Thomas
The scarred man's hood eye slowly left Noctis and settled on Almonde face. Almonde, a healer and so far exceptionally perceptive woman would find those eyes... *Hollow*. There was not emotion, no disdain or anger, there wasn't even recognition though he obviously saw her. It was as if someone had gone back there and turned off the lights, shut off the brain and just strung him up on strings. His ashy skin was just pale, it was *Lifeless*. He stared at her blankly, **Not** Stupidly, just blankly and then his mouth opened. 

"Are you ready to purchase?" He asked, his voice lacking any sort of inflection or tone. It wasn't even monotone, it was just a voice without an ounce of humanity in it. "We have fishing rods on sale today. They are in the left corner." Then his eye snapped to the hooded Wisteria and his eyebrow furrowed. His right hand twitched and he simply touched his forearm which was heavily tattooed. Then his hand dropped again and he blankly stared at Almonde. 

"Ready to purchase?" He asked again. 

- - - - 

Noctis studied the shelves, looking for bloodied objects, trapdoors, cracks in the wood to see into a back room- anything that would give him a hint that this place was what they were looking for. He could hear the sounds of the party outside, hear laughing and the blare of music, make out shouts. Noctis constantly kept his Enhance going to power his senses because he liked to be entirely and totally aware of his surroundings, he had not been *Surprised* By anyone in a long time- not since Tarin and Noctis had still sensed him within a hundred feet. So when a voice spoke in his ear he *Nearly* Jumped but instead his hand flew to the hilt of a sword that wasn't there as he whirled, sliding back and almost into the wall with one hand raised to defend against a swinging blade when he saw the beautiful and scarred face of...*"Whisteria?"* He hissed, glaring at her and looking over her shoulder for Eliza. Sylvar and Valac too of course. Yet the disappointment

That pinged in his chest was not for the two men he'd taken as tag alongs. 

His hands dropped but his body did not relax, she could be a Skinwalker or a Shapeshifter trying to get in close. Eyes narrowing, he asked softy. 

"In what state do you first find me?" Noctis wished with all his heart that this was Wisteria, having her would erase so much stress and- then he realized with horror that he was *Entirely* Powerless. Wisteria was a closed book to him but he *Cared* How she saw him and she was about to find him a shadow of the being he'd been before. It nearly made him panic- but then he remembered that she'd found him that way before. When he'd first awoken he'd needed to recover his strength, in a few months he'd been as good as he had been when he first woke up. 

Wait, WAIT, none of that was the concern. She had been on the fucking *Ship* When he'd fought Tarin less than a day ago. Now she was *Here?* He had to be sure this was her.
Justin
An expression of panic. A quick whirl of the body. Reaching for a weapon that wasn't there.

Whatever had happened to Noctis from the time he'd been out searching for food to where he was now really seemed to affect him. Wisteria could tell he was not in the best of sorts. Not enough to be called an insane fool, but befuddled enough that he seemed to have trouble figuring out his next move. Odd considering he normally had plans in place for whatever tricks he had up his sleeve or what task he set before him.

Not to mention a captain without a plan was a poor one at that.

"Yes, the one and only." She answered back with a dry, deadpan tone. She had guessed that he was probably surprised to see her there considering... Well, he had no idea how she'd gotten there so fast. Not that he needed to know. She wondered what was going on in that pretty, little head of his.

Almost made her rethink knocking some sense into him for this whole chase she'd been forced to go on.

Hearing Noctis quietly whisper to her a question, the dragon woman raised a brow at him. He must of thought she. Wasn't really there. A thief in some disguise of a loved one. Or some monster that knew how to trick him.

He was so close to that truth.

"Hmm, let me think." She said, placing a finger on her cheek as she let the time drag on, looking away from Noctis. "I'm sure someone would say you were as handsome as you are now when they found you." The amber of her eye flickered back to him, a frown on her face. "Me on the other hand, I remember finding a fool sleeping in a ravine like it was their final resting place. Confused, out of sorts. You were an ass with an ego despite crawling out of dirt too." Her eye roamed his figure, getting a better look of what he was now lacking. He really did just look like a pretty face without all his armor and sword. "You look like shit too. Doesn't seem like much has changed. Only this time I might throw you back in that ravine if I don't get a straight answer as to why I had to drag myself out here to find my *Captain* Who ditched his crew."
Gwendolyn
*As her blue eyes met that of the large man's hallow eyes, she'd sence something wrong. The devotee had seen the faces of hard workers and tired men, broken men even, yet there was something lacking in the man. He was not dumb nor completely lifeless as his gaze held some alertness to them. Almonde kept her smile bright and warm, failing to notice a hooded figure approaching Noctis.*

```"Oh my goodness, I love fishing. Purchase? Yeah, I'd love to purchase you hahaha. But I'm afraid i can't afford you since you're priceless! Oh wow, I love your tattoos. Do they have some cool meaning to them?"```

*As Noctis and a hooded figure began to interact with each other, Almonde's attention was on the hallowed man. She'd lean on the counter while putting that metal disk on the counter, using her finges to slide it towards the man.*

```"Oh, do you also buy things from honest customers like me? Maybe you could store items for little old me? How much would that cost? Or is that a member's only privilege?"```

*Almonde spoke with a friendly tone, attempting to pry the man before her. However, her ears could hear the voice of a woman speaking. She was sure that Noctis and her were the only customers here. Her head turned to investigate. Upon seeing a scary looking hooded figure facing a stressed out looking Noctis, her eyes would widen with fear. She'd lost Ben, she would not bury another innocent man tonight. Without hesitation or a moment of thought, she'd begin saying a prayer.*

```"O Merciful Mother of Health and Vitality, hear my prayer and protect your children, extend your love down to us. Allow us to draw breath with ease and free of danger, as you may."```
.

*The devotee said with a firm tone, her eyes were sharp and focused as she'd summon three barriers to surround the hooded figure. Three magic barriers would suddenly appear around Wisteria, a triangle box to trap her and hopefully give Noctis an opportunity to counter the ambush.*

*Although, she did hear them speaking to each other. It could simply have been threats or Noctis charming his way out of a sudden ambush. They were probably trying to steal his ring, of course! Taking the tower shield on her back, she'd quickly approached Noctis and stood to face the hooded figure with shield lifted.*

```"Noctis, keep an eye out and snap out of it. They might be using invisibility spells. Quickly, grab a weapon. I'll hold this one down."```

*The devotee turned to face the hooded figure, even if she wasn't an older man. The hooded figure was clearly here with criminal intent. Almonde was tense as she'd look around the room for other ambushers. Her grip on her quarterstaff was tight, she'd ready herself for another spell.*
Thomas
"I'd prefer you were an enemy." He said dryly, his mortal grey eyes regaining their composure. Now that the threat was *Mostly* Gone though that was never a promise with Wisteria, he was starting to get his normal sense of self again. The whole ordeal and being nearly powerless had rocked him but he had hundreds of years of experience to fall back on. He was powerless, not helpless. Noctis had to remember that. He was about to open his mouth to respond to her threat when suddenly... 

Magic flared to life around them as a barrier flashed into existence around Wisteria. He was sure that would upset the fire mage, who'd always had a very sharp temper on her. Swiftly he stepped between Almonde and Wisteria, more worried for Almonde than he was Wisteria. 

"I know her Almonde! It's fine, she's a friend." He said, holding his hands up. Then his eyes widened and he reacted, lunging forward to shove Almonde aside as a massive gloved hand swung through the air. The strike from the massive shopkeeper hit his shoulder and sent him flying through the window of the shop. 

- - - - 

"Magic! Magic! Magic!" The empty eyed man roared, but again there was no emotion as he raised up his right hand and pointed it at Almonde. Black energy swirled around an extended finger and black necrotic energy blasted in three quick bursts towards her. Whatever was wrong with this man, whatever those strings were- it seemed that he had been programmed to attack if he saw or sensed magic. 

Noctis could be seen staggering to his feet outside, pulling the dagger from his boot as two more cloaked figures dropped down from the roof beside him. 

It seemed a fight had begun to brew.
Justin
"You almost sound genuine about that." Wisteria countered back, watching as Noctis was beginning to relax somewhat. Whatever had happened to him, it affected his mind in some way. Worry crossed his features and uncertainty was clear in his voice. He was on edge more than usual and he liked his typical overconfidence and charisma.

She sighed. She'd have to try and be a bit nicer for now. She didn't want to admit it, but seeing him sad made her feel bad.

Just as he seemed ready to answer her, Wisteria tilted her head slightly to the side, looking to Almonde. For just a brief moment the feeling of magic crackled in the air. A casting if a spell, something holy in nature, before a barrier was created around her. She didn't move or flinch, the woman glaring at Almonde from the magic cage she'd made for her. The poor priestess probably thought she was a vagrant trying to bully her poor friend. The same who jumped between them to ensure no fight was about to occur between them.

*I should just break this barrier to give her a scare. Who is this woman with Noctis? She smells human. I sense magic on her.*

Her glare never leaving Almonde, the sudden attack from the shopkeeper rattled the room and the atmosphere, seeing a hand outreached from the owner connect with Noctis who's rushed to protect Almonde. With a heavy crash Noctis was flung through the window, landing somewhere out into the town streets.

Noctis!" Wisteria grit her teeth, her attention pulled from the unknown priestess to the horrid looking shopkeep. The man, or whatever he was, moved fast. Appeared to not like magic either. Concentrating on her own fire magic to even the odds, Wisteria coated her hand in flames as she punched the barrier wall in front of her with full force. Watching as the flames coated the barrier and brightly burned, cracks began to coat the cage around her as a similarly crashing sound of glass resonated in the shop.

Quickly stepping out of the destroyed magic prison and getting in front of Almonde, Wisteria reached to her belt and pulled out a throwing knife, not hesitating as she aimed and threw the weapon towards the shopkeepers' head.

She'd have used her fire magic to just burn the man, but too much and it'd cause problems. They didn't need more eyes on them then they already surely did with the noise. 

"Go check on Noctis, priestess! You're in the way!"
Gwendolyn
*Her shield lowered as Noctis mentioned that this was just a friend and not another criminal. The magic barrier began to weaken as it held someone who wasn't a foe, yet it lingered. Before the devotee could speak a single word, she'd be pushed aside. The massive shopkeeper sent the man through the window, she chose the wrong person to trap.*

```"Wha-"```

*Her attention turned to the large shopkeeper, who seemed to be cursed. She'd quickly lifted her shield towards the man, as the black necrotic blasted onto the metal. The blows pushing the devotee back and against the wall, yet despite her attacker being ruthless. Her expression was filled with concerned. Upon seeing Noctis's friend break out of the magic barriers with ease, the woman was clearly a mage. Hearing her words, the devotee nodded as she'd grab a sword from the walls.*

```"Don't kill the man if you can, I'll check on Noc."```

*The devotee quickly said as she'd jump through the same window that Noctis was thrown out of, falling with the grace of a Mammoth. The woman would quickly run toward Noctis, handing him the sword as the two cloaked figures came to her attention.*
Thomas
The massive shopkeepers hand came up and the knife pierced right though his palm to the hilt, the blade only a few inches from his nose. There was no blood that trickled from the wound and he did not seem to flinch from the pain, instead black energy swirled around his right arm and he leapt over the counter to land closer to Wisteria. As she had used magic last, she was now his target. Lifting a hand up, the dark energy exploded out towards her in a wave. It had a sick and deathly smell and was surprisingly powerful, enough force generated to rattle the remaining windows. Footsteps came down the stairs and another man entered the room, his face was covered by a scarf but he had blood red eyes and pale white skin. His head was mostly covered by a hood as well, his clothes black and he had a pair of spiraled daggers in his hands. 

"You smell strange? What are you? Dragonborn in disguise?" He hissed, his voice like razors as red sanguine energy formed around his body and he speed blitzed to the doorway to block her escape as the massive shopkeep shot wave after wave of dark energy at Wisteria. 

- - - - 

Noctis, despite having lost his magic, was a fighter with literally hundreds of years of battle experience. His assailants were fast and judging by their pale skin and red eyes, were likely vampires. This was troubling, but he fought with a deadly grace that might not be expected from a man who'd been on the verge of death. 

His knife flashed and parried a sword strike to the side and he twisted into the motion to drive a heel kick into the stomach of the other that had tried to flank- knocking them a few steps back. Then he ducked another sword swing and slashed in a vicious arc upwards and caught their chin, slicing it open. Their blood poured out but the wound closed quickly. 

"Hell." He cursed, and had only just blocked another attack with the dagger when Almonde arrived and handed him a sword. That was more like it- but he didn't have a sure fire way to *Kill

* These creatures- not easily. Cutting off their head was the best way to get started, but that was easier said than done when they were empowered by sanguine strength and speed. 

"Holy magic, they're vampires." He told Almonde, and charged forward with his sword. However impressive he'd been with the dagger, he was more so with the sword. Unbalanced and rusted as it was, it flashed in his hands like lightning and lopped the hand off an attacker, then in a flourish and twist of his wrist he clashed blades with the other and swept their feet out from under them to send them crashing to the floor. 

"Now!" He shouted to Almonde, hoping she'd follow suit.
Gwendolyn
*As the devotee would get back on her feet, her ears peaked at his words. Fixing her footwork and keeping her attention on the othe attacker that attempted to flank Noctis who sent the second attacker crashing on the floor. With a deep breath, she'd use a command spell on both the attackers. Looking at them as a single magical command was spoken.*

```"Drop."```

*As her divine command was spoken, the fell attacker did not drop his blade however the second attack dropped his weapons. Before he could pick it back up, the devotee began a prayer with a haste.*

```"O Merciful Mother of Health and Vitality, Please light our path with the warmth of the sun. Warm and light our skin with your divine light and may you cast away all darkness within us. As you may."```

*She'd say a her staff was lifted over her head, with a focused mind, the staff began to produce a very bright light from the end of her staff. The warm divine light turned the dark evening into an afternoon, Almonde's eyes were shut as the light itself was blinding. It was then she began to rush the attacker, remembering where he was and with shield in hand. A shield bash was attempted, her other hand held onto the bright staff while she continued the prayer to intensive and prolong the divine light spell.*

```O Merciful Mother of Health and Vitality, Hear my prayers and pleads. Forgive those consumed by darkness and hunger, may your light burn their souls clean and pure as you may."```

*Her voice was firm and passionate as her eyes were shut, the bright light made it seem like it wasn't night at all. Tavern customers were confused to see the sun rise so soon, the light would peek out of the broken windows of the old shop as the battle between the hooded figure and her attackers continued.*
Justin
A gold eye flared at her enemy, watching as the knife cut through the palm of the shopkeep's hand like butter. No red, no pain, not even a scream.

No scent of fresh blood filled their air either. They were no ordinary human.

She knew a retaliation would I be coming, but when she saw that dark magic formed, Wisteria quickly brought her arms up to protect herself and willed mana to flow through her body.

She didn't know what such magic did. She had to be cautious.

What had been normal human skin shifted, cracks along the surface of her arms as flesh morphed and darkened; transforming into hardened scales that coated up her arms. She ignored the pain and the blood that seeped from the fresh wounds, gritting her teeth as the dark magic from her opponent slammed against her and pushed her back against a wall.

She huffed, shaking the blood and burning sensation off her arms. It smelled of dead flesh, the magic having no sense of life to it. Heavy like a fog, draining like the eerie sense of death.

She was readying herself to move, but stopped at the sound of other footsteps. A figure walked downstairs to their commotion, face covered and eyes blood red. He questioned what she was, so close to the truth before moving with inhuman speed to block her exit and thrust more dark magic towards her.

She swiftly moved, ducking beneath the junk that littered the shop. Lighting up fire magic once more, she shut a ball of fire at the new enemy, glaring at him.

"That is none of your concern." She hissed back. He could smell what she was. This was bad.

She let out a heavy breathe, an old familiar ghost of flame rattling through her rib cage and lungs. She had planned not to use fire magic, but they were too close.

They'd both have to die. Burn them until nothing just ashes remained.

Landing in a corner, Wisteria breathed a heavy breathe before letting out a feral roar, fire from the lungs of a dragon bursting from her throat towards the man blocking her exit.