[System]
Real: Skadi Türkis
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Age: 19
Nationality: Atlesian
Color: #6ecff6
Emblem: A clipart of a brilliant cut diamond
Voice actor: Shirley Manson

Themes:
Main - Neutral - Happy - Angry - Sad - Semblance - Fighting - Victorious - Defeated
Appearance:

Diamond is a rather tall woman with a lean build, being 178 centimeters tall. She's only as strong as she needs to be, having developed a physique for slipping into tight spots and blending in with the crowd. The woman weighs around 62 kilos with slightly lower than average percentage of body fat.

The dominant feature of her face are her eyes, which are sky blue and have a turquoise glow to them due to her dust implant. Her hair is golden in color and cut short, styled into backwards facing spikes. As a northerner from Atlas, Diamond's skin is very pale.

The dust implanted in her caused a blue pattern to develop on her back and an overuse left a crystalline blue weblike pattern on her right arm. If she uses her ice spells, these along with her eyes glow blue, and her eyes flash into white when casting a kinetic spell.

She doesn't wear a battledress in the traditional sense, preferring not to be hindered by armor of any sort. With her semblance and dust implant she also prefers to leave her arms exposed, usually wearing a pair of sturdy boots, pants and a vest.

Diamond carries herself with pride most of the time and makes good use of nonverbal communication, having learned the meaning of various gestures and being able to use them to convey a different meaning from what she is actually saying. In combat she moves with the fluidity of a gymnast.

History:
During a particularly nasty winter, a child was born to an uncaring mother who barely had enough mercy to leave the girl on the doorstep of the first house far enough. As it so happened a rather poor elderly woman lived there and upon finding the crying newborn took her in. She gave the girl the name Diamond due to her blue eyes.
Unfortunately, five years later Diamond's adoptive mother died, leaving the girl to fend for herself on the streets. A crafty little thing, she quickly found out that instead of begging for the food, it was easier to simply take it when no one was looking.

Living in poverty, the girl has had enough after two more years. Growing stronger, nimbler and bolder, Diamond started rifling the pockets of unsuspecting passer-bys. It didn't take long for the gang whose territory she was on to threaten her into joining. Having nothing to lose and all to gain, Diamond was happy to accept.

In the next few years, Diamond slowly but steadily became great at her craft, rising through the gang's ranks nicely. It all came to an abrupt end however when another gang made a move on their territory. During the fight her semblance manifested and gave her the means of escaping the brawl without getting hurt. Afterwards, she went solo again.

After honing her skills for several more years and nearly getting caught a few times, Diamond made a reputation for herself in the underworld. Finally, she got contracted to pull an art heist for the first time. She started working as a hired gun, taking items of opportunity for herself along her jobs. For the next year, she lived quite the luxurious life and amassed significant wealth for her age.

Growing careless, Diamond got caught by an undercover cop while pickpocketing for change. Having nothing on her other than the pickpocketing, her sentence was just a year in juvenile detention.

Coming face to face with several less than pleasant experiences and generally starting to understand that when she barely survived a month of Atlesian Juvy, she would die in a lifetime in an Atlesian prison, Diamond started working her hide off to make something of herself, moving to Vale and paying herself a crash course to drastically improve her combat abilities.
A year later, she made it into Beacon.

Personality:
In one word, Diamond is a bitch. Sarcastic and cynical, she has nearly no moral blocks and will happily relieve you of money you didn't guard well enough just to show you she can. The concept of friendship is something new to her and it shows in her opinion on people swinging easily. Diamond can feed you complete garbage without losing a serious expression on her face. If you piss her off, prepare to suffer a thoroughly planned humiliation.

She might be a criminal, but she is a classy one. Violent crimes are a strict no-go unless something has gone horribly wrong. She quite enjoys the thrill of sneaking around and defeating various obstacles like motion sensors and locks. In her mind, every moron can rob a dust store at gunpoint, but it takes skill to do it in a way that makes the owner notice only a day afterwards.

Apparently she is not past redemption, because after Juvy, she decided to do something with herself and applied to be a huntress, even though her main reason is to hone her skills rather than to protect the people.

Skills:
* Combat
	+ Hand-to-hand: Average
	+ Short blades: Expert
	+ Long blades and polearms: Proficient
	+ Firearms: Lacking
	+ Dust: Beginner, talented
* Common
	+ Leading: She has what it takes to do well enough, but lacks self-confidence
	+ Lockpicking: Expert
	+ Hacking: Skilled with older systems, haven't kept up with recent advances
	+ Pickpocketing: Proficient
	+ Cooking: Wizard
	+ Drinking: Practice makes perfect

Powers:
* Inborn
	+ Shadowshifter - Diamond absorbs her shadow into her own being, gaining the ability to alter her own body much like the shadow before. She can turn any part of her body into a shadow form. In such a state, she is more resistant to physical damage, although her senses are somewhat dulled. The true ability is that Diamond can alter her shape within some bounds. Her shape has to remain humanoid in essence, but her limbs can stretch, sharpen or bulk up, for example she can grow talons or change her entire forearm into a blade. She can also turn flatten herself into a shadow to pass through small gaps like under the door.
* Acquired
	+ Ice dust implant - Diamond had Ice dust fused into her nervous system, giving her the ability to cast spells through her fantasy alone. This kind of dust allows her to create and manipulate ice. It comes with downsides though - too voluminous or quick casting will damage her nerves, or other tissues in later stages.
	+ Kinetic dust implant - Same as above, granting Diamond telekinetic abilities. Other than moving things with her mind she can also use this to project physical attacks over distance.

Relationships:
* Cobalt Chideta: "A passive lad. I don't mind him, but I also fail to notice he's in the room half of the time."
* Oswald Connoly: "Ugh! His attitude can be infuriating, especially when he's not much better than I am. It's in his eyes. He's seen - and done - some nasty things."
* Emerald Felicia: "Lovable goof, infuriating airhead. Just friends."
* Esther Vanhomrigh: "Just benefits."
* Träd Oak: "Smoking and drinking buddy. Quite possibly the only person in this school that I can stand without any reservations."
* Sapphire Rode: "Someone from an entirely different world than I. She has the right to her opinions. They're mostly wrong, of course, but hey."
* Kuhaku Shiro: "Infuriating klutz, comedic relief. Generally harmless and epically innocent."
* Skyra Dawn: "Very recent acquaintance. Dunno. Seems to follow the general feline faunus trend though."
* Amaranth Desire: "The reminder of the past I want to forget. Business, that's all it was."

Trivia:
* Diamond is left handed.
* She is afraid of deep waters.
* A quitting smoker.
* She likes red meat and high quality alcohol.

[User]
Trad couldn't help but laugh at Amy's remark about his pouting, "Don't worry, I won't make it a habit." He said giving Amy a light pat on the back.

While they were talking, Sangue let her claw drag on the floor, causing an extremely annoying sound. Trad wanted to say something, but Sangue still had a grumpy look on her face, and the last thing the team needed was for two of them to get in a tuff.

Finally, the moment of truth arrived, they had reached the lunchroom. Trad couldn't help but notice the sea of students all chatting and acting as if they had known each other for year. Trying to avoid eye contact, he moved along to get his food. He ended up with some sort of pasta, not exactly the best food for his nerves but he got it anyway.

Unable to find a seat, he simply waited until one of the others sat down and joined them.

[Assistant]
The red-haired woman felt hungry at a perfect time.

Missing breakfast proved to be an unwise decision, but it also made lunch seem all the more appealing to the normally idle Sangue. Sangue's right eye opened a little wider than before as her claw continued to follow her.

She finally seemed to notice the noises her claw was making. Making a small motion with her shoulder, the claw slowly retracted until it was fairly away from the ground. The claw no longer dragged itself across the ground, but now it ominously swung itself around like a hypnosis clock moving at multiple directions.

A few seconds later, the claw retracted more, finally causing the contraption to hide itself within her clothes.

"..."

Sangue finally walked her own path, heading over to get some pasta. She seemed to have trouble holding her own tray, though she seemed confident with holding it on her own. The woman sat at an empty table, staring at the pasta for some odd reason.

I don't know what I just picked up.

Funnily enough, she never ate pasta before. She simply stared at the food and the utensil she could use to eat it.

Her brain began to process how to eat pasta.

[User]
Ben set his tray down with a quiet tap, sinking into his seat. In the interests of efficiency he'd picked the first food he found, the result a heaping pile of spaghetti. A drink had proven much easier, as he nabbed a milk on his way to an open seat. He, after a moment of thought, placed himself in the same vicinity as Sangue without getting too close. His team member seemed to desire a little space, and he didn't think he knew her well enough yet to take a seat opposite or adjacent to her. She didn't seem a particularly bad sort, but she was quiet, and more than a little... Unapproachable. He wasn't sure if it was intentional yet, but it didn't seem like a matter to test so soon after being christened a team.

He twirled a fork with one hand, loading it with pasta, but eyes idly swept the lunch room. He wasn't particularly surprised by the sheer diversity of students, but it was a touch of culture shock nonetheless. Not just the students themselves, but the way they carried themselves. He saw more than a few weapons tucked away on their owner's person, and many of his new peers carried themselves with a sense of pride. A few seemed to verge on arrogance, if he was perfectly honest. No one seemed to have paid attention to his team's arrival, so they either didn't know about them, or didn't care. Either was possible, but he found the former a little more likely. The odds of absolutely everyone ignoring a team of washouts was pretty minimal.

Then again, he admitted to himself as he took a bite of his food, he was probably over-thinking it.

"Food's decent, at least." BAST's leader commented to no one in particular.

[Assistant]
Priscilla didn't really want to talk to Rayna or anything.. ever since that last performance that she did with Priscilla wasn't a 'haha it's okay. no worries' nope. She wasn't going to forgive that girl that easily. Priscilla may be looking sweet and always happy, but she had a different side... a side where most people won't see for a while. But it's not the time to talk about what kind of side she has, it will soon be showed upon the citizens in the academy.

As she was walking away somewhere that wasn't here, her stomach grumbled.. yeah she was hungry but she threw away her food angrily because she didn't want to speak about what happened. Clearly Priscilla wasn't in the slightest mood to be talking about herself being raised upside down and her UNDERWEAR SHOWING!

"Huh...?" she turned her head hearing a voice getting closer, a very smoothing geeky voice. It was Robert, she smiled at him grateful that she had someone like him because he was always there for her and he even stood up for her so that was nice of him. As soon as he asked her about going out just the two of them.. her face suddenly blushed, was she just asked out on a date by Robert? Dreams come true! Priscilla bit her bottom lips looking away trying to hide her face from being exposed and Robert seeing her blushing.

But she suddenly shook it away, clearing her throat and getting back to seriousness but yet adorable! "Yeah...I would love to go out with you sometime, Robbie.~" her smile was still there though as she wrapped an arm around Robert walking with him and looking at his lunch tray. God.. she wanted some food..!

[User]
Finally finding a place that sold cigarettes, Diamond restocked and refilled the slot in her hat to alwazs have a spare. Looking at the clock though, she growled: There was barely enough time to get prepared for the next class, let alone go light one outside. Fishing out her scroll, she checked for her next class. It would appear that in the afternoon, they would split according to their own whims rather than the teams.

She had a hard time choosing between armory and grimm studies, but went with the latter because she hardly ever fought with a weapon and after all, killing grimm was why she came here. The second choice was a lot easier - Fighting melee, she didn'T have any use for practice and she learned how to survive on the streets herself just fine. Remembering the things she had to eat at times, she was fairly certain that anything that could be harvested off of wild nature was better tasting. The sixth period was a tough one, but not because all the options were good. Quite the opposite - either useless, or in the case of computer science, something she was already quite versed in. Still, at least that might make for a good snooze class.

Sighing, she checked up which room the grimm studies were in and headed over there, hoping to be soon enough to pick a good seat, somewhere neither too close nor far from the teacher.


[System]
Age:
Young Adult (240 to 300 years for Elf aging or 20 and 25 years if going by human aging)

Personality:
Naki is a very gentle and naive elf girl. She trusts people she meets very easily and loves a good story. She loves to help those who seem to be in need of help and will put herself in the line of fire to protect someone from death.
Powers or Abilities:
Naki does not have any special powers or abilities.
Equipment and Weapons:
Naki normally fights with a bow and arrow set created for her by her grandfather but in melee combat she will use a small dagger.
Universe of origin, and perhaps a description:
Naki is from a typical mythical universe where elves exist.
Bio (leading up to death):
Naki was born to young elvish parents in a small elvish village. As a young elf Naki was prone to getting herself into danger. She'd venture off into the woods and anger large predators. She was lucky that she was always close to camp when this happened. At the age of 120 her grandfather gifted her a bow and arrow set made custom for her. With that she was taught to be a hunter for her village. She wasn't that good with her weapons but she kept her love of adventuring. Though, just like when she was a child her adventurous nature got her into trouble but this time she didn't survive. She came up against a tall beast, she couldn't remember what it was and she was taken down in one fell swoop of the beast's paw, effectively ending her short life.
Cause of death:
In the basics of it Naki was mauled to death by a large, unknown creature.

[User] A young, caucasian man dressed in a black uniform with a helmet and rifle along with an equipment belt approached the front of the tavern, visibly shaking. Only moments ago he had been fighting to advance a German frontline, and now he was staring at the doorway of a tavern he had never seen in his life. He observed the area outside for anything particularly interesting.

[Assistant] thinking for the best answer max finally said "I am a mercenary I can do what needs to be done depending on the pay that is.", Max was certain that answer would suffice.

[User]
A different sort of carriage rolled up in front of the tavern through the driving snow, just as regal and dignified as the others but at the same time undeniably ostentatious. As it was driven into the light of the tavern front window it nearly perfectly reflected back the the light that fell on it, and if you could see through the glare you would see that most of the vehicle had been plated with polished gold. The wheels were inset with precious gems, the body carved with intricate patterns depicting great space battles, and if the door were to open you'd see the interior had been completely redone to include not only a poker table but a fully stocked bar in its own right. Even the grim driver was better dressed than the average ferryman.

If Cosmo Satan was being carted off to Hell he was at least going to be carried in his kind of coach. He'd explained this to the coaches fiercely objecting driver as he'd ripped it apart for the refurbishing.

Opening the door, the alien warlord swept out. He descended the opulent kick out stairs, which automatically folded back up as soon as his weight was taken off of them, and turned back to the driver. He jingled the pair of gold coins he'd prepared in his hand, hesitating, then tossed them up to the driver and made his way through the snow toward the only building in sight. Behind him the coach pulled away to make room for the inevitable one after.

It wasn't what Satan expected, to be honest. He'd heard of fire and brimstone, of horse faced demons with red hot tongs ready to tear him to pieces. No story had ever mentioned a warm looking tavern. He came up on a uniformed human standing standing before the building (@Antioch), loomed down at him, and said, "Tell me human, is this Hell? I'm expecting to meet some people here."

[Assistant]
Artholath had spent several minutes contemplating the implications of death, and found them wanting.

An inn, for eternity. That didn't sound exciting at all, he mused as he slowly shifted to demon form, gaining various claws, spikes and a generally skeletal or perhaps nightmarish appearance. At least it wasn't an inn of any mortal nature. He didn't think either he or the inn would survive for more than five short minutes if it was.

It seemed silly to him how every species was making its way to the inn. Some were puny mortals that he could snap in half with two fingers if he wished, and others looked like they were fit for much more... grand accommodations. Artholath had little expectations for himself in the afterlife, but he did hope the mortals were there for his enjoyment. He couldn't look at them as equals. How the senior demon was able to stand them was beyond his imagining.

His interest was only piqued when another figure entered the bar. Though clear on the other side of the room, Artholath could tell he was someone of note (@Gentlemanvaultboy). Who, he had no idea. He didn't seem like any ordinary demon at all, though he clearly had some elements that were traditional to the sort. A strange looking demon, if he was one. He didn't seem to be on the level of the barkeep or others that Artholath had personally met, but the new arrival was certainly a more interesting sight than pathetic humans that didn't even have a magical whiff to them. He lazily stared at (Satan), with the deep blue orbs of his eyes displaying a paradox of boredom and slight interest.

[User] woops

[Assistant] Upon closer examination, the Nazi appeared to be a woman. She removed her helmet, staring up at him blankly, a small shock of white-ish blonde hair on her head. She took her time to say something very slowly, in English, "I.. I am not sure... I only remember seeing black, and then appearing here." She got her rythm going, and said, a bit faster now, "Hell could be much worse... much worse than a bar." The fact that she was talking to a demon of some sort caught up with her, and she clenched her rifle tightly, before releasing it, attempting to appear nonchalant as she quivered in mortal fear of her situation. @Gentlemanvaultboy

[User]
"I remember exploding, so I am most definitely dead." Satan said. "Hold out some hope, lad. You might just be in a coma or something." With that he threw open the door to face whatever fate lay beyond.

Lords on high, the place was even nicer on the inside! Filled with patrons, too. One in particular that met his eyes as he took in the room. He turned back to the little soldier boy and pointed out the large spiny demon in the midst. "You see?" he said. "Hell."

Satan strode purposely into the room, cutting a straight path right to the obvious demon and crossing his arms. "All right big guy, I'll have you know these sort of psychological mind games don't work on me. he sooner you drop the charade and start the eternal torment the sooner I can start looking for my crew."

@ArenaSnow

[Assistant]
"Okay, Boss, but I need to warn you, the batch will need to simmer for a few minutes." Rebecca walked into the back room, looking at the ingredients on the shelves. Every kind of booze she could imagine was there, as well as enough alchemical ingredients for most royal wizards to drool over. "Let's see... powdered mermaid scale, a first laugh, dragon blood, ectoplasm, and we'll base it in brandy for a test."

She worked quickly and delicately, her hands moving with a skill belying her long practice. When the elixir was done, she took a sip of it. Instantly, the warmth of flesh flooded through her, fading away as her new physical body deteriorated in a few seconds. It was wonderful. "Zzubus, I managed to get it right on my first try. You can put it on the menu."

[User] The soldier girl actually flinched at his remarks, "No, no... I think I was shot in the head." Strangely, the Nazi followed the Cosmic Satan wordlessly, her eyes darting between the multiple demons in the room, "My leader did terrible things," she finally said, "I deserve it, if it's really Hell."

[Assistant]
Artholath leaned back, arms and various appendages resting on the table as he looked at Satan. "I'll admit, I was expecting something more interesting myself, but at the moment it does seem we're left with a bar in the midst of relative nowhere in this... little piece of cosmos." He pointed a finger at the demonic bartender as the hulking figure came into sight behind the bar. "Perhaps that fellow can help."

He threw a side glance to the little human that had walked up. "Is that for me?" Two appendages made vague gestures at the human.

@Antioch

[User] She stared at him in horror, "What? Oh, don't try to trade me, please, I just got here..." She ruffled her own short blonde hair, glaring at the demon.

[Assistant]
"Relax kid, I don't give anything away for free." Satan said. It was beginning to look like this bar was legit. Was that the Hell? To drink alone among stranger, separated forever from his comrades? It was a fate more horrible than he cared top contemplate. But, at least from the look of the big guy behind the bar, this guy in front of him wasn't in charge. He extended his hands to the demon and the boy to make the best of a bad situation. "Cosmo Satan, Devil Cosmos space pirates, scourge of the seven worlds of Arimeas, plunderer of Archon and the surrounding campuses, and master of the Million Devil Star. A pleasure."

@ArenaSnow"

[User]
Steve eyed the piece of paper suspiciously. The afterlife huh? He looked at the other patrons in the Tavern, carelessly drinking the night away. Steve wonders if all of them are dead. He glanced back towards the piece of paper thats supposedly his death certificate. Ahh, what a way to go. Steve thought, unimpressed. He could've at least choose a better way to die, like, say a wooden stake pierced through his heart or something. Steve sighed, just when he thought this day couldnt get any better.

He wonders what the other creatures back home would think of his dead rotting body. No one really liked him there, so they might not really care. He wished his body couldve at least served as food for the worms and flesh eating moth-flies.

Steve took the bog ale from the bartender, and then drank the content in one quick swig. "I suppose this is where you make us play a game, and whatever happens in the game is how you judge us whether we go into the void or be reincarnated, right?"

[Assistant] "Comforting, that..." The gal held up her M1 Garand rifle, which would look like a toy to masters of universal forces. "I think I'll keep this as a token, bargaining or otherwise..." She coughed, patting Cosmo Satan's knee, as she wasn't close to his height at all, "I will sit down, " she said simply, choosing a random seat and adjusting her red Swastika armband.

[User]
The hand extended to him gave him thoughts of a convention he associated with humans - the handshake. He had seen other, more respectable races adopt the practice, and even members of his own kind. He hated those influences, but he nonetheless offered his own cold, bony hand to complete the tradition.

"Artholath. Third cousin of a poor bastard locked in a volcano, former minion to two arrogant bastards, and a fellow lucky enough to have touched the blade of an archangel," he intoned, one eye seeming to glare at the human as it sat in the nearby vicinity. It carried an odd pole-like item, likely one of humanity's various odd constructions. It was an odd human, not from any realm he had traveled, but he wasn't interested in pursuing further knowledge of it.

@Antioch

[Assistant] She looked at him, completely oblivious to how she was being treated, "Archangel? Wow... that is incredible. I hope I get to meet one, here. Do you hate them? Is it true there is a rivalry between demons and angels?" She stared at the eye that was glaring at her, clearly enticed by the conversation. It was obvious, now, that she and the world she came from was oblivious, also, to their kind, and others. The Nazi, still, was now hanging off his every word.

[User]
Artholath turned his other eye to stare at the human. Naive, even for a human... now, that's a novel concept.

"I would imagine, firstly, that archangels don't die very often. Secondly, the moment an archangel did walk in, I suspect the inn wouldn't survive the confrontation." He had not actually met the archangel that had owned the blade, but he heard from both of his mentors the sheer power that they possessed when they were fully present in a physical dimension. "And no, I don't see an archangel sitting down for a drink with one of my ilk." Feeling dirty for spending three sentences on a human, he looked back to Satan. "Tell you what, if you're not going to join the applicant waiting line by the bar, I'll buy you a drink..."

@Antioch

[Assistant] woops

[User] "Huh. Okay, that makes more sense, now that I think about it." She smiled at the eye(s) that acknowledged her, "Don't worry, your words aren't wasted on me. I just... would rather educate myself, than be left completely out of virtually every conversation here for the rest of eternity..."

[Assistant] Naki's green eyes widened as she stepped out of the carriage. She took in the looks of the tavern, severally confused by the building. She made sure her bow was on her back as she took measured steps into the tavern. "What...is this place?" She questioned to herself, sorely confused by what she saw.


[System]
CHARACTER SHEET (Midnighter)
Age: 28

Height:

Gender: Male

Appearance:

Occupation: Currently a barman, unable to settle down he often jumps from one casual job to another.

Personal Interests: Adrenalin sports, bikes, tattoos, leather, whiskey.

Fears: Tyler is claustrophobic, He fears being trapped.
He also fears being helpless or considered weak.

Power: Acrobat,

Misc. Info:

Sample:
A firm breeze sails the cloudless, star filled sky. A single droplet of sweat accentuates the chill as it falls down the burning warm skin of a bare exposed chest, hiding away a heavy beating heart.
His muscular half naked body, a sillouet against the bright full moon cascading down upon the cliff which they stood atop.
Tyler or 'Ty' for short impatiently checks his watch. He breathes slow and heavily, watching his warm breath forming clouds in the cold air before him.
Meanwhile Kiera, his latest fling, struggles up the steep hill and finally catches him in her sight.
He rubs his bloody and bruised knuckles as she approaches behind him.

He knows she is there, he can hear her but can't bring himself to turn around. She continues to near.
Even as he stares down over the edge of the sheer cliff into the abyss of the darkness far below, he can't shake her from his head, the hours spent fantasising over her dreamy forbidden body were not so easily forgotten.

His mind was racing wild, it was a blur of untraceable thoughts. 11:59, close enough. He spins around,

"BANG!"

The sudden sound shatters the silence and repeats out echoing as it travels the open distance.
Ty's ears scream with an echoing ring.
Looking out in shock Kiera was not in sight, instead there stood the hulking bearded giant known as Carl, his nose still crooked and dry blood stained his messy long beard that surrounded his gap-tooth grin. Only he wasn't grinning now, panic filled his bloodshot eyes and he drops the heavy metallic device that was in his hand.

A gun.

Ty looks down to his stomach, he could feel the warmth of his blood spill into his cold hands already clutching the wound. Struck by a sudden dizziness, before he could look back up, he fell.

And fell.

And fell.

The roaring wind around him slowly becoming a gentle breeze as the darkness softly embraces him.

'That'll teach you for playing with another mans woman' he thinks to himself as he floats down the last few meters to meet the waiting dirt landing with a soft thud. A smile breaks his lips, as he groans 'nah it won't'.

[User]
"See the thing about me Tyler, is I've dealt with so many like you. Call me a bleeding heart. I do have a spare bedroom that I'm going to insist you take. Come on, I bailed you out of jail. You owe me." She said, standing up as well, placing herself in between him and the door.
"Don't make me use drastic measures." She said, although she probably looked as imposing as a puppy. She uses this to her advantage, a lot of people don't like to cross her because she looked so innocent.

[Assistant]
Tyler replies with a chuckle then a groan, "alright alright, just stop acting tough ok" he teases as he hobbles over to a wall to lean against.

"If you're gonna be keeping me prisoner you have to at least let me use your shower." He jokes as he looks around the apartment trying to guess which way leads to the bathroom. "And here I thought I was an individual, So just how many other guys like me have you kidnaped?" He tries to lightly pry a little.

His voice softens and goes serious, "But seriously thankyou so much for everything you have done."

[User] Echo chuckled at the Seer's apprehension over Darklings. Wayfinders are the best! She thought, imagining herself running at full speed, Darklings in tow. A drop of adrenaline rushed through her at the thought. "You guys might need to be scared of a couple Darklings," Echo teased the group, "But I have nothing to worry about." The thought of ditching them to save herself scared her, she'd grown a sort of attachment to each of them in the year she was here. Echo glanced at the clock to take her mind off of things. 9 minutes to midnight, or at least on this clock. She knew that Brisbane High's clocks were 5 minutes fast and midnight would appear to arrive at 12:05 there. She hoped Danielle knew what she was doing when she sat the clock. Speaking of Danielle, Echo noticed that she was missing from the Cafe. "Did anybody catch where Danielle went?" she asked, getting up from the table she was at and going over to a booth to half-lay half-sit there.

[Assistant]
"What? You think I can't be tough?" Danielle laughed softly, shaking her head. She opened a door near her which was a cupboard, filled with towels and things. She grabbed a towel, a washcloth, and some of those hotel shampoo and body wash things and handed them to him.

"I figure you don't want to smell like fiery passion." Danielle smirked at him, before leading him to the bathroom. It was small, but it had a decent sized tub and that's all she really cared about. When he asked her how often she did this, she shrugged.

"You're the first one I've kept prisoner at my apartment, most I keep prisoner within their own home, or down in the cafe while I try and figure out what's going on. You're just too big, and too injured, of an engima to let slip through my fingers." Danielle explained, as opened her shower curtain to explain the shower controls.

"So, pretty easy just turn the knob until it's warm enough for you and you change the pressure on the shower head, just turn the dorsel thing to the left or right." She explained before turning back to face him.

"Think you need anything else from me at the moment? I'll try to dig up some clothes that might fit you because I doubt any of my clothes will." She laughed, eyeing him up and down.

[User]
"Haha, I'm sure you're very tough, hell I wouldn't want to mess with you."
"Fiery passion, so that's what that lovely smell is?" Tyler says with a flirty laugh.
He takes the things handed to him and listens to the instructions.
Afterwards he looks down at his shirt, it had become quite the tattered mess, blood stains, beer and who knows what.
"If you had anything that would be great, thanks." He gives Danielle a final nod, "actually I could probably use some help in here." He jokes just before closing the door and the sound of water rushing through the pipes ensues.

[Assistant]
Ved
As most of the others, he had his own rituals for preparing himself for the extra hour. He had been waiting quietly in the time being, but exactly 13 minutes before midnight he went to work, starting from the feet up. He undressed down to his underwear behind the cafe bar, then removed 13 white cloth wraps of varying thickness from his inner hacket pocket and began to work. 13 wraps on each foot, calf, thigh, around his waist/hips, up his torso/chest, hands, forearms, and neck. Stepping from behind the counter, he slipped in his pure Malachite plug gauges, which finished his ensembale. Earth stones and 13 layers of 13 wraps. He would be safer that way, and more flexable. And frankly, the protective clothing was more than a bit flattering to his naturally lean form.

[User]
@Ryuzaki

Aslynne rolled her bright blue eyes with a snort. "Can you at least not think so loud then? You're going to make me paranoid about Darklings. I'm already crazy enough, I don't need to start hallucinating." The images his mind screamed out all but smacked her in the face. Making her head pound all the harder.

'Wayfinders are the best!' She heard from Echo making Aslynne scoff out loud. "Yeah sure, the best until a Darkling figures out a way to match you in speed." Aslynne could imagine some of the old ones doing that. They never had a solid form and those freaky tendril things... she shivered at the thought of being touched by one of them. Her fears couldn't have been something normal like spiders or bugs, no she had to be afraid of fire... you know painful stuff.

"Danielle left to go pick up Tyler from jail, I can taste them, they're at her place, but she pushing it too close." Aslynne spoke up about Danielle. Nine more minutes until she could breathe without feeling like her head was about to explode. Aslynne got up to pace the floor of the cafe anxious like she always was about the impending blue time wanting that silence. Checking her watch literally every thirty seconds. "I'll go up and escort her and Tyler down if they're not here before Midnight. Best go check on them now though. Don't wait for us." Aslynne stood from her seat and grabbed her back full of weapons to climb the external staircase to Danielle's home, she could feel the relief of the acrobat's shower washing over him and she shuddered at the image it forced into her head. Rubbing her arms against the chill she took the stairs two at a time until she was before Dani's door.

Knocking and shifting the backpack over her shoulder she said loudly. "Hey! Dani, you're pushing it close let me in!"

[Assistant]
"In your dreams!" Danielle called to Tyler before she went to go find him clothes. She managed to find a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants from a previous boyfriend that looked like they would fit Tyler. She set him in front of her bathroom door, just as she heard Azzy knock on her door.
"It's fine Az, I still got a couple minutes." Dani opened the door regardless, letting her friend into the apartment.
"You know me, I'm the pinicle of caution. I just have Tyler in my shower and it would be weird if I opened the door and left as he's in the shower. I figure the closer I get to midnight, the safer I am there. Besides, it's not like I'm miles away from my safe place." Danielle said, as she checked her clock. All of her clocks were exact, as she didn't want to be caught unawares of the time. She still had seven minutes left, and there was no need to be hasty.
"Is everyone else down there?" Dani asked, peaking outside to where her parking lot was.

[User]
"Yeah, we're all downstairs. Ved is even all dressed and ready to go. For what I'm not sure exactly... Darklings and Slithers are at an all time low." Aslynne's eyebrows shot up to her hairline as if she had just remembered something. "I brought something for you." Her bag hit the floor with a light thump and Aslynne quickly pulled out the black steel Maglight. "I know you don't like going outside during the blue hour, but this should help in case you have no other choice." Aslynne held it out to Danielle, the weight of the cold steel was heavy. It would make a good weapon just to hit something with, but in the hands of the Fire Bringer it was life saving.

"In case I'm not around to beat those damn Slithers into submission." Aslynne's lips curled up into a silent snarl that could rival a Darkling Panther's at the thought of zapping those damn blood thirsty creatures with the sparkly blue fire metals seemed to give off. "Anyway, I don't think we're going to be going outside for a while tonight. We have a new member to 'initiate'." Aslynne did a pretty good imitation of Lee when she wanted to. It was almost scary.

[Assistant]
"I'll try to think of things less...darkling?" He said unsure how to calm the focus he had now for her. She would just have to deal with it for now.

Lee was glad to hear that the two missing were on their way now. And he trusted Aslynne to go get them with little trouble. The hour grew closer and Lee could feel his eyes twitching a bit. The hour made his vision more sharp against the darklings. Everything appearing more clear as well as the Midnighters. There were a few here he hadn't met yet so he offered his introduction while he waited.

@Prints Avoid
He noticed Abel and Ved aside the counter. He walked over to greet them. "Hey there fellas. It's nice to know we have a polymath and metallurge among us." He said. "My name is Lee. Seer. I see and read things clearly that you cannot." He told them.

[User]
Danielle smiled at Azzy as she took the maglite and put it on top of her tv stand.
"I'm surprised everyone is already here." Danielle said before she processed that there was a new midnighter in town. The only new person she knew of in town was currently in her shower.
"Well...he's currently in my shower. How do you propose I tell him he needs to get out so and that we need to meet in my cafe?" Danielle asked, with a raised eyebrow as she glanced at the clock.

[Assistant]
@Dark Light

"Let me handle this." Aslynne said, briskly walking over to the bathroom door. Knocking loudly, and all but yelling, "Hey! Badass McGee. Time's up." Tyler's flash of fear tasted bitter on her tongue like vinegar before it ebbed to the sweet cane sugar taste of relief. "The shower is the worst place to be caught in at midnight around here."

Turning back to Danielle she said, "I'm a little surprised too, I don't think we've all be in the same place at the same time since we were kids. I don't even think Lee has met Ved and Abel and he's been here for four years!" Aslynne's strawberry blonde hair was braided down her back to be kept out of the way. A habit after a Darkling had almost killed her with it's grip on her hair when she'd been a child.

Blue eyes brightening at the thought that Midnight was almost here. "Three more minutes." She said to Danielle stepping over to the window that faced the street below. "I was hoping you wouldn't have to make a mad dash down the stairs."

[User]
There was a crashing and a bang followed by a groan as the sound of water rushing through the pipes came to a squeaking halt. Ty could be heard grumbling within the room then suddenly the door creeked open just wide enough for his injury stricken face to pop through along with a billowing cloud of steam.

"Sorry, what's the rush?" He asks as he suspiciously eyes the clothes laid out for him before snatching them up and disappearing back into a cloud of steam closing the door behind him.


[System]
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Species: Turned Vampire
Personality: TBR
Bio: As a young child Sol had been chosen to be raised for her blood. She was rumored to be nonhuman as her blood was tastier than most. Sol worked hard to avoid being drained of blood. After three years of working hard Sol was chosen to be blooded. She was trained in combat and as she was put in the army the other children from her town were broken out, and Sol, who despised the vampires, was forced into the army.
Weapon: Flamethrower
Side: Unknown

[User] Sol sat in a strategic meeting. Apparently the humans were planning to attack in a week. Could Sol sabotage the attack. Could Sol finally escape. Sol stared at the windowless wall until it was time for feeding. Sol hated feeding. All the children were gathered in one room and the vampires were allowed to feed. Sol walked to the feeding room, scowling. She hated her life. All of her childhood friends had escaped except for her. She was stuck here with vampires.

[Assistant] Sara stood outside the room leaning against the wall, her eyes closed, she had long black hair that was put into pigtails. Her attire was very fancy and clean, she didn't go into the room since she didn't want to feed on failed vampires that had to be destroyed. She mainly had to keep an eye on Sol, since she seemed very suspicious, she was the only one of her group to not escape. She opened her eyes to reveal that they were red, but not glowing for the sake of her hunger. "...Pigs... they're just pigs..." Sara said as she walked towards the door, staring at them all once she stood at the door.

[User]
The humans main camp was quite noisy, everyone was bussy getting everything ready for the next week, when the battle would take place.
There were soldiers coming and going all over the place, one man was standing silently against a wall.
His eyes analyzed everthing: their armors, their weapons, he could even tell who was mentally prepared for the battle and who was not.
Suddenly he was in5tertupted by a young soldier.

"Hey Vampire slayer, the higher ranks want you to go spy on the vampires, hurry up"

Galard sighed and then walk away from the main camp

[Assistant] James Hunter walked back into his hideout, dragging one unconscious rebel soldier and one unconscious vampire soldier(who just happens to be from the same unit as Sol and Sara, so they're probably going to notice that he's missing) with him. The human rebel was bound with rope while the vampire was bound with chains. He was planning to interrogate both of them when they woke up to find out information about the upcoming battle.

[User] Sol walked over to a little girl standing in a corner. She looked like she was going to be prey for someone else but Sol decided to interfere. She walked over to the girl and moved her hair aside before sinking her fangs into the girl's neck. Sol drank her share of blood before leaving. Her boss showed up and informed her that a squad member had disappeared.


[System]
"Hey, you wouldn't have seen any flower around here that has a yellow petal, would ya? I need one for, uh...'flavoring'."

"Charlotte LaChance. Now, if you don't need anything I really should be watching this beaker before it explodes."
"Nineteen."
Age:
19

Race:
Human

Appearance:
Charlotte stands around five foot six. A pale complexion with messy, somewhat unkempt dark brown hair and cold blue eyes adorn her face. She has a slender frame, with no obvious muscles as she's not entirely one for physical activity, often time spending her days reading or practicing her chosen craft. She wears comfortable clothes that look like one might expect of someone born from high-society. Short pants, held up by a belt with a golden buckle, adorned with various pouches to carry items. Comfortable shoes with long, knee-high socks. Over her upper body, she wears a thick cloak with a hood, designed mostly to protect the wearer from the cold. Rarely takes it off, even in the warmer lands she finds herself in.

Personality:
Insatiable curiosity, confident, stubborn, a bit on the childish side, doesn't like not getting her way, and has a bit of a one-track mind. As such her alchemy can sometimes suffer a bit as a result. Though indeed, she is talented, and if she doesn't let her one-track mind focus on something else after she starts something, she'd be fairly successful. She prefers to spend time outdoors with her plants and other alchemy reagents than in the company of people.

She tends to come off as rather serious and no-nonsense, and sometimes a sarcastic grump. Often time she wears a serious expression when people first meet her, though its only because she tends to have a one-track mind about things, and really doesn't like being interrupted. She's often thinking about various things and what properties plants might have.

That said, she is fairly friendly to most, and isn't hostile by any means. Just don't interrupt her work unless you have a really good reason. Aside from this, she's fairly intelligent and knows about a great deal many scholarly subjects. Mostly dealing with Magic and Alchemical pursuits, but she's read a great many number of books so she might surprise someone with her knowledge every now and then about something.

"DAMN YOUR EYES DON'T TOUCH THAT BEAKER-Argh, this is sensitive equipment!"

Abilities:
Aside from the obviously impressive physical and mental abilities that humans possess, Charlotte is adept at potion brewing. Meaning, alchemy and making useful concoctions out of herbs, remedies, antidotes and other items found in the natural world. She's pretty much a savant when it comes to everything relating to it. Add that to some beginner interest in Botany, she could probably make quite the living selling and brewing potions. That said, she is still fairly young and has a lot of room for improvement in the field. Plus, almost all the flora and fauna on this new continent has yet to be documented. Meaning, until she goes around documenting and doing some trial and error, she's gonna be somewhat useless.

Not something a lot of sleepless nights watching beakers and flasks bubble can't fix, however.

A neat little list:
-Good at alchemy
-Fairly intelligent
-Beginner Botanist
-Cold tends to not bother her so much, since her home country was notoriously cold.
-Not so good with animals, unfortunately. They tend to like using her as a chewtoy.
-Physically speaking, she's a wet noodle strength wise. Fairly average stamina due to her fairly active lifestyle.

History:
Born in Astril, Charlotte has been brought up around science, logic, reason, and even the odd magical related things most of her life. Aside from that, its not particularly interesting. While she herself wasn't born into the magic-using citadel of Astril, and was instead brought up in a small farming community near the border, she has always held an interest in magic, alchemy, and scholarly pursuits herself. So in between farming duties and helping her parents run the farm, she studied all sorts of books. Ones about history, magic, and otherwise.

And when she was fourteen, she was accepted into Astril itself as a student. And as confident as she was, she was sorely outclassed by a lot of the students there who had been training formally since their birth. She spent quite a few years there struggling to keep up with the other students, and quickly found herself as a bit of a loner and outcast among her peers. Not that she particularly minded, she'd rather have her books and studies anyways. Eventually she was labeled a bit of an eccentric.

It was when she was nineteen, she had to make a choice. Leave Astril and set off on her own, or effectively become a test subject. She doesn't like talking about the events that transpired leading up to that event, but she will say she killed about five scholars and blew up a lab.

Nation of Origin:
Astril. A small, somewhat isolationist country known for its heavy delving into intellectual pursuits of all kinds.

Nation Lore:
Astril is a small nation located far to north. Most of the country is cold, mountainous, and cold tundra and thick pine forests make up most of the climate. Over time, they have tamed the lands somewhat and built a thriving city located high in the frigid mountains. A tower like citadel, simply named 'Astril' over their first leader, that later became their small city.

In the past, they were a small group of intellectuals, scholarly types, dissatisfaction with their own cities. They traveled far to the north, seeking land unclaimed by others they could call home themselves. Eventually, they found their land in the cold north.

Overtime, they built a thriving city, founded upon not on diplomacy or military might, but on science, magic, and logic. When it was first founded, they welcomed all inquiries into the arcane and scientific nature, and shunned no question or line of research...no matter how 'unethical' it might have been perceived to be. Human, animal, and all sorts of experimentation was, and still is quite common. Of course, they don't exactly advertise this fact these days. If you're going to be doing something somewhat unethical, then you are expected to keep it under wraps and deal with any unintended consequences yourself...

Eventually, the city began withdrawing from the outside world, and though they still welcome intellectuals and those who wished to pursue arts of science and magic, they had developed a bit of a mindset that those outside their walls were somewhat...barbaric and uncivilized. Typical mage superiority mindset, really. Mix that with a somewhat reactionary mindset with a healthy dose of Xenophobia, (anyone considered an outsider and not born there, not racism per say. There are a variety of races that live here) you get some pretty narrow minded individuals.

Of course, it wasn't all easy for them. With their small numbers and generally small sized city, was almost taken over quite a number of times, if it wasn't for the quick thinking of their leaders. They maintain uneasy peace with any other city state in the area, but for the most part keep to themselves, and any outsiders are turned back at the border.

Misc:
-Not everyone pursues magic theory or science here. Not everyone has the aptitude to perform equally well with magic, after all. As long as you make yourself useful, you'll probably fit in well.
-A bit of a Meritocracy
-Ruled by the 'Deacon of Astril'

Other:
-Can be somewhat socially awkward at times, and has trouble holding a decent conversation about anything other than alchemy.
-Makes some questionable potions sometimes. You really shouldn't get curious about some of the stuff she makes.
-Don't bring up anything regarding an elixir of life or philosophers stone. You have been warned. If you do, bring ear plugs and make sure you don't have anything to do for the next hour.

[User]
~Charlotte LaChance~

---

This was her coconut, and she was gonna keep it warm and safe and that crazy native couldn't touch it, oh no she wasn't. She, Charlotte LaChance, was gonna eat it herself and that native could go starve in a fiery pit...something burning and evil. Yeah. She had little chance to enjoy her brief victory, though. As she thought of the many ways she could possibly make the coconut much more appetizing with the right herbs, spices, and such, Cait had decided to waltz over and once again, invade her personal space. By the stars, the similarities to her and...

Charlotte simply glared up at the shorter girl, wishing desperately she could tell her she was in fact, not a cat or some sort of pet. Alasm her words would fall on deaf ears that didn't understand the words being spoken. For a few seconds, this continued until Charlotte realized the other girl was not going to stop without a bit of encouragement. So the taller girl finally sat up, holding the coconut in her lap as she glared coolly at Cait.

She was running out of patience for the other woman's shenanigans.

[Assistant]
The fire haired girl continued petting Charlotte as she sat up, only stopping when it was obvious that the other woman was starting to become hostile. Sighing slightly in disappointment, the girl skipped over to her bag briefly and took out a looped piece of cloth, then twisted it to be in the format of an eight. "Mar seo!" After ensuring the other woman had been paying attention with a quick nose poke, Caitriona scaled the same tree using the piece of cloth as a powerful anchor to leap up from. Compared to the other woman's time, she was done easily within a minute. Grabbing the rest of the coconuts and dropping them onto the sandy ground, she scaled back down the tree as quickly as she had risen up it.

Tossing a spare white strip of cloth from her bag to the other woman, she pointed at another tree and then at her own bare feet. While she owned sandals, they were far more slippery and dangerous because of it. With a bright smile, she gave Charlotte an encouraging look to try it the right way this time.

[User]
~Charlotte LaChance~

---

Oh, now what was she doing? Pulling out some sort of rope or something? What was she going to do with that? She was quite curious, as it didn't exactly seem to be something that was used for any sort of practical purposes. Some sort of slingshot or something? Charlotte huffed, rubbing her nose as she was poked by the other girl. What, did she think she wasn't paying attention or something? She always paid attention to something, thank you. Bah, this girl was starting to get irritating.

After seeing what the girl was using it for though, Charlotte's thought process came to an abrupt halt.

Was...that was what it was used for? Then why didn't Cait tell her or show her how to use it instead of letting her fumble about on her own? Granted, there was nothing wrong with learning on your own when you had nothing else - that was the only reason Charlotte even attempted it. She was ignorant of such plants or how to harvest them. With time and enough thinking she could have come up with a simple and effective way of doing it, but...why? It would have saved them both time and her more than a little bit of irritation if Cait had just showed her how to use it.

The only reason Charlotte could think of, was that she was purposefully making fun of her. She watched Cait work dispassionately, only interested in how to use the simple contraption effectively. It would be easy enough to replicate one and easy enough to use it from watching Cait use it. When the other girl tossed the contraption to her, Charlotte didn't even catch it. Instead, she simply grabbed her coconut, and gave Cait a cool glare as she turned and walked away.

She had enough of being made fun of in Astril. She wasn't going to put up with it here.

[Assistant]
The woman blinked a few times as the woman turned away, dropping the cloth. Cait frowned slightly. Had she done something wrong? She had only meant to teach to foreigner ... and a little practice was necessary to understand how things worked, along with some failure.

After a brief look at the black haired girl, the native realized that she couldn't let the other person just leave like this. They wouldn't survive - at least based on what she knew about this area and the other woman. After a quick glance to the ocean and the woman wondering away on the beach, Caitriona went after the other girl after quickly picking up the strip of cloth up off the beach.

"Fan suas, amaideach!!" Soon enough, the flame haired girl had caught up, breathing just a little heavily from having scaled a tree and chased someone down. As a sign of piece, the woman showed both her hands as she walked next to this strange and currently irritated person. If the other girl didn't respond, the bard would start playing a quick little cheerful tune on her flute, offering the other woman a nice rock for the coconut beforehand.

[User]
Charlotte ignored the other woman, tuning out the music she had started playing. It was easy enough to block out other people and outside noises. It was something she had to learn how to do in Astril quite quickly. Besides, she had nothing to say, even if she could communicate verbally. She had hoped that people outside of Astril would be different, but it seemed she had been wrong. Selfish, cruel, people who only wanted to get their fun from making fun of others or watching each other suffer...hah, maybe she was just being overly pessimistic as usual. She shook her head, dismissing the thought as she walked. Might as well head back and actually get started on something. One coconut would be enough for her to eat for the day. She'd spend the rest of it working on actually getting a small base up.

It took some time, but eventually they returned - Cait still following her. Charlotte frowned, wanting to get rid of her but it would be quite a feat. Outside of using physical violence there wasn't much she could do to shoo the girl away...well, as long as she didn't get in the way, it'd be fine.

Charlotte placed the coconut on the ground next to her own materials, making a mental checklist of things she'd need. She'd like to eventually expand the cave - it'd be an excellent place for storage and working. No risk of...accidentally burning the place down via alchemy mishaps should something spontaneously combust. At the moment though, that'd be a far outside of her reach. Not until she could get her hands on some proper tools and maybe some sort of chemical softening agent.

So for now she needed wood, something to chop said wood down with, and a way to make rope. Plant fibers would easily fit that need...and then she'd just need a good, sturdy stick and sharpen decently sized rock and she'd be able to cut down some trees easily enough. Then she'd have to find a way to make planks...eh, shouldn't be too difficult. As for a roof - some of those palm tree leaves would make for some fairly decent temporary coverage...yes, this shouldn't be too difficult at all.

As long as Cait didn't bother her, she could make some decent progress today. Maybe even get a tree felled.


[System]
Age: 27

Appearance:

House: Jakob claims his hereditary from House Frey however it is highly doubted, especially by those who know how he came to power.

Family:
Mother - Brielle 'Frey'
Father - Unknown
Brothers - OPEN
Sisters - OPEN

Skills: Jakob is a skilled fighter, a fair tactician and also an accomplished player of 'the game'. His upbringing was part of this, having learnt his skills and talents through trial and error. In the way of making his way to power he became quite the adept player.

Weaknesses: Jakob's main weakness is his total paranoia, he trusts nobody and has had many friends, as well as enemies, executed.

Weapon: 'The Scythe of the Freys', a dig at the the fate of the Frey family.

Title: Lord of the Crossing

Personality: Jakob is a man who can come across as totally friendly and polite when in fact he is already plotting your downfall. He can laugh and have a joke but when business is at stake then he is deadly serious. He also is looking for a wife and allies, since his ascension to power did lose him a lot of friends.

Bio: Jakob's birth and early childhood are shrouded in the mists of time and intrigue. All that is known is that nearly eight year ago he appeared at the Twins claiming to be from an illegitimate line, fathered by Black Walder. This was doubted at first however some amorous love letters between Jakob's grandmother and Black Walder made Jakob's claim more believable and he was taken into the court as another member of the Twins guard. From here his dastardly work begun.

In the many years since Walder Frey's death the Twins had been in political turmoil. The multitude of offspring each fought for their own right to rule House Frey and it's rightful successor. This meant the number of Freys had dropped quite significantly, some leaving to find new lives, others being forced to leave for the wall and a few finding early graves. Family means nothing for the Freys and by the point that Jakob arrived at the Twins there was only half a dozen Freys left, and a number of them were leading ragtag bands, trying to take their birthright.

Jakob was expected to exist and soon die however he is not that sort of man. He started by organising the soldiers of the Twins, patrols of guards increased in frequency and their behaviour turned from abusive authoritarianism into a proper force of policing the law. A number of the pretender Freys were hunted down by Jakob himself and during this time he made many connections and friendships with men, and women, of importance throughout the hold. With such loyal behaviour the remaining Frey lords and ladies gave Jakob the right to be a true Frey and not the bastard he was considered. From then things changed, the guards would escort the other Frey lords everywhere they went, almost like house arrest. Meanwhile other bands of guards begun to systematically imprison, and then frame, men of power who opposed Jakob. Planting evidence of conspiring with traitor Freys. Trials were held and every man that Jakob's death squads picked up was executed as an enemy of the Throne. The guards believed that Jakob was trying to take power through them, however the truth was more sinister.

2 years ago Jakob seized power, he had a large number of guards stage a coup and Jakob then went onto 'save' the Freys from the coup but 'lost' them in the chaos. Eventually the Frey's bodies were discovered 3 days later by the waterside, the official cause of death being drowning. The instigating guards had been arrested and were executed very quickly by Jakob. As the last remaining Frey Jakob ascended into power, despite outrage from the courts around Westeros, and clever political maneuverings and intrigue closed every alley of investigation. Leaving Jakob's word the only one to be accepted.

Since then the Twins have prospered, new trade agreements have left Lord Frey with many lucrative deals and investments into the armed forces and and land. Over time the populace have come to accept Jakob as their new overlord though many believe he is not done planning yet.

Other: "When you play the game of thrones, you win, or you die."

[User]
Gwayne Tyrell - Lord of Highgarden

"Oh, come now. There's nothing to worry about." Gwayne began, waving his hand in a gesture of dismissal - the very picture of benevolence. "If you think Lord Stark would make a good Hand, then I support your decision wholeheartedly."

Ah, children and their naïveté. It seemed to him like the King no idea idea what consequences his actions would have - which he had to admit, was not very reassuring. Two reckless, foolhardy seventeen year-olds ruling all of Westeros? That sounded like a recipe for disaster, and worst of all, Daeron was blind to the error of his ways. Still, there was no point in pressing the issue, not yet anyway. Taking in the sight before him, Gwayne held little doubt that the King had already ingested far too much wine - wine from the Reach. It hadn't been easy to secure this much Arbor Gold from the Redwynes, and the Lord of Highgarden was once again reminded of the fact that his efforts to win the King's favour were all for naught.

"If you'll excuse me, your grace. I have to be taking my leave, but for now, I hope you enjoy the feast. The responsibilities of a King are not to be laughed at."

Gwayne bowed his head in a gesture of respect, before turning to leave. Almost instantly, that cordial, pleasant facade of his fell - slipping into one of quiet resolution. The snub tonight was no small matter, and with the Stark boy as Hand, there was no telling what kind of trouble he'd get the Seven Kingdoms into. Daeron might've thought John a good choice, but it was clear to everyone that he lacked the experience and political cunning to truly succeed. Maybe, just maybe, such a sentiment would be enough to sow discord amongst the lords and ladies, and draw them to his side. Surely, no one wanted the events from two centuries ago to happen again? The realm had nearly been ripped in half by the War of the Five Kings - an event worsened tenfold by the foolish bravado of knights and warriors. With people like these in power, it seemed like history was doomed to repeat himself. For now, though, all Gwayne could do was see how things unfolded, and perhaps, entertain the propositions thrown his way.

[Assistant]
Cullen Sunderland
Cullen gave a sullen look before grinning slightly, "Your father would be proud, you know that? Puttin' friends and family first. As for me my Lord I'll follow you through the seven hells if you'd ask me". Cullen looked around and gave another rare smirk before adding, "For now though let's enjoy the night. For tomorrow you work as Hand begins" Cullen turned to the nearest serving girl and yelled, "You there! Is all you have this weak wine? Bring your strongest for my lord and I!"
Vaz Varakko
Listening in on the various conversations Vaz managed to hear a number of interesting topics of discussion. Topics he'd happily make use of tomorrow, as for now he wished to enjoy what little time he had here. There was a myriad of valuable items in the hall. Items that Vaz was sure these nobles would go crazy for if they realized they were gone, not that it bothered him anyway he'd already be out and on his way to the nearest buyer. Stepping through the crowd he managed to swipe quite a few things on his way to the door. "You'd think they'd keep a closer eye on these things..oh well too bad for them but fortunate for me", he smiled as he exited the Red Keep and strode on his way back to the tavern. Despite finding no employer he did manage to earn enough for a good meal and a few whores.

[User]
The Next Morning
Lord John Stark of Winterfell

It had been a long night filled with drinking. John was currently draped across his bed, breathing rhythmically. A servant crept quietly into the room and roused the young lord, earning a curt nod and a thank you. John slowly got dressed, allowing the grogginess to creep away, waiting for the next early morning rousing.

John had slept in the Tower of the Hand last night, as had most of his entourage. His mother was awaiting him in the dining room where a meal was awaiting him. Shiera was feasting by the window, looking up every now and again to watch him. He took a seat across from his mother, offering a smile. "John, your position as hand is both a blessing and a curse. The Tyrells won't like it. Many people won't. You're young, and they don't trust that. However you wield a lot of power now. I hope you'll use it wisely. I'll be off for Winterfell in a few hours. I know you'll do fine here," his mother said, smiling at him.

John breathed in deeply before releasing his breath. "Mother, I'm worried that I won't be able to do this. Daeron is... he's..." John struggled to find the words. He knew them deep down, however he wasn't sure that he wanted to speak them. Finally he made a decision. "I'm worried Daeron won't be a good king," he said. His mother responded with pursed lips. She was thinking. Finally she spoke up. "Don't write Daeron's destiny before he has a chance to pick up the quill. You are the king's Hand. You make sure he doesn't turn the realm to ashes. I'm confident you can do that whether or not Daeron is a good king.

John nodded as he stood, having finished his meal. He brushed himself off and Shiera padded over, ready to follow him around for the day. John thought about today's events. There would be a tournament later, a celebration of the coronation that would last for a few more days. John began to exit but turned to his mother before he did. "Please tell Cullen that I'm rousing the king and that he should meet me in Daeron's quarters should you see him. And please write when you get to Winterfell," he said. His mother smiled and nodded and he made his way towards Daeron's room.

Lady Gemma Baraetheon

Gemma had retired early the night before, not interested in waking up with a pounding headache that would follow her throughout the day. She prepared herself for the day, brushing her hair and dressing in one of her mother's old dresses. Gemma wished she would be allowed to participate in the tournament, however it was restricted to those of lowborn origin. While the crown had treated Baraetheons like shit for two centuries now, they were still of noble blood.Gemma began wandering the halls of the Red Keep, her blue dress flowing behind her as she looked for some entertainment until the tournament began.

[Assistant]
Lord Jakob Frey, Lord of the Crossing

Jakob awoke with a disgusting taste in his mouth and a pain in his neck. Looking down he saw that he had shifted in his sleep and knocked his pillows off, leaving himself with a kink in his neck. Standing his naked frame tensed and then shivered, before he yawned and then scratched himself. Walking to the side he pulled forward a brass bowl of water and a towel. Saturating the towel he then rung it out before wiping himself down. He was entered into the tourney that day and so was in no mood to properly clean himself. Instead he washed away the sweat and grime from the night before and then dressed in some loose fitting white linen. Walking down for an early breakfast Jakob sat down in the designated table for the Riverlords, he was down before the others and had the best of the food at his fingertips. Crispy bacon, watered wine and warm bread was all like a salvation to his parched mouth, enjoying every mouthful; he was almost sad to see some of the other lords arrive. Most just gave him a nod, he had earned some respect with the meeting last night, now he needed to show he could lead them. Finally finishing his food he made his way out onto the field of the tourney. His tent had been set up a few nights ago by retainers he had sent earlier, and his gear was being brought in as he sat and went through the days events with his page. He had hoped to see some other houses before he fell asleep however he was sure he would get the chance today. And hell if he could win this tourney, well he had always loved winning.


[System]
Age: 16
House: Ravenclaw
Year: 7th

Classes
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Alchemy
Care of Magical Creatures
Transfiguration
Potions
History of Magic

Short Bio
Born to a warlock father and muggle mother Oliver has always had one foot in each worlds. His parents are both very proud of their heritage and at times would argue that the other was dragging Oliver too deep into the other ones world. Thankfully for them he had quickly fallen in love with both and has since made large steps towards remaining connected to both worlds.

At a young age Oliver was told he could select which education program he would want to persue. Instead of picking he studied hard and after some labor found success in both muggle summer programs and Hogwarts. His success in both allowed him the open to study abroad making it possible for him to study at a muggle language program in Rome while at the same time Oliver was accepted into an accelerated Alchemy course within the Vatican. Since then he has found his interests moving from one study to the next.

With him now in his 7th year Oliver promised his parents that he would remain at home after returning from a program study in South Africa. Returning to Hogwarts as a 7th year he is somewhat nervous; however, with his confidence he isn't worried about meeting old people as he is interested in meeting new people. He is also the Head Boy for Ravenclaw giving him a heightened responsibility.

Personality
Oliver is enthusiastic, idealistic, and creative. Able to do almost anything that interests him. Has great people skills. Driven with a need to live life in accordance with his inner values. Easily excited by new ideas, but often bored with details. Open-minded and flexible, with a broad range of interests and abilities.

Wand: Red Oak, 15"; Dragon Whisker Core
Patronus: Bird of Paradise
Hobbies: Travel - Hiking - Languages
Pets: With permission from the school Devin was allowed to bring his pet dog Alpha. An Alaskan Husky
Personal Possessions: Standard student trunk along with nic-nacs from his travels.

Relationships

[User]
Undertaker
Stein "The Reader"

Walking to the breakfast , he noticed a picture of the quidditch team of Ravenclaw,he saw few people , the only person he recognized was Jaden the Ravenclaw prefect , he had some conversations with him about some book Stein was searching or someone making him a prank,he saw him near and aproching to him, because of he was very excited and didnt want to wait he asked him about the captain almost shouting.

-Hello Jaden!,are you still part of the Ravenclaw quidditch team and if you are where is the captain because i want to enter the team .

[Assistant]
~Karen Antonius~
 Karen took a sip of her tea, savoring the brew's deep taste to go along perfectly with the cool morning air. She'd been since 7 am, not for any particular reason; she just got up at the time and that was it. Seeing as going back to sleep was impossible and she had nothing better to do, she figured a bit of tea in the morning wouldn't be a problem. She'd used her own supply to avoid having to go downstairs to the kitchens, which would have been a hassle.

 Soon enough other students began waking up and moving about. Some noticed her, some did not. Among those that did, many gave an awkard jump upon realizing that she was there, before try to scurry away as quickly as possible. Karen smiled and waved back pleasantly. It didn't seem to help there nerves. Yawning, she pulled out a tiny pocket watch from the robe she was wearing, and peered at it. It was nearly time for breakfast.

 "Very well," she decided, sitting up from her chair, "I suppose it's best to be off by now."

 Drawing her wand from a holster that was hiding within the sleeves of her robe, she pointed them at the used plate, and cup of tea. With a quick flick of her wrists, she preformed the Switching Spell, and in place of the used tableware was her rosary, red scarf, and golden cross. Picking the items up, she concealed the former in her robes while wearing the latter around her neck. Back then, these two object would attract considerable attention from most of the student-body, but now they've gotten used to it. Most of them, anyway.

 Karen flung the red scarf around her neck and several males stepped back, looks of apprehension on their faces; they knew very well what the scarf was capable of doing. Karen laughed lightly. "Don't worry, I've nothing planned for today," she said reassuringly. "Unless of course, you want me to make plans for you . . . ?"

 Her voice had taken an attractive tone, and it would have definitely been enticing had it not been for the underlying meaning behind them. The referenced students shook their head quickly and left. Karen, still smiling, stepped out of the common room after them, and was greeted with a familiar looking lion cub.

 "Good morn, sir Damian," greeted Karen with a light smile on her face, walking up to side of the boy that wasn't being occupied by an overgrown kitty. "And to your companion as well. How goes your morning so far?"

 Aah, idle conversation; it was truly the unmatched King of Activities when it came to passing time.

[User]
Felicia

Felicia had been awake for a short while now. She was already dressed and ready before she needed to be. It had grown into a habit over the last year and a half as a result of the tattoo. Felicia did love her tattoo, but it just wasn't normal for a girl so young to have such a large tattoo. So Felicia got up earlier than most normal twelve year olds would. Lero sat on her lap, looking up at her with his large green eyes. Felicia stroked his fluffy black fur, looking at the fire in front of her, admiring the beauty in something so simple.

Parum

Parum scooped up Geminus and held him close to her. She was sitting on her bed. She was ready to go to breakfast, but she just hadn't motivated herself to do so. Geminus mewled, and Parum grabbed a little bottle and began to feed her newborn kitten. She worried slightly about Geminus, about how long his life would be, born with two faces. She dismissed her thought and stood up. She left the room she was in and began to walk towards the great hall for breakfast, still holding and feeding Geminus.

[Assistant]
Genevieve BraveheartShe crept through the quiet of the house. Gryffindors were not known for their ability to wake up in the morning, so it was a little strange that she was up as early as she was. Genevieve smiled as she saw her snowy owl perched on the window, its head tipped to the side, with a letter in its beak. She crept over quietly and took the letter from Geric. "Thanks Geric," she whispered to him and he flew off, heading toward the owlry, or the Owl Tower as she called it. She looked down and saw it was a letter from her dad. She frowned. She hadn't heard from him for most of the year. With a small sigh, she tucked the letter into the pocket of her robe and headed toward the door.

She walked out with grace and ease, seeing a few students heading down toward the Great Hall to eat. She saw a few of the Hufflepuff colored robes around and she looked around, looking for Patrick's familiar face. She couldn't help the tingle in her stomach as she looked for her best friend, but she immediately tried to force it back down. Chill.  she told herself. You need to chill. He doesn't like you like that and never will, so relax and just go to breakfast.

Her mind forcing her to give up her search for her crush/ friend, she hurried down the stairs to the Great Hall. She noticed that there were a lot of students already down their as well. A few she recognized from the Quidditch teams and others she recognized from class. She smiled and went over to sit down at the Gryffindor table. She slid in between the seats and immediately started to pick at food, taking a huge bite out of a roll as she grabs it from a stack.

Still munching on the roll, she pulled the letter from her dad out of her robe and set it on the table. Shockingly enough, it wasn't a talking letter as he normally liked to do. She frowned. This must be important. She ripped open the letter and began to read.

My dearest child,

I send you this letter both out of joy and grief, as I fear that you will react badly to the news I am about to deliver. But first I must ask: How are your classes going? Are you excelling as your mother did when she went there? How about Quidditch? Is Gryffindor undefeated as always?

Genevieve smiled at this last comment because she knew very well that her father knew that Gryffindor had lost their first Quidditch match of the season this year. They were playing again really soon, she just couldn't remember who. She kept reading.

Now onto the difficult part my dear. I know it may be hard for you to hear, but I have been seeing someone over these past couple months. Her name is Delilah Evergreen, and I think I am in love with her, dear. I want to ask her to marry me and I seek your approval for it. I understand that this is difficult for you to hear, but I wish for my happiness as well as yours. If you do not give me approval, I understand, but then I will not be happy. I want what is best for both of us, Gene, and I think Delilah is it.

Please respond as soon as you are able.

Much love,

Daddy

The letter slipped from her sweating hands. She no longer felt like eating. Her father was getting married. To another woman?! She couldn't believe it. She knew that her say didn't matter because he always went against his word, like when he said he would love no one other than Mother.

"He's getting married," Genevieve murmured out loud. "He's getting married." Now she really wished Patrick was here.

[User]
Oliver, drenched in sweat, was walked back into the school after his run around the lake when an old barn owl swooped down and dropped a letter in front of him. The 7th year student was slightly puzzled by the early morning mail. Running up the stairs to the perfect bathrooms he enjoyed a very well deserved soak in the warm waters. Cleaned off the morning workout and then returned to his room where he changed for the day ahead. He considered wearing his student robes, but remembered that the guest professor for Care of Magical Creatures had a ban on them during his class. Leaving his room in a plain white t-shirt and jeans combo he made his way down to the breakfast hall to silence his stomach.

The great hall was the epicenter of chaos in the mornings. Students realizing they had homework do desperately dashing from one friend to the other to see who they could copy from. Others just sleeping in and needed to rush through to get food while not being late. As a 7th year Oliver had a lot more independent time, but most of this was taken up by studying. Under his arm he held some of his study materials which he set down as he sat in the center of the Ravenclaw table. The table was the busiest of the four with most of the students sitting and studying. Oliver would have cracked a joke about the table being nothing but stereotypes, but as he put his own study materials down he saw the obvious hypocrisy.

Grabbing a piece of toast and smearing some butter on it Oliver dove into the book with full force. It was an advanced book on Alchemy that he had been assigned by an old professor from his time abroad last year. He had gotten some advice on how to survive his 7th year and the number one advice given was stay ahead of the curriculum. Since then Oliver has done his best to remain a week ahead of his classes as far as prep and practice. It had shown to be the right move as he was at the top of his classes.


[System]
7 May 1908

Appearance
Average height, sand brown hair kept up in a professional looking bun when in school/working, left down to let her natural wave free. Hazel eyes often behind reading glasses and dark circles from being up way too late. Occasionally looks a little haggard, her fair skin making the dark circles a little more obvious. A few dark freckles on her face and arms stand out starkly.

Personality
Kind, giving, passionate, and a little absent minded. Bea is a nice person to work with, talk with (as long as you don't mind random, winding tangents on things you might not actually want to know about), and generally be around. She's dedicated to learning and her work, doesn't give up easily and will keep going sometimes even past when it's obvious she should give up.

History

William Axford
9 September 1893

Appearance
Tall, broad shouldered, and generally built like a working man. Strawberry blond hair kept just outside of military standards, light blue eyes set in a handsome face. Few scars here and there, along with a few tattoos. One of his daughters name above his heart, a phoenix across his shoulder on his back, and a naked valkyrie one his right inner forearm.

Personality
Will is a bit of a bastard sometimes, and for the most part doesn't really like to spend lots of time in large groups of people. He's fine with a few people for long times but public spaces start to bother him if he's in them too long. He's rather caring to people he's close to, overly protective almost of them. He treats women amazingly well despite still being a bit of a sleaze sometimes when he talks to them.

History
Born the eldest of far too many, childhood was rough and made him tough. He left home as soon as he could and didn't look back really. A few years before the war broke out, at seventeen he became a father. But that only encouraged him to enlist and ship out.

He served on the front lines for a few yearsbefore moving on to airship service where he found his stride, quickly rising up the ranks. A year before the cease fire was called, he injured fairly badly in battle and he was still in recovery when the fighting stopped. When he was up again he'd been discharged and he took the offer from one of his former officers as captain of one of his civilian vessels. He has since captained the Valkyrie ever since.

Rebeca Elizabeth Axford
25 April 1910

Appearance
Medium height, slim build with a lovely set of curves. Long, mid back length bright red hair hair and startling blue eyes. She's almost always with a bright smile on her face, and a kind look on her face. Even if she had shorter hair there'd be no denying that she was a woman, everything about her screamed it, but in a soft way, especially considering her age. Delicate and feminine, but there's enough spunk in her look that one would believe she was able to go running and swimming with the boys just as well as them.

Personality
Kind, caring, compassionate, loud, exuberant, and loving. There is something about Rebeca that makes it hard to not be happy when you're around her. She gets under your skin quickly, making her seem like she's always been your friend. The girl is all smiles and light laughter. There are very few who would not count her friend, or friendly, even amongst hardened people she is a source of light.

History
The only child of a pair of high school sweet hearts who never wed, Rebeca was raised just on the cusp of middle class. Her mother did well enough to never have her wanting, but the extra little things of life did slip them by as well. But she was happy, and bright and didn't care about those things. Her mother died when she just a little over thirteen, leaving her to live with her grandparents just a few towns over from Saint Louis. She was happy and content with her life, even if she didn't see her father as much as she would have liked to have.

At sixteen, her grandmother who was already I'll passed, her grandfather a few months later. She stayed in the house for a while before her uncle kicked her out because he didn't approve of her lifestyle, and had never liked that she had been born out of wedlock and remains so. So she sent a letter to her father and he gladly took her with him when he next came into town.

[User]
Roger looked from Will to the girl and back. "Alright. And here I was thinking I could help." He chuckled. "Great, I'll tell the ladies."

Estella finished gathering up the tools. This way when the engine started there wouldn't be loose items around. She glanced over at Will. Again she was surprised at his response. He not only obviously didn't seem to mind but at the same time he seemed to be willing to go out of his way to accommodate her. It was a bit touching, not that she was going to let herself tear up or anything. She provided a smile. "Thank you, I appreciate it." Not that she would ask. She wouldn't impose or make them spend extra to get her something different. But it was still touching. Having grown up with a lot of anti-semitisms, it was nice to see that there were some people out there who weren't judgemental.

When they finally did take off, Estella stayed in the engine room making sure everything worked well. She did some tweaking here and there, making sure everything ran smoothly. As said, they were able to take off and there was no major incident. Still, there was stuff that needed to be done and even as she heard the engine run she picked up little nuances, issues that though weren't going to cause immediate issues and crash the ship, would need to be dealt with down. She mentally made a list.

Having gone back and informed the ladies they were ready to go, Roger took Bea to the observation deck so she could watch the ascent and then the passing landscape. It was always an amazing sight - at least in his opinion. To fly. Mankind had been wanting to fly probably as long as they had seen birds do so. And here they were. It was in a machine, yes, but it was still flying.

[Assistant]
Bea followed Roger out. She'd been by airship only once before, and she was very little. Most of their other traveling had been done by either train or boat. Her father had not been a big fan of air travel, so they mostly stayed on the ground. Honestly, they'd mostly stayed put anyways. Some level of paranoia had kept her father home. Paranoia that she now fully understood because now she was subject to the same sort of foreboding feeling of someone watching and waiting and lurking to do her harm and take away what she knew. And she didn't even really know much of anything.

So this was a fantastic thing for her. She watched everything as best she could, unable to focus on one sight in particular, because it was just all too wonderful. Her eyes were wide with childlike wonder and she was smiling as she leaned over the railing to get a better look.

"This is wonderful," she said softly, only loud enough for Roger next to her to hear. "So very amazing. I don't know how anyone comes down with views like this."

[User]
Roger smiled as he watched Bea. The childlike delight she expressed and naivety of flying was refreshing. He had flown several times and as a security guard he had gone up on airships frequently as they moved the ships from one dock to another at times. In some ways he had gotten used to it. But being here with Bea, watching her exclaim over the landscape below brought a lot of it back. Moving up beside her he gazed down as the city of London passed below them.

"Yes, it is an amazing sight. There's Ms. Mortimer's boarding house." He pointed out the building, now fairly far below them. "And the University. And that little tea shop we occasionally frequent." He smiled. It was a nice view.

The wind blew lightly as the airship continued to ascend, reaching decent altitude. It was a bit brisk but being late spring, early summer it wasn't too bad. "The best way to travel is by airship." Roger watched as the city become small dots and quickly started to fall away. The surrounding landscape had a miniature look to it. The sheep, the people, even the automobiles. "'Landlocked no more, man may now fly like the birds of the air and look over the Earth and see that it is truly good.'" The quote had been from Fredrick Schnider, the inventor of the airship those so many years ago. Roger smiled and glanced at Bea. Her face was alit. "So what do you think? Was Heir Schnider correct?"

[Assistant]
Bea smiled over at him, laughing softly. "I do believe I'd have to agree with him," she murmured, leaning her head against Roger's shoulder. "Thank you, by the way," she went on, still soft, but just loud enough for him to hear her. "For coming with me on this crazy trip." She had always wanted to believe her father, and she had had no reason to doubt any of his research, so that was not an issue. But that there were some so willing to kill over it? That was just almost too much for her. And she hated having to drag Roger along with her on such a possibly dangerous thing. But she didn't know if she could go on without him either.

《》《》

Rebeca made her way to the engine room and stood in the doorway for a moment while she watched Estella, crossing her arms over her chest some. "So you think you're gonna stay for the long haul?" she asked, somewhat out of the blue. "Because I think you'd be a good fit here, ya know."

[User]
Roger smiled. He felt Bea's head rest on him but kept looking out over the passing landscape. He was glad she was comfortable with him. And that she knew he wouldn't take it out of context. Some guys might. They might assume she was interested in them because of her proximity and her casualness. But not Roger. They'd been friends for a long time now. She was just comfortable with him as he was with her.

At her quiet words, he glanced down at her. A smile forming on his lips. He was half tempted to tease saying that she wouldn't be able to do it without him. Or that she'd get in trouble or lost in thoughts or something but he stopped. There was a time and place and this wasn't either. At least it didn't feel it. "You're welcome." He looked back out. "We'll find it, Bea. We'll discover the truth and bring his murder to justice." Resolution filled him. They would. He would do all that he could. Not just for the sake of the man who had taken him in a bit and helped him out but for his daughter too - his own best friend. He would do anything to make this right and if they could bring the murderer to justice perhaps it would help bring the healing a bit quicker.

He put an arm around her, giving her a bit of comfort before letting it drop again.

~ ~ ~

There sure was a lot to do when working in a flying airship. Estella had a bit of experience but really the last airship she worked on had her doing low menial work that really even let her in the engine room. Now she was practically running it. On her own. A mixture of excitement and awe filled her as well as the harsh burden of responsibility. If something went wrong, she was responsible. That tappered her positive feelings but didn't eliminate them. The wonder of working with machinery was far too great to be completely squashed by the responsibility. Besides, responsibility could be good. Though a bit scary.

Moving back and forth, already accustomed to the swaying of the airship, Estella worked on the engine - areas she could fix while it was going, while maintaining the engine and making sure nothing went wrong. Tweaking it as needed. It was an old vessel and needed a good firm hand on it. How she knew what to do, she couldn't explain. She hadn't been completely trained on all this but at the same time, she didn't need to. She had a knack. A gift. She could look at something, listen to it, touch it and be able to diagnose the issue and fix it. It was something she had always been able to do. To the chagrin of her family. They had not been too pleased by her interest in mechanics. She was NOT the perfect Orthodox Jewish girl her family had wanted. And that brought a hint of sadness to her.

She fingers went beneath her blouse and touched the star of David necklace. It tied her to them even though they would have nothing to do with her. Letting it drop again, she went back to work. She stayed busy lost in her work. She nearly jumping out of her skin when Rebeca spoke.

"You scared me," she said a hand over her heart. She laughed and shook herself. The smile vanished as she contemplated the question. Why was the woman asking? She had shown kindness ever sense meeting Estella. Even put in a good word for her to work on the ship. And for that, Estella was grateful. Though she didn't completely understand why the woman did it. "I don't know," she shrugged. "I'm not really a qualified airship mechanic - at least not to be running it." She adjusted a lever to let a bit of the steam out before it built up to much. Then turned her attention back to Rebeca. "I mean, I'm enjoying it. It's a big responsibility," she quickly added. "But," another shrug. "Great learning experience."

She glanced at her hands, wincing just slightly at the soot before quickly putting them at her side. It wasn't that she minded the dirt - she didn't. But she always felt a bit awkward around other women. Especially as she wasn't the 'ideal' female. Trousers, hands blackened from work, jagged nails - partially from chewing.

[Assistant]
She leaned against him a little more when he gave her the half hug, closing her eyes and just enjoying that they could be so casual with one another and not have to worry about the wrong sort of thing happening. Not that she ever considered that Roger would be the kind of man to do that even with a woman he did not know as well as Bea. She looked up at him with a little smile as he dropped his arm and stepped back the slightest bit as well, though she was still easily within reach of him.

"I'm sure we will as well," she said, sounding confident as well. They would do this, for her father. "Just hopefully it won't cost us too much to do so." And it was clear that her words implied not a monetary cost.

{} {}

"Sorry," she murmured with a little chuckle at Estella's surprise. She hadn't meant to startle her any, but that didn't mean she wasn't amused by it a little bit. She rarely got to sneak up on people like that, so it wasn't often she surprised anyone like that.

She watched her think, then watched her feel self conscious about her appearance it seemed. "No one's really, truly, qualified for anything," she said with a little shrug of her shoulders. "But I don't think that should hold you back any from doing what you want. Besides, Dad knows a decent amount about what to do, so it isn't like you're in this alone. And he's been on this ship so long, that when he's not distracted, he does know when something is wrong. Don't ask him technical terms though, because he'll just call it a 'do hicky' or whatever."

Rebeca smiled and took a step closer to her, not crowding her any though. "I'm glad you're here. You seem...happier. You don't have to worry about impressing us any, by the way. Just be yourself."