Chapter Four

Lullaby

Writers
CharlotteCarrendar
IceTe3a

IceTe3a: Rolling to lay on his back his arms resting behind his head as he gives a slight growl of defiance to what had just happened, she was able to summon a sword and shield and with that break his charm on her. Just what exactly was she, obviously an elf but she was more than that, had she practiced magic beforehand? Or was this just pure dumb luck, these questions and more would run through his mind all night long as he watches the night sky. Licking his lips he sat up, his hues settled down to a piercing green color as they scan the darkness around them then flicker over to nip. “What a bore” he said as he sighed, he didn’t like being trapped, someone’s prisoner; he much preferred to be free and do what he pleased. Glancing down to the chain he knew it was useless to even attempt to break it, as he had tried thousands of times before hand and even more so when he was free, the collar and chain were stuck to him for life. By now his body was fully recovered as all previous wounds he had gained that day were now gone, coming to a stand he walked as far as the chain would allow him which wasn’t far away from nip a meter at best. The cool breeze of the night air whipped around his face and into his hair as his snow white hair dances into the wind. “This place is too peaceful for someone like me” he let slip past his lips as he turned to face nip and shook his head “Way to peaceful, bloody children. I’d be surprised if there was another bad soul in this entire land let alone someone who was actually able to tame me” he chuckled with a smile. Talking to himself to pass the time was one of Ice’s quirks as he sat down with his arms resting on his knees and his back resting on his rather large broadsword, which appeared and disappeared as he pleased his back facing her as his hues watch the surroundings. Night finally turns to morning as he watched the sun slowly rise, the planets animals were already up and about doing their daily business as the fire had gone down to a low smouldering coal his breathing was deep and controlled he had to admit it had been quite awhile since he had been out on a killing spree, before he was summoned to this planet he was busy destroying a entire city but before that it had been at least a good 12 years since he had let himself go wild and go out on a rampage, He was pure evil itself but only when he needed to be. Back in his realm where he chose to live the human realm he fought other daemons for fun and money. He wasn’t well known there nor did he want to be it was where he stayed to get away from it all there was obviously more to him than the eyes showed. Born into the humans realm he was under their hand, moulded by hatred as they trained him to be a weapon, a killing machine for their use nothing more nothing less. He never had any true friends nor did he want them as the company of elder slayers that he was born to removed all emotions from his body and soul as to not interfere with Ice’s judgments whilst killing. He knew he was nothing more than an object for others, a weapon at best and that is why he hated to be chained up, to have any orders given to him; defiant by nature or defiant by subconscious no one could tell and no one ever would be able to. He was fine with what he was and the way he was, he was a daemon son of the late Sparda, now dead by his own hand and with it taken the crown and rule of hell itself. Another day awaits him but what would happen with him today, and how much will Nip learn today he was unsure as his path was no longer his own to see.

CharlotteCarrendar:- The smouldering embers released a dark grey smoke into the air that filtered around the small camp where Nip lay curled up next to her sword and shield. The tiny head of the dragon peeked out of her coat and spotted the Daemon standing just a metre away. Bravely it hissed angrily at the daemon before retreating into the warmth of the Elf’s coat. The hiss was loud enough for the elf to hear, and this started to slowly rouse her from her slumber. With bits of leaf matter and twigs in her hair, she sat up awkwardly; scratching at her cheek as she viewed her surrounds, only to see the daemon standing there. Course, he had been talking on and off all night, which drifted into her subconscious. Hard to believe that he would keep that going with no one to listen but the wind. He must truly love the sound of his own voice above all others. The Elf didn’t bother with a greeting or any friendly kind of banter since the daemon would only spin it on her and twist his reply into some kind of nasty retort. The Elf pushed herself up off the ground, and started to pick the leaves and bits out of her hair, whilst staring at the daemon. “We will need to find food at some point this day. There is a village a good hours walk from here.” She wasn’t asking that they go there, but rather putting it plainly. How she thought of what to pay for food with, was the part she hadn’t quite worked out. “It’s a trading post near the great river.” Her plan was that once they had gotten food, she might be able to steal a vessel and travel far from the land of mortals. The last thing they needed the King of Hell setting up residence. Nip picked up the shield first and strapped it to her back while the sword she tied to a loop on her belt. Once it was secure, she kicked dirt onto the embers to put the fire out properly. Without announcing her intent, she started off, so the daemon would have no choice but to follow or risk being dragged along behind. <3>

IceTe3a: His hues flicker over to the chirp of the baby dragon who just hissed at him, brave little thing “I’ll show you a hiss” he growled as he watched the dragons head pop back into the coat of the elf. She rose quite slowly for a thief and slept quite sound as well, as he watched her pick the leaves and twigs out of her hair ‘We need food, there’s a town not too far away’ she stated to him which made him growl lightly, she was already ordering him around subconsciously this he did not like. “I am not something you can just drag around where ever you please” he sighed as he watched her kick dirt from the ground into last night’s fireplace covering what’s left of it. Stretching slightly he didn’t get much of a chance to as his chain pulled forward she was already on the move as he quick stepped to catch up and start walking behind her, he looked down and arched a brow “What do you think I’ll do once we’re in the town” he said simply then went silent for a change as his hues flicker around the terrain a town only a hours walk for her, but she was slow. Ice on the other hand would be able to get there in no time at all with his running speed it take him 20 minutes flat to arrive at the edge of the town. Hues glance up to the morning sky as a bird of prey screeches up high, a hunter out to find its prey it seemed everything was wanting its morning meal from the smallest of creatures to humankind. Pulling a cigarette from in his jeans pocket he places it in between his lips, clicking his fingers together a flame appears on top of his index finger, bringing it closer he draws in as the tip of the cigarette catches a light. Shaking his hand the flame disappears as he takes in a long drag, moments later he sighs with relief as a cloud of smoke floats up into the sky. It had been at least 10 minutes since they started walking, he hadn’t been really paying attention to what was going on or where they were as he kept to himself for now, his concentration was obviously elsewhere than this reality.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Oh but he was something she could drag around. Every move, every step she took he had to fall into line, or risk being dragged along the ground. It wasn’t what a great and powerful daemon like Ice see as being much fun. The Elf’s stomach rumbled slightly as she padded her way through the forest with the daemon keeping pace with her; stride for stride. An hour might not seem like a long time, but when you haven’t eaten for a few days, every minute seemed to drag on. The day was simply beautiful, with the way littered with abundant wildflowers and all manner of fauna frolicking in the warmth of the summer sun. Almost like a type of utopia, all of which would be totally alien to a killing machine like Ice. Birds twittered and butterflies fluttered all around. The Elf seemed to blend naturally into this environment, even with the glint of the silver sword and shield on her back. The sun illuminated the tiny beads of perspiration that dotted her skin like dew on a flower’s petals. The hush of the forest was broken by the daemon asking a fairly obvious question. “What do you think I’ll do once we’re in the town” This was pretty easy to answer. “Be a nuisance. Kill a few, maim a lot. I can see the village tavern being torched to the ground before you have even had a chance to grab a glass of ale.” Least she was now clued in on how the daemon held no life or town as sacred. Her voice was fairly flat. There was no musical edge like you would expect from such a dainty elf. But after the last two days with the Daemon, he had killed a certain element of her spirit. But was she having an effect on him? You could see the tops of houses through the trees, and they were almost there. A town of about five hundred souls, who had no idea that hell…was fast approaching.<3>

IceTe3a: She had surprised him with her answer as she said exactly what he expected he was going to do, than if she cherished life so much why would she bring a uncontrollable monster like him into a populated area? Simple, she was selfish, gluttony and greed being her sins for this time being as he shook his head, the wonders of the mortal races never ceased to surprise him how thoughtless they were but how righteous they thought they really where if only their eyes were open to the truth perhaps than they’d see who the bigger monster actually was. The sunshine.. Everything so peaceful, it was weird to Ice he did not belong in here and as he passed through the forest you could feel the woodland creatures going dead quiet until he had passed through and was at a safe distance from them. Sooner than expected his hues glanced upon the roof tops through the tree line, they were close to the town mere minutes away. A devilish smirk chiselled across his face as his hues burn a bright red glow, his tongue licking the edge of his lips for a mere moment before disappearing back into its place. He wondered how the towns people would react to a person such as himself, even more how they’d react to seeing Nip having him collared and chained to her by force. Oh the joys that will soon follow, he will reap the rich and sweet rewards that are laid before his feet and leave nothing behind this was going to be fun as an Idea popped into his head, a sinister one. His hues change to a dull green as his cloak and broadsword disappear into thin air, leaving his blood-soaked and torn jeans the only thing he was wearing along with his boots. His upper torso covered with scars of different shapes and sizes, a few punch bruises appear on his face and body from his magical flow, he was going to play the part of a force collared poor soul, brutally beaten and starved by this wicked and evil elf that held him prisoner, oh how the people would react to a sight such like this, he made no sound gave away no hints to his plans as he followed her at a close distance, when the time came and they would get closer to the town he’d start limping and walking as if he was in pain and beaten, forced to walk against his will. ‘And.. here we go’ he thought to himself with a devilish grin as his eyes flash from dull green to bright red and back again.

CharlotteCarrendar:- Yes, it was a trading station for many things. From food and produce, to livestock and fowl. But the part she didn’t tell him was it was a slave market as well. Yes, due to the location, there were those that bought and sold slaves from far off lands. So…when the daemon thought he would be a cheeky devil and alter his appearance to make it look like this wicked Elf had beaten and collared the poor wretched soul, she was just…another trader. The township was made from stone structures and many wooden dwellings. It was heavily populated for such a small village and the calls of the market place filled the air, as many a trader was shouting the wonders of his wares. Nip glanced back over her shoulder at the limping daemon who had discarded his jacket and sword and now was just wearing jeans, and little else. “Really?” she mused as the elf shook her head. One portly woman was leaving a tavern wearing many jewels and finery. A classy dame was this one and she clapped eyes on the tall..dark…and beaten daemon. “Oh…myyy.” she gasped, clasping her chubby fingers over her luminous breasts. “How…much?” The woman chimed as she licked her crimson stained lips. Nip stopped just before her and cocked her head to the right. “What?” The woman went to paw at the daemon’s forearm, her eyes ravishing him then and there. “I want to buy him from you. One hundred gold pieces.” Now that was a lot of money in those times, and Nip’s eyes widened. “For him?” Almost incredulous at the woman’s offer. Even if Nip could release him, she had to wonder just what the woman intended. Nip glanced back at the Daemon, positive he had something to say about this. <3>

IceTe3a: He arches a brow as they walked into the village all along he was playing the poor trapped soul, limping away until he realized this world dealt in slave trading “Fuck..” he said softly to himself as he came to a tall stand and started walking normally, he glanced around at the town market as he could see traders trying to pitch off livestock to other humans, perhaps this place wasn’t as sweet as he first thought it was as he smirked. Suddenly his attention was ripped from him and pointed towards Nip and the older… chubbier lady who was discussing a price to buy him, ‘good luck with that one’ he thought to himself. His hues glanced over the fat lard as it’s hand extended out with intention to touch him, this he really didn’t like… he hated to be touched, with his right hand he gripped her fingers and twisted her wrist in a lock position within an instant she fell to her knees in pain, if one were to look over him again they’d see him standing there cloak back on with his broadsword reattached to his back, all the visible wounds and bruises had all but disappeared, his eyes were a flaming red color as he growled baring his sharp teeth “If you’re fat sausages ever attempt to touch me again you oversized land whale, I will tear your spinal cord out of your ass.” He kneeled down so his lips were near the older woman’s ear “Now get the fuck out of my sight you fat lard” he pushed her hand downwards as he came to a stand and turned around to notice Nip was staring at him “What?” he simply stated with a growl, he was obviously pissed off that someone almost touched him, this obviously was one of his boundaries people should not cross.

CharlotteCarrendar: – The older woman let out a wail of protest and pain so loud that many a villager stopped what they were doing to watch. Falling to her large knees while the daemon (who was now wearing his cloak and sword) was giving her the riot act for daring to touch his person. Now, Nip had learnt this truth first hand and wouldn’t touch him if she could avoid it, however the terrified older woman had no clue. No clue just who she was dealing with. Her eyes were rimmed with tears and she was certain he had broken her wrist in the act to send her to the ground in a heap. “You beast!…You heathen!” she crowed as many were now coming out to see the spectacle. Attention that Nip didn’t really want at this stage. Her stomach was growling louder than ever and she was so close to the food market, she could have been carried away by the smells and exotic scents. “What?” the Daemon growled at the Elf when he had threatened to rip the woman’s spinal cord out her ass. “I can see why you have never had a love of your own.” That was a fair call. Moving on past the gawking spectators, they approached the food market stalls. Each was from a different part of the provinces. The smell of cooking meat may well have enticed the daemon. <3>

IceTe3a: His hues flicker from Nip to the surrounding people and then back at her as she started to walk towards the food markets, his chain pulling him along into line as he was still worked up about being touched, his hues still burning a bright fire red as he glared at people passing by. They enter the food markets where the smells were rich from the cooking foods of many nations Ice could pick a few of the smells almost being like other foods he has smelled in the past coming up right behind her he glanced down as he towered over her, she was obviously hungry but he doubted she had any source of income to support her needs for food. “Will you die of hunger?” he smirked as he chuckled glancing by he noticed another person walking dangerously close to him, his arm extends outwards as he picks up the small hand by his shirt lifting him to see into his daemonic eyes, his other hand rips the coin purse from the persons belt “Problem?” he growled as the person was about to protest but instead shook his head repeatedly, tossing him to the ground he watched as the male ran off into the distance. His hues flicker down to Nip as he giggles the coin purse “Shall we make a deal, Since I don’t require food or substance to survive. Just how dearly do you.. hold your own life?” he chuckled as he held the Coin purse high in his hand, it disappeared only to be re-summoned by him at any given time he pleases. “You could buy yourself a feast with that kind of coinage.. A room for the night with a comfortable bed.. a warm bath” his silver tongue was doing its work as his fiery daemonic eyes almost seemed inviting “Doesn’t that sound like a welcomed pleasure? All you have to do is make a deal with me..” he smirks as he leans down to look into her eyes “So what will it be? Freshly cooked meat a warm bed and a hot bath? Or..” his hues glance over to a pile of rotting vegetables and meats obviously food for the live stock “Whatever that is” his hues glance back to her as they turn from his Daemonic red to piercing green.

CharlotteCarrendar:- Nip was so very hungry. Her mouth was practically salivating from all the exotic and tasty aromas that were teasing her senses. So many things to choose from, but of course she didn’t have a coin to her name. That was when the daemon seized the moment and the opportunity to do some dastardly deed. He stole a coin purse and a rather large one from a local who had ran off in fright from the daemon. It was at this weak moment, that the wicked daemon started to make her a deal. He didn’t require food or drink to sustain him, unlike the elf who was half starved. Plus she had a baby dragon to feed. The silver tongued daemon tempted her with all the food she could eat, a room at one of the inns in a soft bed, a warm bath…luxuries to a weary traveller and her pet dragon. His face was one that masked his true intent. Practically leering at her, as he continued unashamedly with his offer of the deal. Question was, what exactly did he want in return for a night of splendour at the market village. The trick part of the deal was the line “how dearly did she hold her own life?” Now this was an easy one to answer. Of course she valued her life, who wouldn’t; unless you were already dead. Folding her arms, she stared back at the daemon and asked. “And..what exactly do you want in exchange?” <3>

IceTe3a: He smiled his white perfect teeth showing as he leaned back ‘What exactly do you want’ she had said as he arched a brow, Obviously she couldn’t release him that was beyond both their powers at this point of time, her soul? Nah not worth it, he could rip it from her with in a second if he had half the chance then it clicked.. he could secure his safety from her with ease, she was oblivious to all the powers she possessed over him as he came back to reality. “Simple request.. Nothing much on your behalf” he glances over to her “You are never to say I Order you to, ever and lastly you are never to touch me in any way, shape or form.. if you break either of these after the deal is struck… you forfeit your soul” he smiled as he extended his hand his daemonic symbol glowing on his palm as he arched a brow the next part was waiting for her to fall into the trap, will she take the deal, only time will tell.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Now this was tempting. The Elf thought for a moment, but it was when he stretched out his hand and the demonic symbol was etched into his skin, she knew that this was no ordinary handshake. If she broke the agreement by a simple thing like touching him…WHICH could happen quite easily if he so much as fell over at her feet on one wrong pull of the chain – it meant her handing over her soul. Her silvery eyes narrowed as the temptation was building. The growling of her stomach growing. She had to eat…she needed coins. Was it worth her soul for a single night? Unfolding her arms, she looked about set to shake on the deal, when instead she reached around behind her and took off her shield, placing it on the ground in the middle of the food court with the hollow side facing up. The small dragon popped it’s head out from her jacket as the Elf cleared her throat. What she did next, was to shock the daemon and probably a few passersby. Nip burst into song. The song of the High elves. Her hands gestured as many stopped to hear the magic that was her voice. Mesmerized by her song, the sound of clinking coins was heard falling into her shield. <3>

IceTe3a: He watches her as she starts to unfold her hands, she was seriously thinking about it. He almost had her, she wouldn’t be able to order him around.. He licked his lips “Go on, what could go wrong” he smirked as he arched a brow, her hand extended behind her back as she pulled out her shield leaving the hollow point showing on the floor almost like a bowl of some sort, he arched a brow what was she doing.. as he glanced up at her he saw her lips part he knew the deal was not going through at this point, the symbol on his hand disappearing as he sighed slightly he sat down near her whilst she stood there in front of the bowl than his ears perk. Singing.. In elvish the tone was beautiful and calming.. it went right through him as he glanced up at Nip, it was her? She was the one singing? This had him surprised as her voice sounded more.. mature.. more advanced an old soul was singing, not the child he knew as nip as he glanced around people came to listen as the song filled their hearts, their coins filled her shield. Then he noticed he was getting drowsy his eyelids slowly getting heavier, his head slowly falling down as he forced it back up attempting to stay awake what was this..what was happening to him.. Ice had never felt being tired before as he never got tired, let alone fall asleep, he’s never fallen asleep. He tries to fight it as her words dig deep into him for some reason they had a affect on him as he laid down on the ground his body given up to the sweet sound but his eyelids stayed defiant as they opened and closed every so often “what’s going.. on..” he said softly as he fell into a sleep for the first time of his life. An odd effect on the daemonic king indeed, than again he never gave anyone the chance to sing near him otherwise he would have known exactly what was happening, he was in a deep slumber soon to wake up once the song was over confused about what happened that would be for sure.

CharlotteCarrendar:- They say that the right song can soothe the savage beast. But what Nip didn’t know was that it could also…put him to sleep. As she sang her heart out, putting such emotion into her words, the daemon’s head drooped. He fought it as best he could but the melody, the voice had reached deep inside of him and somehow relaxed him to the point that he went off into a very deep slumber. He was even snoring. Nip brought the song to a close and many clapped and cheered for her wonderful musical talent. More coins fell in her shield. Enough to not only buy her a meal but a place to spend the night – maybe even enough to feed her dragon. Kneeling down, she scooped up the many coins and started to fill her empty pocket as the daemon beside her started to rouse from his slumber looking confused by what had happened. Nip glanced at him and asked. “Have a nice nap?” <3>

IceTe3a: His eyes drowsy as he heard people talking and clapping he was waking up as he rubbed his face with one hand “Ugh..” he grumbled as he opened his eyes he looked up to see nip staring down at him asking if he had a nice nap “A what..? Nap? “ he had to think for a moment as it registered “I don’t sleep, never have” he came to a stand slowly as he stood there still waking up from what had happened “What did you do to me..” he said in a sleepy tone he shakes his head trying to shake it off as he stretches. Hearing the jingle of coin in her pockets he knew she had done well for herself as he arched a brow “Seems like you do have some use to you after all” he said as he glanced around “What’s next” he grumbled softly as he was still unsure what had just happened to him and how she was able to do this to him. Glancing around everyone had moved on as they went back to their daily lives, did she knock him out with a blow to the head? He rubbed the back of his head trying to feel for a bump or a wound of some kind as he grumbled still confused; she wouldn’t be able to put a hit on him like that without him knowing at least. Turning to face her she was busy with her own things as he glanced down to her and grumbled again “What happened?!” he demanded to know at this point “How?!” was his next question as he waited there, you could see he was starting to get angry, his white hair had a black color slowly taking over the white from the roots he was about to snap and it wasn’t going to be pretty.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Seeing the great daemon act so weary and groggy from his sleep was in a way amusing. He clearly didn’t understand what had happened because he never sleeps. Well, that was until the Elf sang. Somehow this was one form of controlling the daemon that had no possible idea of. Probably because he had never encountered a singing Elf before. Checking her pocket flap was secure Nip reached down to take up her shield, and lace it back onto her back. All the while the Daemon was getting more and more annoyed. The town’s people had gone back to their usual daily tasks and this left him even more confused. Had the Elf struck him? If she had, he would have felt a bump for sure, but there was none. It was when he roared “How?!” that Nip finally twigged that he was not going to move on until he knew what she had done to him. Rounding on him, she said quite simply. “I sang a song for my supper rather than make a deal with you.” It was the honest truth. “You…then nodded off to the land of dreams.” So she was more than just a simple elf. She had the power of her song to relax him into slumber. Nip was more dangerous than he could possibly have imagined. <3>

IceTe3a: He watches her with both eyes keeping a close gaze upon her, she came around close to him and said in a quiet tone that she merely sung a song in her native tongue and he had fallen asleep to it. This can’t be possible.. That’s never happened before, but how could he be sure? He’s never had an elf sing to him before as it clicked, he remembered hearing singing and finding out it was indeed nip that the song was coming from; this all came back to him as he remembered feeling tired all of a sudden. She had this kind of power over him? How? Obviously it wasn’t the collars doing, was it something the elves were able to do? He was curious more than ever as he had never had this happen to him before “What are you..” he said in low tone as he glanced down to her so many questions now racing through her head, just exactly what has he found himself in? She was growing stronger with each day that passes.. slowly she was figuring a lot out and soon enough she’d start finding out things about him and her powers over him this couldn’t happen.. he can’t let that happen. It’s bad enough that she can now simply sing and put him into a deep sleep, she had merely sung for a moment and put him to sleep what would happen if she sung for an extended period of time? He didn’t want to find out right at this point that’s for sure.

CharlotteCarrendar:- The daemon looked horrified that the girl had the power to put him to sleep just by merely singing. He begged the question. “What are you?” Now he was on the back foot for the first time since they had met. He had experienced many feats in his years, and so many had fallen to his schemes and trickery – others met with death. But this one elf, the small thief from the witches’ tunnels had more power than he realized and….it was growing. Every time they touched she grew stronger; whether she knew it or not. Her answer to his question was simply one word. “Hungry.” Which she was of course. She started for the first stall that sold roasted meats, and here she bought a bag full for her baby dragon, who was already chirping within her coat. The next stall sold flagons of wine, and here she bought two. Nip went to six stalls in all, buying enough food and drink to keep her going through the day and night. But what she needed most of all was to wash and a place to sleep for the night. With many a coin still in her pocket, she pointed out a lavish looking Inn. “I think we should get a room there.” There was no asking Ice, since he would probably have another go at her, so instead she led him to the Inn. The sun was at the top of the sky and many enjoyed a meal while listening to a small pipe band in the village square. It was relatively peaceful still, since the Daemon had not started to tear the place apart. But would he chance it, if all she had to do was sing a simple song to knock him out. <3>

IceTe3a: He grumbled as he followed her through the stores watching what she bought and what they were selling he shook his head, useless items “Seriously wine? As if I want to see you drunk” he said grumbling as he followed her around to each stall, this place was to peaceful he noticed a storeman staring at him his eyes flashed red “What are you looking at?!” he growled towards the man who stepped back shaking his head, his chain pulls him away before he could finish what he started, another food stall, seriously who ate this much. He glanced over to a Inn that she was pointing at ‘We’ll stay here’ he arched a brow as they walked to the inn “We?” he grumbled as she had included her “I’m not going to get stuck in a small room with you, No way” he refused as he was dragged along by the chain attached to her wrist, he grumbled as he glanced down to it. If only he could harm her, he’d chop her hand off and just slip the chain off her arm it was so simple… yet so hard as he grumbled once more at this point he shrugged it off as he remained silent once more. Pulling out a simple dagger that was well hidden in his jeans he starts flicking it around his palm and hand with ease, flicking it through fingers and throwing it up and down it weapons came naturally to him, as he looked around the market place walking to fast he walks straight behind Nip and bumps straight into her subconsciously his left hand wraps around her and supports her stomach so she doesn’t fall forward, it took him a moment to realize what was going on, he quickly removed his hand and grumbled “Hurry up will you” he said before going back to playing with his knife.

CharlotteCarrendar: – With enough food and drink held in small bags Nip was ready to go and find a room at the town inn where she had hoped to bathe and get clean from her journey. The wine she bought was something she enjoyed with a meal but was also good to trade with, which is why she bought two. The daemon seemed to think she would drink it all, but she simply shook her head. Leading the daemon through the remainder of the market, she got a shock when he bumped into her after not looking where he was going. The way he placed his arm around her to stop her from falling almost made her lose her breath. He touched her…in a protective way. Surely he would give anything to kill her to be free from the collar and chain. The action haunted her for the next few minutes, as she tried to focus on getting to the Inn. The Daemon urged her to hurry, and she did which only meant he had to keep up. At the inn, the Innkeeper was a portly man. Well fed and well to do. He watched with growing concern at the pair. The daemon giving off a very bad vibe. “How may I help you both?” He asked with a raised brow. Nip took out a handful of coins and handed them over. “A room with a hot bath and two beds.” She said, watching for his reaction. The Innkeeper took the coin but advised he had a room with a bath…but one large bed. Ugh…that would mean they would be sleeping in it. Especially, if she sang him to sleep. “Fine…we’ll take it.” Without waiting to hear the daemon’s argument, she let the Innkeeper show them to their room. It was a large suite, with a copper bathtub and a fire beneath to heat the water. A king sized bed with fresh linen and of course a large book case that held many tomes to keep one busy whilst they stayed. The room smelt strongly of lavender and cinnamon. When the Inn keeper left them to their devices, the Elf started to take off her weapons, and then the baby dragon which she sat on the bed in her jacket. Seeing the steam rise off the bath water, she asked the daemon. “Shall I scrub your back?” <3>

IceTe3a: He walked into the inn his thick blackened boots stamping heavily on the ground as his hues glance around the place, people were staring.. at him, he gave a snarl as a low growl came out. His eyes glaring across the room at the people now pretending they never had even dared to look at him, as he felt his chain be pulled he walks with Nip as they reach the counter, but he was still watching other people making sure no one was staring at him, until his ears perked ‘One bed’ he turned to dispute this as it was already too late he was being dragged up behind her, this chain was way to short… and brought him way to close to her, he would have to talk to her about it later. As they were shown the room he waited until the inn keeper was gone as he turned on the ball of his feet “I am not sleeping in a bed with you, I’ll stand the entire night” he growled as he glared at her “And another thing, Would it kill you to give out some more of the chain? You realize it’s a magical chain!? You can lengthen it to as long as you want, or shorten it to as short as you want?! Just think about it and it’s done!” he unwittingly just taught her something new, a new power for her to use against him then he heard it ‘Shall I scrub your back’ he growled “I am not getting in that tub with you” he growled once more as he shook his head and turned his back to her, he was getting stressed out that much was obvious.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Extend the chain? All she had to do was think it and it happened? Now this was a new bit of information that could save them both from being so close together all the time. For the first time since they met, she agreed and thought about the chain. Sure enough it gave him an extra metre and then stopped lengthening. Now she was going to prepare for the bath, but she wanted him to bathe first. “I’m not getting in with you; I am simply going to wash your back.” She turned around to give him some privacy. “Let me know when you are in, and then I can start.” If he did this, she would get some soap and a sponge ready to wash him. <3>

IceTe3a: A sigh of relief came from his lips as the chain extended, ‘about fucken time’ he thought to himself as he walked back a bit further away from her. He was able to move without having her so close, he stretched and started moving about a bit more freely. She had explained that she wasn’t going to get into the bath with him that she was going to wash him that was all. “What do I look like to you” he growled as she had her back turned from he walked over to the window, opening it up he had enough chain to spare as he leaned against the open window lighting a cigarette he sighed as he took a deep breath of smoke into his body only to blow it out moments later. He went silent refusing to strip or go into the bath and wash “I’ll pass on that bath” he said simply as he waved it off and continued to have a smoke just near the window. He wasn’t going to let her treat him like one of her trinkets or objects, so he stayed defiant and much more simple he just didn’t want a bath with her or without her and she wouldn’t be able to force him to have one.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Hearing the window open, was not what Nip expected when she thought he would be getting into the bath. Looking over her shoulder she saw him, leaning out the window smoking his cigarette. Maybe it was a good thing she extended the chain. Least she didn’t have to put up with his smell. “Fine.” She said, starting to disrobe so she herself may bathe. After not having a wash for some time, she had wanted to freshen up badly. Stepping into the hot bath waters she let out a pleasurable sigh, before sinking right under. Her hair flowed beneath the soapy water surface and on coming up her hair was flat to her head, gleaming a magnificent shade of silver. With the soap and sponge she started to clean her body, and as she did so, she hummed a musical tune. A sweet song…one that the Daemon may not have heard before. <3>

IceTe3a: His hues flickered over the town as he watched the people busy at work in the late afternoon, darkness was almost upon them as he heard her disapprove of his defiance at least she didn’t force it onto him as he continued to smoke out to the window. Hearing the water move he knew she had taken to the bath as he rolled his eyes “I don’t think I’ve ever had a bath, Does rain count?” he said generally as he continued to watch the last of the people start to pack up shop, others were heading to the local inn and tavern for a feed and mead as he shook his head. His ears perk as he hears her start to hum a tune his muscles flex slightly as he growls “Don’t start singing” he said in a low tone as his hand rested on the wooden windowsill he was squeezing the wood as it started to crackle and buckle under the pressure of his hand. His eyes wide awake as the humming didn’t seem to affect him it must have been her voice, he was unsure as he turned around his hues fall upon her as he continues to smoke.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Nip was washing her arm when the daemon asked. “I don’t think I have had a bath. Does rain count?” It actually made her giggle. “I’ve washed in the rain. Danced in it too. Wonderful feeling in the summer time.” This was probably the first time they had had a light hearted exchange. Course he had to go and growl at her humming a tune – which didn’t have the same affect on him as her singing voice did. When he turned around, he would be able to see only the top part of her shoulders and head out of the water, the rest of her naked form was beneath the soapy waters. Then a long slender leg was raised up to the surface and out as she started to wash it with the soapy sponge, her foot twirling at the ankle as she continued to hum quietly. “You don’t know what you are missing.” She said in a sing song voice. <3>

IceTe3a: His hues were looking at her but he did not care that she was naked, this never affected him at all as he had no interest in that side of life. Leaving the cigarette to hang in between his lips he took a drag every so often as she giggled about his question on the rain. Nodding slightly he shrugs “The rain washes the blood off me while I’m walking around” he said in his cold voice as usual. He arches a brow as she kicks her leg out and starts scrubbing it, “I’ll never understand your need to be so clean when you’re going to get dirty the next day” he shrugs as she started to hum again, ignoring his demand for her to stop then she went and sung out on purpose her response ‘you don’t know what you are missing’ he growls as he knows she was teasing him since she sung it out “Do you want to piss me off” his hues were changing from green to red once more, as his daemonic eyes came out to play, even still he kept his distance from the tub and her in it as he watched her waiting for her response.

CharlotteCarrendar: Slowly Nip lowered her leg back into the bath water and finished her bathing, only to rise up and collect the towel that was on the side table. She stepped out and started to dry herself as the fire beneath the bath helped to keep her warm. The Daemon was growling again, and this time he started to threaten her with his eyes changing from the shade of green to a more violent red. “Do you want to piss me off?” Such a hot head. And they were getting along well, she had thought. So much for that. She took out a robe from the closet and then placed it on, before rubbing her wet hair with the towel. “Do you want me to sing you a lullaby?” Oh now she was the one doing the threatening, but in a gentile way. She smiled at the Daemon as she crossed the floor to the bed and sat near her baby dragon, who was waiting hungrily to be fed. She took out the bag of cooked meat and started to feed the hungry dragon, who chirped after every mouthful. <3>

IceTe3a: His hues follow her as she goes to slip on a bath robe only to turn around and threaten him with singing a lullaby, she dared threaten him? This wasn’t going to sit well with him as he let go of the windowsill “By the time you’ve opened your mouth I’d have burned half this town down” he growls as he extends his arm out of the window his palm opened and extended fully ready to start blasting out random fireballs at a moment’s notice, the power swirls in his arm as it collects out just in front of his palm. He was preparing to let out an onslaught of fireballs at once all across the town, A single fireball doesn’t take this long to muster up, he was building his energy for a lot more. His eyes meet hers as she falls onto the bed and starts to feed the baby dragon “Tell me young elf, could you live with yourself? Knowing your arrogance was the cause of the death of the towns people and their homes?” he smirked wickedly as he had just stepped up the playing field a result of her threat, being empty or not still didn’t hold enough weight to it to put fear into him. He was as defiant as ever and rather than say he usually does first and says later a lesson most learn fast.

CharlotteCarrendar: The Elf’s eyes locked onto the wicked Daemon, who was about to launch a fire ball upon the unsuspecting town below. Oh he was going to use that trick against her now. Not on her watch. How dare he say that she could not live with herself for being arrogant towards him. But he forgot that he had given her a new skill. As she sat on the bed she raised her arm that on the wrist had the chain attached. “Shorten.” She said and thought it at the same time. What this would do would make him fly across the room to her to land at the foot of the bed due to her ability to shorten or lengthen the chain at will. She then went back to feeding her baby dragon, if the attempt worked. <3>

IceTe3a: Her eyes were locked with his as he snarled at her, what was she thinking? He thought to himself as he watched her with a deadly glare his palm at the ready to blast fireballs out to the townspeople who knew nothing about what was going on. Suddenly he heard it “Shorten” he knew what she was doing as his right hand latched around the chain near his collar his muscles flexed and hardened as he stood in place able to keep the chain at the same length it was, his muscles shaking at the raw force he was using to keep it there, the chain itself still attempting to shorten after a few moment of being able to rebel the chain it finally took over as his legs gave way and he came flying towards her head first and slid across the bed. Now laying down just before the foot of the bed he took up the entire width of the bed with his feet hanging off the end he grumbled as he rolled onto his back and glared up at her only to notice she had gone back to feeding her baby dragon. She had successfully pulled him over to be ontop of the bed as he laid there but she wouldn’t be able to keep him there, she hadn’t learned how to order him nor had she learned why he didn’t want her touching him both had valid reasons behind them. He watched her as his eyes continued to study her, she would have to fall asleep soon and when she did he’d be able to do as he pleased and she would be none the wiser.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Sure enough the power of the mind to shorten the chain had been in her favour and as hard as the daemon struggled he was ripped off his feet and flew across the room to land on the bed. He took up the entire width of the bed and angrily stared at her for what she just did. His grumbling went unnoticed in light of feeding her baby dragon, who by now had a fat little tummy and was yawning, ready for a sleep. Nip made a bed for the dragon as far from the daemon as possible, so he couldn’t try anything funny under her watch. When she felt her point was made, she said “Lengthen” and the chain did just that. Nip laid down beside the daemon and looked at him thoughtfully. “Are you that bored that you want to blow up the villagers, or simply to make a point with me of your power?” she asked. <3>

)
IceTe3a: He watches as she continued to feed the dragon until it was full, and then make it a bed which it happily rested in. Once the dragon was comfortable and started to fall asleep she laid down next to him and lengthened the chain, she was closer to him by choice as he shifted his weight. She asked him if he was simply bored or was trying to make a point with attempting to blow up the villagers and their town. He didn’t bother answering he simply disappeared from her sight or so it seemed, in reality he had just moved fast off the bed and out the window as he sat on top of the roof in the darkness of the night looking out at the night sky as he lit another cigarette he had completely ignored her on purpose. The chain would show her exactly where he was as it laid across the floor and out the windowsill, he didn’t feel comfortable having her that close and he didn’t want her to touch him that was for sure as he laid down on top of the room with a sigh and closed his eyes for a moment whilst smoking.

CharlotteCarrendar: That moment that the daemon seemed to vanish was so fast, that it had Nip blink. Where did he go? And why? The trail of the chain showed he went out the window and he couldn’t have been too far. But his reason to flee. Was it bad to lay next to him? Was he fearful of intimacy? It was not like she would ever try anything with him, but maybe he felt vulnerable about being touched. That seemed to be the issue before when they first arrived in the village. Nip sat up for a moment and remembered that she hadn’t eaten. A small box of food was in one of the bags and she took it out and opened it. Quietly, she sat on the bed and started to eat. The small dragon started to snore softly and she had to admit he was very cute. How long he would stay that size was a mystery. Once finished, the elf set down the food box and then crawled across the bed to curl up with the small dragon. He was the only thing she truly didn’t want the daemon to attack. In the quiet of the night, the elf finally fell asleep. <3>

With the rush of energy that scourged through her nerves and muscle tissues, Gabriel started to regain her consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, her bright blue eyes retaining their brilliant glow but then faded to a soft but dull gleaming look. Her arms rose to have her palms rest upon the dry black top as she pushed her torso up off the ground and brought her knees under her. Gabriel straightened ber back and she was now sitting on her knees, turning her head to look at the little girl who laid next to her from the collapse of energy. She reached over to only brush her blonde hair out of the way of her face then looked around to see if there was anyone around them. She sighed in relief to see that there was no one else around then moved closer to Sarah, watching over her so no one can take her away from her sight.

-Mean while Arren prepared Jalal and Imay. Arren was looking at them with honesty as he walked forward nodding to both of them.- “Let us get ready Imay. We may have little time.” -Arren smirked knowing this being had the right idea however it seemed Imayaruk his own nephew seemed to not understand with the requests.- “Oh and if you are able, would you mind opening a portal to the hatchery cave back on the old home world, uncle? We might need Nesuki’s help for this.” -Arren frowned as he knew that was not possible since this body was only a construct not the entire being. Opening the portal the home world could drain this body of its life force as he shook his head. It would be best if he didn’t bring his goddaughter into this.- “That wouldnt be the best idea. For one this body is merely a construct, I have limited power and limited amount of energy. Opening that portal would drain this body. It would take me longer to bring another form of myself to this world. As well you need to remember you do not want to draw attention to yourself with your goddaughter. This is not the place to endanger your loved ones my Nephew.” -he walked towards them as he sighed opening his left paw only to reveal he had two pendants. These pendants were something different than they would know it was the wolf head that was pure silver its detail was off the wall very laid out. Along with detail of the howling towards something in the air. Arren looked to both of them as he nodded for them to take them.- “These are pendants they are keys to the gate way from here to Lorewall and it can also bring you back. All you must do is say the words on the back with your hand touching the pendant. It will open the portal as soon as you do. The words are pronounced Saundo-fu himizu.” -he tapped his staff on the ground as smiled continuing.- “You both are going to be finding some people in the Lorewall. Sarah, Anya and young Volfen who prayered to me named Gabriel have surfaced and it seems they are of importance to the ones who attacked Conan and the others. I need to you Imayaruk being that you are of the Gorya bloodline you should be able to sense Both of their energy. However It goes without saying how important this is for you to bring them back alive. Anyone else who is able or even of importance bring them as well. I cannot see where this is going. As far as we know the enemy could be planning to use them as weapons of mass destruction. If you find trouble try not to engage unless push comes to shove. I am entrusting this to both of you since my Son in law cannot fight as well Charlotte is exhausted. Please be careful and make haste. As well Imayaruk, Jalal, Do not carry a big group if you need to have Jalal bring people back while you search for the other. I am sure you understand what I am be this.” -Arren waited for them to take off while he stood there he was after all entrusting them with a task that time is of importance.-

-Sarah may had been out cold but she could feel herself being cold. As the priestess was brushing her hair she could feel warmth from her. In the attempt of trying to sleep as well as keep warm she turned over only to curl into her. She was groaned feeling hungry and tried she was too weak to even open her eyes as she called out for the one she called father.- “Daddy please save me.” -she started to cry latching on the skirt of the priestess dress tugging on it.-

Sarah was in a never ending nightmare that will never end for her or her sister. This was the day of the black sun.

Arren must have known she was back, and watching from somewhere hidden. Charlotte sank to her knees, and then gestured for the tray to be placed on the ground before her. It was a sumptuous feast, but the one thing that caught her eye…was the coffee. Maybe this would help calm her nerves. She took up the cup with both hands, and blew away the steam that was rising from the black fluid. Charlotte had swore, she was never drinking tea again, after all that had happened, and as she took a sip of the coffee, she felt its antioxidants race through her system.

Sighing, she set the cup down, and then played with her food with her head bowed, lost in her thoughts on Shadow.

<3>

” Saundo-fu himizu” Jalal said in a loud drone.
As he did he was cast into a portal being transported to Lorewall….-

Gabriel gasped almost silently at the movements of Sarah, taken by surprise as she maneuvered around to not wake up the sleeping child. She sat on the ground indian style, pulling Sarah close to let her feel her warmth and made an effort to make her feel safe and comfort. While Gabriel held the child, she stared into the darkness of the shadows that were being casted but on-coming lights. She did not know what to think of the words she heard Sarah say in her slumber, “Daddy please save me.” and began to think about her own family who have been taken from her. She inhaled a slight painful breath, trying to forget that horrible night that she had witnessed and Gabriel was holding back tears of sorrow.

-As both Jalal and Imayaruk traveled through the portal they would in fact travel to Lorewall instead of coming in the estate of the industrial the ended up porting in mid-air right above Charlotte’s penthouse as the only place to land was the balcony as they would enter.-

-Anya sat next to Luna closely holding on to her arm as she had been all day. Luna had been keeping everything off her mind as a close friend. It was like she was her sister in a way. They both were on the couch as Anya tried to keep her head up as she was falling asleep. It seemed something was coming which in a split second her head shot straight back up looking over at the window. She leaned over to Luna as she asked.- “Did you hear something?” -if anyone else heard it the sound was like a low tone “ZOOM!” that had left as quick as it came Anya sat there trying to think of what it could.-

-Mean while as Sarah was asleep her night seemed to have left her as the woman had been holding her. She became very quiet and groaned in her sleep as she was finally quieting down. It seemed the danger had left the two young ladies for the moment. Were they truly safe?-

Charlotte glanced up as she pushed her fork around the plate listlessly. She had to find it in herself to say what was in her heart, but feared all that emotion would just bubble to the surface and she would fall back into the well of sorrow. Placing down her fork, and then shifting her coffee cup along, she drew her hands back to her lap, and pursed her lips. Looking ready to speak. Course Arren must have known what occurred there. He was the one that had pulled her back from the afterlife when the clock finished chiming.

“You know I wished to stay longer, Arren. No doubt you heard my screams of protest.” Charlotte said, pushing herself to standing and then turning her back on him for a moment, madly wiping at her eyes, and trying to regain her composure. Her wit was something she relied on to act as a shield against getting hurt, but that had left her it seemed, and she couldn’t string the right words together.

“I know perfectly well why I was sent. He was my best and dearest friend.” At this point she turned around, and there was something odd in her appearance. A fine grey lock of hair, which ran down the full length of her hair had appeared, like a silver streak, but it was connected to her time in the after life. Course, she couldn’t see it, but Arren would be able too. Brushing her hair back behind her ear, she said. “They say knowledge is power…I believe this. What I also know is that my children are in danger from the same man that killed Shadow. I understand his children’s roles in all this.” She approached Arren and said.

“Now take me to Conan…we are going to need to get him well, in order to continue this quest, or all will be lost.”

Lorewall

Luna stirred and then she was woken by Anya, who spoke about some sound she heard. Like a low flying jet. Luna sat up with her eyes closed, grabbed the TV remote and pressed a few buttons till the cartoon channel came on.

“Probably…a news helicopter. Watch Teen Titans…or something. I wouldn’t worry about it.” At this she tossed the remote, grabbed a pillow and covered her face before snoring again.

<3>

“Gah, man. Luckily I wasnt holding a weapon. Who knows where Arren dropped us? ” 

Jalal quickly managed to get up and offering a hand to his friend said,

” This looks like Lorewall, though I am not sure exactly where we are. ” 

“They say knowledge is power…I believe this. What I also know is that my children are in danger from the same man that killed Shadow. I understand his children’s roles in all this.” 

-He Arren nodded as he sighed thinking to himself that it was the best thing for him to send Jalal and Imayaruk after Anya and Sarah. This was now the task of what could be the most dangerous. Though bringing them hear could be worse than anything. Arren was pondering this idea and his theories it could just give them enough time to prepare for this.- “The reason why I sent Jalal and Imayaruk after both Anya and Sarah. I knew with here and not in Shadow’s home world that this could have been the best choice. I know my nephew’s judgment all to well. He will bring your kids that are with Anya. I will be able to protect them for the time being.” -he looked up at Charlotte noticing she was approaching him further as he sighed.-

“Now take me to Conan…we are going to need to get him well, in order to continue this quest, or all will be lost.”

-Arren’s ear twitched as he heard the sounds go Gonzu talking to someone. As he the giant earth wolf said.- “Conan you must rest. Getting up at this point could cause more damage!” -after the remark was made the sounds of loud bang was heard. The earth wolf flew through the doors breaking them off the rails.- “CRASH!” -the room was wide open as Gonzu rolled across the wooden floors and past the zen garden the sand was instantly lifted in the air when sliding across it. He didn’t land until he made it to the other side where the next wooden floor landing was. As he was laying on his back. The sounds of foots steps were heard as Conan walked out in his kinmo in hand was a pack of cigarettes and his light. The pack of cigarettes were a gift form Charlotte her self as he brought the open pack to his mouth pulling one out as he flicked the lighter open.- “Bullshit! You touch me again Gonzu and I swear I will fucking rip your arm off. Then I will beat you with it.” -Conan pressed down on the flint of the zippo as he lit the cigarette taking an inhale. He brought his arms up trying to stretch only to feel the sharp pain in his chest. He made an expression of pain placing his hand on where he had been stabbed exhaling as he did so.- “Fuck that hurt….” -he walked forward only to see Charlotte and Arren as his eye twitched. He looked directly into Charlotte’s eyes as he said.- “So Spider monkey what did I miss?” -he made a joke to let Charlotte know he was ok for the most part and now into a joking mood.-

Lorewall
-Anya was still hearing things as Luna lifted her head and turned on the T.V. Saying to Anya.-
“Probably…a news helicopter. Watch Teen Titans…or something. I wouldn’t worry about it.” -Anya made a face at Luna that was saying “Seriously?” she heard another sound one of that. The moment she heard she disappeared into the shadows only to move silently looking seeing two figures it was really dark hard to see faces seeing one of them she looked at them being hidden. She moved quickly behind them seeing the one called Jalal. She brought forth her vector’s behind them quickly as the formed a giant hammer that was bigger than the twelve year old girl. The girlish hand moved out from the shadow’s behind the man not making a single noise within her power of control. grabbing the hammer, Anya appeared as she thought. “just some house robbers I can handle them.” her school uniform’s skirt waved for a moment as she jumped into the air yelling as she brought the hammer back and over her shoulder.- “ANYA SMASH!” -the hammer came down in an attempt to strike Jalal it wouldn’t harm him that much but it would surprise him greatly. In the motion of her attempting to strike she heard Imayaruk speak.- ”HEY TROUBLE! YOU IN HERE KID!” -She heard the familiar voice as she said.- “Imay?” -she didn’t stop however as she still as coming down at that moment.-

-Sarah was still asleep only to feel herself pulled in to the woman still tired and sleepy as she mumbled.- “Conan…….” -she went back to sleep. Yet the young Volfen seemed to be very aware of her surroundings as she could smell something. What she was smelling was something evil it would reek of death and rotting flesh as a sound made as figure hissed in the darkness at her. As it moved out of the shadows it revealed itself as a mangled hound in fact it was Doberman breed it growled in the moment it was seen its skin was completely mangled seeing bone and muscle tissue. It braked at her only to have five more move out the shadows looking at her growling. The one that first seen lunged at both of Sarah and Gabriel. As it lunged the seal on the barrier activated as when the dog came into contact with it. The skinless dog was hurled backwards as it whimpered in pain. The other dog barked at the barrier growling as blood was dripping from their mouths. It seemed that these two were trapped in one way and completely surrounded in another. The dogs circled them watching for an opening within the barrier as they barked every so often during the growls. The smell of their flesh was horrid it seemed that they would not leave as they waited for the prey to come out and play.-

Charlotte turned her head side on to Arren, and if looks could kill. “My age? Are you saying..I’m old?” No woman liked to be told something like that, but it only got worse when he told her to take a look at her hair. There was a small pond nearby, and she was going to see if she could spot her reflection and find out what was up with her hair. Sure enough, when Charlotte leaned forward, she saw the large grey sliver of hair that mixed in with the black. “Eek. My hair!” She drew her fingers through it, and saw it was very real. Just then she remembered her children, being back in Lorewall with Anya and she asked if they were going to be safe. Arren had his response, but it didn’t help her feel any better.

“The reason why I sent Jalal and Imayaruk after both Anya and Sarah. I knew with here and not in Shadow’s home world that this could have been the best choice. I know my nephew’s judgment all to well. He will bring your kids that are with Anya. I will be able to protect them for the time being.”

Chalotte was trying to remember who Jalal and Imayaruk were, and she shook her head. “You really trust those two?…these are my children, and Shadow’s. If anything happened to them…” her voice trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence. Her worst nightmare was that something would happen and she was too far away to stop it. At that moment, she realized how much she needed Conan. And oddly enough, who should throw Gonzu out of that medical room? Oh he was mad, and in need of a cigarette, which he had and took a puff relaxing, after berating Gonzo and anyone else who would listen in that room. Approaching Charlotte, he took a different tack.

“So Spider monkey what did I miss?” 

“Whatever you do…don’t drink the tea. I did…and now, look at my hair.” She didn’t think he would be ready to hear, she went to the afterlife to see Shadow. Not yet anyways, with his temper. He had groaned in pain from trying to stretch, and Charlotte whispered. “No yoga classes for at least a week.”

Lorewall

“Seriously?”

“Yes…now let me sleep.

Anya was not ready to sleep or watch tv after she heard that same noise again. From the bed, Anya moved into the shadows, and kept her ears open, to hear what was coming, while she remained hidden.
Course, Jalal and Imay had come to find the children, and Anya decided she was going to make some noise, and bust some ass. Luna was happily tucked in her bed, unaware of the madness happening, till she heard.

“ANYA SMASH!” Did she think she was the Hulk? another voice…oh there were more people in the room. What would her Mother say? Instead of yelling out, she tossed pillows and cushions at the Scene, and cried out. “Tell them…to go away. This room has become too noisy.” Luna buried herself under the blankets and hoped it would all go away.

<3>

-Jalal had just managed to get up and was speaking to Imay saying…

” This looks like Lorewall, though I am not sure exactly where we are. ” 

That was when he got smashed in the head by a random child with a HAMMER!

“OWWW! What was that for?” He said,

Totally bewildered he hears Imay calling out,

“HEY TROUBLE! YOU IN HERE KID!” 

Not hurt by the attack due to his armor rune, Jalal was more stunned than anything. He was on his knees trying to figure out

who had just attacked him and who exactly Imay was calling out to…

-Conan smirked as he inhaled and exhaled the drag he took as he listened- “Whatever you do…don’t drink the tea. I did…and now, look at my hair.” -he could smell her scent off her with his noise as he back off for a moment as he asked her.- “Ok you either rolled in something dead or have jump into the afterlife and back, Either those or the tea made you smell a bit Charlotte” -he backed off a bit as he started to blow smoke around her trying to get rid of the smell. Then hearing her tell him.- “No yoga classes for at least a week.” =he smirked as he patted her back saying to her.- “well at least im standing now. Just have to pass on you watching your Yoga instructor teach you how to do a move.” -he stuck his tongue out at her giving a bit of a smart ass remark.-

Lorewall

-Anya looked at the man that had fallen to his knees and then heard Imayaruk as she started to tear up instantly only to hear him say.- “Now Anya Uncle Arren sent me and Jalal here to come get you. Are you alone here?” -She shook her heard only to answer him letting the Shadow hammer disappear.- “I am with Charlotte’s kids. Luna is really nice her and I have been sleeping in the same bed together.” -she made the remark getting excited only to have it smashed in a moments notice with what imayaruk said right after his other.- “Oh and skirt you might need to say goodbye to your little friend since Conan and Arren are waiting for us.” -she looked at him with a serious look as she shook her head saying.- “No, I am not going anywhere without Luna and Seven. Conan told me to stay with them till him and Charlotte got back. They are either coming with us or I am staying till they come and get me.” -she crossed her arms putting her chin up in a second giving a serious face not taking no for and answer.-

-Gabriel and Sarah may be protected but however the sounds of the dogs growls were muffled at the sound of a diesel engine in seconds as it rolled by slowly as it honked its horn. The driver in the truck looked out his window to see both the girls in the dark and the dogs around them. As he stopped his vehicle only to open his door holding a six shot smith & wesson 357. mag. In his hand yelling out the Sarah and Gabriel as he said.- “Hang on Im coming to help yall.” -he was just human as the man stepped down the skinless hounds turned around looking at the man with gun. Growling and bark as the man stopped mid way only to them all notice him. He cocked the hammer on the back of the gun taking aim. In that moment the man did not see the dog that was laying on the ground that had been hurled. The bloody hound got up slowly only to run at the man as he bite the man’s arm forcing the gun out of his hand. The other hands quickly ran up to the man instantly starting to have a great feast they had been delivered the first meal. As one of the dogs bite down on the mans face pulling as hard it as it could the man was now screaming in agonizing pain. It seemed that the worst nightmare for this man was here. He was being eaten alive as he screamed another dog started to rip open the mans guts pulling out intestines biting down as blood poured out on the floor. It was a bloody mess the dog that had a hold of the mans face quickly jerked with its jaw locked ripping off the skin and cartilage in the mans noise you could hear the snap of the broken cartilage this man was seriously bleeding out. the dogs started to feast on entrails it truly was a meal for them as the mans screams of the agonizing pain had stopped the blood lose had become to great with vital organs being torn open. As well as the massive bleeding this man was dead in only seconds of two vital areas being opened. The 5 liters of blood within this man was now all over the sidewalk. They sounds of hunger hounds was all that could be heard for the moment this night has now turned into a nightmare for the living.-

Imay was Shadow’s brother and that alone should carry enough wait in an argument, that he would do his best to ensure the children’s safety, especially since Anya was family to him. Jalal, was strong with the dark arts, and could hold his own in the face of the fight. But these were her children…and to top it off, undeveloped Bebilith with attitude. Charlotte raised her eyes to the sky, just fearing the kinds of things Seven would be saying…or doing for that matter.

“Oi vey.

Right on cue, Conan made his appearance before Arren and Charlotte, and it seemed his comedic wit had also returned, along with his love of his cigarettes.

“Ok you either rolled in something dead or have jump into the afterlife and back, Either those or the tea made you smell a bit Charlotte” 

“I DO NOT SMELL!” Charlotte argued, then raised her arm and sniffed her armpit, just to be sure. Glaring at him the next thing she knew he was blowing smoke at her, to kill whatever it was on her that smelt so bad. Coughing, she waved her hand in front of her face. “Must…you do that. I don’t smoke, but now you are making me smell like a smoker.” Oh this was magical. Why was it, men were pissing her off so much today? Could it get any worse? She thought to herself, as Conan poked his tongue out at her. He joked with her about not getting any lookey for now at least at watching any fancy yoga moves, and she rolled her eyes. “Some days…I wish I were a lesbian.”

Lorewall

All the commotion and excitement, along with the two strange men in her room, had Luna sit up in bed….and…

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Rather loudly too. This…brought her twin, Seven running from his room, only to see Anya cuddling a bloke and another one looking…a bit lost. Instantly, Seven went on the defensive.

“Oi..What you two doing in MY sister’s room….and get your hands off Anya…You don’t know where she has been?”

He then started to do some karate kid movie like moves, while Luna hid under her cover.

“Mum said never talk to strangers…She never said they could COME into your room!”

<3>

Chapter Five

Dreams and Nightmares

Writers
CharlotteCarrendar
IceTe3a

IceTe3a: The night was filled with boastful cheers, yelling brawls and screaming pleasures from the inn and tavern, the townspeople came alive at night until a certain time they all left at once to their own houses for a well earned rest then they would do it all over again once daylight came. He could not understand why they followed the same routine day in and day out, seemed like a total bore to him as the night got quiet the air was cold and still, watching the empty night he now found before him as he lit another cigarette “What have I come to” he said softly. A puff of smoke appears in his hand’s as an old style acoustic guitar appeared, holding it in the correct position he started to strum away at the cords his fingers strumming away naturally, his old master told him though Ice had no emotions to register in his body, through his fingers whilst playing the guitar he showed emotion through music, not many people knew this side of Ice only a very close select few and even then only a 2 of those knew he could play the guitar and have had the privilege to hear him play, his head was bopping to the tune as his right foot gently tapped up and down banging on the rooftop above the room Nip was sleeping in.

His eyes closed as the tune seems to echo throughout the town it coursed its way into every household, through every window it was almost magical, perhaps the one only thing people would ever conceder being beautiful and coming from Ice of all people. The winds pick up ever so slightly as they dance around, his white snow hair flowing through the wind as he continued to play the same song over and over again during the course of the night. the smallest of smiles appears upon his face as his fingers continue to strum the strings of the guitar, his eyes still closed, slowly the tune started to die down ever so slightly In time with the sun rising, his eyelids slowly rise as the sun does, showing his green piercing eyes the guitar disappears from his hands and the music stops once the sun was in full view in the sky. People had already started to come out of their homes to open up shop and start their busy days until night time fell once more, the same thing over and over… “An endless loop” slipped from his lips softly as he sighed slightly but it wasn’t a sigh of relief.

CharlotteCarrendar: – ~Dream sequence~ Deep within the sleeping mind of the Elf, the sounds of the guitar and the daemon’s songs were reaching through like invisible fingers that touched her very soul. Each note brought a blast of colour and the Elf found herself standing in the midst of an enchanted castle. All around people were dressed in splendour and dancing in time to the tune of the guitar. The Elf was wearing a full length silvery gown that flowed around her as though made from the lightest silk. Her face bore a glittering mask that hid her identity from those that tripped the light fantastic across the floor. On the otherside of the room, a tall gentleman with flowing white hair and a black mask. But she could see flashing green hues that were staring right at her. Slowly the two crossed the floor to each other, and the masked man bowed low before the maiden elf, then took her right hand, while his right hand went around to be placed on the small of her back.

Together they began to waltz, the masked man spinning her on his arm as the other dancers all fell back. His voice was so deep as he sang to her – lulling her into a false sense of security. The dance – it was almost as though they were dancing on a cloud. A white mist was swirling at their feet enveloping them. Faster and faster the music was playing, and the elf was starting to feel dizzy. “Give me your soul….for a kiss.” He whispered in her ear. “My soul?” The Elf felt his hand press harder into her back as the rest of the room started to change. Great flames were licking at the glass windows, and the other dancers were all starting to scream as their bodies were being torn apart by demonic hands. Death…destruction….dancing? A clock was chiming. It was near midnight. A dragon roared in the distance, calling for her. Nip tried to pull back, but the chain was on her wrist, and it led up to the daemon’s collar. “NOOO!” the Elf screamed as she pulled back from him and tried to run away. Body parts lined the dance floor. Blood was raining down and ruining her silver gown. Her face was splattered with more blood as the daemon appeared before her. “GIVE ME YOUR SOUL!” he shouted. Then….Nip woke up – sitting up sharply in bed. Her body was bathed in sweat and she was panting heavily. What caused the nightmare? Little did she know…it was his song. <3>

IceTe3a: He was ignorant to what was going down in the room, as his hues watching as the blacksmith started his fires for the day, he needed the fires to stay at a high temperature if he was ever going to temper the mettle and bend it to his shaping skills. Coming to a stand he starts to stretch his muscles out whilst on top of the roof. His bones cracking as his muscles pop into place releasing a relief feeling, his arms flow slowly down to his sides as he thought it was about time he went back inside no doubt she would have ideas of what she was going to do for the day. People started to stare at him, as they weren’t exactly accustomed to a man standing on top of a roof, waving it off he could care less if the people stare walking to the edge of the roof he falls backwards towards the ground almost looking like he had fallen off, but his body twists midair as his legs come flying through the window a safe landing as his boots hit the wooden floor. Hues flickering around the room as he expected her to be out of bed by now as he finds her sitting up in bed he shakes his head “You sleep too much, Wasting daylight as usual” he stated as if he had known her for a longer time than they actually did. Leaning his back against the wall he lets out a soft growl “What’s next” he was referring to what was her plans for the days although he was not in the mood to exactly explain it in detail.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Nip actually let out a gasp of surprise when the Daemon spoke to her about sleeping too much and wasting the day away. Perhaps he had been up a lot longer than she. Truth was he was up all night. Realizing that she was perspiring, Nip wiped her brow and tried to gather her thoughts after the nightmare she experienced. “I err..” Trying to formulate a sentence seemed to be a problem for her as her heart was still racing. “What’s next?’ Honestly, he acted like a disgruntled tourist half the time. He was leaning against the wall near the window and was scowling at her. Clearing her throat, she replied. “Getting a boat at the jetty and then taking it down the river. You should like that.” Getting out of bed, she started to dress herself even though he was standing there. “Change of scenery might improve your mood.” Whether she believed her own words or not was beside the point. Trying to keep herself from revealing her fear was a much bigger priority. She couldn’t dare let him see her fear. Placing on her velvet jacket, she scooped up her dragon and again placed him in her pocket, though he was big enough to sit on her shoulder. Right now, she didn’t want to chance the daemon having target practise with the small dragon. Her weapons were the last things to put on – her shield on her back and her sword tied to her belt. When ready, she turned around and said. “Shall I shorten the chain, or are you going to follow me out like a normal person?” <3>

IceTe3a: His hues watch as she started to stutter with her words, obviously lost for words he shook his head as he continued to glare at her. Finally she got up out of bed as he arched a brow ‘We’re going down river’ she basically stated to him as he sighed slightly “Any real reason we would want to go down river?” he replied as he watched her get dressed in her daily clothing his eyes never leaving her as he watches her scoop up the dragon “He’s fat< you over feed him” he stated making a obvious judgment of the dragon. She spun on her feet to look at him basically throwing another threat at him, ‘Shall I shorten the chain or are you going to follow me out like a normal person?’ she had said to him as he came to a stand he shook his head and looked himself up and down “Do I look like a person to you? Or normal for that fact, What a stupid question” he said in a harsh tone as he took stride in his walk passing her he knocked on the door as it slammed open “Stupid girl” he simply stated as he continued to walk outside of the room his chain almost coming to the full length as he came to a stop “Well, get a move on” he growled as he shook his head waiting for her to play catch up for once “ Is everyone In this world as slow as you, Or are you just special?” he was in a right assed mood but she didn’t help with her earlier threat to shorten the chain, he didn’t want her to have the pleasure of parading him around like he was hers let alone be so close to her they were basically touching.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Naturally the daemon wanted to know what the real reason was for going down stream. Course, she had her reasons and for now they were going to remain only hers. Why should she confide in him, when all he would do is either torment her for it or try to stuff up her plans. She ignored him on that point, but when he called her dragon fat…that gave her reason to respond. “He’s a growing dragon. It’s not fat. It’s a….Healthy tummy.” Well, maybe she did feed him a bit too much, but she had never kept a dragon before, so she basically fed him till he couldn’t eat anymore. “Wait till he wants whole sheep for a meal.” She retorted, as she followed in behind him. The daemon deciding to be the one to take the lead in leaving the rented room. He did not like her threats about shortening the chain either. Calling her stupid, rather loudly….and also going back to the old taunt of her being special as well as slow. His mood was one that was enough to send just about any merry person into a depression. Nip caught up with him in the hall, then together then went down the stairs, and out into the town square, which was again alive with vendors and traders from far off lands. The pathway to the jetty was to the right. “This way.” Nip said, not bothering to get into a slanging match about him calling her stupid. They were really off to a bad start this morning. It was bound to get worse. <3>

IceTe3a: He smirked as she tried to defend the dragons weight obviously failing on her behalf as they went down stairs and out to the main street, the place was busy as usual people trying to make a living, he was distracted his hues flicking through the countless souls around him as he smirked devilishly. “This way” he heard as his chain pulled him along with ease, coming back to reality he glanced over to her as she started to walk for the boat mooring jetty he shook his head. What on earth could be down the river that was so interesting he thought to himself as his long strides caught up to her with ease, a devilish smirk across his face as he arched a brow “Sleep well last night?” he simply stated asking a question, oblivious to the fact of her nightmares. The jetty was in sight as countless different shape and sized boats were moored near the jetty, from fishing vessels to small dinghies to travelling ships amongst other kinds. This place seemed to be busy just like the market place was, with countless people running around unloading things whist others loaded things, you could hear the fish mongers trying to sell their mornings catch whilst it was fresh otherwise it end up as bait or food for the animals. His hues glance back down to her as he arched a brow not exactly the one in position to make any direction choices as she had him chained to her and not the other way around.

CharlotteCarrendar: When asked how she slept, Nip’s eyes suddenly betrayed her. Surely if he was to take a look he would have seen the fear in behind them. The elf blinked a few times, then uttered. “No.” Dare she say what caused it? Nip walked a bit faster as though she wished to get ahead of him so he couldn’t read the expression on her face. Coming closer to the jetty, you could see the line up of various boats of all sizes and shapes. Question was, which one would suit them the most. There was a small green boat to the end of the jetty with a for sale sign on it. It would look big enough to house the pair and had a cabin underneath. “I think that will do us.” The elf said, making her way to a sleeping fisherman who had his stall set up near the green boat. She coughed loudly and asked. “Excuse me, is that your boat for sale?” The man opened an eyelid slowly and took out his pipe. “Aye…what you be wanting with a boat?” She didn’t look the type to know how to even sail one. “I need to get to the Ivory city at the opening of the river.” The fisherman rubbed his stubbled chin and then said. “Be fifty gold coins.” It was a large amount for such a small boat. Nip pursed her lips together and then dug into her pocket. This was going to be all her gold. She reluctantly handed it over and then took the sign off the boat. She was the first Elf ship captain at the jetty. Many of the other fishermen laughed, in spite of the daemon standing with her. “She’s no sailor. You be dead before you reach the sea!” They laughed, while Nip tried to ignore them. Starting by untying the ropes that held it to the dock. <3>

)
IceTe3a: His eyes flicker over to her as she was looking at him, what was that in her eyes? Fear.. yes he knows that look from anywhere as he licks his lips, her striding to walk in front only confirmed his suspicions of her, as they neared the jetty he noticed she was looking at the boats with intent to buy one. As she points to the little green one he rolls his eyes that thing was hardly seaworthy “Not very big.” He stated as she obviously ignored him and went straight to the captain buying it for 50 gold pieces he shook his head as even he knew the old sailor was ripping her off. Ivory city? What was the Ivory city? Where was she taking him.. Either way it didn’t sound like the kind of place he would be welcomed in. He watched as she took the for sale sign off and started to untie the ropes holding the boat to the docks, the jetty fills with laughter as the sailors laugh at the fact she was a female and even worse a elf trying to sail the sea’s, they had a point she looked out of her element as he shook his head but he wasn’t going to help her, he’d much rather watch her struggle. The sailors burst out ‘You be dead before you reach the sea!’ His hues flash over to the group of laughing sailors as his eyes turn fiery red “Not If I kill you first” he said as he walked over to the edge of the dock he stood right in front of the boat as he continued to watch Nip attempt to ready the boat for her voyage with a half smirk across his face. “So Ivory city huh, What’s that and why are we going there” he asked in his usual tone as he continued to be amused by her obvious lack of skills with boats.

CharlotteCarrendar:- The laughter died down when the daemon threatened the other sailors on the jetty – who all went back to their tasks as the Elf struggled on with the little green boat. She really didn’t have a clue and it showed. She took the baby dragon out of her pocket and placed him in the boat as she climbed aboard herself. The boat lurched back and forth and the elf blinked. Was she going to be sea sick before she left the jetty? The ropes were untied and she then chewed her lip wondering just what was the next thing she had to do. Glancing around, she then heard the daemon ask about Ivory city and why were they going there? Realizing she needed to bring up the anchor, she went to the back of the boat and started to haul it up. “They say there is this…very powerful wizard there…and….I am going to see if I can get him to release us from each other.” Now this would be something of a shock to the daemon. The Elf wanted to get rid of him. It wasn’t exactly fun being shackled to a grumpy daemon, and after her nightmare, she was now more determined. Nip slowly started raising the anchor as the little dragon skittered across the boat desk and hissed at the daemon, before running to hide behind Nip. <3>

IceTe3a: A single brow arched as she looked even more confused than before, the dragon was running around the boat amusing itself as Nip walked to the front of the boat and raised anchor, he stepped on the bow of the boat one foot on the other as he balanced on the boat perfectly without any sway. Looking down on her as the anchor came out of the water the boat slowly drifted away from the jetty into the current of the water. She explained her reasons as to why they were going to visit the wizard she wanted them to be separated he chuckled for a moment knowing she hated being attached to him almost as much as he did, his laugh fell silent as he shook his head, glancing out to the vast ocean he smiles “I Suppose the part you forgot to mention is when you or the wizard finally kills me” he was blunt and to the point as he glanced back down to her with an arched brow “I know you want me dead, you’ve stated this before. If this is true why do you not end my life right now? You haven’t even tried once.” He smirked as he was questioning her own choices in life, the boat was floating further away from the jetty as it rolled across the choppy water swaying from side to side all the while Ice remained standing on the bow perfectly still “Even more, For someone who hates me that much that they wish me to die. You do treat me awfully nice. I mean, if you really hated me that much it ain’t exactly showing” he wanted to see just exactly what she thought of him and exactly how far she was willing to go as he arched a brow, he realized this wasn’t the best place to be at this given time since it was a small area there was no doubt she would almost touch him even if it was by accident, but he did not want her learning more about her powers over him so he tried to keep wary of her movements.

CharlotteCarrendar: The boat lurched from the rolling waves that pushed on either side of the vessel and this made Nip lose her balance. She clutched the side of the ship, then realized she needed to control the direction of the boat as it went along with the current. The boat wasn’t terribly large and this made it awkward to evade the daemon, who didn’t want her touching him any more than she wanted too. Again he was at her with horrid taunts about how either she or the Wizard was going to have to kill him, and he knew she wanted to end him. Snapping her head around she growled under her breath. “How can I kill something that isn’t even alive?” She said this in reference to the time when her sword went straight through his chest. Finally she got to the rudder stick and tried her best to guide the boat out from the rolling waves. She was also starting to look a little green around the gills. “Will you just stop with the nagging…I’m trying to…to…” you could see that she was looking painfully sick. …”trying to steer…before I…” then you could see her starting to gag on her own vomit. The bile was rising up into her mouth, as the ship lurched violently. “Oh…no..” She then leaned over the side of the boat and started to throw up the dinner she had the night before. A technicolour rainbow of her stomach contents was now hitting the water beneath the boat. <3>

IceTe3a: He watched her as she ran around the boat he shook his head as she was completely lost, and then she yelled how could she kill something that wasn’t even alive he smiled as he watched her take up the steer of the boat to try and keep it steady “It’s not the boat that’s the problem the waters just choppy you can’t stop that” he laughed as he knew she was not born for the ocean, it was only a matter of time until she and then it happened she spewed outside of the boat the smell wasn’t to pretty as he shook his head “Typical, taking on more than you can handle as usual” he smiled as he walked over to her he kneeled down to her and thought he’d show her something as his hand extended outwards and touched her cheek. He was going to try and show her about how his life force was transferred into a rather large gem cased in a necklace that laid hidden inside his crypt, but what she saw and learned was completely up to her subconscious, as it could be anything. His hands clasp her cheeks as his eyes flash white stunning him into place until she was done with the growth of her power through him, this was something he was unable to control obviously why he did not want her touching him .

CharlotteCarrendar: – The feeling that Nip was experiencing was absolute nauseous from the constant swaying of the boat. Her stomach was completely emptied and the taste in her mouth was just vile. This sea going adventure was barely within the first ten minutes and she was not copping at all. Clutching at the rudder stick with all she was worth. Grim determination that she could sail this vessel if it was the last thing she did. What scared her as she was coming out of her haze, was the fact the daemon crouched down near her and went to touch her. What? He didn’t want to be touched, or touch her, and yet he was doing it. “Please don’t” she whispered when all of a sudden she was seeing things from his perspective again. His life force was inside a crystal, that was locked inside his crypt, not that she even knew where that was. That explained why he seemed alive in this plane and in his own his real life was inside the crystal. So to speak. Why was his life force even in a crystal to start with? This was the part she didn’t understand. “Who put it inside the crystal? Why would someone do that? Did you do it to yourself? I don’t understand.” So many questions as the pair stared at each other, and this part of his power was what she wanted to learn. But in touching her…..he would witness her nightmare….the thing that scared her. The setting – The Ivory city castle. <3>

IceTe3a: Whilst she was busy with her own flash about him, Ice had been able to see what her nightmare was about last night, learning that she had one in the first place and it was about him. Typical as he smirked as it pleased him that she still feared him, “So you have nightmares about me” he said in a soft voice without realizing it. After a few moments the came out of the trance as his hands fell from her face, coming to a stand he walked to the edge of the boat “Don’t think you can touch me now” he growled as his eyes were keeping a watch out on the horizon. “My life was bound into the ruby not by my choice, but it has helped me out over the years” he smirked as he answered one of her questions. Now she knew how to kill him she had no excuses for next time as he turned around his hues glance down to her “This wizard if he can free us, you know that means I will be free to do as I please. This means I will be able to kill you” he licked his lips as his casual stare turned into a glare.

CharlotteCarrendar: It was hard to imagine the daemon with a soft voice, but he used it when he witnessed her nightmare for himself. She did fear him. That would please him to no end. It was what he was counting on for when they were released from the bond of the chain and the collar. Nip fell back slightly, having seen for herself about the gem that held his life force. To destroy him, you had to break the gem. But that was easier said than done. When he stood and walked away grumbling about her not touching him, she shuddered. “I’ll do my best to avoid it.” This was said with a slight cough, as she refocused on steering the boat. The waves were not as bad now, but the wind had picked up some, blowing her hair about her face. The green look seemed to be passing from her skin, but her eyes became red rimmed when he said that after they were free from each other’s bond that he would be able to kill her. “I have no doubt you will try. Even if it’s the last thing you’ll do.” What did she mean by that? <3>

IceTe3a: He smiles hearing her last statement and chuckles “You’d be surprised of what I am capable of” as they had been sailing for a good while they must be getting close by now as he came to sit down on the boats edge he watched as the water plowed on the sides of the boats “And if you’re stuck with me, if the wizard cannot free you from me?” He already knew the answer to that she would go after the gem that held his life force, that was obvious as he closed his eyes and went silent for the rest of the voyage. The wind whipping his hair around his face, he was getting bored of this boat ride and wanted it to be over and done with. “Are we close yet?” he sighed as he laid down on the floor of the boat, his hues now glancing up at the sky as he saw a random bird fly past, he hurled a fireball towards it in the aim to kill it as he watched the fireball roar towards the helpless bird.

CharlotteCarrendar:- The moment that it struck her, that she may not ever be freed from him had her look panicked. Would she be forced to seek out the gem and then destroy it to ultimately be free? She didn’t even know where to start looking if she wanted too. “At some point, one of us will die.” The answer as to who, remained to be seen. Again the daemon started to complain, as he laid down on the floor of the boat and stared up at the sky. A lonely gull was flying past and…sure enough the daemon fired a fire ball at it. The sound of the bird being struck and cooking almost instantly with a nasty sizzle before landing on the deck made Nip shake her head. Only thing was the dragon raced out and snatched up the cooked gull and dragged it off to a quiet corner to eat it. “Least someone appreciates your theatrics.” Nip said as the dragon chirped happily at his morning meal. “As for how far it is to go….we have another day at least.” That was bound to bring a groan of annoyance from the daemon. <3>

IceTe3a: “A fricken day!?” he said sitting up as he glanced over at her, groaning he laid back down “Oh fuck my life” he watched the dragon as it ate the cooked gull he chuckled “It doesn’t seem to care what I kill as long as it’s edible” he said with a smirk as he glanced back up at her “You travel so slowly, why if I wasn’t chained to you I’d be there in a flash” he growled as he closed his eyes now he wished he was able to run free, he hated being cooped up like this it was surely going to drive him crazy “First to go will be the dragon, than the boat” he warned in a general tone as he started to strum his fingers against the wooden floor of the boat. He went quiet for a moment, an entire day stuck in the boat not able to freely move. Sighing he better make the most of it as he came to a stand and threw his cloak off. Resting his broad sword on the side of the boat he kneeled down and placed his palms on the floor of the boat, kicking his legs up above him he was now standing on his hands with his legs virtually above him, pushing up and down it was obvious he was working out to pass the time, after awhile and not breaking a sweat he pushed up and flipped back on to his feet as he took a combat pose and started punching the air with a slight speed to it, not wanting to give away just how fast he was or allow her to learn his moves he continued to throw sequences of punches and kicks out into the thin air, this sort of training went on for awhile.

CharlotteCarrendar: The reaction from the daemon was to be expected. He was and always had been impatient since they met. Now he was going to be stuck on the boat for a whole day and night too. In a way this was the fastest way to get to Ivory city, as far at the elf knew. Course, he could have gotten there much faster if he wasn’t chained to her. The boat had now become a kind of floating prison for the daemon, and like anyone cooped up, he started to work out, rather than just lay there and enjoy the day. The elf tried to avoid watching him, staring off to the side, but unfortunately his audible grunts and noises had her attention and she would be caught looking at him from time to time. The baby dragon let out a loud belch along with a blackened feather and laid back patting it’s swollen tummy. Least someone was enjoying the trip. As the boat sailed on, the clouds that had been a fluffy white started to change to a sinister grey, as the tide was slowly turning. The water’s darkened to match that of the sky. It all seemed so sudden, and she had to wonder if the daemon was causing it. Soon the boat was being tossed around like a toy boat in a bathtub and Nip was struggling to keep a hold of the rudder pole. She rose to standing as the boat seriously got hit by a freak wave and the young elf fell overboard with a loud splash. <3>

IceTe3a: He was busy working out as he continued to practice his unarmed fighting, left .. left right.. Roundhouse, he was fluent in his moves as his nose caught a sniff of something in the air. Coming to a full stand his hues glanced up as the skies darkened, it was a freak storm, the winds picking up as they started to howl past them both, the swell rose with wind bringing the heavy waves crashing across the boat. Nip was trying her best to keep the boat a float but she was useless at it, his hues flicker around looking to see how close to land they were but they were too far out. The sailors were right about her, as he knew they were suddenly a freak wave smashes into the side of the boat he hears a splash as his chain starts to rattle against the floor of the boat his hues look down at his chain as he follows it with his eyes “Fuck me..” the end of the chain lead into the water she obviously had fallen in, what a stupid girl. The chain whips through the air and rips him off his feet as he gets pulled straight into the sea along with her, the boat slowly moving away with the current as he floats on the surface even if he wanted to pull on the chain to bring her over he was unable to as he wasn’t able to budge her due to the chains magic. Then he realized she’d be an anchor to him, she would sink to the dark depths and eventually die, dragging him down chained to her lifeless body for eternity under the dark depths of the water unable to escape.. this he did not like as he cursed himself for what he was going to do next. Diving down into the water he followed the chain until he found her floating in the water, pulling her arms around him so she was on his back as soon as her skin touched his he could feel her body draining him of his energy from her touch, her powers over him were un mastered and untrained so they ran wild never knowing what she was doing or how to do it as his body kept growing weaker. He rose to the surface and sighed as he glanced over at the boat which was far away by now “Do not get into a habit of this, I didn’t want to spend eternity on the bottom of the fucken ocean with your dead body as my anchor you stupid girl” he growled as his eyes went from piercing green to his daemonic eyes, they disappeared with a good chunk of the water that was around them and re appeared on the deck of the boat with a splash from the large amount of water he brought with them, by now his veins in his body were bulging out of his skin as his power continued to be drained into her body, it was only a temporary transfer that allowed her to drain him of his power leaving him in a weakened state eventually his power would leave her and come back to him but not whilst she continued to touch him. Falling to his knees and down onto his stomach he landed flat on the deck of the boat with Nip laying on top of him with her arms wrapped around his neck. At this point in time he was nothing more than a stunned statue unable to move and in pain whilst having his body in a weakened state his lips were parted and his face registered pain but no screams no sound came from him as he laid there.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Slowly sinking below the waves the fight soon left the Elf girl as her lungs filled with water. A calm swept over her body and it was like she was accepting it. Death would come before she was ever freed from the chain to the daemon. The darkness of the waters did not show the daemon spiriting towards her and then taking her lifeless body onto his back, so he could try to get her to the surface. The only issue was she was a receptor to his powers, like a sponge that soaked up water, her body absorbed his great power thus leaving him drained if he didn’t separate from her. It would mean the end for both of them, or that the daemon would spend eternity at the bottom of the river. Needless to say, that was not where the Daemon ever wanted to be, and he used what power he had, to transport them back to the deck of the boat. Just making it with the girl landing upon him like a large limp fish. Course she was still wrapped around him, draining even more power as he lay beneath her, like a silent statue whose face looked like he wanted to scream. The longer they lay there, the stronger the power grew within the elf till finally her eyes snapped open and she coughed up a large amount of water that ran down the daemon’s neck. It was then the Elf realized where she was and the fact she was wound around the daemon. “Eeeeek!” she screamed and immediately leapt off him, no word of thank you for saving her life, but had she stayed on him longer, he was going to be completely depleted of all his power. Now standing over him dripping wet, the girl looked shocked at his appearance. “What’s wrong with you? Say something…please!” <3>

IceTe3a: He laid there on the floor almost like he was lifeless but he was alive just unable to move from his weakened state, she finally got up off him as his body slowly gained its power back from her. He started to breath normally again moments past until he was actually able to move all the while she was there asking what’s wrong with him, obvious wasn’t it. He came to sit up as he collected himself, pissed off that he actually was forced to save her and pissed off that she put him in this position in the first place. Coming to a stand he glares right at her with a snarl “Don’t you ever put me in that position again” he growled as he walked off to the front of the boat, pulling another smoke out from thin air he lit it as he sunk his teeth into his palm, drawing blood he dropped several drops of blood into the water as he chanted, after awhile the clouds disappeared and the weather became calm again. Being the king of hell he had a couple of tricks up his sleeve that was for sure as he licked his palm clean of blood he walked over to her with a snarl, completely over the day already he was going to ask something from her. “Knock me out, do whatever you need to. I want this day to be over already” as he stood there fully ready to cop whatever she threw at him, he was obviously pissed off to the point where he just wanted to be off this small boat and be able to freely walk around. “Come on! Knock me out” he growled being impatient he knew her hits wouldn’t be able to knock him out cold but he wanted her to figure out something as he raised his hand towards the dragon “ You have exactly 3 seconds to knock me out cold for the rest of this voyage otherwise we’ll see a repeat of mother dragon only the baby dragon will be the star this time” he knew this would get her revved up enough to do what he asked as he awaited for what came next.

CharlotteCarrendar: – Both were dripping wet, and the daemon was madder than ever. It wasn’t bad enough that she almost dragged him to the bottom of the river, but the fact she drained him of his energy that really added to it. And there she was, asking him to say something, like he was a mute. Oh….and did he ever. Growling at her to never put him in that position again. Like she meant to fall over board. Her jaw dropped open as she gestured at the waves as the boat continued to lurch although she had found her sea legs apparently. “You act like I did that on purpose!” She yelled. Frustrated with being stuck on the boat with him, even though he did just save her. Another day and night of his incessant rants. It was enough to make her want to pull her hair out. But then, he showed that he didn’t want to have to put up with her a moment longer than necessary either. Storming over and demanding that she knock his lights out so he could spend the rest of the trip unconscious. Hit him? Mister Square jaw? She gasped and then shut her mouth again. “As if my fist will even break one of your stubbles. I can’t knock you out…I…” and then it hit her. He wanted to be out to the count or he was going to blow up her baby dragon, the same way that dispatched his mother. Oh this had her seething. Fists curled she was ready to do it….she was about to draw back her fist when it hit her….that she could do something else. Something he would hate more than anything. She opened her mouth and started….to sing….and sing…and sing. She would sing for hours. Every song she knew. And this would ensure that he remained asleep for the rest of the voyage…so long as her voice held out. If he did fall asleep from her singing, she would go back and continue to steer the boat, keeping her eyes partially on him. It was the only way.

<3>

-Arren spoke out in a remark.- “Just like you did to the ones you swore an oath to Conan? We all lie for the reasons we have. I lied because I never knew how to tell you.” -Conan stopped as he clinched his jaw yet again only to turn around as he yelled.- “Yea I lied. My oaths that were founded by your code. The oath that made me lie might as well been said out loud. I LIED TO HELP PROTECT THOSE I SWORE MY SWORD TO YOU KNOW NOTHING OF YOUR OWN CODE!” -Arren didn’t react in hard words to Conan as he nodded only to say.- “And yet you follow that code as if you wrote it, Conan I lied because you were not ready for that truth. Even more so I did not bring you here to bring up past actions I brought you here to help a world that is on the brink of an apocalypse. I have told you in the past that somethings need to be brought forth when the time is right.” -Arren watched Conan walk out towards the temple ground only to here him muttering. Arren looked over to Charlotte as he smiled only to tell her- “Let him be Charlotte. He needs time to think on what he has learned. Sadly I can no longer keep things from him. He has grown into a fine man and a powerful warrior.” -he offered for her to sit down as he sighed only say to her.- “Please sit down. I have something for you, that entails a bit of your family. A gift from someone that sought me out when I just a young wolf.” -he lifted the box that was on his left it seemed to be heavy and was about 28 inches long and only 2 inches wide as he placed the box on the table only to wait for Charlotte’s reaction.-

Lorewall

-Anya covered her ears as Luna screamed letting go of Imayaruk for a moment screaming at Luna.- “ENOUGH!” -the loud sound sent a vibration through the floor as he looked at Seven and Luna.- “Relax he is family guys”- she smiled until she heard the words- ” Arren sent both of us to fetch Charlottes kids, if that’s you then you must come with us as Imay has bid you. We dont have much time. Nice swing by the way, you got a good arm. “ -Jalal spoke saying she had a nice arm only to rub the back of her head as she smarted off.- “Well that was only a tap compared to what I can truly do. Ask Imay he knows” – Imay started talking to her as she turned around only to have him offer her a vial of flaming blood that seemed to glow like hot lava. As she took it in her hand only to hear him tell her.- “Squirt dump half the vile and throw that out the window. “ -she pulled the cork form the vial as she poured it out and through it out the window hearing it smash against the concrete outside still wondering what it would do looking at the others wondering if something was going to happen.-

-The hounds feasted on the mans body as the sounds of foots steps were slowly sounding from the walk way as the hounds looked up in the direction from the left as the blood dripped from their muzzles in silence only to hear a strong sounding German voice speaking in his natural tongue. “Es scheint, meine Welpen fanden sich einen Snack i hoffe Ihr seit immer noch hungrig Vatis hier, um Ihnen das Hauptgericht “ (translation: It seems my puppies found themselves a snack i hope your still hungry since Daddy’s here to bring you the main course) -the man walked around the brick wall only to be wearing a lab coat that had dirt and blood covering the entire coat it was if he had been through surgeries and had been digging into the dirt. His white gloves that he had on were slightly covered as well. His face was pale with his eyes were blue green that seemed to have bags under his sockets that seemed to be the sign of jaundice from the lack of sleep or could have been from being in low light rooms. The signs were not clear to see what it had been from. He stood there holding a a scythe like Cleaver in his left hand as he brought his right hand to his lips looking over to the two girls saying with his green lipstick colored mouth.- “Hörst du die Toten Gefolge?“ (translation: Do you hear the dead wake?) -he had wondered if she could even understand him as he smiled looking devilishly.-

And it did. Conan let rip, about the fact he had been lied too, and stormed off in a huff, leaving Charlotte standing there with Arren, who told her not to go after him, just yet, he needed to cool his head. It was odd, since Charlotte had never seen Conan this mad before. Part of her wanted to go after him, but then Arren said he had something for her, that was in a box, shaped about 28 inches long and only 2 inches wide. Sitting on a table next to her, she reached over to pick it up, and then opened the lid.

“What is it?

Lorewall

Seven was still doing some funky karate moves, when Anya let them all know her feelings about her uncle coming. “ENOUGH! – Relax he is family guys”-” At this Seven stopped his carry on and Luna stopped screaming. “Why didn’t you say so?’ Seven said with an indignant look on his face. Luna actually got out of bed, and stood beside her brother, wanting a better explanation.

” Arren sent both of us to fetch Charlotte’s kids, if that’s you then you must come with us as Imay has bid you. We dont have much time. Nice swing by the way, you got a good arm. “ -Jalal said, obviously having more of a relationship with Anya than the kids knew. The kids watched as Anya undid a vial and poured it out the window, and wondered what they were supposed to do, to follow the others back to Charlotte and Arren.

<3>

Hearing Imay’s direction, Jalal simply nodded. Making some space towards the back of the room he began a series of gestures which drew upon an existing ley line which bordered the outside of the town. As they had recently portaled the rift he was creating was easy to create. Using the stone to make a bridge within his mind he pictured the location he wished to arrive in within his mind allowing it to float and form as if a ripple upon the water. The portal began to coalesce in the room freely forming in front of them. The portal was a full 8 feet in diameter and round allowing for easy passage.

Looking towards the girls he called to them.

“Let’s be off. Your mother awaits. I will be right back Imay. “

“Who are you? What do you want with this child?” she asked him, her tone of voice had a firm sound to it as she glared at the unknown man.

-Conan had walked off only to find himself at the Sound temple as he looked up seeing the statue of his ancestor. He tighten his fist walking into the temple grounds. He could feel that natural sound vibrations from the temple itself. The chimes of the temple were on a low vibration as he pulled another cigarette out of his pack lighting it thinking of what he had just learned. As he took a inhale he could sense the presence of others behind him only to say.- “If your going to hide your not very good at it. Shikia and Danzo” -as he exhaled they walked out from behind the pillars of the with their weapons now that Danzo was in clothes and seemed to be doing better than last time he was seen he still had his blade in his hand only to stare. Shikia had her spear on her shoulder as they both seemed to watching him with keen eyes. As Conan smoked his cigarette he wondered why they were there as he asked.- “So what do the two of you want? I seriously am not in the mood to deal with you too at this time.” -Shikia tighten the grip on her spear handle clinching her jaw as Danzo snapped at Conan.- “And who do you think you are to tell us you have no time for us? You disrespected Arren in this world face to face with him. You should show more respect to your creator. Your god! Go apologize to him now!” -Conan ignored his talk as he just brushed it off only to stay quiet. Danzo tighten his grip on his sword only to move his finger shifting the air moisture within the area creating enough compression to create a small enough amount of water as he said.- “DON T INGORE ME!” -his moved the small amount of water around Conan’s face cutting the cigarette in half. Conan’s eye twitched as the Cigarette was cut in hal in mid drag as his shoulders tensed up.-

Lorewall

-Anya smiled as she looked at Luna and Seven jumping up and down only to say.- “Well lets go guys lets go seen your mom and Conan” -She giggled getting excited seeing the portal only to wonder how it works only to jump and down. She couldn’t help it with her uncle here and the fact she was going to get her she still could figure out why she didn’t tell them that it was her uncle. Looking at Luna as she ran over and jumped on the bed as she asked.- “Aren’t you excited? We get to see Charlotte. Oo and the small puppies” -she smiled big acting like a little kid again waiting for Seven and Luna to get ready.-

-The man in the lab coat and his giant scythe that was like a hacking cleaver. He cocked his eye brow as he laughed a bit at her growl soon to figure out she couldn’t understand him. “Who are you? What do you want with this child?” -he chuckled a bit only to pet one of his hounds saying in a strong German accent.- “sorry about that I am speak more German! We want the child to bring about a new Salvation to this world. To cleanse all tainted souls!” -she grinned throwing his hands out the to his sides as his lab coat opened revealing a chained skeleton that hung from his left arm as he said.- “I am Johann George Faust VIII! I am part of the Knights of Salvation. 3rd knight of the bone yard! If you would just hand her over I promise I wont kill you.” -he laughed as he stabbed the end of the scythe cleaver in the ground bringing his hand to the skeleton kissing the cheek bone running his hand across its jaw as he asked.- “Isn’t that right my dear sweet Eliza. All we ask is for her to listen to us.” -he kissed the skeleton again only to run his tongue across her teeth as if he was making out getting completely off the skeleton’s taste.-

All her life, Charlotte had been fascinated by swords, in particular katanas. For as long as she could remember, and then in her teachings with Raziel, she had a natural infinity, that went on through her youth to adulthood. She never tried to explain it to anyone, and it was kept deep in her subconscious. Feeling the draw of the box, she couldn’t understand at first what was happening, not till she opened it and viewed it with her own eyes. ~The White Spider~ The katana of Randall Carrendar. A relic from days long gone. Even she had not heard of him, and creased her brow. The blade even spoke to her, for it contained the blood of her kin. She was of course the descendant of Lore, and a true Carrendar. So she took it out from the box. It’s poisons did not even cause a reaction on her skin, for she was naturally immune.

Charlotte stepped back from Arren, and then went into a number of moves, that she had been taught by her Sword master, back in the lost days of the Eastern province. The sound of the blade cutting the air, had a song to it, all of its own. Sword and wielder became one, in a ritual like dance, which showed a side to Charlotte few ever bared witness. Finally finishing, the dance at an end, she set the blade down in the box, and covered it.

“Well, Arren…that blade knows me. I could feel it in my veins.”

Lorewall

“Should I go pack a bag? I be damned if I am leaving stuff behind again.” Seven said, but then waved them all off and ducked into his room, where you could hear the sounds of trunks opening and closing, a lot of cursing, the odd thump, and then he charged back in with his Pokemon back pack. “Okay…ready. Sis? You bringing your bag?” Luna simply shook her head.

“Mum will take care of what I need. You’re the one with a game fetish.” She said, poking out her tongue from the corner of her mouth. Seven shrugged and took Luna’s hand. “I always wanted to dive off the building. Okay…on my mark. ONE..TWO…THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

The twins then leapt off the window railing and sailed down for the portal…and to Conan and their mum.

<3>

” Come on kids, they are just ahead. “

Knowing he must hurry he began to move quickly. He didnt have time to dally. He must get back and quickly.

After he saw that the kids had caught sight of them he turned and said, tell them ” Tell Arren, Jalal went back for Imay. ” 

With that he began a new incantation using the bridge again to reach the earlier destination, opening the portal again on the balcony…

As he traveled the return trip became more rocky. It seemed there was trouble afoot. Jalal did not know what was going on but knew time was of the essence. Something was wrong… He was flung far off out of time and out of space to where he knew not…

With Jason now clean and coming down to make amends with Isabella, he would find her in the kitchen helping herself to a chalice of wine – straight from the fridge. She was holding the goblet and swirling it around as he came up behind her. The Vampire Queen stiffened some and raised her right shoulder up slightly as he spoke to her.

“Still hungry dearest?”

His lips graced her neck before he pulled back and massaged her shoulders. Isabella brought the chalice to her darkened lips, sipping from it as she replied in a delicate voice.

“I’m always hungry….Jason.”

At this she finished off the goblet, placing it down on the bench and turning to face him with small trickles of blood running down her chin. Her temper had cooled somewhat and she was just about to say something incredibly sexy when…

Two of her charges entered the room, all taking off their hats and caps in the presence of Isabella and her mate.

“Queen….there is word that the blonde one has been staking out (hur hur) the old estate of Vincent Casales.”

One of the others stepped forward and bowed low before her.

“They found the safe.”

Isabella quirked a brow, having forgotten all about Vincent and his love of antiquities. She seemed to be nonchalant about the whole thing, but little did she know what danger this would bring. “So…what has that got to do with me?” Two of the sired ones stared at each other, and then one said above a whisper.

“He….he is coming.”

Isabella was starting to get annoyed. “Who is coming? Shane? He thinks I’m dead…well, again, you know.”

She waved her hand dismissively but the other sire had a look of terror on his face. “Not…Shane. HIM.” He then pointed to a large picture in the dining room…..of Count Vlad Tepes. Why would Isabella keep a framed portrait of Vlad in her house you might ask? Oh…she had been a bad girl.

Isabella fell back and knocked the chalice off the table. Her chest heaved and she started to panic.

“No….that’s not true….THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!” Her head turned towards the image of Vlad in her house, and right then and there she wanted to rip it from the wall and scream. She clutched the necklace around her neck and fled the room.

<3>

Shane’s Mansion

Carmen and Mary were laughing up a storm as they entered the house. Hearing it, Misty came strolling out of the kitchen, a bowl of ice cream in her hands. When she saw Mary, the bowl slipped though nerveless fingers and smashed to the floor, catching both women’s attention. Carmen looked at the melting ice cream then at Misty.

“You better clean that up before Shane sees it.” Carmen stated as she set her bag and keys on the table.

Misty was staring at Mary in stunned shock. The dish smashing to the floor brought others running and they all froze upon seeing Mary.

“What the fuck?!” Dyna exclaimed.

“Carmen?” Booker wondered, shocked to see a dead woman standing next to his friend.

“Um…surprise?” Carmen grinned. Booker drew his gun and pointed it at Mary.

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Booker, put it away.” Carmen glared.

“No! This is some kind of sick…joke! Mary’s dead!”

“I know that, you moron.” Mary snorted. “You can thank your little buddy, Vincent for my current state.”

That made everyone within hearing distance gape in shock.

“What?” Dyna was the first to ask.

Mary repeated her story for the others to hear; about how Vincent had turned her before leaving her to be found and buried and his plans to lure Carmen to his side. “I was never so happy to hear that Carmen offed that baby murdering bastard.” Mary grinned.

Carmen looked around. “Where’s that husband of mine? He’s going to want to know about this.”

“He left a little while ago. Nobody knows where.” Misty explained.

With a sigh, Carmen tapped into her husband’s thoughts. «”Darling, where are you? I’m home and I’ve brought a guest.”»

Shane was not all that far from the manor when he felt his Carmen tap into his thoughts.«”Darling, where are you? I’m home and I’ve brought a guest.”»

A guest? Shane glanced down at the passenger seat beside him where the scroll and stained wooden box rested. The vampire frowned momentarily before channeling a thought back. “Won’t be long, just finishing up some business. That was one way of putting it. He knew that he wouldn’t have enough time to go to the museum this night and get the curator to give him insight into the scroll, so he would have to take the Egyptian treasures back to the house and put somewhere safe for the time being. The car tore along the road at speed with dirt and leaf litter spiraling behind it as he raced for home.

On parking the car in the underground garage, he took up the scroll and the wooden box, stuffing them both inside his coat before exiting the car and slamming the door. Shane pressed the lock on his key, then made his way up to the house. All the lights were on, and he knew then that Carmen was definitely entertaining someone.

Now normally he would head straight to the kitchen on entering, but instead he used his vampire speed to get into his den and find his own safe behind a painting of Carmen. Working the combination, he opened the safe and placed the Egyptian scroll and blooded box inside. Pleased that at least for now, both were safe, he closed the safe door and spun the dial. The picture was set back in place and Shane stepped back, to gaze at Carmen’s likeness in the picture. A crooked smile came to his lips, and he strolled out of his den whistling, only to be shocked when he turned the corner and saw Mary. Looking..well, alive.

Shane rubbed his eyes for a moment then looked again. It was definitely Mary.

“Doesn’t anybody in this town….ever really die?”

Yep, he was stunned.

<3>

Jason looked at the two charges with a raised brow before sighing and taking off after Isabella. He had no clue what was going on or of her past but by the flames of hell he was going to find out. It wasn’t long before he had found her in their bedchambers and he walked up to her slowly. As he walked over to his beloved Isabella he would speak with a soft flowing voice aimed to calm her down. “Dearest who scares you so….and would you mind telling me of your past?” He then sat down beside her and slowly looped an arm around her wait to pull her against his chest in a comforting manner. As he did so he would remain silent and watch her carefully and protectively. If anything Jason was highly protective of the ones he held dear and that was Isabella and he would die for her at a moments notice.

Shane strolled into the room, whistling a jaunty tune but stopped dead (hardy har har) in his tracks when he saw Mary. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

“Doesn’t anybody in this town….ever really die?” he quipped. Carmen walked to his side, a large smile on her face.

“If they did, then life would be boring, now wouldn’t it?” she stated, kissing his cheek. She drew back and looked at him, cocking her head to the side. There was something different about him. “What’s wrong, baby?” she murmured so that he was the only one to hear.

It wasn’t very often Shane let things bother him, and this one looked like it had his brain wheel grinding in overtime.

“Guys at work giving you grief?”

Shane rubbed his chin as he was still staring at the new look Mary. Carmen appeared happy that her secretary and friend was back from the dead, and so he couldn’t decide if he should say out loud what he had been up too. Course, with Carmen she knew when something wasn’t quite right with her mate and approached him with a question as to whether it was work that had him troubled. Breaking his concentration he paused before putting his arm around Carmen and steering her out of the family room.

“Sorry folks, need to borrow the Missus.”

All those that had been gathered hopefully would understand, and Misty piped up and said.“Get ready for the sound of breaking bed springs.” A few others laughed and Shane threw out a comment as he and Carmen left the room. “I will break something, but it won’t be our bed.” At this Misty shut up and chewed her bottom lip.

Arriving in the den, Shane invited his wife in and closed the door. He stood silently for a moment, wondering how to proceed with this. He flicked his tongue to the inside of the right side of his cheek and then decided to come out with it.

“So…you remember the night where we came to save you from Vincent. Well, I haven’t been totally keeping you in the loop. I had a hunch about something Vincent was keeping on that property, something of significance that….could have changed everything for us….and you.”

Now it would seem like he was dancing around the subject, and then he continued.

“I’ve actually just come back from the ruins….with a find. One of my investigators found a safe behind Isabella’s painting.”

He went to his own safe and then unlocked it, before pulling out the ancient Egyptian scroll and the blooded box. Shane set them down on his desk in front of Carmen and then leaned on the desk, folding his arms.

“I’ve yet to determine what this is…as I don’t read hieroglyphics, but whatever it is its got something to do with…our kind.”

Shane stood and waited for her reaction.

<3>

There was definitely something on his mind. He took her around the waist and led her from the room, pretty much ignoring Misty’s comment with the threat of bodily harm. Carmen had a thought of sitting her and Bianca down and having a chat with those two about the comments about her and Shane’s sex life. It was none of their business and it was seriously pissing her off.

He lead her to the den and closed the door behind them for privacy. She was deeply intrigued now. He was silent for a moment and she wasn’t going to press him. She’d learned long before that it was best to let him gather his thoughts before he spoke. He looked at her, tongue-in-cheek, before he began to speak.

“So…you remember the night where we came to save you from Vincent. Well, I haven’t been totally keeping you in the loop. I had a hunch about something Vincent was keeping on that property, something of significance that….could have changed everything for us….and you.” He moved over to his personal safe and drew out a rolled up parchment and a box. He set both items on the desk.

“I thought everything was burnt in the fire? Wasn’t David in charge of that?” Carmen was confused. What could have possibly survived the raging inferno that Vincent’s mansion came to be?

“I’ve actually just come back from the ruins….with a find. One of my investigators found a safe behind Isabella’s painting.”

There was that name again…she’d heard it before. Isabella. Who was she? Before she could ask, Shane continued his explanation.

“I’ve yet to determine what this is…as I don’t read hieroglyphics, but whatever it is its got something to do with…our kind.” He had unrolled the scroll, spanning the length of the desk. She studied the symbols but couldn’t make heads or tails of the writing either. She shook her head. She needed answers.

“Forgetting all this for a minute…who exactly is Isabella to you? Twice now I’ve heard her name, from you and from Dyna. David mentioned the woman to Dyna after that fiasco out in the woods and Dyna came to me about it. I brushed it off at the time because I didn’t care about your past. But now…with this…it seems that your past is once again going to affect our future. Who is she, Shane? I think you owe me an explanation.” Carmen crossed her arms and waited.

Who was Isabella? How much Shane had hoped to avoid this conversation. Reaching up he raked his fingers through his golden locks and then brought his arm down to place a hand on the desk behind him. “I thought the past was the past, Carmen.” His words holding a certain amount of annoyance, but it was not due to her questions, rather the subject. His electric blue eyes then glanced at the chess set, then back at her.

“Long ago…there was a Queen. Her name was Isabella. Said to be one of Dracula’s favored…or something. She was brought to this country by Vincent.”

Now this was surely to add to Carmen’s curiosity. He strummed the blooded box absently as he continued.

“A beauty like no other. But what is beautiful on the outside has a very dark interior – rotten maggot filled. A woman with no heart. A woman who was used to getting….what she wanted.” Shane pushed himself away from the desk, and strolled over to the chess board, where all the pieces were in their starting positions. He reached out and picked up the black Queen off the board and held it….almost like he was studying it. Little did Carmen realize the significance.

“I was a simple lawyer back then. Had a wife…family…children. One night I stopped in at the local bar for a drink after work. That was the night I met her.” You could see the shadow that was coming over his face, as the darkness in his thoughts descended. It was almost eerie to watch. “I’d been working on four cases and barely had time for my own family. Work was just running me into the ground. You could say I was suffering burnout. Turns out I was ripe…for someone like her. Next thing I knew…she was fucking me in her car.”

This probably would have turned Carmen cold, but there was more to the story. “It was the first time she fed on me. But she didn’t kill me. The next day….I find a brand new car in my driveway. After that, she kept turning up at my office….at the bar…anywhere and everywhere…wanting more…and more. I refused. She wanted me to leave my family.”

At this he set down the black Queen on the chess board and turned to look at Carmen with a hollowed expression.

“She refused to take no for an answer….and massacred my family.”

That was the turning point in what he was saying as his mouth felt dry. What she did was unforgivable. Shane sought out a way to get revenge, but in doing so…became everything he hated.

“Hate…makes you do terrible things. When I discovered where she was kept, I took a stake and I destroyed her where she lay.”

At least…he thought he did.

<3>

“Well, Arren…that blade knows me. I could feel it in my veins.”

-He smirked as he placed his tea on the stone table pushing the box closer to her as he said.- “it is yours then to keep. Perhaps this was something that was placed in my care to give to you. I can see that the sword has chosen you as its wielder.” -he took his hand from the box as he looked at Charlotte smiling as he was happy that she had found something that could help her in learning of her family.- “If you would like Charlotte. Communing the swords spirit is possible you might be able to meet your Ancestor. Though meditation of course, The best place would be the temple of spirit, Sadly with only one person who knows how to commune with the spirits of the temple you will have to track him down to help you.” -he picked up his cup placing it towards his lips as he took a good sip of it as he looked straight back at her again placing the cup down only to point to her food.- “i suggest you eat and rest before making that journey Charlotte. You have had a long day, I am sure your strength is not where it is at after the trip to the afterlife.” -he look over at one of the Chichagwa’s walking around the broken door trying to put it back up on the slider.-

Rika’s Quarter’s Garden area

-The twins and Anya did jump into the portal only to hear the loud sounds of winds barely able to hear Jalal Anya looked over to see Jalal as he yelled out she couldn’t hear him yet she felt nauseous as they kept moving through the portal. They would end up falling through the portal into a room that had someone inside Anya was getting too sick to notice her surrounding as of yet.-

-Rika had seen the portal she was slowly sipping her as She watched the kids fall through her eyes shot up open seeing Charlotte’s children yet she had no idea who they were. She was more surprised that some kids appeared in her quarter since she was supposed to be relaxing. Rika started shaking looking at all three of them dropping her tea cup to the floor jaw wide open as she watched them. The room they were in was simple it had four walls and sliding Japanese styled doors with one small table and a small bed. You could see the Gardens from the open door.-

Lorewall

[www.youtube.com]

-Faust frowned as she didn’t answer him as he wasn’t one to be ignored he looked at her with cold eyes saying in a very stern voice.- “Very well I guess I will have to dispose of you as well.” -He brought his beloved skeleton closer as he placed his hand on it only to speak to it as his hand started to glow in a very dark purplish green aura.- “Black is the colour of womb and tomb”-the skeleton started to chatter a bit from the jaw only to see the aura from his hands started to engulf the bones as he continued his chant.- “We meet at night on the dark of the moon” -the bones of the skeletons started to rattle as jointed seemed to start to pop and crackle as they moved around his chant was going on the aura started to become very intense as he grinned in a psychotic personality.-“White is the colour of bone and ash” -His words almost seemed to be bringing the skeleton to life as he took his hands away letting the chain on his arm lose from its bindings the skeleton seemed to be standing all on its own as he was still chanting.- “To speak to the dead we bathe and fast” -the skeleton that was now standing was looking around still chattering from the jaw. It’s own body seemed to move as a living thing and was growing into something dark and vile the smell of rioting flesh started to come from Faust as he chanted in more feeling seeing the muscle and natural tissue of the skeleton start to form. His voice got louder only to widen his eyes the skies were turning black and green as he continued on.- “Red is the colour of blood and death” -Faust threw up his hands into the air as the skeleton was starting to look more like something that was out of a horror book. The body started to grow skin quickly only to appear as a young woman with long blonde that curled down to her back, she grew clothes from the skin that had formed as wearing a pink German nurses outfit her aura now green. The woman corpse grabbed the scythe from the ground only to wait for the rest of the chant.- “We rub the bones and give them breath!” -as soon as he said that he turned to the corpse only to force her head towards him. His tongue stretched out from his mouth as he kiss completely full on made out with the corpse. The corpse woman’s eyes glowed out into a deep green as Faust kissed his beloved pulling away from her as he yelled out in a war cry.- “SHE LIVES MY BELOVED ELIZA LIVES!” -he grinned only to look over to her placing his arm around her as he seemed to be in sweet lustful bliss looking at his Eliza. – “I am Counting on you Eliza” -Eliza smiled only to looked at Faust as she said.- “of course my Master I Shall feast on your enemies bones and flesh as I enjoy your presents. I live by your will Master.” -Yes it was true Faust just raised the dead he brought back living life from beyond the grave. It seemed this Faust was something more than anyone could possibly imagine.-

A sword, that was fused with the blood of an ancestor, a sword that can only be wielded by a descendant. In all her years, leading up till now, the journey traveled was one that is a path to completion of a prophecy. This was not just fate, this was destiny, that brought the bebilith to be now holding the prized sword of Randall; The White spider.

Charlotte felt the sing in the sword, the very blood moving throughout it, and marrying with her own. She held it with a natural affinity, and wielded it as though it was one with her, part of her own body. How to get a better understanding, to communicate with the sword on a higher level would require her to seek solace in the Temple. This was not to be trivialized, and after Charlotte had been to the afterlife, she was still weak, and needed nourishment, of the body, and to cleanse herself from the seeping decay of death, that had left a residual mark upon her vessel.

Rising to her feet, she bowed before Arren, before taking the box, and heading inside, first to bathe, and redress then eat something provided by the servants of this realm. She would not disobey the instructions, for this would led her to a time, of quiet reflection and peace, where she could be better attuned to speaking with her dead elder, and harmonize with the sword’s untapped power.

Rika’s Quarter’s Garden area

Charlotte’s children all arrived with a loud thump, hitting the floor and then being entangled with the other. Seven rubbed his head, then his ass, and smirked at Luna for breaking his fall. “You’re fun to land on.” he joked, as Luna sat up dazed.“Ooooo what a pretty place. Eek…dog person, two o’clock. Have we entered the world of the fluffies?’ she whispered to Anya, who may well hold all the answers.

<3>

Gabriel looked down at Sarah, whispering in a gentle tone, “Please wake up soon, my dear,” she looked back up to be only taken by surprise bu the dark skinned woman that appeared behind her as she snapped her head back to only look up at her with her bright blue eyes yet another snarl escaped from her lips as she felt an odd presence about this woman but she had a feeling that she was there to aid her and Sarah in attempt of escaping this horrid area. Gabriel heard the sound of flapping wings within the wind as she looked around to see what was approaching them then looked straight like she was looking at Faust and Eliza but in reality, she was looking at the creature who landed behind Faust and Eliza. Her snarling and growling seized as she waited for something to happen to allow her to escape the scene that is threatening to unfold before her

-Anya was still staggering as she looked up seeing Rika only to hear.- “Ooooo what a pretty place. Eek…dog person, two o’clock. Have we entered the world of the fluffies?” -she rubbed her eyes trying to see Rika clearly as she noticed that Rika was a Chichagwa this puzzled her since she had only been told about them by her father/creator. She sat up looking at Luna only to say still rubbing her eyes.- “It’s a Chichagawa. A created race that predates Conan’s race. Yea they are small wolf like race that’s a permanent child form due to a flaw in them. All I know they are literately harmless.” -She yawned looking over at Rika again it seemed the portal made her extra tired. Perhaps it was due to how she was created.-

-Rika looked at Luna, Seven and Anya standing up backing up a little bit as she said the only thing her voice box would let her.- “ni-pon…” -she started backing up only to notice that she touched the back of the room. Still wondering what these kids were going to do to her.-

-The small Chichagwa that had approached Arren came into Charlotte’s room opening the door quietly walking in with a set of towels as she said in a small voice.- “Hello? Miss? I brought towels for you and ran your bath for you.” -she looked at Charlotte still a bowed stance as she asked her in a graceful tone.- “is there something special from the kitchen you want to eat? Arren sent me to help you with anything you need.” -the small Chichagwa was a bit nervous shaking from her own body standing there a bit unsure what Charlotte would say to her.-

Lorewall

-Faust was enjoying calling on his dear Eliza as he was interupted in mid excitement by a woman in the shadows.- “Now now little death caller, is this little girl so important?” -he smriked only to hear out everything that was said as this was only setting more of an example of why he must take the girl as he grinned.- “I mean really do you expect salvation from taking a small girl watched by demons, or do you not know of the great beasts that watch over her?” -Faust laughed at both of the beings as they appeared only to yell in such a sadistic tone.- “WELL THEN LETS HAVE A PARTY!”- he let go of Eliza as he clapped his hands together as he said a chant.- “The time has come to fight for darkness! Raise fallen heroes and warriors and serve your lord Johann George Faust VIII!” -the ground quickly started to shake he had not channeled any aura around him. This was not normal magic just simply a low level call of his minons. The ground was really shaking as the concrete started to crack and break apart as in this moment you could smell the stench of the underworld. As was creeped and crawled from the ground for countless city blocks as far as the eyes could see. Was in fact an army of undead as Faust laughed psychotically as the ground shook bringing forther an army that seemed never end. He looked at the woman and the demon as he said.- “you wont stop me from my mission. I have my orders I shall not fail.” -Eliza giggled as she twirled around seeing the undead as she said.- “Master you are the greatest. You brought my friends to have fun along with me” -Faust grinned pulling Eliza close to his body again as his tongue slide across her neck only to whisper in her ear.- “only for you my dear Eliza.” -they looked at the rest of the group as they wonder what they would do in this sitution.-

Her bare feet padded along the timber board walkway that led from her room, down a walkway and to the larger bath house complex, that had a high ceiling roof, and many shutter windows, to let out the steam of the waters. Fuelled by under ground furnaces that were kept alive with coal and billows, the waters had a natural property to help heal the skin as well as revitalize those that sink beneath the tepid waters.

Pulling open the rice paper door, she saw the small little chichagwa already busying herself with Arren’s orders, and bowed politely as Charlotte entered. Charlotte was of course much taller than the chichagwa, and might have seemed intimidating to the minute creature. “Master said to bring you what ever kind of food you wish, Miss Charlotte.” Her voice had a musical like quality as she turned off the large faucet and then tossed a bag full of special scented oil bombs into the waters.

Charlotte thought for a moment. “Can I get…crab cakes? I haven’t had them in forever.” Charlotte asked, with her mouth watering at the prospect. The little chichagwa nodded profusely, and skipped out of the bath house room, closing the rice paper door behind her. The Spider demon let out a sigh of relief, and untied her hair, then started to disrobe out of her safari kit that she had been wearing for oh so long. Folding everything neatly, she then dipped a toe into the waters, before entering fully, resting her head against the side, with a small towel pillow behind her. “I think…I found heaven.” Charlotte mused, her hand gliding across the waters, before sinking below. She closed her eyes, and simply soaked her cares away.

Rika’s Quarter’s Garden area

“ni-pon…” Rika squeaked, as she backed up, with the taller Carrendar children rounding on her. “Soooo fluffy. Can we keep her?” Luna said, making grabby hands for her, and Seven tilted his head and said. “Are they house trained? Don’t want something that big inside making that big a mess. Mum would freak.” Luna didn’t seem to care, she just wanted to hug the stuffing out of her. “Ni….PON! Gosh you are fluffy….do they make your kind in pink?”

<3>

She looked towards the one who gave it to her, speaking in a gentle but firm tone, “You would need to get back to where-ever you came from, kind one. I just don’t want to leave you hear all by yourself to fight of this army of undead,” she was worried that he would get hurt and not survive this fight. Gabriel did not want to leave anyone behind with this evil monster who was named Faust. She stood there in awe of the power that Imay had displayed for she did not see such power before her.

She thought to herself, “What did I do earlier? Was using sound part of my abilities? I want to know more for I am even more curious about myself.”

-Arren stood outside in the gardens only to be greeted by his long old friend who had been go for so long. She dragged the body bag as she spoke to him.- “Emushere back Arren, took a year but Emushere back… Emushere lost pendant, had to search for Arren’s presence to find home. Good news got him, bad new all others are gone… They all gone…”-He had turned to smiling as he said.- “Well hello Emushere it has been a long time. I am glad you have returned.” -he was a bit upset that she had too so long as her continued.- “I knew this was going to take sometime Emushere, You know I wouldn’t have trusted this task to anyone else but you. I am glad to see you are alright.” -he brought his paw to her head patting her, she was in fact beat she had been through hell in back for such a cause. It seemed she was inneed of some rest. As he was about t speak she had tripped over her own clothing. The a loud “SMASH!” the crystal orb broke from the staff as a large demonic began to form as Arren growled as it tainted that garden with its scentch. Arren lifted his bo staff only to slam it on the grass sending a shock wave of light through the ground and into the air as it would engulf the demon entirely. The blinding light was in fact as a purifying light that would destory the demon and banish it from the gardens entirely. After all this was his own creation to be in for the time being.-

-Arren looked over Emushere as he was not upset at her as he said.- “Now you need to be more careful next time. You need to rest I shall I have the Chichagwa’s come and grab the body for now. I know this was a task that I could trust you with. However you need to pay more attention to things that will make it quickier.” -he snapped his fingers as ten Chichagwa’s came running out trying to take the body away from Emushere as they rustled with the body trying very hard not to damage it. As they left as quickly as they came halling off the body into another area to seemed they were talking amoungest themselves. All you could here were whispers.- “Now You do need a bath Emushere, I believe there is hot water already running.”

-Rika who was in the small house was now being squeezed to death by Luna’s death hug as she could hear them talk about her.- Soooo fluffy. Can we keep her?” -she was trying to get away before she was grabbed as she could only hear luna’s last phrase.- “Ni….PON! Gosh you are fluffy….do they make your kind in pink?” -only to have Rika yelp out saying loudly.- “NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!” -she was getting her lungs crush by the girl.-

-Anya finally started to get herself together hearing Seven’s comment about Rika.- “Are they house trained? Don’t want something that big inside making that big a mess. Mum would freak.” -Anya’s eye twitched as she was balled her fist tightly thinking about how wrong that sounded. She stood up bringing her arm back cocking it over her shoulder. The fire was burning in her eyes as she said.- “THEY ARE LIVING BEINGS! WHY ELSE WOULD THEY WEAR CLOTHES!” -she swung forward aiming for the back of Seven’s head hopping to come in contact with him trying to make him think properly.-

Sound Temple

-Conan had in fact been angry as Danzo knew it. Conan quickly lunged at Danzo with full force moving at an accelerated speed. Danzo quickly attempted to draw his sword only to have Conan grab him by the throat with one sweep. Conan had him by the neck as he lifted him up into the air as Conan lashed out in a blind rage.- “YOU THINK YOU GOT BALLS DO YEA? GO AHEAD DRAW YOUR SWORD!” -Shikia covered her mouth feeling the rage of an Alpha as she could feel the urge to submit and shy away she dropped her spear only to fall to her knees watching Danzo hanging in the air. Danzo was shocked at Conan’s speed however he too could feel the urge to submit as he said choking on his own words.- “You maybe an Alpha, However you are nothing but a coward, You couldn’t even see your own daughter was undead. You shame your clan with your actions. Taken down by a five year old.” -he coughed gasping for air as Conan clintched his jaw only to tighten his grip on Danzo’s wind pipe as he growled. He was now seeing red for the first time since he was a boy as he said.- “i will show you shame” -In the moment those words came out Conan quickly shifted his arms grabing Danzo by the belt as he brought him up over his head. Sound around him began to vibrate rapibly. The sound was being channled through Conan as he planted Danzo flat on his back the sound was not hard to miss from the impact as Danzo’s back came into contact with the stone stairs the speed he was thrown at cause a clash of sound creating a shock wave of sound all the way to the bathhouse.- “BOOM!” -the wind would soon follow as it blew past the bathhouse. Danzo gave a loud choking cough as he was slammed to the ground spitting out blood from the blast. Conan looked into his eyes as the stairs were completely destory Shikia had been blown back with the impact now laying out cold at the temple shrine. Conan said one thing to Danzo.- “You know nothing of me or even know me. Dont ever talk about my family ever again or so help me your back will be the least of your worries.”

Lorewall

-Faust turned his head as he heard the words of the man behind him.- “Well now an army for a dragon, a demon, and a phoenix, either you plan for overkill or scared that you will be devoured.” -Faust was unimpressed with his taunts of power only to luahg as an insane man would. The undead army surrround him creating a distance between them. As Imayaruk seemed to be summoning forth something that he thought would in fact challenge Faust to his death as he smirked as he spoke an chant.-“Fire, Earth, Wind, Water, and demonic Spirit, protect me from harm” -the words seemed to bring forth a power that seemed to create a large sheild behind Faust as imayaruk spoke to him again.- “May heaven show mercy, Hell be swift, and life be reborn.” -Faust grinned as he said.- “Thats if you can hit me.” -the fire tore straight through the lines of the undead and straight towards Faust as the natural forces of his sheild of Spirit protected him. As soon as the fire came into contact to the sheild it was quickly negated from the magical source as Faust felt the heat only to turn around seeing the flames disappearing as he grinned saying to his sweet dear Eliza.- “My dear you can handle the girl for me. I think im going to have fun with this man.” -he started laughing as Eliza giggled along with his luahg. Eliza picked up scythe cleaver as she walked forward towards the Gabriel as she started to run quikcly moving at an unnatural speed, She leaped into the air pulling back the scythe and using it full length to come down on the sheild as the talsmen broke as the sheild shattered Eliza still coming down in the attempt to cut the woman in half her eyes completely emotionless hopping to kill her so she could claim the pize. Faust was still looking at Imayaruk as he pulled a small dagger from his belt brandishing it as he laughed . Grabbing one of the undead monsters he summoned he plunged the dagger directly into the creatures back as he said a chant.- “O darkness, prevail, unto this blade, soul of the damned, go forth, and when this blade should find flesh, you shall find retribution, go on unto the cold iron, and there stay until it pierces skin.” -the body of the creature started to rot quickly turning into ash as the dagger started to extend becoming large in length and width only to be surround in black fire as faust weilded the blade in his right hand. He looked at Imayaruk directly seeing through his very being. He laughed as he said.- “Rise Darkness Enternal. I weild you out burning blade of death. Now let me have my fun and bring forth the will of my Teacher. All Hail Yen!” -he waited for Imayaruk to make the first move if he even dared to come at him.-

One cannot describe the feeling that you get, when you are able to bathe in the revitalizing waters of this quaint little bathhouse. Charlotte virtually disappeared beneath the surface of the heated waters, only to reemerge with her fine black hair plastered to her head. Eyes closed she tilted her head back to the side of the tub, and then brought her toes up out of the water on the other side, wiggling them slowly. Last time she could recall using a bathhouse, was of course Madame Ming Ru’s back in Lorewall. Charlotte opened her eyes slowly, though she had a glazed expression. Why you may wonder? The bathhouse of Lorewall was where she first met Fung Le, the sun dragon master, who gave his own life for all at the end of their Trek. It felt like a lifetime ago, and the lapping of the waters along with the musical chimes that could be heard in the background, only made her remember…everything.

~Taken from the COL – CD April 16, 2012~

The Bathhouse of Ming Ru was one that had several floors, and far below was where the furnaces would super heat the waters that would be funnelled up to the separate rooms, on the second and third floors. Shoes off, and now being escorted through the foyer, they would find a team assembled, all in traditional Chinese robes, and carrying with them woven baskets. Madame Wong spoke very quickly in Chinese to her staff, to gather the correct oils and towels, for each guest, along with golden tokens, that are used to be sent down through tubes, to the furnace room, so the keeper of flames, knew how much water was needed and how hot. As each girl was assigned a customer, they took the correct number of tokens that would fill baths for each of them. Laguna would have his own little wash girl, who bowed over and over and then kept grabbing more and more tokens, followed with another two towels. She gestured towards the bathing rooms,and shuffled ahead of him, as the doors were pulled open to allow them through. Thorn too, would have her own bath house maid, and she was keen to wash Thorn’s tail and ears, grabbing special tubes of lotions and brushes. (Thorn’s bath girl)”Come..please.”
Finally, Charlotte had her bath girl come to her and the girl was somewhat fearful of Charlotte, hesitant of what oils to gather, and snatched up a handful without looking, so keen to get this over with. Charlotte became embarrassed, her cheeks flaming, but followed the petite girl along, and wouldn’t you know it, her bathing room was right beside Laguna’s. (Char’s bath girl)”Please, take off travel clothes and I gets towels.”- Charlotte turned away from the girl, a little self conscious, The screen between the rooms, allowed for Laguna to see Charlotte’s silhouette, and the closeness would also make it possible to hear what the bath house girl was saying. But it was when Charlotte took off her shirt, the young girl screamed and dropped the basket of oils and towels. (Char’s bath girl)”THE MARK OF ZHU!…..MADAME WONG!!…THE MARK OF THE SPIDER WARRIOR!!!”- Charlotte froze and tried to look over her shoulder, wondering what the girl was screaming about. (Charlotte)”Huh?” Charlotte did have a mark, the symbol of the Spider clan of the ‘Dongyi’ of the Shandong, only thing was, Charlotte had no idea what this meant. <e>

~End of reflection~

Charlotte glanced over her shoulder, as water trickled down her back, and her slender digits reached to caress the mark, that had caused all the commotion that day in the bathhouse. Sighing, she wanted to put the memory out of her head, when the little Chichagwa that had been attending her, came in with the small tray of crab cakes. Setting them down, the young pup like Chichagwa asked. “Is everything alright?” Perhaps it was the look on her face that gave her away, but Charlotte was not about to reveal her real reasons. “I was just hungry, thank you for bringing me such delicious smelling delicacies.”Charlotte said with a light smile, then reached for one and taking a bit. “Oh…this is good.”

Rika’s quarters

Luna loved how noisy Rika was being, so every time she screamed Ni, Luna squeezed her tighter. “She is better than Tickle me Elmo!” Luna enthused before finally setting the Chichagwa down. “Still think she should be pink though. Would match my hair better.” Luna said with a chuckle, patting her own hair. Course, by this stage, she noticed that Anya seemed enraged about…well Seven’t comment about house training the creatures. Anya had her fist raised in anger, the power of all hell behind it, and Seven could not see it coming, but Luna could. “Anya…don’t be a meanie. Put your arm down.” This remark gave Seven the chance to react as he spun on his heel, then ducked backwards, going into a fancy breakdance move, like in those old 80′s movies. Needless to say, if Anya went through with her punch, she may well be sent spinning, as Seven was spinning on the ground.

<3>

Gabriel first read the words that were some sort of spell to cast a portal then once she got used to pronouncing the words in such a short time, Gabriel started to recite the words that were carved on the back of the pendant, to only have a portal open next to her as she turned to Imay, “Dragon warrior, you must come with me! You must come with me in order to survive!” she yelled out to Imay, in hopes that he would hear her eager plea for him to follow her then she stepped into the portal and she starts to get flung to where ever her god might be as her arms held Sarah close to her for dear life.

-Emushere was in fact being dragged away by the chichagwa’s as you could hear the frantic “NO BATH” chant as they dragged her down the halls. They grew closer and closer as they had her tucked in those towels tightly. They finally appeared at the bathhouse only to open the door since there were two baths in the woman’s side of the bathhouse Charlotte would see Emushere being brought in as the Chichagwa’s opened the door saying to Charlotte.- “Our apologies for any problems we may cause. This one needs a bath.” -they continued to drag the Kilargawa called Emushere as she kept crying out as they pulled her to the fall bath only to drop her into the bath. Two chichagwa’s had long scrub brushes as they started to scrub her head. The other three had polls to keep her in the bath so she wouldn’t start trying to climb out.-

Gardens of Den Lira

-Anya had heard Luna yell at her as she looked over at her. “Anya…don’t be a meanie. Put your arm down.” Anya was about to move forward with swing instead she did not even move she placed her arm down only to say.- “Seven you look like a fool right now.” -she heard a high pitched frequency coming from outside and the loud explosion of Arren destroying a demon. She thought to herself at the sight of Arren how long it had been she didn’t want to think about what he was going to make her do as she stood there silent knowing he would soon make her show her demons.-

-the portal to which Gabriel and Sarah had traveled through had in fact landed them in the same place as Anya and the twins as the portal opened behind the little ones. It show both the Volfen and the little girl walking coming through only to have the high frequency sounds be heard.-

-Arren watched this unravel only as he stood there staring at them only to walk forward hearing the cry’s of Rika. His bo staff was heard pounding against the ground as he spoke.- “Let Rika go young one. I can see you like soft stuff animals however. Rika is a living being, She must be handled with care.” -Arren stepped on the wooden flooring opening the door as he looked down upon Luna for a moment his figure might scare the children or it might interest them. He looked to Seven dancing as he cock his brow upwards towards the boy. As he saw Anya staying quiet as he said again to both of the twins.- “You must be Charlotte’s children. I must say I visioned you would be small than what I thought.” -he smiled at both of them as he continued.- “I am sure the portal ride didn’t keep you from wanting something to drink.” -his ear flicked a little as his eyes gaze upon them with interest as he made a statement to them as a welcome.- “Welcome to Den Lira, one of the many homes that I created. A original training ground to someone you may know. I believe I recall you call him Mister Conan” -Arren pushed the door open further as he stepped out on to the oning hoping them would come out to see the Garden.-

Sound Temple

-Danzo was out cold as well as Shikia Conan stood up releasing Danzo from his grip he wasn’t in the mood anymore to stay here. He quickly started walking towards the Den again. He brought out another Cigarette as he said. While lighting it- “Don t ever do that again.” -he walked towards the Den and into the Gardens he went it would take him sometime before he would appear in the Gardens. Conan was needing to see the den for what it once was. In the past it was place of knowledge to him and more of beauty. He left the sound temple.-

Lorewall

-Eliza had missed her target and smashed straight into the blood doll that was speaking as it crumbled only to smirk as she said.- “You were no match for my Master’s recreation” -Faust was in fact grinning heard the woman call to Imayaruk. “Dragon warrior, you must come with me! You must come with me in order to survive!” Faust gave no chance for retreat as he yelled out.- “Oh no you don’t your going top stay blood stained boy!” -he charged Imayaruk as he brought the blade back and swung across in an upward diagonal formation to targets left as gave insane howl of laughter. If the touched or clashed with his blade the effect of rotting or rusting would activate his blade was able to rot bodies and age blades with the force of its magic. Faust knew this as well knew it would make it hard to dodge. He was taking advantage of this. Eliza pulled her weapon out of the blood doll turning around waiting for a time she could jump in. The undead solider s behind Imayaruk quickly started to move into position as they were attempting to attack him behind as they all pinpointed behind him. As the others came from both sides as they all were screaming.- “DIEEEEEEEEEEEEE! WE LIVE FOR FAUST!” -they had surrounded him trying to over take him they hopped to do damage to the man.-

[www.youtube.com]

Having enjoyed the tempting delights of the crab cakes and assorted condiments, Charlotte placed a cucumber slice over each eyelid and then rested her head back against the tub, letting the revitalizing waters wash away her cares, and her troubles. Memories that had been reawakened so far as she soaked, gave her insight to her past, and to her true identity. This was something she had not truly thought about in a long time, and so it gave her comfort, which she so badly needed after her meeting with Shadow in the afterlife.

But that zen feeling, the ambiance and quiet of the bathhouse was to be sorely disrupted, when the screeching cry of what can only be described as a feline creature, was screaming on the top of her lungs.

“NO BATH, NO Bath, No Bath, No bath, no bath, no…”

Lifting off one of the cucumber slices, she peered with one eye, as her head tilted, to see the doors opened and a number of Chichagwa dragging a very upset creature into the bathhouse.

“Our apologies for any problems we may cause. This one needs a bath.”

“But I thought this was a private…..oh.” Charlotte could see what the Chichagwa meant, and of course before Charlotte could utter another word, the feline creature, who was still causing a ruckus, was unceremoniously dumped into the falls bath. Taking her cucumber slice, she popped it in her mouth and chewed as she watched the unlucky cat creature get scrubbed down. It really wasn’t that cat’s day. Clearly, the idea of a soak in restful surrounds was over for Charlotte, and she decided now was as good a time to get out and find a robe. She rose to standing, then stepped out of the bath onto a wooden stand, and reached for a towel, to pat herself dry.

Gardens of Den Lira

“Seven you look like a fool right now.”

“Better to look a fool, then be king hit by you, Anya.” Seven said, as he came to the end of his break dancing, and leapt up to standing, popping his neck and rolling his shoulders. Seven grinned at Luna and said. “Thanks for the heads up.” Luna was of course still cradling Rika awkwardly, and this was when Arren made his appearance. Course, he wasn’t too pleased to catch Luna being overfriendly with Rika.

“Let Rika go young one. I can see you like soft stuff animals however. Rika is a living being, She must be handled with care.” 

“Awwwe. I was being careful, honest.” Luna said with a firm nod, before setting down Rika and then patting her head. She then stood back and shrugged her shoulders. “I’m a plushie-a-holic. Collect em and hug them to death. I think I get it from my mum, only she collects men.” At this, Seven burst out laughing. “Ahahahaa, yeah sounds about right.”

Arren spoke of how he was surprised that they were Charlotte’s children, since he expected them to be smaller, though they were nearly 13 years old now. The ripe time for growth spurts. The children shrugged as if to agree, but when he mentioned Mister Conan, both perked up.

“He’s here?” Seven asked, as Luna started bouncing. “Where where?” That was a good question. Neither seemed to want a drink, more like they wanted to know what had happened to Mister Conan. Both children followed Arren out to the garden, hoping he would led them to Conan, or their mother. Either would do.

<3>

Within the next few moments, Gabriel and Sarah came crashing through the portal as the entrance portal closed with a sound of a jet flying by. With a loud crash into the boards of the floor, the exit side of the portal closed in a rush and Gabriel had landed on her back and that caused her to gasp out in pain though she did not break any bones while using herself as a cushion for Sarah since she was still asleep. Gabriel looked around at the new environment and was a bit shocked to see a zen themed room within her line of view.

“Wh….where am I?” She asked herself out loud, not knowing that there was anyone there, living in the room she had apparently landed in.

The Double K Ranch is the home of The Kirk Family. They breed and raise Palomino and Painted Horses and their breeding stock is the best in the country.

Current Residents:

Tanya Kirk – Owner
Randy Kirk Jr – Ranch Foreman and Tanya’s step-son
Caroline Kirk – Tanya’s eldest daughter
Nina Kirk – Tanya’s youngest daughter

Other Staff:

Sadie Jenkins – housekeeper
Kyle Matthews – Ranch Hand/Horse Trainer/Rodeo Star
Daniel Garrison – Ranch Hand/Horse Trainer/Maintenance

It was early morning. A light dew covered the grounds of the Double K Ranch. One would think there was no one awake as most of the lights were still out, except in the kitchen.

But as it was for farm life, there was no rest for those who truly desired to work.

Sadie was in the kitchen, beginning the makings for breakfast. She had been the Kirk’s cook and housekeeper for a long time and knew the ins and outs of the family. Tanya, who’d been up long before dawn, was currently out in the fields, monitoring the horses as they were released from their stalls to do their running for the day. She also took the time to examine the fences to make sure none were in need of repair.

Riding back to the ranch, she pulled up outside the barn, where a couple of the ranch hands were loading hay bales into a trailer to take out to the horses.

“Morning Missus Kirk.”

“Morning, Drew.”

“Mornin Missus Kirk.”

“Morning, Daniel. Need you to check the South Paddock. Fence is kind of shaky out that way.”

“Want me to take care of Argo for ya?” Drew asked.

“I appreciate it. Make sure he gets a brushdown and a bag of oats.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Tipping her hat, she strode up to the house and inside. The smell of eggs, bacon and coffee struck her immediately and she grinned. She knew her children would be awake soon if Sadie was cooking. Despite the fact it was summer vacation, Sadie’s cooking always brought them down early.

She waltzed into the kitchen to see Sadie bent over at the oven, pulling out a pan of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Tanya pulled out her cup and poured herself a cup of coffee.

“You were up early this morning.” Sadie stated as she knifed icing onto the buns.

“Wanted to check the fences when I sent the horses out for their run. The south paddock needs a looksie. I told Daniel to go and give it a look.”

“Rodeo coming up this weekend. Think you’re ready?”

“Kyle’s been working his ass off. Double K will place again this year. I’m sure of that.”

“And Nina?”

“The girl is a natural. I see another trophy on the shelf this weekend.”

“Takes after her daddy.”

“I’m proud of her. I know Randy would be too.” Tanya smiled, her tone wistful as she thought of her husband.

“Caroline’s got another one of them acting plays Friday evenin.”

Tanya thought of her eldest daughter with a smile. Caroline certainly turned out to be as headstrong as her mother, knowing what she wanted and going after it. Tanya had tried to get Caroline interested in horses, but the girl just was having none of that. The girl tolerated the animals on the ranch but she didn’t have longterm goals to work with them like her younger sister did. “Which one did she try out for?”

“The lead, what else? Didn’t get it though from what I heard.”

“Was she disappointed?” Tanya cringed. Caroline’s anger was just as legendary as her acting skills.

“For all of 5 minutes. Then I smacked her in the back of the head and told her to get a grip and make the role she did get her own.”

“What was the part?”

“Oh they’re doin that musical, ‘Grease’. She got the role of Frenchie.”

“Oh she’ll be fantastic!” Tanya grinned as she sipped her coffee. She had her doubts when Caroline had told her that she wanted to be an actress. Hollywood was an unforgiving place. But she always encouraged her children to follow their dreams, no matter what they were.

“That’s what I told her.” Sadie chuckled. “Well, sit and eat. Kids should be awake soon and you know they always steal your food off your plate when you ain’t lookin.”

“True.” Tanya chuckled, moving to sit at the table.

The sounds of whinnying horses filled the air while Daniel walked through the barn silently as the suns rays began to kiss the earth once again. Already the well built teenager was at work feeding the horses their grain and hay within the barn. Without a sound he turned and looked to the left then the right before starting to hum to himself while walking from stall to stall dumping the required grain into the horses feed buckets. Daniel Garrison was a dedicated and hard worker as his parents had brought him up with strong work ethics. Though when they passed on into the after life Daniel was devastated and sought the guidance of the tribe elder. Though he knew the rodeo was coming up Daniel took most of his free time breaking the stallions that refused to be broken over the years though at the cost of several broken ribs among other injuries but to him it was a price well paid. After he had finished the feeding Daniel would walk from the barn and pull out a harmonica before starting to play one of the song’s from his childhood upon the hand crafted instrument that came from his breast pocket. ( [www.youtube.com] ) As he played the horses would fall silent and prick their ears in daniels direction in an effort to hear it better. As he played the harmonica Daniel would gaze out into the morning sky as he finished the song before sighing gently as he put the harmonica away only to get back to work as was his norm. Even when he was sick he would come in and work himself to the very bone if he needed to. Silently he would walk over to the trailer before starting to chuck the bales of hay to drew who was busy stacking them on the trailer to go feed. After having finished that he would smile wanely to the ranch owner and widow Miss Kirk. “Mornin’ Missus Kirk”

Dream sequence

It’s the night of the Oscars, with a cavalcade of starlets and actors in their finest suits all applauding as Whoopi Goldberg is up making the announcement for best dramatic actress in a motion picture. Sitting in the audience is Caroline, who has her hair done up in a fancy bun and wearing a dress straight off the catwalks in Milan.

“And the Oscar goes to…Caroline Kirk, for A Reason to Believe!”

The crowd goes wild as Caroline gasps in shock at winning her first academy award. Rising up, she hugs her mother and Brad Pitt….Brad Pitt? That made no sense, but, she starts to make her way to the stage, picking up her skirts as she ascends the stairs, and where Whoopi is holding out the Oscar to the young Caroline. Caroline hugs her and gushes as she goes to make her acceptance speech.

“Oh my god…I can’t believe I won. Who to thank first….Who to thank?’

~Bzzzzzzz Bzzzzzz Bzzzzz~

Dream sequence ends

That shrill sound of the alarm clock buzzes so loudly that a hand comes out from under a white doona and slams down on it a few times. If only she could sleep just a bit longer. The dream was the same one she had had night after night. Rising up like she had just woken from death, Caroline looks about her room which is filled with acting trophies and big posters of her favorite stars and musicals. It was clear she was unlike the other members of her family, whose world revolved around horses and the ranch. Caroline marched to the tune of a different drum. She sometimes wondered if she was adopted.

Caroline washed and dressed herself for the day, in trademark blue jeans and a simple checkered shirt, as she went down to have breakfast with her Momma, Nina and probably Randy. Smelling the scent of cinnamon rolls, she chirped.

“I need a new alarm clock, Momma. Think I broke mine.” She then went to hug her Mother and Sadie, kissing each on the cheek.. “Morning Momma, Morning Miss Sadie.”

<3>

Chapter Six

Ivory City

Writers
CharlotteCarrendar
IceTe3a

IceTe3a: The day had taken its toll on him, he could not handle the fact that he was now owned by this elf, adding the fact he was stuck on a small boat and would be stuck on it for an entire day with nothing he could do about it drove him crazy. His palm slightly glowing as the raw energy of his body built up preparing to strike at the baby dragon with ease, it was going to be a blood bath but Nip would have no choice but to accept his request he knew she had grown attached to the baby dragon. His red daemon hues glaring straight into nip’s slightly silver eyes as he snarled at her only to get the one response he didn’t want to hear ‘I can’t knock you out’ she had proclaimed, a submission of being too weak on her behalf. This he already knew but she must have some hidden power in her somewhere that she wasn’t telling him about, he saw it in the flashes of the future and when she summoned the sword and shield. “That’s not acceptable! You’ll figure something out right now!” he growled at her, his hues flicker down to her lips as they part slightly he hears her tone.. she had started to sing “No fucken way!” he stated as he staggered back slightly knowing this would put him to sleep, but she was already singing her heart out he could feel her words taking over his body as he slowly lost control he was feeling tired “I said knock me out, Not put me to sleep!” he said half awake as he growled, his eyes half open he stumbled forward swaying from side to side slightly as he came towards her with the intent of forcing her to stop singing. *Thud* he had made it pretty close as his body falls down right in front of her legs, now laying down flat against his stomach his body was draining him causing him to feel tired something he did not like feeling as he muttered something softly but it was hard to make out. Her words still caressing his body deep inside him as she continued to sing whilst sailing the boat, He was now in a deep sleep and under her control. The longer she was singing to him the longer he’d be passed out as his body laid there motionless he mumbled from time to time as he looked like he was dreaming again, something Ice had not experienced in his lifetime . ~Ices Dream~ *Heavy footsteps running* He was running, and he was running fast, it was dark.. his hues glowed fiery red in this eternal darkness he seemed to be running on in an endless path as something was chasing him *Rattle Rattle* it could be heard from behind as he growled *Clink Clack* flicking head to the side slightly his hair flied out of his eyes as he picked up the pace. “Where’s the fucken exit!?” he shouted as he tried turning left he couldn’t tell if there were any walls or doors in the way, he certainly hadn’t bumped into any yet all he could see was pitch black.. as his hues quickly flicker behind him as he continued to run he saw a shine in the darkness “No not again!” he growled louder as he continued to run “Come on come on!!!” he started jumping high into the air thinking he was getting further and further away from whatever was chasing him. Suddenly a new sound appeared as he glanced around in all directions trying to make up what the sound was coming from, beating wings flapping around in the darkness two heavy ones, the dragon?! But where?! He couldn’t see anything around him, as he landed down on his two feet and continued to run forward the rattling sounds were getting closer as he looked behind him… Nothing the shine was gone .. where’d it go!? “I won’t let it happen again” he growled suddenly *BANG* his face hits a wall or what he thought was a wall, whatever it was he could feel how solid it was, as he couldn’t get around it his fists clenched “No No NO!” he banged against the wall harder and harder as his knuckles start to graze the skin blood slowly trickles out. *Ching* out of the darkness a silver chain wraps itself around his right wrist as it starts to pull his arm backwards into the darkness “Argh, Never!!” he pulled against it able to keep it in place. Another two chains come flying out one wraps itself around his neck squeezing tight just enough to cut his breathing in half as the other chain wraps around his left wrist “I will not submit to this!” he growled as he started to hear the faint voice of Nip singing into the darkness. Two more chains come hurling out and attach themselves to his ankles as the chains work together against him, pulling him back into the darkness, it feels like hours as a single light shines down on top of him. He could see and feel his arms were stretched outward from his body slightly on a slant to the sky, his legs the same but pointing down, the chains were holding him tight in place not allowing a single muscle to move. *Tap Tap Tap* gentle footsteps echo out of the darkness as Nips singing gets louder, she appears out of the darkness singing with a smirk on her face. She came closer and closer her eyes never leaving his as she continued to sing, her left hand raises up to his chest as her fingertips rest upon his skin, A deep growl comes from within him “Don’t Touc..” the chain around his neck wraps around and around covering his neck all the way up past his chin and covers his mouth forcing him to be silent as his hues glare at Nip, as she slowly circled him round and round singing as she moved, her fingertips trailing around him defying his demands for her to never touch him as he constantly tries to fight the chains that hold him here. “Get Off!!” he tries to scream out, the chains slowly start to wrap themselves around his body covering his skin from head to toe until all that was left was his head from the nose up, soon to be covered by the chain around his mouth. “No No Fuck no!” he muttered under the chain as it slowly wrapped itself around the rest of his head eventually covering his eyes entirely along with the rest of his head… Darkness was left as a slight giggle was heard with the sound of footsteps walking away. *Dream over* Sitting up on the deck of the boat his eyes pure black as half his hair had changed from black to white, he was pissed and wanted freedom … ‘What was that..’ he thought to himself as he came too, only to realize he was staring directly at Nip. Just how long was he out of it?! How long did she force him under her spell of sleep, he didn’t want to go back to that; he never wanted to go back to sleep ever again as he bared his teeth slightly to her.

CharlotteCarrendar:- For a person to keep singing an entire day as well as steer a vessel; and take care of a baby dragon on top of it, Nip really had her work cut out for her. But as it turns out the day brought its own inspiration and the elf was able to find joyous music in everything she saw, even the sleeping daemon. Yes, having him out to the count like that was worth every note…every lyric. She even tied the rudder staff and had herself a bite to eat in between singing. That was a bit of a feat. Feeding her rotund little dragon that loved the sound of her voice and even chirped along with her in his own funny way. The two were really making a lot of noise which didn’t seem to bother the daemon, since he just mumbled on odd occasions. When the wind picked up, she untied the sail, and with her foot she helped keep that steady as she went on steering the boat towards the Ivory city, which was now visible from the horizon. But all good things must come to an end, and the singing soon stopped. This would cause the daemon to wake from his induced slumber and he was far from happy. In fact his hair even changed colour. What on earth had happened to him in his sleep, she wondered. She stared at him with large silver eyes when he growled at her. “What was that?” Shrugging, she answered; “What was what?” Her voice was a lot softer since she had been singing her heart out for hours. He had the look of pure hatred on his face, his eyes burrowing into hers for answers. She simply whistled and went right on back to sailing the boat. In the distance you could hear the ship horns of those docking at Ivory city port. They were very close now. <3>

IceTe3a: His hues glaring right at her with such anger, anger for her singing to him, forcing him to go to sleep. And pissed at her for the dream he had, He could not understand just what exactly the dream meant.. or was it not a dream and she was just playing mind games on him? She started whistling despite him as he came to a stand he pointed at her “I should rip your fucken tongue out elf” as he turned on his feet and walked up to the very front of the boat. His hues watched over the water as the call of docking ships at the port were echoing through the air, finally they were close. He sighed slightly as his eyes fell upon the city walls, pulling out a cigarette he lit it and dragged in blowing out the smoke moments later “what makes you think I’ll let you take me to this.. Wizard?” he smirked as he didn’t bother glancing back at her “you’re not as strong as I am, Besides what’s to stop me from simply killing the wizard where he stands?” He was right, he could simply end this city and the wizard. But then he’d be trapped with no hope of being set free from her as she stated the wizard would be able to help. But what if they planned to kill him once he was free? He would have to be on his toes that’s for sure. The boat drew closer to the docks within sight, as finally they were nearing the end of their boat ride.

CharlotteCarrendar: Far above the city streets in the grand castle of Ivory was a Queen, a very dour looking woman who wore all ivory, with her hair fashioned into the latest style. A mass of ivory ringlets that rained down either side of her head whilst on the top of her head sat a large crown that was encrusted with all types of jewels of colour. It was about the only thing of colour in her domain, but the truth was it belonged to another. A King; whom she married and then murdered in his sleep. Course she was never caught and had blamed the butler. “OFF WITH HIS HEAD!” she screamed as he was dragged away that fateful day. Today however, she was holding court and not at all impressed by those brought before her. Some were pleading for their loved ones trapped in the tower for such offences as being a public nuisance, to stealing a loaf of bread. Time and time again, the Queen simply waved them off after letting them have their say. “The law…is the law.” Her right hand man, a statesman of some note who dressed resplendently in the same colour ivory held a large book, that contained all the names of those who sought to have an audience with the Queen. He coughed as she tapped her right foot impatiently. “Whose…next, Chammy?” That was her name for him, his real name was Lord Chammersworth. He coughed loudly and flicked over a new page. “Sir Robert Thomas of Legorn. Here to see you about the taxes on his land.” This had the Queen suddenly grin devilishly. “Ah…Sir Thomas. What a nice surprise. Come to pay up?” She asked as the worn looking gentleman came with cap in hand. “If it pleases her Majesty, I can only bring to you this day…this basket of fine linens. I fear we have been unable to make the quota for our taxes.” He held up a bolt of thread, and it was remarkable looking cloth – so shiny and beautiful. The colours shimmering with the light. The Queen pursed her lips and then snapped her fingers. “GUARDS…take this man to the tower. He shall be executed at dawn for failure to pay his taxes.” The man cried out. “Please…I have a family…a wife about to give birth.” This had no reaction from the Queen, who again snapped her fingers. Two burly guards came out from a side door and dragged the hapless man away. The Queen went right on back to being bored again. Was there no one that could entertain her? :: Nip held her ground and stared ahead as she steered the boat when the daemon threatened to rip her tongue out. “You wouldn’t dare.” She replied not taking his threat seriously, for she felt that she did have an inner power he did not know of. Her belief in herself. Sailing past some merchant vessels, the daemon asked her if she really thought he would let her take him to the Wizard. This had her stand up and she answered him directly. “You want rid of me, as much as I want rid of you. That is why you will allow it. Freedom….naturally.” Pulling up at a pier she went to throw a rope around one of the mooring pylons. <3>

IceTea: She was right, they both wanted to be free of each other more than ever he had no real choice but to go see this wizard, but he was going to keep a ever watchful eye over the two of them that was for sure. He sighed softly as he tossed the cigarette into the water just as they pulled up to the docks, his hues glancing around at the men working the docks some fisherman bringing in their daily catch others sailors working on giant boats that transported people from one place to another. Then there were the small dock boys who helped dock the rather bigger ships they were running about everywhere yelling at each other as they worked together to anchor the giant ships that came in, pathetic really. He turned just in time to see Nip throw the rope around a pylon to hold the boat close to the docks, this was going to slow as he grumbled, extending his arm his fingers gripped around the wood plank wharf the wood cracking under the pressure of his fingers as he pulled the boat alongside the dock with ease and tied the front off. “Was that so hard?” he grumbled as he jumped up onto the docks being ever mindful of the chain that held him in place “Stupid chain” he growled as he stared down at it, glancing over to Nip he waited for her to get up on to the docks as he checked he had his weaponry in place his broadsword appearing on his back once more, he seemed to naturally always expect the worse from people and expect a fight around each and every corner, his eyes constantly scanning the faces of the crowds for reasons only he knew as he walked up to near where Nip would come up to “Where to now elf” he said not bothering to glance down at her.

CharlotteCarrendar:- The wood planks on the wharf groaned as the daemon seized them to help bring the boat closer. Naturally when it hit the boat jolted and Nip almost fell over, being as she was not quite so steady on the boat as she was on dry land. The daemon muttered about how hard was that to tie off a boat? Nip rolled her eyes, and reached down to pick up her baby dragon who was growing at an astonishing rate. She really was feeding him a bit much. It squawked as she tried to stuffed it in her pocket which was now bulging. So instead she let him ride on her shoulder. Getting up onto the jetty, she got many strange looks from the other sailors and the cabin boys. A Captain or two actually stopped and pointed at the odd couple. The daemon with the large broadsword who was chained to an Elf. Was she an all powerful creature to have a man like that attached to her with a collar on? Whispers grew louder as she turned towards the township. “We go…this way.” Well, she didn’t say she knew WHERE he was, she just knew he was in this city…somewhere. As always, one of the Queen’s spies was loitering on the jetty and happened to notice the Silver elf go by with the dragon and the great man walking close behind her. “Interesting” he murmured before ducking into the crowd and going to inform her Majesty of the new odd arrivals. Maybe there would be a reward involved, if they were captured. A dragon was worth as much as five ships so it would be a lucrative catch for the spy. Back on the wharf, Nip was walking past a fish market stall, and she stopped to see if there was anything the baby dragon would like. Humming a tune to herself, she kept pointing at the small fish and asking her baby dragon if he wanted one. <3>

IceTea: His eyes glaring at those staring at the two, burning with a fiery rage as he growled slightly, his teeth showing. Nip stepped up as she glanced at him ‘We go this way’ … why didn’t she sound confident, he sighed as he followed behind her; her short steps gave him no space to walk as he was constantly on her heels “Fuck me, are you really that slow of a walker? Or are you trying to piss me off by walking close to me?” he snapped at her as she pulled into the market square and started humming as she looked over fish, she was talking.. to the dragon “That thing’s too fat already, No need to feed it again” he said as he growled loudly at the baby dragon, his hues glare up to the fish monger “And just what are you looking at” he said in a low tone as he turned his back on the two “I can’t believe I was chained to such an idiot and her fat lizard with wings” people were still staring at the couple as he realized how it would look to see a small elf chaining someone like him to her, he sighed slightly as he was almost ready to start fighting someone, he needed to smack someone’s head off as he turned around and arched a brow “You have no clue where this wizard is do you” he was glaring down to her as he continued “I bet you don’t even know this wizard, Only rumours right? So basically you pulled me across a ocean on a hunch huh” his eyes glowing a fiery red as he glared down at her with a deathly look.

CharlotteCarrendar: Dropping the fish she had in her hand since the daemon made such a fuss about her baby dragon being fat, Nip took offense. “He’s growing. That is growing..muscle, not fat.” The little dragon hissed at the grumpy daemon, who never seemed to cut either of them slack when it came to the abusive taunts. You’d think after such a long sleep on the boat that he would be refreshed but if anything he was much worse. The fish monger held up his hands like he was being robbed, when the daemon asked him what he was looking at. He clearly didn’t know what Ice was and probably just as well. Starting to walk again, the daemon asked the obvious. “You have no clue where this wizard is do you?” This brought her to a halt and she turned around and said with a hushed tone. “Not exactly, but ….I figure that he has to be down in the town somewhere….maybe a magic shop, or…or…he might be at the library. Thought I would try there.” This was sure to bring a groan of annoyance from the daemon. As they were talking though a large garrison of soliders were coming towards them, all armed with long spears with pronged ends. “There…that’s them!” the spy cried, as the General yelled out. “Halt! In the Queen’s name!” Oh heck…now they were in trouble. <3>

IceTe3a: He was walking in front of her as he heard exactly what he didn’t want to hear.. “No clue…” he stopped in place as he clenched his fist “You have no fucken clue where he is.. Are you really this stupid?!” he turned to face her he looked pissed really pissed, his hair color was changing and swirling from white to black and back again constantly “Seriously, you have got to be the slowest, dimbwitt fuck up I have ever met, It’s honestly a surprise you’re still fucken standing” he growled as people started to clear the area from his obvious anger “Honestly, how do you fucken survive, You drag us all the way over here on a fucken hunch, Do you ever think before you act?” he shook his head, this elf could not be this stupid and slow, she must be fucking with him “I mean come on! Think a little, you wonder why I’m always pissed! Stop being so stupid and maybe just maybe I won’t be so damn angry all the time. Don’t give me reason to be” he growled at this stage heavy footsteps of a squadron of men were storming this way as a man’s voice screams out “There.. That’s them!, Halt! In the queen’s Name” He went dead quiet for a moment he was about to snap… As his eyes turned black he simply turned around with his hand raised palm open “Fuck you, and Fuck your queen, She ain’t no queen of mine” he bellowed out in what seemed to be a daemonic voice, oh was he pissed as a Fireball appeared in front of his palm he hurled it at a nearby building, simple destruction was his aim as the fireball went flying towards the building it hit the wall and exploded in a roar of flames setting the building a light as the wall crumbled to the ground. “It’s about to get hot” he said with a devilish grin across his face, his tongue licks his lips as he extends both hands outwards to his each side, his open palms facing upwards towards the sky as he started to create more fireballs out of thin air. He went silent as moments passed two fireballs erupted on each palm oh he was pissed off that much was easy to see as he stood there waiting for them to try and take him down. He was planning to burn the city to the ground and everyone in it “What are you waiting for boys, let’s dance” he said in his booming daemonic voice.

CharlotteCarrendar: – The daemon lost all control. His words of anger fuelled by the Elf’s laid back attitude, and her lack of direction. She had led him here to the Ivory city in the hopes of finding a Wizard who could release them from their unholy bond. Nip shrunk down with each sentence he spewed at her. Calling her everything from a dimwit to a total fuck up. His hair was changing colour like it was a spinning top. Totally…out of control. That was right up to the moment where they both heard the cry of the Queen’s spy. This brought panic to the people around them as the heavy march of the soldiers was heard coming down the cobblestoned streets. Course, they were used to dealing with mortals, not…the likes of the daemon. Nip wasn’t sure what to do. She couldn’t very well run, especially with the daemon tied to her, and her dragon was hissing violently in protest at the gathering swarm of armed men. Now with the daemon already infuriated, this was like setting a match alight and throwing it onto a barrel of gun powder. “Fuck you, and Fuck your queen, She ain’t no queen of mine” Nip cowered in behind the daemon. She knew what that meant. He couldn’t torch her, but by God he could do it to anything and anyone in his way. The first of the fireballs that he released would scorch a nearby building, and this would bring about screams and cries from the locals, as the building went up in flames. Oh it was about to get hot. The first of the guards however launched a spear right for the daemon’s chest as he held out his hands with two more fireballs. Another soldier was ready to throw his at the elf and her dragon. Nip whipped out her shield and put it before herself and the dragon to try and protect them. “Halt!” The General cried again. Trying to stop the daemon from torching more buildings. <3>

IceTea: A sinister laugh echoes throughout the sky it was coming from him as he started hurling fireballs around the city, hitting nearby buildings, the foot path and random people. Fire… fire was everywhere by now the city area around them was lit up in hot burning fire with no end to it, the screams of innocent people mixed in with the moans of the dying filled the air as his hues flick over to the flying spear heading directly at him he smirked as his right hand reached for the hilt of his blade, upon grabbing it his entire head of hair turned pitch black there was no stopping him now. He’d fight until the entire city was nothing but rubble pulling the blade above his shoulder using his right hand with ease the blade sliced straight through the spear splitting it in half it veered off to either side of the two of them, at this stage he could feel Nip behind him at this point he didn’t care at all. The blade was moaning almost as it wanted the blood of anything living he smirked as he was going to give it just what it wanted. The General cried out “Halt!” once more, raising the blade into the air it pointed directly at the small armed force in front of him “ Is this the entire army of this city? … Shame , this will be a small fight” he chuckled as he tilted his head, his hues picking up movement towards the left as he disappeared or what looked like him disappearing was actually him moving at full speed, it was that fast the untrained eye could not keep up all that was left was buffering winds from the sheer speed of his movement, Suddenly he appeared in front of a Female cuddling her two children unfortunately the chain had maxed it’s length leaving him just short of striking distance as it held its ground, he growled in protest “No matter… I’ll roast you all alive” he smirked as he raised his left hand towards the female and her small children with the intention of blasting them with an intense fire within moments.

CharlotteCarrendar: – It was in the midst of the carnage and fires of destruction that a terrible wind blew through the town. It was like a small tornado and as it twisted and turned through the city, many of the buildings that were on fire suddenly were put out. Smoking ruins lay in their wake and a voice so angered roared from within the hollow of the tornado. “DESIST WITH THIS MADNESS, DAEMON!” Who on earth could wield such power, you would ask as the twister got closer, till finally out from the winds came a tall man in a black cloak that wore on his head a crooked hat. His grey beard nearly went all the way down to his knees and he pointed a gnarled finger at the Daemon as he was about to burn a mother and her two infants alive. “I SAID DESIST!” Again he roared and this left many to fall back as the Wizard faced off with the powered daemon. Nip knew who it was straight away and then gave the chain a good yank. “STOP!…That is the Wizard!” She cried out. Many of the towns people had now come out to watch the show. It was rare to see the Wizard out from his home, as he had made a pact with the Queen not to interfere. For reasons that were to this day unknown. But he must have got wind of the arrival of the daemon and the magical Elf. The dragon looked at the Wizard, then the daemon. What would happen next? <3>

IceTe3a: He was about ready to blast the small family away slowly.. painfully as he licked his lips the winds buffered him as they rose, what was going on exactly? This was not his doing as he growled, and looked to Nip who was cowering on the floor. Obviously not her… he sighed slightly as he finally picked the location of where the power was coming from, a voice echoed from the inside of this tornado “Desist with this madness, daemon!” .. what… he arched a brow as he came to a full stand, “Seriously?” he chuckled slightly at the empty threat as the winds buffered the area around them, A tall man in a black cloak appeared. Arching a brow as he glanced over this new man, his beard was so long … “What you say billy goat gruff?” he smirked as he tapped his ear in a taunt “I Said DESIST!” His brows furrow as he shook his head “That’s what I thought you said…” as he disappeared again, moving fast once more he appeared just infront of the new man, sword raised in the air poised to strike down just as Nip screams “Stop! That is the Wizard!” Ice stopped just as his face and the wizards face was close, Snarling at the wizard he growled as his pitch black hues glare directly into the Wizards. His sword smashes tip first into the ground as the concrete cracks around it, the blade going through like a hot blade to butter. “Right then..” He gripped the Wizard’s shirt with his left hand and growled “You WILL help me, or this cities blood will be on your hands” he growled as he pushed the man back. Turning his back he grabbed the blade and pulled it from the concrete, attaching it back to his blade his hair started to go white again slowly.. very slowly as his hues went a piercing green he walked over to Nip and stood before her as he looked down at her “… Were where you during all of this? Oh that’s right Cowering” he smirked as he nodded over at the Wizard “Get over there and fix this, before I kill him” he growled as he kicked at his chain.

CharlotteCarrendar:- As the Daemon gripped the Wizard’s shirt and tried to play off that he would be helped or else the city would be razzed to the ground, the Wizard stared the Daemon down and then started to smirk. He actually found the daemon amusing. “So you’re the one.” This would be left for the daemon to ponder, but instead he was having a go at Nip again, who had been hiding behind her shield from the guard attacks. He kicked the chain that linked them, and berated her into dealing with the Wizard, who was now watching the pair with marked interest. He didn’t seem to be that impressed with the Daemon, but more the situation that the Elf and Daemon were in. Seeing them linked together in a bond that seemed to be unbreakable, was comical at best. He folded his arms within his cloak and waited patiently as the Elf plucked up the courage to ask the Great Wizard for help. She ambled up, and you could hear the clink of the chain on the ground as she dragged it along behind her. You had to wonder who the real prisoner was in all this. “Good day, Sir Wizard…I am..” and before she could finish her sentence, he did it for her. “Yes, you’re Nip…and the bossy daemon is Ice. I know perfectly well who you are.” The Elf chewed her lip nervously and wondered if this was a good or bad thing. “Oh good. That saves on the introduction. Well, you see, we came here so you can…” At this the Wizard put his hand up and shook his head. “The answer…is no.” Nip’s jaw fell open and then she begged the question. “But why?” At this the Wizard glanced over her shoulder at the Daemon behind her and said. “Cause you have to figure out how to do it. Ruins all the fun if I do it, now doesn’t it?” At this he broke out into a huge toothy grin. He was mocking the poor Elf. “But we came all this way.” She said, now looking distressed. The Wizard nodded and added. “True, you did, but not to have the chain removed. You and your daemon are here to do something else.” What could that possibly be? The guards were now getting their act together and it was clear that they wanted to round up the pair for the Queen. The Wizard leaned forward and said. “If you go with them….that might provide you with the answer.” And with that, he vanished in a puff of smoke. <3>

“On no..” Raven replied back quickly. “Your lovely brother Klaus had given me this amazing dress.” She added with a smile. Of course being a witch Raven loved the classics too. Just because it reminded her so much of her mother. The beautiful women her mother was she always did dress with the classic fancy clothing, and tonight that mirrored from the inside and out of Raven. “By the way, where is your brother Klaus?” Raven said as she furrowed her brows before arching her left one. “Being that it is his party I would expe-..” The voice of Elijah had interrupted her sentence as she couldn’t continue further. Bringing her attention towards Elijah away from Rebekah Raven could sense that he was in some sort of deep thinking, and the tone of his voice ringed with flinty. Before she could even ask if everything was okay Elijah had already departed away from herself and Rebekah. “Is Elijah okay?..”Raven spoke softly as she waited patiently for a response from Rebekah.

Enjoy the party? Those words rang out but to Rebekah it didn’t bring the solace that were intended, even as he stroked her cheek to give reassurance. Naturally her forehead creased slightly as she realized she was about to be left behind with Raven, who seemed intent on finding Klaus. Why was everyone so mad keen to spend time with her brother? Half the time people couldn’t get far enough away from him.

In between watching her brother Elijah depart, she had Raven go on about how Klaus had provided her with the dress for the evening. Rebekah stopped for a moment and gave this some thought. Just how many women was her brother pleasing? She knew about Caroline, but Raven too? She wanted to dismiss that thought right off the bat.

Having her brother leave her side, she had no choice but to address Raven.

“As my brother Elijah said, he had some business to attend too.” Rebekah maintained a stiff upper lip, though inside she felt dissapointed that he left her behind. Then, she suddenly got a very wicked idea. A reason to smile. Brightening she said.

“If you seek my brother Klaus, why not try the den? The place where he keeps his art and….other things of interest.”

In a way this was her own act to start the drama for the evening. If he had some other girl caught up in his web, why not send in another and make it a threesome. She pointed towards the den door. “That way, I believe.” Rebekah took another sip of her champagne and waited for Raven to go find her brother.

<3>

Elijah wrapped his hand around the handle of the door to where Klaus may have been. He couldn’t hear a single word inside of the room; not even with his superior senses. The door rattled as he tried to open it. It was jammed? No, it was sealed. He removed his hand from the door as an aura forced him not to enter. It was as if he was denied access into someone’s home. Elijah took a step back; looking at the door with impassive eyes. “What is this,” He began to say as he glared at the door. He was tempted to shatter the very door creatively if he must. He took time to think about the scenario. Had Klaus gotten a witch to spell this room off or either he was entrapped by a powerful witch. “A boundary spell.” H finished as his eyes squinted. He would turn around to the direction where he last left his sister. He would appear behind Raven; as he looked into Rebekah’s eyes. He hadn’t listened in on the two; thus he didn’t know what was happening really. Too focused on trying to figure out the dilemma at hand. “Excuse me,” He would plant a hand on Raven’s shoulder as he stepped out from behind her shadow. “If I could steal Rebekah from you for the moment.” He stated; more of a ‘this is happening’ other than a request.

“If I could steal Rebekah from you for the moment.” The tone of his voice was more of the issuing of a command, than simply asking. Naturally, Rebekah obliged and stepped towards her brother, then going off in the opposite direction of Klaus’s den to speak to Elijah.

Something weird was definitely going on. Although Rebekah had no abilities with magic as a vampire, she had enough of an instinct to pick up on the ill feeling radiated off her own kin. With the chatter from the other party guests creating something of a din in the background, Rebekah spoke in a hushed tone, so as not to be heard by the other guests.

“Care to enlighten me, dear brother as to what the devil is going on?”

Rebekah’s eyes flickered and for a moment she glanced back at Raven, before turning her attentions back to her brother.

“What is it with that girl? Apparently, our darling brother bought her the gown she wears. Is this his new hobby in keeping a harem of leggy lovelies; including that blonde Caroline?” It was no secret for Rebekah’s distaste for the cheerful blonde. What on earth her brother saw in her remained a mystery. So far this party had not been as dynamic as she had hoped. Course, the real drama had yet to be played out.

<3>

As Caroline drove a bit in a rush to the Mikaelson home, she felt, a strong presence. Shaking it off, she got out of the car as soon as Caroline pulled in for the Valet to ask for the key to part the car. Gabbing her bags and everything she needed and headed for the back entrance of the house, where all the waiters and caterer entered. Coming in, she could hear the music and see a few people that were dressed so elegantly. Even the mayor was here. Caroline’s mom must be somewhere patrolling the area. Elena went to take the back stairs of the house and went up to her room. Knowing Caroline would be right behind her or maybe found her mom. Walking up the stairs with caution, she finally reached her room, but had a sudden feeling of being followed. Maybe it was Jenna? Her mind thought to herself, but a scared side of her thought it might be Tatia. Opening the door to her room slow and looking around. No one was in the room.

A sigh a relief escaped and she left the door with a slight crack, so Caroline could come in and know which was her room. Placing everything on the bed, she saw 2 boxes on the bed. Curious, she opened one that was for her. It was a dress from Klaus. It was nice and looked really expensive. She felt bad if she didn’t were his dress, he was being nice for some reason and let her go out dress shopping. Then again, why would she let them go out dress shopping? It was all so weird. She sighed and just decided to go with the dress she bought. She already felt comfortable wearing and had gotten everything for it. Feeling frustrated, she decided to just get ready.

His eyes locked on Rebekah before he followed her; seeming as if he had a lot on his mind. He had given Raven a smile of reassurance, “Thank you.” He stated as he had left her there. Not really gentlemen like, but his family seemed to be in the midst of something. He had to find out what it was; or he feared the worse for them all. “It occurs to me that there has been a spell, placed on Niklaus’s den.” He stated as he stood before Rebekah. He was cut off by the sudden case of jealousy from Rebekah. He could hear it in her voice. He knew that someone was going to get a bite of her temper tonight. “Let’s not be petty, Rebekah. This shouldn’t be a surprise to you.” He said as if saying Klaus had always done something such as this. “Now, back to the urgent discomfort that may of transpired here tonight.” He took a step forward. “I had returned to Mystic Falls, after my investigations had grown cold. It appears to me, during that time period. Someone must’ve had caught on to what I was doing. Therefore, instead of me finding what I was looking for. It had already found me and followed me here.” He squints his eyes as he thought about the treachery that could take place amongst his family if they allowed it. Leave it up to him to be the bonding glue; if need be. “There are-“ He was cut off by the sound of the den opening. He could finally hear in that particular area. He turned his head slightly to his right to take sight of the room. It was open.

Caroline smiled as she could hear the music and walking further in, she could see how busy it was and how elegantly everyone was dressed. She went into the kitchen and tried some canapés. She nodded and grabbed two glasses of champagne. She overheard a few commenting on how amazing the place was decorated and what a good job Klaus had done. She rolled her eyes before heading up the backstairs. She walked along the corridor, passing the empty rooms until she found the one that was slightly ajar. She knocked before entering and smiled as she closed the door.

Caroline saw Elena was in her dress and smiled. “You look amazing, Elena!” she said happily. Though, her best friend didn’t seem too happy. More frustrated. “I’ve come to the rescue and brought some champagne,” she added as she walked over and handed her a glass. “Now, sit down and I shall do your hair,” she said. “Then after you can knock the Salvatores down with how breathtaking you’re going to be,” she added with a wink. However, her eyes then fell upon the two boxes. One was already opened. “Hmm, have I missed something?” She asked. 

Very few times would you ever see Isabella react the way she did over the news that Vlad Tepes was in the US. You could see the fear etched into her face as she fled the room for her own suite. Jason would find her clutching the window sill, her body visibly trembling. One hand was up and holding a key that was on a necklace that she wore. As Jason came up behind her to ask her what it was that troubled her so, she actually jumped a little as though he had scared her to death.

“Dearest who scares you so….and would you mind telling me of your past?”

Jason drew her onto him as he sat down and the Queen did so without a fight. Swallowing hard, she was about to explain a great deal about herself, and the key to all the mysteries that surrounded her.

“I was once a favored of the Great Vlad Tepes, many centuries ago in Europe. It was a different time, and for vampires it was a golden time. Much easier to blend in then now. One of his own…Vincent decided he wanted to start his own coven but across the Atlantic and in doing so, he took me….and the Count’s greatest prize. Stole them right out from under his nose. The only reason I have been able to avoid an untimely demise is because, I wear part of it.”

She then showed the key necklace, that she was wearing. An antique to be sure. “It’s charmed like the rings. One of my blood dolls tried to kill me once. Stake me through the heart. Little did he know that the necklace I wore and still do, meant that I did not die.”

Isabella then looked up at Jason with a worried expression.

“I fear that if Vlad Tepes is here….he wants his prize back. The rings. I don’t know where Vincent hid them, all I do know is that he needs the key to open the box that they are kept in.”

The key…that she wore.

<3>

As Jason sat comforting Isabella he would look to the windows before his brows furrowed as he caught sight of a figure in the distance with moon silhouetting his form before vanishing into the nights embrace. Slowly Jason would stand up before looking to Isabella before hissing softly and allowing his fangs to distend into their full vampiric state while his form rippled. Slowly Jason’s skin became leathery and a pair of wings slid from his back tearing off his shirt in the process. His hands where now rending talons as his fingernails had distended to a length of five inch’s. As Jason’s form shifted he would walk towards the door out into the night before spreading his leathery wings and taking off in hot pursuit of the male that had dared to trespass on Jason’s perceived territory. Oh yes Jason was annoyed and most definitely angered. As he flew in pursuit his eyes would narrow to slits while his wings thrashed the air with mighty motions of sinewy muscle. The one thing Jason refused to have was a threat about when he had to deal with one already and that was Vlad Tepes. Then with a sudden flash Jason was driven to the ground as another vampiric being came down from above and drove him into the ground with a keening hiss. As Jason was driven into the other vampiric being would stand up and shake his head solemnly. The male would then turn away from Jason long enough for Jason to swing his left booted foot about and bring the male to the ground where Jason in a flash had him straddled and raised his talons for the kill aimed for the jugular. However though Jason paused long enough for the other male to throw him off and into a tree hard enough to cause Jason to grunt in discomfort. The male then struck like a flash of lightning as Jason hissed in pain when the males talons ripped through his chest leaving a trail of red in their wake. Jason then struck back with a left cross followed by a right handed jab with both connecting with the males face breaking his nose and his jaw. As the male reeled back Jason would rush forwards in a blitz that would put a professional football player to shame which bore the other male into a tree and then through it as the two vampires went at it. As Jason’s left shoulder slammed into the male’s stomach the male would bring his talons down to carve through Jason’s back leaving the same red trails in their wake which caused Jason to hiss in pain. It was then with a definite crack the two vampires would crash into an olden brick wall causing it to come tumbling down atop them knocking the male out but giving Jason a massive concussion. Slowly Jason would get back to his feet before rubbing his temples to assuage the pounding he felt thanks to the concussion. As Jason looked at the male he would raise a brow wondering what he wanted before shrugging and kneeling down long enough to rip the males throat out and walk back to the mansion to shower and clean up the gash’s in his chest and his back.

-The chichagwa’s were hard at work trying to get Emushere clean as they could. However it seemed that she was too fast for them to catch. As she darted after they had rinsed her off she would smell like a lavender. The little Kilargwa streaked through the bathhouse and the rest of the house as she screamed for Arren. She would run through smelling around trying to find him. The door she came too was not the passage to the Garden. As the door opened she would see none other than Conan as he was still in his Kendo uniform as he looked down to see the soaking wet Kilargwa. He hadn’t seen one for so long he almost forgot about them. He reached down grabbing Emushere by the scruff lifting her off the ground as he said.- “Ok, Kilargwa why are you wet?as well why are naked? I mean I thought I told you all last time to dress just like the chichagwa’s.” -he looked into Emushere’s eyes not knowing it was her as it had been centuries since he saw her. He couldn’t tell it was her entirely. Charlotte was in fact walking by in a robe it seemed like to him as he said to Charlotte.- “OI! Charlotte. You seen Arren? I think we need to talk with him a bit. I mean I think its nothing but I want to see about getting Seven and Luna to see if they are alright.” -he didn’t know if she had heard or not knowing she was still looking around for things.-

Gardens of Den Lira

-Arren smiled as he heard Luna speak she had a voice of a small angel compared to most girls her age. “I’m a plushie-a-holic. Collect em and hug them to death. I think I get it from my mum, only she collects men.” he nodded at her smiling walking backwards as they came out into the Gardens as they wondered where Conan was. Arren gaze upon Luna in more detail of the lighting present he was in a bit of shock for the moment. She looked exactly like Iris he choked for a second as he said.- “You look exactly like my grand daughter. I must say I didn’t expect you to look so close to her.” -he nodded as he looked at seven he was in what Arren thought he was a bit of a child of course from his personality however he was still just a boy. Arren’s ears perked as seven spoke about Conan.“He’s here?” he looked back at Luna who was bouncing as he said to both of them.- “Yes Conan is here.” – soon after that asking the next question. “Where where?” -Arren couldn’t help but smile bigger from the mind of a child. It seemed the children saw Conan as a hero they looked up too. As he thought to himself and tried to pin point where Conan was. He was surprised that Conan would be on his way to the Gardens. Arren said to both of the children.- “well I believe he maybe coming back from the sound Temple perhaps he is with your mother right now.” -he did not know exactly as he thought to himself.

-Anya was still in the small house as a woman came forth holding Sarah. She was still quiet as hearing the growl form the woman. As Anya had shot her eyes open as Gabriel spoke. “Wh….where am I?” she shivered a bit as she said to Gabriel.- “Your in Den Lira one of Arren’s many different places he created as a sanctuary for those who know him.” -she looked closely as Sarah groaned in her sleep on Gabriel’s back as she opened her eyes to see her sister Anya. Anya gave a blood boiling yell as she said.- “SARAH! OH MY GOD ARE YOU OK!?” -she ran over to Sarah pulling her off Gabriel . Sarah slowly was opening her eyes looking up at Anya as she waited for a split second before reacting as she reached up grabbing her sister into a tight hug as she said.- “Anya thank goodness your alive. When we got split up I didn’t know where to find you.”- Anya giggled as she returned the hug as she said. To Sarah in such a joking tone.- “At least I didn’t have to use the hammer to much Sarah but you look like you haven’t eaten in days.” -Sarah looked over to Gabriel as she said to her sister.- “i haven’t eaten since they day we got here. I couldn’t find the place Father talked about.” -Anya looked over to Gabriel as she asked her a deep question.- “did you save my sister? If you did I thank you. Since we can’t use our power very good in the state we are in. it’s hard to survive” -she frowned as Sarah placed her hand on Anya’s face saying.- “hush Anya. We can it’s just harder.”

Lorewall

-Faust was impressed by the way Imayaruk was able to move out of the way in just the right time. As his blade touched his armor piece as watching something interesting take place. As the man quickly was engulfed in flames from an orb that implanted into his chest as he was higher than the rest of his horde and him. As he heard the man’s words. “Well now my little necrophiliac, You claim to have the flame of death in your hand. But I hold the Flame of rebirth in ever part of my being. What do you think will happen to your army or your very pretty pet if it consumes them? What don’t we find out?” the insult towards his dear sweet Eliza sent Faust into a rage as he yelled out towards the man.- “PET?! YOU DON’T SPEAK ABOUT MY DEAR EILZA THAT WAY YOU WILL DIE HERE!” – watched as the man moved down from the window as he started burning through the minions turning them to nothing but ash. Faust watched this go on as he was only becoming more anger with Imayaruk. He disrespect his lost love and his. Faust was truly angry as he pulled his blade closer to him as he said.- “Eliza come here.” -Eliza moved towards him running behind her Master as she was ready holding her scythe as she said.- “Yes Master I shall be your eyes from behind you.” -Faust grinned as he started to chant loudly.- [b] “I call forth the darkness,….” -Faust was quickly interrupted as Eliza pulled him backwards seeing a bolt of lightning blaze past where he was standing as he said.- “What the fuck?” -Faust looked down to his left of the whole that was open seeing a man in the distance.-

epic enterance music

-The man was still cloaked as he had his out pointed down the center whole of the horde as he brought his left hand up to his chest grabbing hold of the cloak pulling it off to reveal his identity. This would a man Imayaruk would remember. His hair was blackish blue coming down to the back of his shoulders. He was a bit pale however he had a light tan down his arms. Coming with gloves on his arms the broke off at the fore arm. As his jacket cloaked down behind him with an open from the chest showing a black under armor. The sleeves of the jacket came down to mid length of his upper arm. His left hand had a belt wrapped around it as he pulled out his straight Kanai which was known for its double sided katana styled blade. The belt on his hand was handing down below his hand as his pants were tight as if he was wearing skinny jeans that were made of leather as his boots were combat styled more looking like a military black. His eyes were glowing a very deep red as he said.- “Sorry can’t tell you go any further with that spell Faust. Ben watching this fight for a little while. As well my promise to Shadow I can’t tell you belittle Imayaruk.” -he stepped forward as even the undead minions started backing away from him. He looked over to Imayaruk as he smirked.- “what has it been a few hundred years Imayaruk? – stood there gazing at the young prince as he turned his head towards Faust still wondering if he was ready for battle.-

-Faust stood up as he grinned looking at both of them as he said in a grand yell.- “YOU KEEP GIVING ME PEOPLE TO KILL! LETS START THIS PARTY!” -he brought his sword around ready for them to attack as Eliza prepared herself as well.-

-The grand battle was about to begin on this night as the Dark age of this era had begun. What was in store for not just these warriors but ones who were resting in the Den of lira.- <3>

Charlotte had left behind the squealing cat creature to her fate in the bath house, or…so she thought. No sooner had Charlotte gotten a few yards up the path, a very wet and very upset Kilargwa was streaking through the bath house and grounds. This would have greatly annoyed the chichagwa’s that had been trying to wash her clean. The air now had the scent of lavender, and…wet fur permeating through the air, and Charlotte raised a brow, when she suddenly heard Conan sing out to her.

“OI! Charlotte. You seen Arren? I think we need to talk with him a bit. I mean I think its nothing but I want to see about getting Seven and Luna to see if they are alright.”

Charlotte turned to see Conan holding the Kilargwa by the scruff of the neck, and could see a small puddle forming underneath the dripping feline. So that is where she ended up. Charlotte clutched the top lapel of her robe and drew it together, so she was not being to revealing, and padded over to where Conan was standing.

“I saw him earlier in the Gardens of Den Lira, perhaps he is still there.” She replied, looking down at the wet cat thing, and then her eyes raising back up to Conan asking. “You are going to have THAT dressed before we go see the children. I imagine if my kids are anywhere, they are with Arren. I think its how this place works.” Charlotte said with some assurance. Leaning to Conan, she did ask “Though, I would rather see my children when I was wearing a bit more than a robe. If I turn up with you, that soaked cat and me in this flimsy robe….god knows what my kids are going to think.”

She had a point.

Gardens of Den Lira

Arren was taken aback by how much Luna looked like his grand daughter; Iris. Luna found this all a bit embarrassing, having never been compared to anyone before in her life. There were very few children with lilac coloured hair. “Do I? Do I really?” she said with a bright blush to her cheeks. She twirled her right toe in the floor, and shook her shoulders from side to side, fluttering her tiny lashes. Seven thought she was being daft. “He’s just saying that. No one could look like you. I’m your twin, and I look nothing like you. Thank goodness for that too. Fancy me with purple hair. Eww.” Luna poked out her tongue at Seven, for being a precocious brat.

News that did garner the kids attention was that Conan was here, somewhere and on his way over, probably with the kid’s mother. Course when he said that to the kids, they both looked at each other and went…

“Ooooooooo!”

When Anya asked if Gabriel saved her sister, she gave a nod to Anya before letting her thought roll off her tongue, “Yes I did save her. And you are most welcome, Ma’am. I would of done anything to keep your sister, safe,” Gabriel stood up and brushed off debris off her kimono, trying to get it clean to the best of her ability as one hand strapped her mid-ranged weapon to her hip then placed covers n the twin blades to prevent them from cutting everything.

“I saw him earlier in the Gardens of Den Lira, perhaps he is still there.” 
You are going to have THAT dressed before we go see the children. I imagine if my kids are anywhere, they are with Arren. I think its how this place works.”

-Emushere was of course offend in all rights she normally was dressed as she quickly gave out a response to Charlotte in a loud yell that made Conan’s ears ring.-

“EMUSHERE IS NORMALLY DRESSED!” 
Emushere know you, yes she does! You’re Conan, Emushere has not seen Conan in ages. Emushere missed Conan.” 

-Conan gave a face towards her as she continued to ramble only making annoyed at the fact he knew her. She used to be so laid back in the past he wondered why she kept going as if she had lost her mind entirely. He didnt understand why this little Kilargwa had become so mad in her language. He cocked up his eye brow at her when she looked over to the lady asking her the question.-

“You know Conan named Emushere? We were in Egypt quite a long time ago Conan got tired of calling Emushere Kilargwa so being Conan he named Emushere Emushere which in Egyptian mean kitten.”

-The noble warrior that walked the path of a very old code could only do one thing at this point hearing this as he placed his hand on his forehead only to say.- “You have totally lost your mind you damn Cat!” -he couldn’t help but say it. She truly was out of it this was no longer the Emushere he knew so long ago. As he finally noticed Charlotte was leaning over to him he perked his head out of his hand as he listened to what Charlotte was trying to tell him.-

Though, I would rather see my children when I was wearing a bit more than a robe. If I turn up with you, that soaked cat and me in this flimsy robe….god knows what my kids are going to think.”

-She had a very good point to make. Even so Conan was still in bandages with the kendo uniform it was kind of odd for him to be in. He knew that bandages would only worry the kids in this case. Conan nodded towards her as he was about to say something. Until, the small little Kilargwa decided to make a break for it say to him as she bolted down the hall.-

“Emushere learned long time ago how to get out of your grip Conan, now off to Gardens of Den Lira!” 

-Conan did it again he took the palm of his hand and planted it right in his forehead as he said in aggressive tone.- “DAMNIT!” -he turned back to Charlotte as he sighed thinking to himself on this. He could the robe that Charlotte had on was not really in the best taste to be walking in front of her children. He said to her as he pointed towards a room.- “I think our clothes might be in there. If anything Charlotte we could in fact just find a kimono for you to wear instead of the robe.” -he was in fact still in a daze at Emushere he knew that it was due anytime next thing we needed was a bag of catnip.-

-Conan and Charlotte would notice the Chichagwa’s running from the bathhouse with towels and a kimono as they started running after Emushere yelling.- “NO EMUSHERE YOUR NOT DRY YET!!!” -the four chichagwa’s kept running as if they were moving in a pack formation ready pounce her. As they too vanished into the Garden’s of Den Lira.-

Garden of Den Lira

-Arren stood there as he heard Seven speak about his sister only to reach into his kimono pulling out a picture of Iris as he waited for Seven to finish his statement.- “He’s just saying that. No one could look like you. I’m your twin, and I look nothing like you. Thank goodness for that too. Fancy me with purple hair. Eww.” -Arren’s ear flickered for a second. Only to for him to offer the picture to Luna as he said.- “you look exactly like Iris my Granddaughter. Other than she had blonde hair and blue eyes like her father. I think you have already seen this picture before.” -The picture was the same of the one that was seen in trek. In the picture there are two people behind a small girl looking to be about 5 years old. With the two older people looking both exactly like Conan in a younger age he looked happy from his smile and him dressed in his Kimono that was black. The woman next to him was of his wife Sirah who had blonde hair and green eyes she looked so beautiful in his light teal kimono her figure was definitely something to talk about. As the little girl was in the picture was something else. Even at her age of looking about five years old she looked a lot like luna other than height. All the facial features were the same other than the hair and eyes. While Luna had Purple hair the girl hand blonde hair. The girls eyes were blue exactly like Conan’s eyes. She had features from both the mother and father.-

-As Arren displayed the picture to both of the twins he heard a noise of the small Kilargwa coming forth behind him running with her staff that was broken. He left the picture in Luna’s care for her to examine only to turn around seeing that Emushere was still wet, not just wet completely soaked as she said to him.- “Arren fix now?” -trying to offer him the staff and orb as he sighed taking orb and the staff looking at it with seeing it had a finger missing from the holster for the orb to sit on. Only to place it together. As he placed the finger on the staff the material instantly started to seal itself back together as the orb was placed back on top of the fingers.-

-As Arren started to work on her staff the chichagwa’s were not far behind her as they yelled again.- “EMUSHERE YOUR NOT DONE!” -They came at her full blast as it sounded like small stamp-peed coming towards her. The Chichagwa made the turn into the gardens two with towels ready to pounce on her. As they jumped on top of her hopping to dry her off in the process of the other two with her kimono struggling to get it on her rolling around with her like a funny cartoon brawl breaking out.-

-Hopefully the Chichagwa’s were successful in doing this since she was naked and she could get a major cold being as soaking wet as she was. The Chichagwa’s struggled during this and if they did do it right they would jump back running away with the towels into the house leaving Emushere completely clean and dressed in her Kimono. They left one tiny detail left on her they did her hair giving her nice pink bow on her head. She looked adorable with it between her ears even if it was over sized for her.-

-While the Chichagwa’s were working on Emushere to get her dressed Arren had finished her staff only to hand it too her as they finished saying to her.- “done now don’t go breaking it again Emushere. I cant always be fixing it.” -Arren looked towards the kids as he said.- “Emushere please meet Charlotte’s Children Seven and Luna. They came to Den Lira to see both Conan and Charlotte.” -he pointed to the twins as he wondered if Anya and Sarah alone with the other girl would come out of the house. As he said to them.- “Anya, Sarah and the woman in the house please come out and join us in the Garden. I am sure everyone would like to see who is all here while we wait for Charlotte and the other.” -he stood there with his staff close to him leaning on it. Waiting for everyone to appear.-

-Rika who was finally let go and had regained herself after being squeezed by Luna she started to slowly sneak away seeing she had not finished her noddles only to get up slowly creeping away. As she looked over to the Twins before bolting to the other side of the Garden hiding behind some rose bushes hopping she could finally find the peace and quiet she needed.-

-Anya heard Gabriel’s answer as she blinked a few times.- “Yes I did save her. And you are most welcome, Ma’am. I would of done anything to keep your sister, safe,” -Anya smiled as she said looking to her sister Sarah saying in a very polite tone.- “Thank you.” -Anya had seen the Silverfang symbol on her back shrugging it off since she had seen the sign before but couldn’t place it anywhere since she was more worried about Sarah. Both of the girls looked up as they figured he would want them outside as Anya helped her sister to her feet as she said.- “Well time to see Arren again. Lets hope we don’t have to transform here.” -Both Anya and Sarah walked outside the small house seeing the Garden of Den Lira as they both couldn’t believe that the flowers were so grand it remind them so much of home even though it had been a year since they had seen the planets of the Magellanic Galaxy . Even though the Gorya Empire they more about was the one ruled by Shadow himself. Void was a beautiful planet and had Gardens that they used to play in so many years ago. It seemed to make them tear up as the Garden so Den Lira were a mirror image of the Gardens that their Creator had once made for them.-

Lorewall

-Faust was getting angry till he noticed thhat Imayaruk was trying to get him off his game. Faust laughed hearing the next phrase of the man’s statement.- “So Slave then, or do you not like being called Master by woman that would submit to you? Either way she clearly is a bigger threat then you human.” -Faust couldn’t help but laugh as he said in such a joking tone.- “You don’t understand who I am do you? I am one of the Necromancer’s that helped take down the great Shadow Eris Gorya!” -he grinned as he placed his hand on his blade only to say.- “Yes I may not have given the final blow to that man. But I was the one that helped my Teacher defeat him.” -he laughed as he pointed at Imayaruk saying to him in such a tone.- “You have no right to talk boy! By your moves and by your own clothing I can see That man was your brother. Your the youngest of the Goryan prince!” -he laughed only to hear everything that was going between Daren and Imayaruk.-

-Daren smirked hearing Faust and Imayaruk but soon to frown hearing the entire statement.-“Nay feels like half an eon then again you know how screwy time can be traveling the worlds Apprentice.” “Well it seems you made the freaks day So how about you take his ghastly girlfriend while i handle the Moron, sound good Apprentice?” -Daren said to Imayaruk in a serious tone. Wielding his blade out from his body placing his hand on the hilt.- “Imayaruk you know my name. I maybe the Apprentice of your brother but you need take learn to know that your choices are not ideal. You always seem to take on things that you may not over come. In this choice I am going to say No.” -he saw Faust was starting to catch on to their plans quickly. As Daren brought his blade to the left side of him looking to preform Bukdo- justu known for being used as a drawing kanai technique waiting for Faust to make his move.-

-Faust quickly looked at Daren as he started laughing as he said.- “So your the apprentice of the great Shadow Eris Gorya! Well then Daren Telreckic! WE SHALL SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO! ELIZA GO PLAY WITH THE YOUNG PRINCE FOR A WHILE!” -Eliza jumped into the air quickly moving at an accelerated speeds faster than she was before. She had been waiting to build up her power aiming straight towards him. As her Cleaver-scythe slowly started to produce black flames just like her Master’s did as well. How was this possible could it have been from that fact she had taken Kuria’s life as a blood doll? Or was it connected to Faust as well it was seeming to be unknown by the naked eye. As she sudden was above Imayaruk swinging down in a straight vertical pattern hopping to slice Imayaruk in half. Faust looked back at Daren as he quickly darted towards him wielding his as he swung in the same diagonal direction before towards Imayaruk hopping to cut him in half.-

-Daren saw straight through this attack and quickly pulled out his blade as the wind instantly picked around him channeling his own energy through the kanai as he clashed with Faust’s blade only to say in such a emotionless tone.- “Your flames will not touch me Faust and for this I will not let you go any further.” -Daren’s blade would not rot or rust as in the fine line of millimeters there was a gape between the blades that if you paid attention you could seen. Daren saw Eliza above Imayaruk as he yelled out.- “IMAYARUK ABOVE YOU!” -he turned back his focus towards Faust again as he was waiting for the moment to break Faust’s guard.-

-It seems that the battle has just begun for both Daren and Imayaruk. Only the Destiny’s fate will guide them through this never ending battle between the Darkness and the Light. Shall we seen what is in story for them. very soon a great Evil will enter the streets of Lorewall-

Traditionally, a bathhouse is a tranquil place, for relaxation and reflection; of cleansing, and above all, its to wash your cares away. That being said, the mad antics of Emushere had made it anything but. From driving Conan to distraction and upsetting hordes of Chichagwa that were just trying to do their job; Charlotte had had enough. Blinking rapidly from the incessant chatter of the deranged cat creature, Charlotte rejected Conan’s advice that she should dress in a kimono, since anyone who is anyone knows how long they take to put on, and not only that, Charlotte was keen to see her twins; Luna and Seven. Not only did she miss them, but she knew the antics those two could get up to unsupervised. Patting Conan’s arm lightly, she said.

“I think I will go find something a little easier to wear, like a silken twin set, but thanks for the advice.”

Finding a small change room, she asked one of the Chichagwa, if they could find her a twin set, preferably with pants, as opposed to a skirt, and thankfully the Chichagwa obliged her with a black silken shirt and pants, with silver thread trim. Putting it on and discarding her robe, she swept her hair up behind her into a loose bun, and when happy with her appearance, she rejoined Conan to go meet with her children in the Garden of Den Lira.

Garden of Den Lira

Having been shown the picture of Arren’s granddaughter, it was plain as day to see the resemblance between Luna and Iris, who had blonde hair instead of the lilac which Luna bore. Luna held the photograph, admiring it, while sure enough the Kilargwa had finally reached the garden, with of course the Chichagwa in hot pursuit. The noise was terrific, and even Seven couldn’t hold back the laughter when the Chichagwa and the Kilagwa got into a massive brawl. It really was the silliest thing he had seen, but the end result would have her dressed. Thankfully. Charlotte and Conan would not far behind, and naturally both the children were keen to see their mother again

The Children weren’t too keen on the wild Kilargwa, even Seven holding back from his usual childish antics and phrases. Something about this creature was unsettling. Maybe with its staff fixed, she might behave.

<3>

ImayarukOdinGorya

Gabriel looked over to Arren then moved to look at the others who were just standing in the hallway of the Japanese style home that felt very comforting to her. Her eyes lowered down to the Kilargwa who wore a big pink bow on top of her head with a scent of lavandar hitting her nose. She gave a chuckle, figuring out that this creature just had a bath, looking up to see the twins as well as she crossed her arms, trying to get comfortable.

They pulled up across the street from the museum and Shane cut the ignition. They both watched a man leave, assuming correctly he was a nightwatchman of some sort. All the lights were out in the museum with the exception of a few near the back. She looked at Shane.

“And that is our cue.” Shane stated. He was out of the car and across the street in moments, Carmen right behind him by seconds. It was rare when she got to exercise her powers this way and she was grinning devilishly as they scaled up the side of the building and onto the roof. Shane unlocked one of the windows and went inside, crawling across the ceiling before dropping to the floor, making a slight noise as he did.

“Amateur.” Carmen whispered, amused as she copied his movements, her landing a bit more silent then his. She smirked at him as she pointed to her soft-soled sneakers.

“Isn’t this fun?” Shane grinned. She rolled her eyes at him.

“All right, Indy. Lead on.” she threaded his arm through his as he shined the flashlight around. They had ended up in the Wild West exhibit. “So…which way to Egypt?” she wondered. He turned and lead her down the nearby stairs where she could see the Egyptian exhibit at the end of the hall.

Suddenly a bright light came from the other end and they froze in their tracks.

“Hello? Is anyone there?” a female voice asked. Carmen could practically taste the woman’s fear and her eyes began to bleed red.

“Oh, she smells heavenly.” she hissed to her husband. “May I keep her?” The Queen was starting to come out and she was hungry.

From the darkened end of the hall, the young archaeologist could just make out the outlines of two people that were standing near the start of the Egyptian exhibit. No one was supposed to be in the building aside from herself and the night guard, and Candy instantly thought that these were burglars. But why people wanted to steal artifacts was beyond her. Her right hand that held the torch shook violently, as fear swept through her.

“Who are you? What are you doing in the Museum after hours?” Not exactly the smartest thing to be asking, but it was all Candy could come up with.

Shane heard the delicious hiss of his Queen who was awakening within from the scent of fear that the young girl gave off. His eyes flickered towards her as he too could smell the girl’s fear. “Oh, she smells heavenly.” Shane couldn’t agree more, but he remembered they were there to get answers about the scroll and the box, not feed. He was about to speak, when Carmen asked.

“May I keep her?”

The young archaeologist heard this and started to back up. “I’m going to call the cops!”

Shane hissed angrily and with great speed flew across the length of the hall and seized the girl by the throat, her torch clattering to the tiled floor. His nails sunk into her neck, as his head turned ever so slowly. “That…wouldn’t be a good idea.” He then turned and held out the girl for his Queen, almost presenting her to her for feeding. “She’s even more delicious up close, my Love.” The Vampire then licked the girl’s cheek before closing his eyes and letting out a sensual growl. Candy shuddered with fear as her eyes were now opened wide, the whites clear as day. “We have use for you….but first, you must feed our Queen.”

<3>

Vlad was standing in front of the fireplace, staring into the flames when Emilia and Rheksas returned from their outing. He was silent for the longest time, almost as if he didn’t know they were there. Oh he knew they were there. He always knew when his Generals were near. They knew not to interrupt his thoughts and were forced to wait.

The silence was oppressive to one not used to such long silences.

After about 10 minutes, he finally turned away from the flames and the expression on his face did not bode well. He looked at Emilia first.

“Isabella is in this town, somewhere. Find her. I believe she has something that belongs to me and I want it returned. You will deliver my message…by any means necessary.” he emphasized the last four words with a glare that would melt steel, leaving no doubt what kind of message he wanted Isabella to receive. “Go, now, before sunrise.”

Easily dismissing her, he turned to Rheksas, slipping a photograph from the pocket of his suit jacket. He handed it to the dark skinned vampire.

“And you, my cagey friend, are going to find out everything you can about the woman in this picture.” he was pointing to the brunette. “Her name is Carmen. I want to know everything there is to know about her. Who she is, where she works, her family, her friends. Everything.” Vlad demanded. “Do not disappoint me in this, Rheksas.”

Museum, Outside Egyptian Exhibit

Candy finally saw them and Shane was across the room and at her throat in an instant. Candy’s eyes widened in fear and she struggled to remove Shane’s hand from her throat. He didn’t pay any attention to the struggling woman, looking instead at Carmen, who was slowly walking down the hall, eyes on the rapidly beating pulse point at Candy’s throat.

She moved in next to Shane, her body pressed against his as she ran her fingers over Candy’s skin.

“We could use her, darling.” Carmen hissed. “I won’t kill her.” Carmen bent and sniffed at Candy’s neck, moaning in delight at the smell. She brought her head back and caught Candy’s eyes with her own. “You have nothing to fear.” she whispered, her voice hypnotic. “Just give in…you know you want to. I can make all your fears disappear. You will never have need for another thing ever again. I will take care of you as if you were my own.” Carmen’s voice was very soothing and hypnotic and she could see it was having an effect on the young museum curator. Candy’s eyes glazed over as she began to fall under Carmen’s spell. “That’s it…just let yourself go…you will never fear again…yessss….” Carmen bent toward Candy as the woman slowly tilted her head back. Carmen licked at the thick vein, bringing the blood to the surface before she bit into the woman’s skin. Candy let out a gasp of surprise before her eyes slipped closed, giving in to Carmen without the slightest protest. Carmen drank deeply, monitoring the young girl’s heartbeat and pulse. As she drank, the spirit that had been lurking nearby saw her chance and moved quickly, sinking herself into Carmen as she was at her weakest when she was feeding. Carmen’s skin rippled as the new presence slowly began to take over and she moaned as she got her first taste of blood in several thousand years. Carmen, sensing that her body was no longer under her control, tried her hardest to get back to herself but the unknown entity was much stronger then she and she was relegated to the farthest reaches of her mind, locked away from her husband’s thoughts before she could warn him.

“I am…freeeeeee….” she heard the Other’s voice exclaim just before she was locked away.

The eyes snapped open and for a moment, they were a stunning blue before Carmen’s normal brown bled back into them, unknown to Shane. The Other slowly withdrew from Candy, letting the unconscious woman slip from her arms to the floor as she licked her lips with a slight moan.

“You shall be my servant in this world.” she whispered, letting the words sink into Candy’s subconscious. She suddenly remembered the man Carmen had arrived with and looked through the woman’s memories for his name. Shane. Her mate.

“Weakling.” she mentally scowled. Plastering a pleased look upon her face, The Other looked at Shane. “She shall do. Let us continue our quest.”

Standing in the foreground, Emilia and Rheksas awaited their orders from the Count. As usual, he was deep in thought and kept them waiting, probably on purpose. Emilia stood stoically with her hands at her sides, while Rheksas had his arms folded over, his face rigid like stone. There was no warm greetings, no expectations of acknowledgement till the Count was ready to speak. Minutes seemed much longer as the only sound was the crackle and pop of the kindling on the fire place. Emilia knew something was up, as the message they had received to come back to the manor at once was rushed almost. Her steel blue eyes kept on the ground in front of her, till finally he turned.

The Count’s face was one that showed he was clearly angered by his finds, and now set the tasks to each in turn. First, Emilia.

“Isabella is in this town, somewhere. Find her. I believe she has something that belongs to me and I want it returned. You will deliver my message…by any means necessary.”

~Isabella?~ Emilia thought. That name was one that she had long since forgotten. Her misdeeds against the Count were well known. An ancient in this part of the world. The Count was certain that Isabella had something that belonged to him and he wanted it back. No if’s no buts. The tricky part would be in doing all this – finding her and then delivering the message before sunrise. It was a dangerous task considering the time of night. Rheksas glanced at her as though she was hesitating to respond. For a moment, she did but then gathered herself and simply nodded, before walking out of the room briskly.

This left Rheksas alone with the Count, who now was ready to give over the next set of instructions.

“And you, my cagey friend, are going to find out everything you can about the woman in this picture.” 

Rheksas took the picture in his right hand and studied it for a moment, before returning his gaze to the Count.

“Her name is Carmen. I want to know everything there is to know about her. Who she is, where she works, her family, her friends. Everything.” The General gave a very curt nod coupled with a grunt. But the Count cemented his intention…with a threat.

“Do not disappoint me in this, Rheksas.”

“I shall not fail, M’lord.” The gruff man said, before bowing and placing the photograph into his jacket pocket and heading out of the den. Now both Generals were on separate missions. Question was, who would come back with what the Count wanted?

Outside the Manor

Both Rheksas and Emilia met up again as they were now about to head in separate directions. Rheksas had the keys to the truck, while Emilia simply stared out at the grounds with her arms folded. There was a pained look in her eyes, which stopped Rheksas from getting on with the job.

“What are you waiting for? You don’t have much time.” Rheksas was talking about the night hours, and Emilia knew the risks. She had seen the wine splattered painting in the den and it had made an impact on her. In the worst way. What did this woman have that Emilia didn’t? Aside from the artifact which was clearly what the Count wanted back. It was then that Rheksas showed Emilia the photograph of Carmen to her. Probably the worst thing he could have done.

“Who is that?” Emilia asked as Rheksas as he pocketed it again.

“The woman I have been told to find out about. And more.”

Another woman? Emilia closed her eyes tight as she fought back her rising jealousy. It was going to one day be her undoing. Opening them again she took out the car keys from her pocket and pressed the lock button, the car’s headlights flashing as it showed it was no longer locked. She didn’t say another word, strutting over to the car and reefing the door open, only to get inside and turn the ignition over, before speeding off leaving a spray of small rocks and gravel in her wake.

Rheksas shook his head as he watched her go, before then finding a reason to smile. He got to go and break into a government agency, and the guards there who always fed on donuts, were ever so tasty.

The Museum.

Shane licked his lips as he watched his beloved Queen approach. With the finesse of a jungle cat and the beauty that was intoxicating, he found himself falling for her once more. Almost like a loved starved puppy as he watched with large blue eyes as she compelled the young archaeologist to bend to her will. Candy was like putty in the Queen’s clutches, and soon was under her hypnotic spell. Shane stepped back to allow the Queen to enjoy her meal as he waited patiently for the feeding to be done. Course, the woman then fell to the floor at their feet when she was drained of her blood, but thankfully she was not dead. Not yet. Shane crouched down and felt her pulse which was weak but stable. Glancing up at his bride he answered her in regards to their quest.

“I say, we take the young Miss back to the house and start to get her to tell us about the scroll and the rings. No point hanging around a bunch of stiff old Mummy’s.” Shane was his usual joker self, as he rose to standing and then picked up the unconscious woman in a fireman like lift and ushered his darling wife with one hand.

“Home darling? I do recall you were rather keen to play “Tie me up and whip my bottom.” Little did he know that the new Carmen, might not take a liking to that. He did have the box of rings and the scroll in his coat pocket. Both of which his bride would want….well at least, the new Owner of her vessel.

Outside Isabella’s House.

Now your probably wondering, how did Emilia manage to track down Isabella? Well, turns out that after the night at the Rock Concert, she got in good with some of the local vampire covens, and they made mention of a shadowy Queen that lived at the far end of town in a home built by a mob boss in the 1920′s. Sure enough, when Emila parked out the front, it matched the house described in detail. Getting out of the car, she closed the door gently before zipping at speed across the road, and leaping well clear of the perimeter fence. Within the grounds it was a matter of making it across the gardens undetected, and Emilia was a master of the Shadows. She slipped in and out before finally coming to a stop on a balcony. Inside, she could see….HER. Cuddling some blood doll, or so it seemed.

Emilia’s eyes narrowed as she got a closer look, and that was when she saw it. The key necklace. Long ago she had read about the fabled key and what it opened, but she had not put two and two together before. So, that was what kept her going all these years. Having seen enough, she leapt down off the balcony and to another floor. Inside the kitchen was Isabella’s long suffering and faithful servant; Luther. He was preparing a meal for his Mistress and her mate and had his head down as he was cutting up meat for the pot.

The shutter windows burst open and before he could see what was happening, Emilia had him pinned to a wall. She was growling as she took the butcher’s knife from his hand.

“You…are going to give your Mistress a message.” She hissed through gritted teeth. Luther was terrified as he suddenly felt her plunge her fist into his chest and rip out his heart. Tearing it clean out she held the pulsating muscle in her blood soaked fingers. His face was one of shock as she rammed the knife right through his forehead and pinned him to the wall. She then tossed the bloody heart into the pot behind her, before dipping her finger in his blooded face. She then scrawled a message on the wall.

“The Count wants his gift…back. Return it, or this will be what I do to you.”

Stepping back she licked her fingers as though a cat grooming herself, before turning into a swirling mist of black and spiriting off back out into the night.

<3>