her cup of tea she headed back into the room picking up her phone and placing it in her pocket, "I'm sorry… I didn't expect it to go like that. I would have thought that they would know. You've been missing for quite some time… I don't know why this would happen." Shaking her head, she headed towards the bedroom, "Iris will get you home, we'll work on that plan tomorrow. What's best now is getting some rest. Sorry I couldn't be of more help." Offering him a sympathetic smile before she headed into the bedroom where her friend was.

Walking inside she could see Iris curled up on the bed eyes closed, finally asleep. Although it didn't look like she was having a pleasant dream. Sighing to herself Maisie moved the duvet covering her friend before getting inside with her running fingers through her hair trying to calm her friend. Maisie had a horrible feeling in her stomach, she was anxious on letting her friend go tomorrow but she knew it had to happen. As much as she wanted to stop it, she couldn't, she knew by s topping her friend the guilt would only worsen and it was pretty bad at the moment. "What have you gotten yourself into." Sighing as she continued to soothe Iris in her sleep.

[User]
"You and me both," Caspian muttered with a shake of his head. He couldn't believe that for as long as he'd been missing, the soldier on the other end of the line wouldn't have even stopped to consider that it was really him making the call. Something was off. At least, he wanted to think so because if it wasn't, that meant that the military wasn't in any hurry to bring him back. He grimaced at the thought, stung by the possibility that his disappearance wasn't as big of a deal as he'd expected it would be. Is my dad even looking for me? He wondered dejectedly. He didn't want to believe it, but as awful as it was, he wouldn't have been entirely shocked if he found out that Atlas wasn't prioritizing finding him while the war was still ongoing. It wasn't like his father had ever shown much interest in him before.

Don't go there again, he exhaled slowly, reining in his spiraling thoughts. All he knew for sure was that he'd gotten through to a particularly disagreeable guard when he'd tried to call home. That didn't necessarily have anything to do with his father. For all he knew, the king was worried sick that he still hadn't been found. He had to assume the best because if Atlas didn't actually care if he came back or not, there was no point in trying to go back to the capital. After all, why should he bother if his own father wouldn't even shed a tear over the fact that he had been abducted and could have died? For his own sanity, he had to assume the monarch was doing everything he could to bring him home.

Realizing belatedly that Maisie had left the room, he finished off the rest of his tea and set the cup back down on the table. Worrying about what was going on outside of his scope of knowledge wasn't going to do him any good, so he laid down on his right side and pulled his blanket up to his chin, closing his eyes to finally give in to his exhaustion and get some much-needed sleep.

--

[Earlier the same day]

Jacob stifled a yawn as he walked with the warden down a long line of cells. He and the rest of the team that had gone to Tongsen had brought Regis Nox-Fleuret back as their prisoner the night before. Since then, he hadn't had a wink of sleep, but he couldn't take a break until they got the information they needed from their newest POW. Surprisingly, the leader of the rebellion had a mouth on him. Not in the sense of foul language—although that was part of it—but rather because he jabbered on and on about how he'd won and how the monarchy was doomed to collapse.

It was infuriating to watch him act so high and mighty, but luckily, he wasn't in charge of interrogating the bastard. The men who questioned Regis were better trained in that realm than he was, so he had reduced his involvement to intermittent visits when the rebel was returned to his cell between rounds of interrogations. The use of Aproveset had been discussed to speed things along, but for now, they had been following the usual protocol of demanding answers and encouraging their prisoner to talk with other creative methods of torture.

He also hadn't told King Atlas anything yet. Technically, he was supposed to report to the monarch as soon as they had brought Nox-Fleuret in, but he was reluctant. It was seeming more and more like the gutter scum had actually killed their country's crown prince, and he didn't want to tell their king about that until he absolutely had to. So, he'd decided to wait until he received word that His Highness had woken up on his own before he made the visit to the palace to tell him the bad news that his son was dead.

Approaching Regis's cell, Jacob ground his teeth, simmering with anger. King Atlas wasn't the only one who cared about Prince Caspian's wellbeing. It took all his willpower not to barge in and beat the living daylights out of the man who claimed to have ended his life. He managed to hold himself back though, and merely growled through the bars, "Rise and shine, Nox-Fleuret. Are you ready to talk to me or do I need to call my buddies with the fun toys over to do a little convincing?"


[System]
Nickname: Sakura Spear, 'Gero'
Age: 16
Eyes: Green
Hair: Pink
Description:

Country of Origin: Tashkent (Country in 'Central Asia')
Condition: Adept
Biography:
 Palav grew up in a small village in Tashkent. Once he became older, he joined the newly formed Adept Representation and Education of Neutral Affiliates, in order to support the group, and seek safety in its numbers. He soon, however, found solidarity, as he excelled to the point of becoming a field operative in a relatively short time. Due to the resources at A.R.E.N.A's disposal, he was able to acquire a specialized spear attuned to his Septima, with a counterbore guard near the end of the blade.
 A cool, levelheaded individual, Palav is sometimes seen as someone who's hard to talk to. His responses often come off as cold and distant, as he tends to be rather terse. Despite seeming emotionless, Palav has preferences and his own way of doing things. While he'll usually let a one-time annoyance slide, constant infractions will soon raise his ire.
Gear:
 Lens-
 Left: Cooldown Lense- Reduces the strain on septisomes when overheat is induced, reducing the effect.(A.R.E.N.A Standard Issue)
 Right:
 Ring:
 Pendant: A.R.E.N.A Signet B- Proof of A.R.E.N.A membership. Improves the effect of field medicine slightly.
Skills-
 Mobility: (300 Kudos)
 Run, Jump, Wall Jump, Wall Slide, Dash, Hover[Septima Fueled. Falling Only.]
 Combat: (25 Kudos)
 Spear Familiarity [Traditional Medium]
 Hand-to-Hand Combat Training [Traditional Small]
Gear- (50 Kudos)
 Super Sneaker
 Spear (Dig tip) [Attuned Medium]
Septima- (100 Kudos)
 Name: Botamology
 Element: Plants
 Color: Green
 Powers- (460 Kudos)
 Touch of Green- Plant Growth[Shock]- Infusing an area of plants before him with Septima at a touch, he causes them to grow in a burst as he sees fit. (5 Kudos)
 Xylem Xenoem- [Remote Manipulation: Mass]- A manipulation of around four cubic meters of plant matter. (50 Kudos)
 Friends in Phloem- [Element Generation: Field]- Causes specific species of plants to grow within a two square meter area. (100 Kudos)
 Seedflight Flora- [Element Generation: Sphere]- Creates a sphere of seeds with cottony fruit that allows for wind-based travel. The sphere is suspended in the air unless strong winds cause it to move. (10 Kudos)
 Bark Shot- [Elemental Generation: Blast(x3)]- Shoots a scatter blast of three energized chunks of bark. (60 Kudos)
 Golden Apple- [Element Generation: Sphere][Self Adjust][Projected Adjust]- Create a large, septimally energized fruit which recovers health when consumed. (235 Kudos)
Build: Average
SP: 3/3
Special Skills: (100 Kudos)
 Active- (+100 Kudos)
 1: Windfall Razor
 2:
 3:
 Known-
 Windfall Razor-"Drifting leaves...
 Which die aloft now falling
 Bring solace in emptiness"
 A turbulent breeze like cluster of razorized leaves. [Class 1]
Kudos:
Start: (1000 default, 1010 used, BONUS: 100, 90 Remaining)
Total Used:
Total Earned:
Total BONUS: 100
Highest Earn:
Highest "Combo":

[User] Lilith stood limping out, her sword sheathed on her hip and her gun holstered. She stood watching the scene unfold before her. She frowned and took out her sidearm, ready to fire. She walked and was ready to fight some more. She got to the outside and she jumped down, grunting as she hit her injured leg. She hoped to slip by unnoticed.

[Assistant]
The net flew through the air; unobstructed and on target.
Joseph hadn't been able to notice it in time, and was thus unable to dodge it.

As the net began to close after hitting his back, the weights on its corners came into Joseph's field of view. Should they come sufficiently close to another, their rotational inertia would tangle up the net, preventing an easy escape from it.
However the net had no properties that interact with septima, so Joseph could simply use his frequently used gravity slingshot to push them apart before it was too late, which he successfully did.
This resulting in the net simply falling off his back shortly before he landed on the target roof, on which Joseph immedeatly took cover.

Since it would take a bit for the ground forces to get to the roof, only the VTOL in which the forces arrived presented an immedeate threat. To prepare a bit for its arrival, Joseph opened one of his suitcases to find and take out a set of boules he originally brought for entertainment.
He didn't expect them to do much against the hull of the VTOL, however they should be able to wreak havoc inside its engines, if he could get them there. Besides, some long-range projectiles are better than none.

[User]
The reinforced cable wheeled and whined as it was drawn from the shouldered device. The impact with the somewhat thick glass had done a great deal to visibly slow the motion of the heavy net. Fortunately for its target, it would prevent the impact from being lethal. The whizzing sound of the cable was all but muted by the wind, as the net spread out. As it struck the man's back, the net's edges spiraled and whipped around, snaring the man quickly before he could see it.
 "Target secured," the agent stated, flipping a large switch on the weapon, which began reeling the cord back, drawing the man rapidly to the agents.

 The agent near the wreckage raised a weapon, "Hands where I can see 'em!" she announced to the pale woman with the katana.

[Assistant] Lilith was walking when she heard the agent yell at her. She looked at the agent with rose-colored orbs and her eyes narrowed. "Are you REALLY going to shoot an injured, cranky woman? It was bad enough those assholes invaded the ship!" She folded her arms over her chest, glaring at the agent.

[User]
One portal jump through a wall later, and Gavin and Hiroki found themselves in a safehouse underneath a building perpetually marked 'For Sale'. This safehouse was a small set of basic rooms, one containing a bed, another containing a toilet, a third containing food supplies, and a fourth, from where a communications screen can be glimpsed.

"Now," spoke Gavin once they were safely inside, "basic introductions. My name is Gavin Prince, Navy SEAL with a vague mission. Basically, investigate a potential threat that may or may not come from Sumeragi. Of course, to maintain plausible deniability, I only have a few assets, namely those one person of average resources can purchase." He then looked at Hiroki, and asked, "So, your name, kid?"

"Boy Wizard," Hiroki Hibiya didn't give his full name right away; he was average, not dumb. "Yours?"

"Horizon Cartesius," Gavin was impressed that 'Boy Wizard' knew discretion. "So, you're part of MALTA, as you said in the station. And it seems you know 'The Wizard' personally. Must be because you're part of a small group?" Discretion or not, fourteen-year olds liked to blab, and Gavin was playing to that trait.

"I am not telling classified information to a Navy SEAL; you're technically supposed to catch me as well as those terrorists," Hiroki then pursed his lips, before looking at Gavin's eyes. "You know, you don't seem like a bad person. But then again, it's not as if good people haven't slapped my hand away when I tried to help them..."

Gavin would nod, resisting the urge to violate secrecy himself; sad backstories from kids were his weak spot. "Boy Wizard, sometimes I doubt if I am a good person myself. After all, I am a murderer and sneak and thief and liar and I chose a group that does morally grey stuff at times as they work for provable greater ends. But all right, I'll share non-classified information with you, so you can share yours'. Oh, and don't worry about me arresting you for now; it's not as if I'm not allowed to choose allies during the course of my mission. In fact, I can even get you off with a slap on the wrist, after all, you're an illegal doctor, not a terrorist."

The Navy Seal then paused, before saying, "As you know, I am an Adept with the power to create portals. Some can be as small as a fist, others, as big as a door."

Hiroki would clear his throat, "You know, non-classified information seems like it just means stuff I should know already, from looking at how you do things. But basically, I can project fields that reverse the physical state of a person or object, and can project that power with a touch."

The boy decided to conceal his ability to blast people with reversal as well; it's not as if he didn't spell out how 'valuable' he was already. Briefly, he thought of Horizon deciding to kidnap him for experimentation and use as a free hospital and mechanics shop.

Gavin was able to read Hiroki's expression. "Come on kid, I'm not someone who would take kids against thier will and use them as weapons. You're not a bad sort, and right now, we need each other."

Hiroki nodded, then changed the subject. "So, why don't we see what that communications screen has? It's probably one of The Wizard and Dad's contacts."

"Speaking about your father..." Gavin was dusting himself off, "did he bring you to MALTA?"

"It's the opposite," Hiroki was walking towards the communications screen. "That's non-classified information as well."

Gavin nodded, then walked to Hiroki's side, waiting for the comms screen to activate...

@EnterTheHero

[Assistant]
Oh. Really nice. Itachi thought to himselfas the net soard after the man with the suitcases. There was something marvelous about science. Even a netcannon like this found its origins back in the days of old where they were used to catch fish. It also pleased him he might be able to get a picture for his report, after all--no, scratch that. The risk in staying here is too high, I should get moving.

With a reluctant sigh, Itachi was about to turn and leave, when suddenly he heard a soldier yell "Hands where I can see 'em!" That...was just great. It was the girl he'd told to evacuate, earlier, but this time she was carrying a weapon. Just... Great. Just very, very great. He would've taken a moment to think of a plan first, but frankly, he didn't believe he had a moment. Itachi walked over, faster than his normal, sauntering pace, but not quite running yet. He stepped up next to the girl and put a hand on her arm. "Please don't make a scene out of this. I'm sure they'll listen to your story once you put down your weapons. We can tell them all about the assailants, without needing to resort to a brawl."

[User] Lilith sighed. "Yeah yeah...I wasn't gonna shoot them." She shoved her gun into its holster and she looked up at the face of Itachi, the man who told her to evacuate. Her leg was still bleeding and she said, "So, whatcha gonna tell me next? I've been trying to evacuate but this bleeding injury is making things difficult to do." She was quippy, as she was cranky from not having eaten much all day and then she was injured. She held her hands up where the agent could see them.

[Assistant]
The visored helmet tipped back slightly as the agent's eyes rolled.
 "Fine. Come with me. We'll debrief you in the airship," came the slightly perturbed voice of the agent, gesturing with the grip of the gun towards the broken glass ceiling where a steel cable hung down.

 From behind the walls of the breached train station, the pink haired individual had been watching for a short time. However, with the other adepts now accounted for, and moreso, with Sumeragi agents on the way, it was time for an exit. Palav reached a hand towards solid ground. It felt good to be on land again. For a moment, the ground shimmered, then, a large tree sprung up against the building, causing a slight trembling. Wasting no time, the pink coated adept mounted the tree, before jumping off over the street, the leafy fronds offering cover while the pale girl and wind wielder spoke with the soldier.

[User] Looking at the Sumeragi soldier, Itachi hestitated for a moment. Is this the best course of action? It'll surely delay me, which might not please the boss... It can't be helped, I can't just leave her like this. with a short sigh, Itachi did some quick stretches and turned to Lilith. "I could tell you a lot, but even if I don't I'm relatively sure you shouldn't be walking on that leg, so... Excuse me." After saying this, Itachi kneeled, and looked at Lilith over his shoulder. "It might be presumptious of me, but I ready don't want you to worsen that injury by overexerting it, so I'll carry you. His stoic expression quickly turned into a scattered one, before he hastily added "Uhh, if you'll let me, of course."

[Assistant]
The SASF agent was rather helpful, albeit begrudgingly, in the evacuation of Lilith and Itatchi. She did, however, ask that they board the airship for questioning, as they were witnesses.

 A few minutes after submerging, Itou's communicator would begin to chime. An incoming message from ARCHON appeared, the voice of the dispatch agent coming into his ear piece.
 "Gensai, do you read?" there was a moment before a reply was confirmed, "I've got some intell' you may be interested in. You were at the shore, right? Well, turns out Sumeragi didn't make a tribute, and the local Yakuza wannabe's didn't take too kindly to it. I'm guessing you engaged, so be advised."


[System]
Dara Kazuki
Title: Mosaic Soul

Gender: Male

Age: 24

Height: 6'2

Weight: 172lbs

Appearance:

Personality: Kazuki is rather reclusive and quiet. He opens up once he has gotten to know people, but isn't one to go out and meet new people. He is more familiar and comfortable around chasers and youkai, than he is around other humans. He is pretty often cautious of his surroundings and people. He doesn't care that much about himself or others. He will do what he can to help others at his own expense, but doesn't share pity when bad things happen. He enjoys friends company, but doesn't contribute much to parties or events. He sort of just likes people watching and occasional conversation.

Short Bio: Kazuki is a bike messenger, and stumbled into the Crimson Sky by accident a few years ago. He fortunately met another chaser and was introduced to the Hunter's Association. The association helped him discover his powers soon after. He kept his job as a bike messenger to cover for his other jobs as a chaser. He found his pocket mirror when one of his deliveries ended up being to a dead guy. The mirror was sitting in the man's hand and Kazuki decided to look at it. He heard police sirens as he held the mirror and quickly rode off with the man's mirror and package. He kept both, but hasn't opened the package to this day.

Powers: Glass Make. Can make any object he can imagine appear in front of him, but it will be completely glass. Can change the durability of the glass, as well as the flexibility too. (Ballistic glass/ Willow glass)

Weapons: Just the weapons, armor and tools he makes from glass.

Equipment: Kazuki has a treasure in the shape a small pocket mirror/watch. The mirror steals a being's soul if the being sees their own eye inside of it. The more souls it takes the stronger Kazuki gets. He's not greedy so he still only takes from beings that need to be destroyed. The clock was on a random time and it began again as he picked it up. It fits fine in his pocket and isn't very reliable in battle due to it's fickle nature. He normally uses it after he has captured the subject. The body is left as a limp shell and the soul can be placed back into the body. Different souls can also be placed in different bodies. Kazuki does have control over what soul escapes the pocket mirror and when.

Other: He's a soul stealing ginger. Not sure what's in the package yet. I may make it something pertinent to the story or another treasure at the GM's approval.

[User]
Isotta Nachimbeni

Isotta came to a stop ear the girl being attacked, facing down the wolves as well as the being that was currently assaulting the girl. The clockwork automaton was interesting, but now was not the time to wonder on such things as she prepared more pages, to create additional blades even as another, larger beast appeared. She was not intimidated, and readied herself to fight with everything she had.

Then it seemed she didn't have to, The giant wall of glass took her off guard, but it seemed her opponents were as surprised, and the assailant wisely decided to withdraw rather than continue the confrontation, the youkai scattering once he was gone, as if they had been under his control and influence. Not really that unusual, given how things operated here in the first place.

With it gone, she let out a slight sigh as she returned the pages to where she had produced them from in the first place, shifting to look at the girl behind the glass wall. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," she muttered to herself before stepping over, acting as if she had not just been about to be in a major fight against an opponent of unknown capabilities. That would have to be investigated later, but it was not her job to do so.

Instead she focused on the girl present, shooting an affirming nod to the other Chasers present in the process. "He is gone for now. We should leave before more youkai arrive."

[Assistant]
Downtown, Stock Avenue

 How...cliché. And anti-climatic. Alex thought as the figure made an overused excuse to run away. He took a quick look around, just in case the person did the intelligent thing, and lay a trap or an ambush while their guards were down. He saw nothing, so he stomped back to the group of Chasers saying, "Blasted coward! He goes and starts a fight, but then runs away when someone who can actually put up a fight shows up! If I ever see the basterd again, I'll kill him." Alex stopped walking next to the unconscious girl. He studied her for a moment, and declared "The rest of you are probably completely fooled by that charade, so I'll say this now. I don't trust her." After saying what was on his mind, he fell silent. If asked, he would explain his reasoning, if not he would keep quiet.

@rechonq @KoL

[User]
Raven@Flamelord@KoL

As the sun rose over the horizon, the beasts began to make their pained retreat. Kazuki was relieved that the fight was over, and dropped the glass wall stopping the street. He was also very suprised at what happened next. As the girl next to him began appologizing for the trouble, she collapsed! Kazuki quickly caught her, but now he was just holding this girl in his arms. He felt quite awkward, and the fact that she was pretty and wearing a waloli dress didn't help at all either.

Kazuki stood their hoping another chaser would give some help as to what to do. Issota mentioned getting out of there, which was probably a good idea as they were in youkai territory, the Crimson Sky. Alexander on the other hand was just skeptical about helping her. For some reason he didn't trust her. Kazuki had no idea who she even was.

"Yeah, let's go ahead and get out of here." He started talking while carrying the girl away. "Alexander, do you know who she is? Why don't you trust her?"

[Assistant]
A burst of flames washed over Vincent, singing his coat. It was hot, but fortunately didn't last long enough to properly roast him. The force did add a few fresh bruises, however.
He was only more annoyed as his support team radioed in, informing him that some strong monster's signature was leaving. He hoped it was something watching him, and not one of the guys he just exploded. They were annoying.
"So conventional tactics won't work on Efreet... does she mean Ifrit? Whatever. Crap, guess I gotta get a salt circle or something." he muttered to himself. Anything that couldn't be taken out with a bullet or a bullet dipped in holy water was a pain in the ass in his book.

The executioner shouldered his gargantuan sword and turned to face the small girl. Vincent's eyes peered from behind his featureless white mask, the blackened eyes betraying no emotion. She was short, skinny, and all around tiny looking. She wore a rather nice dress, meaning she was either from wealth or some kind of fashionista he saw in bigger cities during the day.
She was blonde.

Her eyes weren't some garish color and she lacked a tail and horns. She had no glowing tattoos or even regular tattoos, and her pupils and ears were a normal shape.
This girl was a normal human. Vincent suddenly let out a soft sigh. It was no good to have humans caught in the crossfire.

"Hey." he spoke in a voice louder and rougher than he would have liked. He elected to squat in front of her, otherwise her head would only reach up to his stomach. "It's not safe here. Come with me, and I'll take you home."

[User]
Alice grinned as she admired her handiwork. Her heart was pounding with courage, and her legs were shaking with the indelible confidence of someone as big and powerful as as the titans of Greek myth. She had beaten all of the assailants almost singlehandedly, as expected of someone as great as she.

Then, she let out a fearful squeak of triumph as the masked giant barked at her, and whimpered bravely as her body shrunk to something a little less huge in order to not intimidate the newcomer. In short, she stepped away from him and crouched down, guarding herself tightly with her arms.

"K-k-kukuku~" she laughed as her eyes darted back and forth like a magnificent lion or, less likely, a frightened rabbit, "Y-y-you address the great Alice in such a tone? A-are you blind, boy? I can t-take care of myself! I did that!"

Alice pointed proudly at the banana cream pie on the ground.

"S-so you can go away and not hurt me now."

[Assistant]
Vincent frowned, looking at the spilled pastry, and quickly pieced together what happened. The girl had been buying dessert from a store, and stumbled into an entryway. She'd dropped the pie, and found Vincent during his fight. And now she was frightened. Vincent realized his mask was probably really spooky.
He lowered his hood, and ran his head along the dome of the mask. Vincent tugged it off, and tufts of messy blonde hair fell downwards. His cold blue eyes were glazed over, and stood over a heavy frown that threatened to cut trenches in his face. A thin layer of stubble marked his chin and cheeks. He hoped he didn't look like too much of a delinquent.

"I'm not some monster. Come with me; I'll take you home." he repeated, offering his hand.

[User]
Alice's eyes widened as the stranger revealed himself to be a Human rather than a masked demon. A foreigner, even! Alice, still trembling, started to get excited. She was always happy to meet real foreigners, after all, even if they did seem kind of scary.

"Ah! You are a foreigner," replied Alice, grinning as she took his hand and proceeded to get up, her legs still trembling, "I do not plan on returning home just yet, as the Chasers would likely be interested in hearing about this situation. A renegade Youkai-killer is something of an interesting subject, after all. I think I've even heard hearsay corroborating such."

Smiling proudly, Alice decided to try out her perfect English on the man.

"HOO IZU YOU NAIMU? AYE AMU ARISU!"

[Assistant]
Vincent's teeth grit as the butchery of his native language assaulted his ears. He inhaled very slowly, then exhaled. This girl was some kind of chuunibyou. She couldn't have been very old. Perhaps she was playing pretend. With luck, she thought she was dreaming.

"My name is Vincent." he spoke, electing to continue in Japanese. "Listen... Alice. It's very dangerous here. You could get hurt. Where are your parents? Can you lead me to them?"

[User]
Isotta allowed Kazuki to keep the girl who had collapsed and passed out in his arms, even as he agreed with her suggestion of leaving the Crimson Sky now, rather than later. It was a sensible decision overall, one she had expected would not face opposition from the resty of the group. They were experienced enough for that sort of thing.

"If there is some sort of ruse, I trust that you and any other Chasers in the area at the time will be able to handle it," she noted aloud as she began to move back towards the entrance to the Crimson Sky, the same one that they had come in, or at least she had, in the first place.

As she did so, she addressed the other question. "I would assume it is because of the circumstances of the encounter, and how abrupt it was," she said to Kazuki. He could draw his own conclusions, but she was no more worried than she had been. If it was a trap or a ruse of some kind, they could handle it. If they were competent enough to anyway. That sort of thing was their job, not hers.

[Assistant]
Wow, where did the dude even hide that piece of paper? Up his ass?

"Seeing how I'm going to outlive all of them, Antennae-head, I'll be able to dance on their graves at least."

Gingerly picking up the stack of papers and stuffing the keys of the Hayabusa into his pocket, Rui-Ling pushed both of the flashy vehicles to the side of the road, before scanning over the contents of the paper. It really did read like rather miscellaneous stuff, everything that could just as easily be purchased by the YTC instead of stolen. What exactly was the connection here? The pieces of art and the antiques appeared to be for personal interest, while the electronics were trivial. The prototype telescope from Sonomachi Observatory, which he did recall made a stir on the news, was a noteworthy thing, but for what purpose? Were they in fact, actually looking for aliens?

The immortal smirked. Maybe Harumi's finally found some fellow believers.

Ultimately, this information told him nothing, other than the fact that it was most definitely one of Yotsuba Tech Corporation's more secretive operations. No doubt, Haruka and Kiara had a headstart on him for that, and really, he could just leave it to those two…so for now, yeah, Rui-Ling will just take it easy and deal with more present annoyances, such as that Cataloguer dude.

Of course, at the moment, he might as well just Google up some information on what that prototype telescope could even be used for.

[User]
Downtown, Stock Avenue

 Alex looked at the ginger out of the corner of his eye. "Hell if I know who she is, but this whole thing is as fishy as a tuna boat. The Chaser's unofficaly offical headquarters-slash-hideout-slash-hangout, or whatever, is less then a block from here. Its too damn convenient that she would pop up, acting all maiden in distress straight out of a cheezy novel, right where every damned Chaser and his brother could rescue her. On top of that, the way the other person disappeared is more than a bit suspicious, in itself. Waiting for the last minute to summon some big and powerful thing, then run away with his tail between his legs, as soon as we arrive? Come on, if you fall for that, I've got a bridge to sell ya'." His tirade finished, he angrily pulled out a cigarette and a lighter. He stuck the cigarette in his mouth, and lit it. A moment later, he added "'course, this could be all be coincidence, after all, she could be here seeking our help, but I still refuse to trust her, until I have reason to believe otherwise."

[Assistant]
Kazuki went ahead and followed Isotta assuming she knew where a nearby exit was. She didn't seem to interested in them anymore, but she still gave a quick explanation of why Orihime might not be trusted.

Alexander gave a very detailed explanation of why he didn't trust her though. They were all pretty good points too, but Kazuki didn't quite agree. "That's true, but I've never seen her around here. I guess she could have found out about the Dangeki somehow. As for the youkai though, it's not uncommon for them to show up near here. They don't really know about our center. I won't take her back to the Dangeki until we know who she really is. If your scared she's here for Chasers there's only two of us here now."

Raven