When Reina began talking Adrian immediatly seemee to brighten up. So it was indeed what she thought would bother him. Adrian hugged the two girl and Reina gave a small laugh when he hugged her. Her cheeks brightened and she definitly felt fluttered by it. It wasn't so bad when you knew the monster a little bit better.

Eli had quickly decided to leave the two om their own so that they could talk it over. Reina was a little shocked by the fact that she had to interupt into the conversation between Adrian and Eli.



But she was to late, the girl probably hand't even heard it. Reina gave a small sigh for messing up but smiled back at Adrian again. She felt kind of happy the girl did that for her.

Adrian then was on his knees again, sincenerly apologising to her that he did all that and said that he bettered his life. Reina stammered back a little by the sight of it. She didn't know how to act. It was a weird sight someone else then her maids apologising. Reina shook her head with a worried look.



Reina gentle smiled at him as she regained her calm again. She place both her hands in front of her lap bundled together holding her bag firmly.



Adrian however went on and asked for more forgiveness. He still wasn't satisfied. He must have felt really bad. Then something sudden erupted out of his mouth. He asked for being her familiar so he could repay her. Reina warmly smiled and forced herself to be a bit angrier then normal.



Maybe if kindness didn't help hatered would. Reina hefted her arms over each other and turned away from Adrian with a dissatisfied look on her face. When he wasn't looking she would give a slight grin and softly giggle a little.

With a bemused smile, Ruri walked up the pathway towards the academy. Within one of her hands she was fiddling with the pipe that she always carried with her, the other playing around with a solitary gear, black in color. Behind her, with a very curious expression, despite her best attempts at hiding it, was Suki, her black ribbon fluttering lightly, as if to convey her excitement. "Master, to think we could successfully escape from your family, what an adventure!" With a cheery laugh, the familiar shrugged, acting without a care in the world.

"Of course. I had planned multiple different strategies and back ups, for every possibility. There's nothing that could really go wrong." With a rather matter-of-fact tone, Ruri stated her outlook. However, with her familiar staring at her face rather intently all of the sudden. Despite pretty much guessing the reason behind the stare, she still couldn't help but to voice her question. "Is there something on my face?" However, Suki ignored the question with her own words. "You've over-exerted yourself haven't you?" More of a statement than a question, Suki almost glared at the blonde. "It's not that bad, to the point of rupt-"

At that point, the rest of Ruri's words were swallowed figuratively, as she clasped a hand over her mouth. With a muffled retching sound, blood spilled between her fingers. Subconsciously reaching out her hand to grab onto anything for support, it was caught by Suki's own, who stood beside her with a grim expression, but stayed silent during the fit.

After a few moments, Ruri unsteadily straightened out, wiping the blood off, before taking in a long draw from her pipe. Exhaling out a suspicious, purple smoke, she smiled with an amused look towards her familiar. "My, my, to think you would be this concerned over me." Suki immediately turned her head away, stuttering, "N-not that I care! It would be really annoying if you died, that's all!", evidently blushing.

Laughing quietly at the other's antics, Ruri made her way through the academy's front doors.

Liseranna Academy’s Library was definitely a large space, a museum of ancient texts and modern works that was filled with the brim with books. A six story tower with bookshelves lined up all the way to the ceiling, and dozens of ladders to help students reach the ones at the very top, the library’s many skylights and windows provided natural lighting, a gray, somber light that calmed the heart and focused the mind.

Of course, the effect was all but lost on Arata, who, upon entering this place, didn’t know where to look at all. With only the knowledge of ‘where’ the library was, and not ‘how’ the library worked, the illiterate oni could only wander about aimlessly, eavesdropping on other student teams for hints on how to start.

Seeing the bewildered oni in her library, the arachne slided all 6 of her legs across the floor to approach him.

As always, she had a service smile on her face and seemed ever ready to be of help for anyone, despite having all 6 of her eyes focused on Arata.

"Hello there. Are you looking for anything in specific?"

A clitter-clatter on the marble floor alerted Arata of a peculiar presence, and when he turned around, the oni was suprised to see what looked to be a half-tsuchigumo, half-female person. It was unnerving, to say the least, that her six human eyes were all staring at him, but at the same time...well, he was interested.

After all, this person's existence must mean that a human had sex with a spider, doesn't it? Wonder how drunk that person had been.

"Can't look for things that I have no clue about," Arata admitted, "The Director's advice doesn't exactly help people who can't read, huh?"

"The director's...." Arianne thought deep and hard about it, until she finally let her dark fist fall over her open hand. "Oh, right! The Magus Games. Hm, what was the first round... Well, if you've still got whatever advice the director gave you inside your head or something, tell it to me and I might be able to help."

She said.

At the same time, and behind Arata, there was an overwhelming presence. Not quite like the Director's and rather similar to Juliann's own, if a bit weaker.

As the spider-woman mused, Arata suddenly felt a pressure expand behind him, an overpoweringly delicious 'bait' that almost caused the oni to turn around once more, to search for the source of that power. But it would be unseemingly to get distracted, and what was he even going to do? Fight the person?

The oni grimaced, before closing his eyes, trying to recall the riddle.

"Think it goes something along the lines of...

Its name means confusion, but well, not in the traditional sense.
You'll need to look deeper. In the library, anyways.
The angels liked this book a lot.
Reach the word confusion and the path will open before you.
Bring me from there the primordial element, with which a God was created.
Hints! Because who doesn't love them!
Sand, Snakes, A Friendship that surpasses time

If it helps, it definitely isn't anything from the Land of the Rising Sun. I doubt the Director wants me to plunder the womb of Izanami-no-mikoto, or take Izanagi's balls. And just...point me in the right direction, please."

"My, a riddle about books! In any case, I think the first part refers to the bible. Because, well, angels based most of their culture around it." She extended her hand and pulled on an invisible thread. After that, a book arrived right to her hand.

"And confusion... The Tower Of Babel. Babel meant confusion, in Hebrew, I believe." The arachne explained. "But then, I don't think it means something from the Tower Of Babel, since it is, well, destroyed. If I had to make a wild guess, I think I would go to Babylon. Whatever the director wants should be there. It also comes to mind the legend of Gilgamesh."

After she was finally done, she closed the book, pulled on the thread again and the book was sent flying back to its righteous spot.

"I hope I could help."

Arata took a deep breath. Part of him felt rather awful that he didn't know anything about what the spider-librarian had just said. On the other hand though...angels? The Tower of Confusion? Hebrew? Babylon? Gilgamesh? While the oni had travelled the world during those six months of adventure and freedom, he had never heard of such things before, and it did interest him somewhat. Arianne honestly helped a little too much, but regardless, Arata bowed towards her.

"Thank you very much. You were a great help, uh..."

Yeah, he never asked her name, huh?

"...anyways, do you know anyone who knows about the legend of Gilgamesh? Probably need to talk to them to learn more about this...person? God? Natural disaster?"

Arianne opened her mouth to answer what Arata had just asked, but that's when the powerful presence from before put itself beside Arata and spoke up.

"I think you shouldn't say anything more, Arianne." A girl, small in size and with a skin as fair as the snow interrupted their conversation.

Well, at least and as far as Arata could tell, it was a girl all right.

"The director is listening, and if you spoil his fun like this it probably won't be pretty for you. I offer these words in hopes that you do not throw away your life. God only knows what that man might do to you if you solve the riddle for another student."

A...girl? No, the voice sounded a little off for some reason. Looking down at the gender-ambiguous being, Arata narrowed his eyes. There was a term stuck in the back of his mind, but, hm...

"Oh, an onnagata." He hadn't expected that a crossdressing kabuki actor would be in Liseranna Academy as well, but it made sense then, the overbearing presence that the person held. "And fair enough, though it's against the rules to seek more information in order to solve a riddle? Sounds like he should be smiting a whole bunch of people then..."

After all, if teachers could literally join a student's team, why was there a problem with asking for knowledge?

"One never knows." They answered. "I've seen one too many people fall to his hands, merely because they were doing things slightly different to what he had expected."

He then turned a harsh glare to Arata, "And I'm sorry, but what might an onnagata mean? I have the feeling it is something incredibly insulting, so I'd rather if you insulted me in English rather than use Japanese."

"Now, now." Arianne intervened. "There's no need to get so heated up. Marx is right, though, the director is very whimsical and I..." She gulped, seemingly really scared of the prospect, "I'd rather not be killed by him."

Oh. Not Japanese after all, huh? Weird, Arata could have sworn he was Japanese from his face and his clothing, but it appeared that, this time around, he was incorrect. Scratching his chin, the oni said, "Onnogata doesn't translate too well, but it's basically...a male actor that impersonates a female within a kabuki play. You look like a girl, but you smell like a boy, so either you had sex recently, or you are one."

He let it drop though. Looked like the spider-woman was deathly afraid of Director A as well. First Arthur, then Juliann, and now the Librarian, huh? Was he the oddity here then, being someone who saw Director A as a 'target', not a 'monster'? "Well, yeah, I won't respond to your aid by getting you killed," Arata said, "So are there any books that can speak here?"

"There are some grimoires that can talk, but..." Arianne put up a troubled smile. There was no way that someone like this qualified as worthy for any of them to speak up.

"Call one with the legend of Gilgamesh, Arianne. I can get it to talk in his stead." Marx answered as he raised a single hand.

"Would you, Marx? Well, thanks a lot!" She pulled on another thread.

Another book came flying to her and she severed the thread with a single pointy black finger and she handed it to Marx.

"No, it's nothing. I just like to give everyone an equally good fighting chance." He said with a smile, before turning on his heel and heading for a table. "This way, if you'd please."

What is grimoire. What is Gilgamesh. What is all this?

Well, in the end, Arata wasn't going to complain about the fact that he knew literally nothing, and just decided that he'll have to start getting book smart some time in the future. Tagging along beside the raven-haired boy-girl, the oni waved at the Librarian one more time with a smile, before sitting down.

"So," he said, glancing down at the ornately-decorated book, "What's a grimoire anyways? If it's just a talking book, why not just call it a talking book?"

"Because it teaches magic. They are books that not only talk, but also possess knowledge of ages past. They are the record of what happened in the past, so they are held in high regard."

He explained with a passionate look in his face, before chuckling. "But I guess you don't care about that. Let's get to it."

He put a single hand over the grimoire, sending mana into it to make it open for him.

"So Gilgamesh is a...type of magic?"

"A magician, and a very powerful one. Perhaps just a notch behind the director."

He explained, before he stopped sending mana into the book and it opened suddenly.

"Ah, there it is."

"Hm?" A voice came from the book. It was deep and filled with power, somehow striking into that instinct of everyone hearing it, and just with those simple words. "Who dares disturb me? Book Of Babylon, record of our glorious history?"

"It is I, Marx Foxtail, and," Marx turned his eyes to Arata, encouraging him to introduce himself to the book.

Of course it was a magician. Of course the Director of a school of magicians would send off riddles related to magicians. Arata chuckled to himself, before turning his attention back to the book. It had a deep voice, ringing with power that made Arata sorta want to punch it in the face? cover? pages? but the oni restrained his urges once more. With a nod of his head, dipping just low enough so that the book, if it had eyes, could see under the hood and notice the small horns peeking out of his hair, he said, "Arata, representative and sole survivor of the Night Parade of One Thousand. If you could tell me about the legend of Gilgamesh, that'd be nice."

"Ah, now that is an interesting concept. You wish to know of Gilgamesh, do you not, Arata? Why do you ask this? Is it simple and idle curiosity... or is it something else? Depending on your answer, I might or might not tell you."

"I want to beat a group of individuals stronger than myself. And I need this information to even get to the battlefield." Arata paused for a moment, wondering if this smarmy-ass book was asking for his motivations or his reasons, before deciding that he'll stand before those words.

"Ho ho... then you seek knowledge for war? Not a noble pursuit, no... but one I am willing to put my knowledge into. You are lucky, kid, for this Book Of Babylon will grant you the knowledge you need." It then closed back and opened up again.

Letters started appearing on its blank pages, finally describing the story of Gilgamesh.

"If you are as much of a brute as you look, I suppose you can't read. You, the effeminate man over there. Read me." It commanded.

With a sigh, Marx took the book between his hands and started reciting the tale of Gilgamesh...

Arata ignored that insult tossed in his direction, instead deciding to settle back and listen to Marx begin performing the legend of Gilgamesh. It was a rather short, and almost pedantic story, featuring an ancient king and his bond-brother, until that brother died, instilling a fear of death unto the great king. Probably didn't help that Marx was just monotonously spewing it out, instead of adding the dramatic flair that sharing a legend would entail.

Perhaps Gilgamesh was just a minor legend then.

Regardless, by the time the boy-girl finished, Arata nodded in approval. His answer should lie in the story, at least, so that just meant that he needed to figure out what object within the story mattered. Sparing some soft applause, the oni said, "Thank you, Marx and book. Think I have all the pieces I need now. Don't suppose you're in the Magus Games as well?"

"I am." He reached to his side, and produced a single shield from seemingly out of nowhere. "And I've already accomplished my objective. It wasn't too hard, but I'm sure Zara is having a hard time."

The shield was adorned with golden and had intrincate, flower like pattterns in its face.

"I suggest you hurry, though. The teloportation pads will get crowded if you do not take off earlier. I could... arrange for something like that, but you look capable enough." He nodded. He was sure that Arata could figure something out.

Perhaps if he brought someone that looked weaker, the man might change his mind.

"Yeah," Arata responded, "I am capable enough. Think I'll stick around here a bit longer. Been enough of a burden anyways, and I still need to think up my answer before I act, after all."

Sticking out a hand, he grinned. "If I succeed, I suppose I'll be seeing you in the next round, Marx."

"Yes, I suppose you will." He smiled and took Arata's hand into his own.

A quick, firm shake, and Arata hit the books once more.

Maybe if he tried hard enough, he could will himself to understand it.

---

Turns out, the willpower of an oni wasn't strong enough to overcome the massive deficit in knowledge.

And, when a raven-haired girl pointed out to him that the book was backwards? Well, Arata almost felt like chucking the book out the window. It'd probably make the Librarian sad though, so he refrained from doing so out of respect for the aid she had given him. Instead, the oni simply laughed and said, with a shrug, "No idea. I've been trying to will myself to read, but guess some things can't just be pulled out of no where. If you're interested, you can have it."
@sakurasan

Shino had been wandering around the infirmary for quite a bit now. She was getting Arata something to drink for when he would wake up from the dead again. She didn't believe that people would revive from the dead so easily but she didn't have a word about how physics worked. She knew Arata would be alright and well again when she came back but there was something wrong with what she truly expected. When she came back to the bed Arata had been lying in until now he was completely gone, like body and all. He might have been confused and started wandering around but, how would they let him leave the hospital in the state he was just in. He couldn't just walk out like nothing had happened right? He might very well not even have known Shino was near him for the whole time when he had died so he started looking for her perhaps. Shino felt a little betrayed but shouldn't complain for him being alive again.

Back to square she was wandering around the hospital with a cup of tea in both her hands she worryingly looked around for Arata and yelped a little so he might notice her. It didn't seem to help very well but she could as well try it since it was one way of finding him.



Her yelping didn't seem to help as much instead of helping she was being a giant bother in a hospital full of sick or hurt people. She at least got their attention and some angry stares but she did not care as long as she would find Arata everything would be resolved again. People asked her to be quiet which made her a little upset in fact, she gave a quiet nod at the people that requested it but wasn't satisfied with her results in the least.

After a whole while she rested on one of the seats a little after her long walk. The tea she had gotten for him had already gotten cold so she drank it herself instead. It was no use to give it to him anymore anyways. In the corner of her eyes she noticed that Rolanda and some of her students revived a familiar face. A lot of people died at this academy that was for sure. She quietly gotten over towards Meruin and shook her a little when they were done with the resurrection.



Shino stared at the girl, her eyes were still a little red from all the crying and sobbing she had done when Arata died and her voice wasn't happy either it was a little sore and had a slight sad tone to it instead. Shino blinked a few times before she continued and seemed to have gotten Meruins attention hopefully.



She had her head angled a little as she asked and was a little curious to how the girl could have died. She didn't look like the fighting type or someone that would get people angry. But it was a little rude to ask 'how did you die'. Shino wouldn't suspect a happy story out of that and with the way she was now it wasn't the most brilliant idea to hear more sad stories before sleeping.

@liferusher

Meruin gasped as her whole body shook with the mere shock of being alive again. This was her . . . what, tenth or eleventh time experiencing this? In any case, she'd gotten quite used to dying, a habit she ought to grow out soon. She wouldn't always have Rollanda's assistance in life after all.

The small mage righted herself, recalling the events that led to her suicide.

So, it appears that her soul was now in possession of the Phoenix, which by all rights meant her life was now in her hands.

Meruin shrugged. Not too bad then. At least she hadn't promised control over her actions. Now that would have been troublesome.

So how to best make use of this opportunity? Meruin was going over that thought the entire time while in the infirmary, not really paying attention much to the other injuries garnered by the Magus Games - a loud and chaotic event that frankly didn't interest her at all, asides from the potential data she could gather.

She supposed that if Iravis wanted to win, Meruin was obliged to assist her, but right now, she didn't think the firebird was worth the trouble. It would probably be best to tell her plainly that she didn't consider her a very worthy master as of the moment, but she'd do that later. Right now, she had a guest.

"Oh. Hello . . . Shino?" A stab in the dark. Meruin vaguely recalled the neko's name from that one time they met, and she didn't even remember talking to her.

"I was here to get myself resurrected after killing myself," she stated plainly, "though I suppose the answer to your question is that I am currently recovering from being dead."

She tilted her head back and closed her eyes in thought.

"As to what I need . . . you don't happen to have a vial of blood from either a phoenix, a dragon, a high level demon or oni, or a unicorn, or perhaps an angel?"

Really, any single one of those was the last piece she needed to begin her experiment. Now that she thought about it, perhaps she was a little to excited when she discovered Iravis true identity as a phoenix. She had gotten careless and had forgotten how underhanded most mythological beings were, and consequently forgot to factor exactly how Iravis would play their deal.

Sighing again, Meruin supposed that it was just another lesson to learn, among all the others she was studying.

Eli smiled at the notion and unconsciously took a seat near him, taking a look inside of the book. A beautifully colored book about sexual reproduction. This caused Eli to blush just a little bit but she paid no mind. “A-a picture book? The colors are alluring. Are you interested in picture books?” This made her quite chipper, standing up from her seat and looking around the library.

She had been here earlier and had already memorized all of the sections, quickly heading over to the picture book section where she had found a mesmerizing picture book that featured nature, animals, and fairies.

She carefully slid the book out of it’s place, remembering the books that were next to it so that she didn’t misplace it afterwards. Heading back over to him, she took a seat once again, gently placing the book on her lap. “If it’s picture books, I recommend this one! The drawings are beautiful and the author is a well known artist as well. He created more than 8 masterpieces in his life that hang wonderfully in art museums for people to admire. I especially like this one,” Pointing to a picture of a fairy that was sitting on top of a tree while a deer with two heads drank water.

“The colors don’t make sense to some people. A blue and green deer with a pink tree and a black and yellow fairy. I honestly think that they stand for the unknown beauty that lurks in the forests. A deer could have two sides, one of which we don’t know. Or maybe we know neither sides of a deer. Maybe they don't want us to know at all.” She unknowingly had begun to ramble, stopping herself at this realization. Whenever books were involved, she always ended up getting carried away, almost as if she wasn’t quite a recluse person in the first place. She turned to the man, sweetly smiling as she gestured towards the book and back.

@Ashifili

Uwah.

This was certainly someone who was interested in books, huh? A little at awe about how much of what she said went right over Arata’s brick-instead-of-brain head, the oni only smiled and nodded diplomatically as the girl went about, drawing out another colorful, slightly demented book from the library shelves. Looked like she was a regular at Liseranna Academy’s Library, huh? Wonder if she was friends with the spider lady. Arata scanned over the cover, only dimly comprehending all that she spat out about masterpieces and art museums. Looked like, to him, that the person was just depicting a bunch of random monsters.

“Well then,” the oni said, once she stopped herself, “I don’t know how to read, so I’ve just been willing myself to do so for the past hour. Can’t really say that I like picture books, but at least I can sorta tell what’s going on through them.”

He stuck out a hand over the table. “Name’s Arata, representative and sole survive of the Night Parade of One Thousand. And you are?”
@sakurasan

"In the director's office?" Juliann wondered just what would be so important that A would decide to keep it in his office rather than scatter it around in the island. It was extense enough for any one person to not be able to find whatever he was hiding right away, not to mention that he could also simply teleport it away.

Then again, it was the director, after all. Doing things on a whim meant that he didn't really put much thought behinds his actions, most of the time.

"Ah, my own name is Juliann Espada. I don't think I properly introduced myself before." She introduced herself, the ghost of a smile in her face. "And do you really plan on going into the office of that madman? He did say that he would eliminate every and each one of the people that dared step into his office looking for those papers. I'm sure no one is actually looking to face off against him."

---

@BlackPanther

@GrafRoy Zeppeli

Cupido nods when she introduces herself a form of acknowledgment to her name. When she speaks of the office he nods again. "indeed he did, however I was curious as to the solutions a group would come up with....and since it would seem the group im in has no intentions of finding me...no I don't intend to step foot in that office darling" he looks at her his pink eyes seeming to swirl like a deep abyss.

"it would seem most are off doing their own thing at this point...so if you find need of me...I'm sure you will find me darling" he gives a smile with that and in a smooth step turns straightens, and walks off. His direction toward the library finding that he was intrigued of the chaos the students were doing to themselves. That and he may just settle down and read something....maybe. After all some of those books helped him self teach a lot of his illusions....and how to make them far more real feeling even when they are clearly fake.

Arthur was a wreck. Oni's lived up to their reputation that much was for certain, main reason Arthur didn't want to fight one in the games. But at least since he had to it was dealt with early. Now Arthur was sitting in a chair in the infirmary. Rollanda, or rather one of her nurses, informed Arthur that Iravis, the demon, and even Arata were going to be fine. Arthur actually looked forward to his next conversation with the oni, was bound to be interesting.

Standing, Arthur decided that since his team was down for the count it was once again all up to him to save the day. Or in this case solve the riddle. Of course, Arthur wasn't going to actually solve the riddle, he knew he wouldn't be able to. So the next best course of action was to find someone who could.

So, ask random people until he found someone? No because if anyone had figured it out it is because they also hunt for it. The spider in the library? Possible, Arthur wasn't taken aback by the girl, in fact she was rather cute. But the other possibility was frankly to interesting to not pass up. The person who could solve the riddle, was clearly the person who wrote it.

So Arthur made his way towards the director's office, it was a long walk, anywhere in this school was due to it's sheer size, and Arthur would have teleported but his mana was running on empty after that battle and hasn't had time to refill. So Arthur made the walk to A's office, then stood right outside the door to the waiting area and gave three solid knocks.

"Come right in, darling. It is open." The director chimed from the inside.

Oddly, he seemed as perky and energetic as ever, as if the incident with Victarian had never happened.

Arthur opens the door, but doesn't step in, before calling over, "Do you count the waiting room as part of your office? I would hate to intrude and you feel the need to keep good on your word involving anyone in your office within the next two weeks."

"Anyone looking for the Alanteia family documents, dear. I hold no such animosity for those with different riddles." He said, his ever present smile in his face. "So! To what do I owe the honor of having Mister Wick here in my office?"

The man walked past his desk and towards Arthur, standing right in front of him with his hands behind his back.

"Just so you know, I don't plan on giving the answer to the riddle. At least, not without you making some kind of effort yourself."

Arthur had stepped into the room a single step before the director was right in front of him. Of course the man knew what Arthur was here for. Clear your mind Arthur, Clear your oh screw it, that won't work. "I don't intend to ask for the answer to the riddle. I instead want to ask where the treasure the riddle is pointing towards is." Arthur replied with a smile on his face, "Of course, you may not like that work around, so if I may take a seat I'm willing to try twenty other questions, assuming your not busy laughing in the corner of course sir." Sir, good word. This was Arthur's boss and being, wait, hold that thought, rather don't think that thought.

Anyways, feed his ego a little, ask some clever questions, hold his interest, save the day for the team. Or something along those lines. Or just have a amazing conversation with a madman, they make the best conversationalist. Of course, calling A a madman could end poorly. Wait, could he read thoughts? Why do you think you were trying to clear your thoughts. Dammit Arthur how are you suppose to do anything against a foe like this? Don't think of him as a foe, least he agree. Argh

"If you wish to live, I suggest getting your head out of whatever gutter you got it into and thinking straight. You have a rather low opinion on me, don't you? Fear not, mister Wick. I only attempt to kill those I find interesting, and I find you, complete with that dragon kill and all, utterly and completely boring." the man answered with a smile.

Well, it did seem like he could read Arthur's thoughts.

"So, I ask you. What are you willing to do to get that information, mister Wick?"

Well, thinking in any direction that could be considered straight would be hard. Arthur's mind had a poor habit of trying to be in six places at once even if he didn't want it to be. Hell, especially if he didn't want it to be. Regardless, A asked a question.

"I don't suppose it would be as simple and interesting as having a lengthy conversation with you?" Arthur asked.

"If that is all, then you should get out of my office. I've spoken with the best of philosophers back in my time, if you dare say that your talk is more interesting than that, then go ahead. I think we can play a game."

A malicious smile appeared in his face. A game. Yes, perfect for keeping himself busy.

A game. Arthur knew this was a gamble, hell, this was practically a form of suicide. The director was a powerful man, at least Arthur hoped he was a man. Regardless the end result of what happened here could be life changing. Likely not, but it could be. The fire inside Arthur was burning bright from the possibilities.

"Very well sir. Few things pass time as well as a good game."

"That is more like it. My dearest, this game has no name because it is one I just came up with."

He extended his hand to the side, and what appeared to be a meter that read 'HAPPINESS' was on top of it. At the moment, it was empty.

"Let's have a chat. If you manage to keep this meter at least in the middle, I will give you what you came here to look for. If it gets below that, I will start gnawing at your soul, slowly eating it away until there's nothing left of it. How does that sound? You talk, keep me entertained and if you accomplish that, you might even get more than you bargained for. Fail, and your soul will be destroyed."

"I suppose I'm on the clock now then? Not even time to ask for something to drink? Arthur asked before saying, "Should we remain standing? From personal experience conversations are best held sitting."

"Yes, on the clock might be a suitable analogy." The man chimed, but with his next comment, the meter suddenly made a buzzing sound.

Then, Arthur would feel as if a spear pierced through his chest, but the damage was not physical, it was spiritual.

The pain would remain there until the game ended. A proof that the director was really serious about this.

"Yes, we should sit." The man walked outside the room and sat down on one of the colorful sofas that the waiting room had. He motioned to his side, encouraging Arthur to sit beside him.

"Argh" Well this was serious. Of course, it wouldn't be much fun if it wasn't, been a great many years since Arthur had a real challenge. Hopefully this time he won't get cursed afterwards. Or his soul destroyed for that matter.

Taking a seat alongside the director Arthur decided that a drink was in fact off the table. Oh well, how to start this off then? "So, how's your day going?"

"Quite lovely indeed. I have had the chance to talk with an old enemy of mine. Hopefully, he'll stay out of my academy for a bit longer than I want him to."

The meter filled up a bit, with a pink-ish substance.

"What about yours? Mind you, I already know. Tell it in a way that keeps me entertained."

Arthur looked over at the man, and the meter. Well at least he would know when he was winning. Is it winning? No, not quite winning, rather not losing. Regardless, "Well, I came in to work today after my morning routine, and you of course gave your speech. Then before I could do anything a women beset me and imparted information you clearly already know, wouldn't want to bore you with it. Had some divine liquor, which was interesting."

"And then?" The man said, crossing his legs in the most effeminate way possible.

Arthur sighed before continuing, "Then a student got angry by my presence, and needed to be disciplined. That oni boy from before I'm sure you remember. He punched Iravis in the face, tore the arm off... I actually haven't caught that girl's name yet, actually feel a bit terrible about that now. How do you remember everyone's names anyways? But I'm digressing. The boy tore the arm of a girl, gruesome sight, blood everywhere. Swung her around like a damn club before her arm and herself separated. The girl managed to melt one of the boy's arms and a hole into his chest though."

"Oh, bloody. I am sure 'tis was a sight to behold, because I saw it!" The man chuckled, the meter filling up a bit again.

Arthur would risk a glance at the meter if it didn't sound like watching a pot to make it boil. So instead he continued.
"I thought that if I burned away the boys heart he would stop, so I got him to look at me, imagine my surprise when I find the prick's heart was already half melted! So I did the next best thing while he jumped at me, I let loose and burnt the kid away to damn near nothing. I think he'll be fine though, sure he had fun."

"Oh, I am sure he did. Unlike me, Arata has find many worthy rivals in this school. I am glad that this little playground entertains someone else aside from me." He chuckled again.

"And what about you, Arthur? It is exciting enough for you in this school, ogh for you in this school, or do you miss your dragon slaying days?"

"I have to admit, the excuse to never be sober is missed. But most of the days back then were the same, at least around here you keep everyone on their toes." Arthur said with a slight chuckle. "Hell, I'm having a conversation to the very possible death, that beats dragon slaying any day."

The meter went up again, being just a bit before the middle, where Arthur wanted it to be if he appreciated his life.

"I am glad it is to your liking, my dear boy." He nodded and smiled again. "Let's then talk about our love life! Do you have any lady in your eyes, mister Wick? Or perhaps a man? The heart can be a whimsical thing, yes, it can."

he nodded and cupped his cheek with his left hand.

Well, this was an interesting move. Arthur knew something like this would be coming, and his answer was likely to spell the difference between victory and defeat. No matter, he had defeated a dragon by force of will, this foe, no not a foe just a nice, not foe person, would be defe- talked to the same way. Regardless, Arthur's love life...
"Well, you might recall back when I was a student here and was on a team. That team that died fighting that dragon. I was actually in love with one of them, but alas, dragon. Been hard to find a meaningful relationship after that."

A deep sigh, "Your not going to be content with that answer though are you? Well as I'm sure you know my... my familiar came here, I think I saw what I saw in her in the past, not counting the obvious assets. And... I admit to having feelings one could liken to a forbidden love." Of course, A being damn near everywhere he could likely make a good guess, but being completely forthcoming with all information sounds more boring than anything, and like it would be a rather one sided conversation.

"Oh, but there's nothing bad with a forbidden love, is there?" The man nodded. "And why is it forbidden, if I might ask? Why do YOU think it is not allowed for you to love your familiar? It isn't too odd for someone to fall in love with their familiar. Ah, yes, the spice of youth. How I miss the days I too could prance around like a maiden in love."

The meter went back down, somehow. Perhaps it was because of how A thought that he was being narrow minded.

Seems A may have misunderstood. Of course saying that aloud would be- wait. Couldn't A? Dammit how did Arthur keep forgetting that. Well, might as well continue.
"No, not to say I don't have feelings for my familiar, but I also have... I also have my eye on another, a very percular student. A, dare I say a bad pun? I dare. A very hot student."

"Oh ho ho ho," A bent down and hit his knee as he laughed, his voice stale and monotone.

The meter went down again and this time, Arthur would feel a spear piercing his knee.

"It was the worst pun ever. Don't make one like that again, will you?" He added. "And yes, the forbidden fruit. You can reach for one, for Joulie, or reach for Iravis. In the end, you feel like you'll lose them both, or at least one of them. Something that you definitely do not want to do."

"But, haven't your familiar and you shared vows? Something that expresses your trust in one another?" He nodded in response to himself. "There you have your answer." And then he smiled maliciously. "She's bound to you for eternity, until you die or break off the contract. Joulie can't get away from your grasp, even if she wanted. Do you think not that you should take advantage of this?"

Take advantage? Those word, well, thoughts left a sour taste in Arthur's mouth. Or, mind. Anyways. Of course, there was also that sharp pain in Arthur's knee, and the duller but still evident one in his chest. Wounds, but neither killing blows yet. Arthur could still yet fight. Was this a fight now? Very well, a battle of words and wits was still battle, though perhaps not a serious one for one of the combatants.
"If I was immortal then I believe I couldn't say no to that idea. Of course, from my knowledge I am completely mortal and having an angry Valkyrie over my corpse doesn't sound very pleasant. Don't suppose you have anyone in particular you fancy?"

"Don't try to change the subject, if you'd please, mister Wick." He said, his eyes opening a bit.

Arthur wasn't like Zan, he still felt fear, and gazing into the man's eyes certainly would strike fear into his soul, even more so than any dragon.

"Tell me, do you wish to take the phoenix for yourself? If you do, you might want to train some. Some hardships await for you in the future if you truly wish to be together with the phoenix."

As for his love interest, well, he should already know. Ever single man in Liseranna was good with him.

Arthur realized he had made a small error before he saw the director's eyes. Or at least, what was visible of them, but even that was enough to frighten. Of course Arthur was scared, and also asking himself why the hell A had such curious eyes. Of course, Arthur couldn't break away from the director's gaze. To do so would to admit defeat.
"Hardships? Well, such things can't be evaded I suppose. Of course, that is for naught if I fail here eh? I doubt I could, 'take the phoenix for myself' completely. At least, not with a single human lifespan. Ah but I can try, I suppose it would be fun for you to watch regardless of the outcome?"

"Is that truthfully what all of your resolve paramounts to?" The meter, regardless, went up, despite the man giving a disapproving shake of his head.

"One would expect that after facing a dragon, there would be almost nothing a man would fear. Aside from clear exceptions, of course, but I guess one always feel like a young idiot when their hearts are trapped by love. Tell me, dear, what do you seek of this pursuit of love?"

"Only carnal desires? Do you wish to do nothing more but to spend the night with her and toss her aside, or do you want something else?" The man tried to make the conversation stay on this course, it seemed.

That was a good question indeed. What did Arthur want from this?"She is of fire, my heart tells me to go after her while my mind reminds me of what could go wrong. It is rather annoying. I can't be sure why but after talking to you sir I think I'll follow my heart rather than my mind for awhile."

"Though I can not deny that she is also quite easy to look at and my mind goes to places it really shouldn't.'

"You don't have to tell ME that, darling." He laughs a bit, and the meter goes up some more.

"In any case, if you truly feel that what you should follow is your heart, then you've already taken a step forward, m'dear. It is only a matter of whether or not you'll act." He winks at Arthur.

"In any case, I am now tired of this conversation. What should we talk about next? Just in case you were wondering, you've already filled up half of the meter. We can end this wretched game if you like or continue, and I will give you that bonus I was talking about before."

Arthur rubbed his knee with one hand before saying, "What would be the point of the game if we ended it before it was finished? I mean, my knee would disagree but I've had worse pains before." The pyromancer then asked, "Know any good jokes Director?"

"Oh, yes. Yes I do. How do you fit 30 jews in a single car?" A seemed eager.

"A good question, how do you?" Arthur asked, jokes were always the best.

"You fit two at the front, three in the back, and the remaining 25 in the ashtray." The director then chuckled. Ah, dark humor was always the best.

"What about you, dear? A joke you would care sharing?"

Arthur couldn't help but laugh at the joke, not loudly or for long, a few good laughs before he pulled himself together.

"While it would be hard to top yours but I do have one. How does Hitler tie his shoes?" Arthur began.

"Well, I do not know. I never asked him. How DOES Hitler tie his shoes?" He seemed more interested now.

Jokes seemed to be a bit of a soft spot for the man, as well as romance.

Regardless, the meter went up again, ever so slightly.

Arthur waited a moment, not long least the joke be ruined. "He ties them in little nazis." Arthur finished, a smile creeping up his face at the pun. Hopefully this on was a bit more on point, Arthur didn't like the idea of both his knees being speared through.

"Now, that is a better pun than the last one." The man nodded. "My turn then. A man storms into a bar, gun in hand, and shouts 'I'm going to kill whoever fucked my daughter!'. A voice at the back of the bar answers, 'You don't have enough bullets, mate!'"

Man, that was funny. Bloody hell why has Arthur not had more conversations with the Director? He'd have chats like this for free if his soul wasn't on the line.
"Haha, bloody hell that was good. I suppose that makes it my turn? Alright this one takes some set up."

"Mother Teresa was in, say, New York on buiness, but she still made time to go to the park and enjoy nature every day. She would go out with two of her nuns, the three of them just enjoying life. The three of them were sitting at a bench when a man walks up wearing a long coat. The man stops, looks to them, opens his coat. Stark nude. The two nuns faint and Teresa says, It is alright my son, god loves you. Don't do it again."
Arthur takes a breath before continuing, "The next day Mother Teresa is out there with two new nuns. The man comes back, opens his coat, still naked. The nuns faint and Teresa says, No no, god loves you. You have to stop this, don't do it again. The next day Mother Teresa went to the park again, two new nuns at her side. They're sitting on the bench when the man comes up and opens his coat and he's still naked. The nuns faint but Mother Teresa says, Oh those are nice, could I touch them? and the man lets her." Arthur then holds his hands out like he's cupping and feeling, "Teresa says, These are nice, yes yes,-" Arthur then starts slapping his hands together violently, [color=9e0b0f]"[/i]Don't. you. ever. do. that. again.[/i]"[/color]

"Ouch. I can think of some people that could be the man that walked up to Mother Teresa." The man answered, grimacing as he thought about it.

Arthur was yet to see the man have a fit of laughter, but perhaps he would be content with the meter rising in the stead of A's laugh.

"Hm," He turned his gaze upwards, looking at the meter. "I think it is pretty much filled. Just for reference in the future, I love jokes." He smiled as he put a single finger up.

"Do you want to end this, or would you like to continue? I'm plenty sure you are eager to finish this conversation that could most probably end in your disappearance from the face of the Earth, though."

Arthur shrugged, "It's a bit late to set out for wherever the treasure is, and it'll take time to gather the party beforehand so no point doing that till tomorrow. I've a bit more time to spare and you have once again found an interesting way to make something mudane life threatening and fun. Let's talk a few more minutes at least."

"Okay then, I will follow up with a joke of my own." He then cleared his throat.

"Two policemen stand outside a bar, with a dog on a leash. They are on the lookout for any shady business that might be happening in the outside of the bar. In any case, they are both concentrated in doing their patrols and whatnot, when a man comes out from the bar. He proceeds to lift the dog's tail and take a look at the dog's rear. Unsurprised and shrugging, the man goes back into the bar. The policemen look at each other, bewildered, but blame it on the man's being drunk. A while afterwards, another man comes out from the bar and repeats the process, looking at the dog's rear after lifting its tail. The two policemen look at each other again, thinking that this might start getting fishy, but lastly shrug it off, blaming it again on the wretched alcohol. A few minutes later, another man comes out and takes a look at the dog's rear after lifting its tail. Finally, one of the policemen asks him, 'Why are all of you coming to look at the butt of our dog? You are the third one today!' The man, already tipsy, answers, 'Well, rumor has it inside the bar that there's a dog with two assholes outside the bar.'"

He then awaited Arthur's reaction.

Arthur listened intently on the joke, halfway through stiffling a laugh as he remembered the punchline, then laughing outright as the joke ended. "How am I going to contend with that? I already used the Teresa one, I suppose I'll turn to a blond joke. You don't mind do you?" Arthur asked before starting his joke, "So, three women are running from the cops, a red head, a brunette and a blond. They're in the outskirts of town before the cops start catching up, so the three women jump into burlap sacks to hide. The cops get out of their cars to check the bags, a cop kicks the first bag, which held the redhead."
"The women goes meow and the cops conclude that there must be a cat in the bag. They kick the next bag, to which the brunette goes woof and the cops decide it must be a dog inside. A cop kicks the last bag to which they all hear the word, potatoe"

---

---

---

After that, the group was transported to Japan.

Ise, Japan, to be more precise.

Atara took into his surroundings, remembering his home country and sniffing the air with a nostalgic feeling in his chest.

"Well, we are here." He let go of Charlotte and Runik's hand.

The place they were on was the rooftop of some building or other. It was raining and the sky was gray, and still he felt at home, despite the terrible weather.

"C-Can't we get inside somewhere? I think I might catch a cold here. *acho*" Charlotte sneezed.

Yeah, not the best day to be wearing a one piece dress, white to top it off. If someone was a lolicon, they would probably be jumping with joy.

As soon as the teleportation had finished, Runik let go of the others' hands and cradled his head. The sense of vertigo didn't last for long, but it was a reminder of why he had not bothered with the high maneuverability such magic allowed.

"Great..." While it didn't affect him as much as it did Charlotte, soaked clothing was still rather unpleasant. Rolling down his sleeves to cover the runes, the soft glow just barely managed to seep through the material. The rain seemed to roll off a thin barrier of air that formed around both him and Charlotte, and when he exhaled a rush of hot air dried out their slightly damp clothes.

"Where to now, Atara?" Even if it might have been a decent vantage point, there was little Runik recognized and the shitty weather limited his visibility greatly.

Ugh. Teleporting had always felt weird to her. She was used to traveling quickling using her lightning every now and then, but teleporting just never sat well with her. At least there was a pleasant, calming rain falling.

"Not a fan of the rain?" She asked Runik, a single flap of her wings sending water flying right into Atara. "I find it rather pleasant myself." She gave the annoying human a rather challenging smirk as she did so.

"And I was promised food. So we should do that first."

Atara tried to cover himself with his arm, but well, the amount of water was a bit too much.

With an unamused expression in his face, he sighed.

"I won't be as petty as to fall for your stupid provocations. And yes, let's get food. I hadn't had breakfast in preparation for this." A real smile appeared in his face.

"Are you still hungry, miss Sorcha?" Charlotte turned to the dragon.

Atara then stepped towards the door leading to the inside of the building and opened it. It wasn't locked, thank God.

Afterwards, he guided everyone down, and every single person in the building bowed down to Atara as he passed by, and he merely acknowledged them with a wave of his hand.

Finally, they went out of the building and Atara guided them to yet another establishment A ramen stall in the side of the road.

"Here it is, sit on down everyone." Atara said, and remained standing until the others went on to sit down.

"Hm, I didn't get breakfast either. But is this good? I don't like Japanese food too much." Charlotte said, covering her nose a bit.

Yeah, sushi wasn't her thing.

"Not particularly," he remarked, and then suppressed a sigh at the dragon's antics. With a deep breath, a rush of dry heat left Atara's clothes completely dry as thanks for not rising up to the bait. With that done, he followed after their de facto leader into the building.

It wasn't too surprising that everyone recognized and acknowledged the onmyouji; it made sense that the teleport pad was secured at both ends after all. Grateful for a lack of fanfare on their way through, Runik did blink a bit at the rather unimpressive ramen stall they were lead to. Hole-in-the-wall places had to be pretty decent to survive though, so with a shrug he sat down and said, "I'll take whatever you're getting." It wasn't like he could read what any of the menu said anyways.

Sorcha harrumphed as Atara didn't respond to her provoking, and Runik drying him off. He should have let the man catch the flu and die. She did nothing though, only because she was promised food, and she wasn't gonna look a gift horse in the mouth.

"I'm a dragon," She replied to Charlotte instead. "We tend to eat a lot." Of course, some tended to eat more than others...like a certain lightning dragon.

She followed quietly ignoring most of the other humans bowing to Atara, and soon enough they arrived at some outdoor vendor. It certainly smelled good.

She took a seat at the stall, and gave Atara a smirk. "I'll take one of everything."

"Dunno what I expected, seriously, but sure go ahead." Atara answered to Sorcha's request for one of everything.

"And sure," Atara took a seat beside Sorcha, unpleasant as she found it. "Jii-san, tonkotsu ramen, futatsu!" He put two fingers up as he ordered some ramen.

The man in the stall nodded and got to work. Luckily, it appeared that he knew english, so that saved Sorcha, Charlotte and Runik some trouble.

"Come, sit on down, Runik. Promise I won't try to kill you." He smirked.

"Is it okay if I taste some of what you order, miss Sorcha?" Charlotte sat beside her. "I dunno what this ramen stuff is, so..."

Sorcha actually gave Charlotte a bit of a glare, before giving a sigh and relenting.

"Fiiine. Have some."

---

After leaving Atara's wallet empty, the group left for the first shrine where the onmyouji supposed the mirror of Amaterasu was.

The shrine was a sight to behold. The holy aura permeating the whole place was evident, even more so to the magicians.

Despite not being a demon, Belphegor still cringed as Charlotte entered the place, which in turn sent a chill down the girl's spine.

"W-What was that?" She asked, looking to her sides as she looked for the source of the sudden chilliness she felt.

"It must be the spirits roaming around here. They are abundant in this place." Atara answered.

Unlike Runik and Sorcha, the two Pythones mages could see the shining balls of light that were in the place, dancing about.

"They are so pretty."

"Yes they are, but something's wrong." Atara approached one of the spirits and touched it, making it visible to the other two as his hand reached it.

The ball of light suddenly turned red and escaped into the temple.

That's when an ominous aura poured over all of them. The sky turned black and the pressure around them seemed to increase.

"Return from whence you came from." The voice of a woman said from inside the temple. "Or I will be obligated to make you leave."

Atara grinned.

"Already hit the jackpot, huh? We are damn lucky. Prepare for battle!" He turned to the group.

While he would have enjoyed a nice nap after such a meal, Runik had his priorities in the right place. They had a lead on the other groups, but there was no telling how long it would last or if it had already began to shrink.

The shrine they arrived at was more than just scenic. There was a sense of power to the location, one far more potent than what the worship of the masses could be responsible for. His eyes narrowed as mana began to circulate more rapidly and he glanced at Atara for an explanation. .

A quick blink and he focused on the appeared orb, frowning as its glow shifted to a red. Red seemed hardly friendly... and the ominous presence that weighed down on him moments later merely confirmed that. Grateful that whatever opposition faced them had the courtesy of giving both a verbal and obvious visual warning, Runik used the time to try and get more information from Atara.

"Battle against what? Weaknesses? Things I shouldn't try to hit whatever's coming with?"

Well, despite Charlotte eating some of her food, the dragon had to admit she was satisfied. She would have liked to take a nice long nap after that, but she had business to attend to. So, she followed Atara and ruin to the shrine.

It was definitely a sight to behold, though the dragon merely yawned at its appearance. Nothing was so grand as her own magnificent true form to her, not even this shrine. A pity she couldn't bless the mortals with her presence.

She watched the orb. Spirits, then, and from what she knew red hardly meant anything friendly, and the following ominous presence only confirmed that. At least the spirit, whoever it was, was decent enough to issue them a challenge and a warning.

"Who cares, Runik?" A small smirk formed on the dragon's lips. "A fight is a fight, I will hardly decline if I am challenged and if you have any shred of honor so will you." She turned towards the entrance of the shrine, obviously pleased with the turn of events. This would be a good chance to test her skills after so long. "'Tis an honor, to fight with a dragon you know, so be grateful."

With that said, she gave a powerful flap of her wings, sending a powerful gust of wind towards the shrine.

"You dare challenge a dragon?" Sorcha shouted in the direction of the shrine, seemingly unaffected or ignoring the pressure the rest of them were feeling. "You must have a death wish worse than Atara here, creature." She brandished her glaive, electricity arcing across it in its usual fashion as she held it in front of her, obviously anticipating a battle.

"Come out, and face me then! Or send whatever lackeys thou hast, coward, and I will cut them down!"

"Hmph." The strong gust of wind was answered with an ominous purple smoke that started coming from the shrine.

"So be it. I will grant you mortals with death."

Out of the shrine came a purple woman, seemingly riding the smoke and hardly dressed.

"Face me, the Binbougami, and despair." The woman said.

Despite everyone readying for a fight, Atara remained in place.

"A binbougami...." He finally snapped out of it and started shouting, "Wait-!" Before he could finish, the Goddess had slammed something in front of him.

Some kind of statue. She was going for the kill right away, it seemed.

While he could hardly disagree that a fight needed little reason behind it, Runik hardly gave a damn about honor or any perceived lack of it. Granted Sorcha was correct that this challenge was not one to be ignored given the importance Atara seemed to place on this location. "Tch." Beyond that the dragon didn't receive a response as his magic began to permeate through their surroundings.

"Really..." Despite the weight and presence the woman held, her skimpy attire made it hard to really feel intimidated. A sideways glance at Sorcha whose outfit was slightly better, and Runik simply sighed as he reached out and grabbed Atara's collar, dragging the onmyouji back from the fallen statue.

Given how enthusiastic she was about the battle, Runik figured Sorcha would delay the Binbougami long enough for Atara to speak. "Come on, hurry up. Finish what you were trying to say. Also the hell's a Binbougami?"

Sorcha didn't give the Binbougami much time for a second attack. If the spirit was eager for a fight too, then she wouldn't object. She wasn't familiar with Japanese spirits or gods, but she was confident she could win even in her current condition.

The dragon leapt into action the moment the statue nearly crushed Atara, closing the distance between her and the Goddess in a matter of seconds.

Without a word, she spun her glaive and made a downward strike, aimed right for the woman's head.

The purple gas surrounding the Goddess made things easy for her, as Sorcha's attack completely missed as if her aim had been wrong all along.

Charlotte was watching everything from the back, a bit scared, and Belphegor, well, it seemed he had no intention of getting up any time soon. Hadn't spoken since Charlotte glomped Sorcha.

"Idiot!" Atara shouted. "Get out of that purple shit! It causes misfortune! Your attacks will miss as long as you are inside of that thing!"

He then turned to Runik, eager to answer him. But the Binbougami knew that the man holding the information was no other than Atara.

Another thing was thrown their way, a single spear that almost took Atara's ear and almost severed Runik's nose, avoiding the two by just centimeters.

"A binbougami is a lesser God of Shinto!" Atara said as he hurried back up. "A god of misfortune! She can cause it to others, resulting in what just happened with the dragon!"

He then started running away from Runik, readying a pair of papers.

"This can only mean we fucked up. There's no mirror of Amaterasu here." He explained.

"H-Hey, I don't get what's going on!" Charlotte shouted at Sorcha. "Why are we even fighting?!"

Surprise flashed across Runik's expression as he saw what seemed to be an on-the-point attack miss entirely instead. Unsurprisingly though, Atara had an explanation and that marked him as a priority target for the spirit. 'Fucking hate it when they're smart,' he thought as the projectile whistled past close enough he went a bit cross eyed trying to track it.

As soon as Atara was on his feet, Runik hurried up and off in the other direction. 'Fantastic.' What was with it and enemies he couldn't afford to do what he did best against recently? The Binbougami probably had a way to disrupt his attempts to build up anything powerful enough to put her down instantly, and considering she governed misfortune it would probably end badly for him.

"Why the fuck are we fighting her then?!? And if you tell me it's because you want a new summon, I'll turn you to ash after we're done here!" With that said he still raised his hand, and spiky spheres of ice blossomed into existence around the Binbougami. They lingered about, merely to hem and impede the spirit's movement for now.

Sorcha simply growled as her attack seemingly missed. At least Atara was good for something, however. Upon hearing his words, she leaped backwards and put enough distance between the two of them for her to be out of the smoke.

If that smoke did cause misfortune, she had no intention of being caught in it and having her...condition act up.

"You're gonna be annoying to fight, aren't you?" She growled again, taking a defensive stance. If this was a ranged fight though, that was something she could do just as well.

She flapped her wings, sending a large gust of wind towards the Goddess, in hopes of seeing if if could dispel the smoke, even a little. Ugh, she really hated the days where she could just challenge a knight to a duel.

"Charlotte, stay out of this, alright?" She called back to the child as she focused energy into her glaive and sent a blast of electricity towards the Binbougami.

"I can't summon shit like this, even if I trained my whole life! I'll try to look for an opening so we can escape!" He was about to throw a pair of his papers to the air to summon some Youkai, but the Goddess spoke instead.

"It is no use." She said, her voice as deep as before. "This whole area is now sealed. Nothing can get in, or out, unless you defeat me."

She then noticed the lightning coming at her. With a chuckle, she intended to gracefully evade it by rolly to her side, but that's when her head hit one of the spiky spheres Runik had set up.

"Ouch! Who put this here?"

"I kind of forgot to tell you, but the Goddess is also real unlucky." Atara said with a stifled chuckle.

"Hey, that's mean! She could get hurt with those spikey balls!" Charlotte answered Atara's mocking tone, believing he was the one to put them up.

"Urgh, I won't let this stop me!" She extended her hand to take one of the spiky balls of ice and then threw it towards Runik, knowing he was true culprit behind them.

She also hoped he would ignore the 'Ouch' that was heard after she took the iceball.

Well, on the bright side Atara hadn't intentionally dragged them into a fight with a lesser deity. And on the bad side, they were now stuck in a fight against a lesser deity. Who helpfully informed them that there was one way out, namely through her. "Always did moan about a challenge," he muttered quietly more for himself than anything before he cocked his head in confusion.

Between the Binbougami's reaction, Atara's barely contained laughter, and Charlotte's indignation on the Goddess' behalf, he could have easily believed this was a comedy sketch of sorts as tension disappeared off to who knows where like a snapped rubber band. Resisting the urge to pinch his forehead, he gave the Goddess a look as if to say, "Really?" when she tried to use one of his own creations against him.

Rather than budge in the slightest, the iceball remained firmly where it was and the ice rapidly began to spread up the Binbougami's limb instead. The other spiked balls also closed in on the Goddess instantly, though they didn't actually touch her. "Can we just stop this now? If the Mirror's not even here I don't see the point of this..."

Well, running wasn't on Sorcha's agenda to begin with. At least the...goddess, if she could be called that seemed rather incompetent. She even had to suppress her own laughter as the Binbougami was struck with misfortune herself.

"She's not...all that bright is she?" She mused aloud, becoming much more relaxed as she was surrounded by Runik's ice, though upon hearing him suggest they leave she shot him a sharp glare. "You expect me to leave after she challenged us? I have no intention of doing such a thing."

"B-But I never told you I wanted to fight!" Finally, the started to speak, trying to reason with the ones that had attacked first. "I just said I would make you leave, but you've got to be a real blockhead to think that means I want to fight you. And the dragon was the one that picked a fight here!"

"See? She never meant bad!" Charlotte approached the goddess, minding not the purple gas around her. "We could have just talk! Now, we can just leave, right?"

"The thing is... I kind of put that barrier because I was surprised. I... can't really put it down at will. You really need to defeat me." The goddess let her head hang.

"This goddess is an idiot. A real idiot." Atara shook his head and then sighed. There were few stupid enough to put up a barrier like this.

Unbowed by Sorcha's glare, Runik met her eyes without flinching and nodded. "I expect you to bear no ill will to someone fulfilling their duties against trespassers. If we needed to get past her, then we would continue, but there is nothing here for us." Granted the Binbougami hadn't exactly helped with her warning shot before Atara could fully explain, but Sorcha had been the one to actually engage. For a moment he glanced at Charlotte, considering whether to use the dragon's apparent affinity for the child, but ultimately didn't touch it. It would work on its own if it did.

A sigh of suffering escaped Runik at the reveal that their only way out was still through the Goddess apparently. Inclined to agree with Atara, he rubbed at his forehead slowly before he looked to the Goddess. "We can't brute force our way through?" In the middle of battle against her he doubt he would have had enough time to muster enough mana to shatter a barrier she had raised, but with as much time as he needed? Well he could put out some pretty powerful magic.

Naturally the follow-up to that was, "Is shattering your physical form enough, or do we need to go find your shrine and trash that?" Lastly, regardless of how his previous questions were answered Runik also asked, "I don't suppose you could point us in the direction of the Yata no Kagami?" It was a bit of a long shot and he was aware the question might actually affront the Goddess, but if it'd save them plenty of time if she was co-operative.

Upon hearing the goddesses' words, Sorcha simply stared at her in mild disbelief. However, she realized, that she may have in fact, fucked up, as they say.

Immediately, the dragon felt a bit embarrassed. Well, it was logical to believe the binbougami didn't want to fight them. Her pride had simply taken that as a challenge, and it wasn't something she was gonna let go. She knew she was at fault here, at least a little and as much as her pride would like to continue fighting that would probably be a bad idea.

Sorcha didn't know what to make of the situation, so she simply kept quiet, a bit too prideful to directly admit her slip up. So she kept an eye on Charlotte and remained quiet until she had something to add or say.

"Shattering this physical form should be enough." The binbougami put her own hand on her chest. "It would be, um, rather difficult, though. You'd need an attack that would make my physical form shatter in a single moment, since this mist quickly heals my wounds."

"You should also back away, girl. If you keep yourself here for any longer, I fear that your luck will be bad for the rest of this day."

"U-Um... okay. I'll just step out of the mist, then." she nodded, before jumping out of the mist... and slipping and almost hitting her head.

Luckily, and after too much sleep, Belphegor was quick to change places with her and help her do a somersault to make her land safely a few steps away.

"A-Ah, thanks about that, Belly." She thanked the spirit, but he merely returned to sleep.

"In any case, if you have such an attack, I suggest using it against me. This form needs to be destroyed completely before you can move on. And regarding the mirror, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you where it is. My mission here was to keep you from moving to the next shrine, so I guess... I did that actually, though it wasn't entirely my intention. I honestly didn't expect people until after an hour or so." She explained.

It didn't seem like the Binbougami really minded with how casually she explained, and that certainly did help ease Runik's mind. The Goddess didn't seem like a bad individual, and it was unfortunate that this seemed the only way to move on. As a lesser deity though, she should recover shortly afterwards if he wasn't mistaken. Though he continued to listen, the majority of his focus was directed towards the attack that would allow them to move on.

"Fuckin Director," he muttered under his breath even if there wasn't any actual confirmation that the man was responsible. Whether or not that was the case, it seemed that maintaining the ice restraint was a good idea. Couldn't trust her not to have orders to blindside the suckers who thought everything was going fine and dandy. To that end, the attack was launched almost instantly when the first sign appeared after a minute of preparation. The sign was a small orb that even Charlotte could have clenched in her fist without any trouble, and then a series of blinding flashes. The clean cuts still glowed red hot on the Binbougami’s body before flames promptly engulfed the pieces, fighting against the regenerative effects of her mist.”

Sorcha sighed. This certainly sounded like something the Director would do, but that was a thought for later. They would need to come up with a way to destroy the goddesses' physical form, which might be a bit difficult for her in her current state. She could simply call forth lightning from the heavens and turn her into a smoldering pile of ash of course, if she wanted to strain herself.

"Well, my lightning is," She began just as Runik acted. Red, clean cuts glowed on the Binbougami's body as flames engulfed her. "...certainly strong enough." She finished, a small frown. Well, he certainly was strong, wasn't he? Still she said nothing and simply waited to retaliate should the goddess try something.

"C-Could you hurry up. I might not be too susceptible to attacks, but I still feel pain... not to mention that, unfortunately, I can be rather sensitive to that." The binbougami said as she was engulfed in flames.

"Hm, does it really hurt that much?" Despite what she said, the binbougami didn't seem to mind too much, her expression just one of slight discomfort.

"Don't worry, I've got just the thing." Atara said, before throwing a paper into the air. "Answer thy covenant... TSUCHIGUMO!"

Atara screamed, before a gigantic spider leg emerged from the paper and smashed the goddess to smithereens.

"D-Don't do that! I get scared if you scream like that! Or... if something like that happens so suddenly." The goddess had surrounded herself with some kind of barrier this time, preventing the leg of the tsuchigumo from smashing her.

"WHAT THE FUCK, ARE YOU STUPID OR SOMETHING?! If you are gonna let us kill you, then don't put up stupid barriers!"

"I got scared, all right?! You don't need to shout."

If he weren't so focused on maintaining the flames while the mist tried to snuff them out, Runik definitely would have face palmed at the gag between the Goddess and Atara. Thankfully, while the onmyouji's attempt was fully blocked the flames continued to burn and Runik breathed deeply.

Each exhale intensified the flames until the Binbougami wasn't even visible beneath the dazzling white fire. Given she seemed almost unharmed despite being bisected and then carved into even smaller pieces, it couldn't hurt to be safe. He continued to pour in mana until the flames slowly changed to a less blinding hues of blue, but all the hotter for it. "Well, maybe you should be easier to kill," Runik managed to grit out.

Sorcha sighed. They weren't getting anywhere with this.

Well, she might as well do what they were having trouble with, then.

The dragon held her glaive in front of her, resting the hilt of it on the ground with the blade pointing towards the heavens. She took a deep breath as she focused. Used to, she could do something like this on a whim. Now, she'd have trouble doing it without straining herself. At least the naturally rainy weather would make this a tad bit easier.

"Very well, Binbougami." She said. "I'll destroy thy form, then." The dragon briefly turned her head to the others. "I suggest thou stand back a bit."

That was all the warning she gave them, before raising her glaive and making a similar overhead slash towards the goddess. This time, though a massive bolt of lightning fell from the heavens and crashed down on the Binbougami. To most, it would have looked like a single continuous bolt, but with a trained eye they would have seen several smaller ones.

The entire attack lasted only seconds, but hopefully it would be enough.

Compared to the natural forces of the world, Runik's capabilities were paltry and he knew it. Even focused as he was, the shift in the skies above drew his attention and he cut the flow of mana at the first rumble of thunder. It continued on and on through, countless thunderclaps blending into one continuous sound that shook the air and ground. Even thousands of meters below it, the gathered energy was enough to make his hair stand on end and the mass of plasma lit up the grey clouds like a fallen star.

When it actually struck the Goddess, the massive discharge of energy would have blinded Runik if he hadn’t shielded his eyes. His magic allowed him to discern that it was several smaller bolts rather than one massive, but the amount of energy was still hard for him to fully grasp. There was a reason he didn’t often resort to channeling actual bolts of lightning, and it wasn’t because ideal conditions were hard to come by. Beyond that it seemed like what normally occurred in microseconds was spread out over the span of several seconds, explaining why the entire shrine didn’t spontaneously combust.

Adding in his own efforts to bolster Sorcha’s attack, Runik adjusted the charge surrounding the Goddess. Even if directed, lightning still naturally sought to exit the floating Goddess and enter the ground beneath her. His efforts ensured that it remained trapped in her instead, circulating and fully expending its energy within her.

"A-Argh!" The goddess let out as the lightning struck her.

Surprised as she was, she wasn't able to put up her barrier when the lightning struck her.

It was visible how her body started falling apart, for real this time, and that the mist wouldn't be able to heal it on time.

"A-Ah! Miss Sorcha, how did you do that?" Charlotte didn't know whether to be amazed or angry, or perhaps both, but for now she would give in to her curiosity and ask Sorcha just how the hell she did that.

"Yeah, that should be enough to finish her off. Though the stupid goddess still put her barrier up." Atara sighed. Seriously, this comedy segment was really stupid, and Atara didn't feel like putting up with the Goddess's shit.

"It might not sound sincere coming from me, but I wish you all good luck." The goddess smiled at Runik and company, as she slowly disappeared into the ether.

"Well, that's the end of that. Let's hurry over to the next shrine, and hope there's not another Binbougami over there." Atara turned on his heel and headed for the entrance/exit.... only to find that it was still closed. "Hey, what the fuck! What happened here?!"

Thankful that was finally done with, Runik blinked several times to clear the bright spots from his vision. The light of his runes dimmed as he looked towards Sorcha, wondering if the display of power had taxed the dragon. Hard to tell really given he barely managed a glance before the Goddess spoke, her last words before fading away.

Well, thankfully it worked. She would have been upset if it didn't. Unfortunately, that kind of powerful attack left the dragon winded. She had strained herself just a bit too much. Runik's help had prevented her from completely exhausting herself, but she was still feeling it.

Not that she was ever going to let them know that, especially Atara.

"Well, that's over with." She sighed, looking over at Charlotte with a small smile. "I'm a lightning dragon, child. Commanding that force of nature is easy for me."

She would have asked Charlotte if she was alright, but judging from Atara's loud, annoying voice something was wrong.

"What happened? Is the barrier still up?" She asked. She didn't think the Binbougami would have lied to them...

"Yeah, it is still fucking up. Damn girl, did she lie to us?"

"I don't think she did. She was really sweet... kind of depressing, but sweet." Charlotte followed up.

"Then what? Why is this shit still up?" Atara turned to Charlotte, a vein popping in his forehead.

He was definitely angry, and the lack of an explanation for the barrier still being up pissed him off even more.

Then, Charlotte's voice changed, as well as the tone of her eyes. "Calm your titties, dude." Belphegor spoke up.

"There are some wards in place. The idiot goddess didn't put them up, but someone else did. Guess they are really intent on keeping us here. With that said, I'm out. Just don't shout anymore, or you'll wake me up again." Belphegor asked Atara, before closing his eyes and Charlotte's eyes returning to their original blue color.

Runik turned away from Sorcha with a quick shrug, and just in time to see the barrier ripple as Atara tried to pass through. It should have fallen without a source to sustain it and the Goddess had been taken care of, so that meant they likely needed to go find and smash some things. A notion that was quickly backed by Charlotte, or rather the demon inside her, to his annoyance. "And now it's a smash quest. Joy..." he muttered with a sigh as he ran a hand through his wet hair.

For a moment he considered razing the shrine and its surroundings to the ground, but ultimately dismissed it as a bad idea slightly influenced by pyromania. There was no guarantee the wards wouldn't need a focused effort to destroy and digging through ashes for them wouldn’t be fun for anyone involved. "Hey Atara. Can you summon a few of your friends to help scour the area for the wards?"

Sorcha shot a heated glare at Charlotte. A child should not be using such words. Or anyone, for that matter. She wasn’t a fan of such language in general. However, she quickly realized it was the spirit possessing her. Hmm…well, she doubted she could do much in that case, but she did hope he watched his language later.

Instead she focused on their task. A smash quest? That was decidedly right up her alley. She wouldn’t mind destroying some gods temple. She wasn’t fond of them, and would always be up for blasting one of their temples into oblivion.

That said, she was in no condition to just destroy everything on a whim. She would likely need to rest for a few days before she was able to do something like that.

“Finding all of these wards is going to be annoying…isn’t it?” Sorcha sighed, but at least they had finished off that binbougami and she could rest for a bit while she did this.

---

---

Iravis had spent the entire night filling herself with knowledge. The Phoenix's memory had served her right, and she was now fairly sure the quest was related to Gilgamesh. The red haired girl let out a tired yawn as streams of light from dawn headed through the window.

The loyal follower had remained sleeping head in the red haired girl's lap, snoring softly. The goddess wondered what she was dreaming about. Probably candy or another cake.

Lyssa was still asleep, she had slept much better than she had for the entire week. It was mostly a dreamless sleep, which the demon was thankful for. The last few nights hadn't been as peaceful. She was probably going to be sleeping for another few hours unless Iravis somehow pried the demon off of her.

And considering her arms were firmly locked around the Phoenix's wasit, that was probably not going to happen easily. In fact, her arms just tightened and she seemed to rub her head against the pheonix's stomach.

The Phoenix raised an eyebrow at that, fairly certain that Lyssa was just pretending to be asleep. "Back from beyond the void?" The Goddess moved her hand, trying to force the hellion's arms off her waist.

Unfortunately for Iravis, her arms seemed to only tighten again.

"Nuuu...I don't...five more minutesss...." She spoke in her sleep, attempting to snuggle Iravis more.

This demonic boa constictor decided to continue it's work. Iravis placed her hand gently on Lyssa's back, a slightly sadistic grin spreading across her face. "That memory of yours is faulty if you have already forgotten how elegantly I remove people out of the dorm." This was not a sweet tone.

Again, the demon didn't respond to Iravis. In fact, she curled up into a little ball while still holding onto the phoenix.

"Come ooon....pleeease?...You're so waaaarm, hehe~"

Iravis' hand became to heat up, the sadistic grin spreading further. Iravis' voice suddenly became very affectionite and motherly. "If my loyal servant enjoys my warmth, then I'll be glad to reward her." Her hand suddenly started to produce a searing heat.

Lyssa, unprepared for the sudden heat quickly opened her eyes, and reacted in a probably not so smart fashion. The demon was still holding Iravis tightly, holding onto her clothing somewhere. As Iravis' hand heated up, there was a breif flash of red light as the demon acted relexively.

...followed by Iravis' clothes poofing out of existence.

Lyssa yelped in surprise, letting go of Iravis. The red haired girl looked down.

"Eheh...uhm, oops." She nervously chuckled, waking up faster than she had ever done. "I'll buy you cakes! All the cakes you want! I wish to liiiiive!"

....at least in her final moments, she had a nice view.

Iravis' body suddenly was the color of fire.
No one. No one humiliated a Goddess and lived.
No plea for forgiveness would earn divine grace today.
This time, the hellion would not escape her rightous fury.
Wrath flowing through her veins, the Phoenix swooped down onto Lyssa, knocking the demon onto her back and pressing the hellion's arms down into the sheets with her knees.

Pinning down her roomate from above, the goddess began to chant in a high pitched foriegn tounge as she began to prepare to smite this insolent mortal.

---

Yesterday was a really good day for Arthur. He defeated an oni in the first unoffical battle of the magus games, then had a friendly chat with the Director. He would have to talk with the director more often. He also learned that he had a familiar, which was interesting. He awoke with a great deal of energy, confident that nobody after the same treasure as his group would have been able to solve the riddle and get to the destination yet. Even with all the magical possiblities it would take time.

Getting dressed, this time his clothes loose and airy to combat heat but also with a bit more armor over the upper body just in case. Arthur would grab his spear, slinging it over his back into a strap made to hold it. Then, he would think for a moment, before teleporting to Iravis' room, granted it was early and the girls may be asleep but it was time to adventure dammit!

Arthur however was not expecting to teleport into a situation quite like this. "Oh, oh I'm sorry. I'm not looking." Arthur said as he turned around and held his arm up against his eyes. Well, Iravis was more of less a goddess, the pyromancer supposed that what was happening was probably another form of tribute, but really not the kind he needed to walk, teleport, into.

Joulie suddenly also made a cameo appeal near Arthur as she clearly had gotten bored with wandering around until night turned to day as she had nothing better to day. Just as Arthur was about to get into a threesome with his students. "So... I suppose youth at its best is blossoming freely around here" she would say as she looked to the three of them.

She didn't look away either, she didn't quite bother. "So I suppose your students are quite like their teacher... Apples dont fall far I guess" she said as she leaned back towards a wall. From there she glanced to Arthur, "Well I won't mind if you join them..." She mumbled as she relaxed by herself.

The Phoenix felt the sudden urge to reincarnate on the spot. After a few seconds the crimson haired girl realized what this scene must look like to her teacher and his familiar. Realizing that the Norse woman and the hellion were still looking at her, the Goddess dismounted Lyssa and dived beneath the sheets with divine speed, burying herself beneath the sheets and wondering if death by embarassment was really a thing. If the gods were rightous, it would be. "By the gods of Olympus, I swear this isn't what it appears to be." After a few seconds, "The apples may not fall far, but the trees spread nonetheless." Iravis' head was beneath the sheets, hiding from this cruel world.

While Lyssa had not minded her position too much, she was glad she was going to not die. She did, however, feel a bit bad about this. It was her fault, after all, and this probably looked, well...very different to them.

"Aww, now don't you worry love. No need to be so shy, Mr, Wick here have seen bodies ten times as well endoved as thy own" Joulie would chime teasefully.She then laughed a bit to herself as she mused to this. Iravis felt more fury beneath the sheets, but didn't have one of her normal witty responses in stock.

Okay, that was perhaps a bit too much there. Lyssa gave Joulie a frown before replying.

"Okay, this really isn't what it looks like." Lyssa replied, hopping off the bed. "But we really should leave and let Iravis get dressed."

"Agreed. Come on Joulie, let's let Iravis get dressed, then we're going to go get the treasure and pretend this never happened." Arthur said as he quickly and awkwardly made his way out of the room. Why in the name of every single god out there did his familiar have to say that?

Joulie left with Arthur after her laughter had died down.

---

Eventually, the others had all filtered out of the room. The fire bird thought for a few moments how she felt about the incident aside from embarassment, but for now the party had to head out. Seeing she had no clean clothes and her favorite dress had been destroyed by a certain annoying creature, the Goddess rummaged through the hellion's clothes and picked the first thing that came out. While red haired girl could take her time, Sir Wick was waiting out there and Iravis refused to force one of her saviors to wait on her. And that Valkyries comment. A goddess isn't afraid to show a bit of skin, Norsewoman! Iravis' standard long and tightly fitted red or green dresses were absent today. Today, Iravis walked out of the room wearing a black tank top and dennim shorts, books under her right arm and a slight blush on her cheeks. "Mr. Wick has undoubtedly seen greater beauties than I, although he wisely chooses familiars who will not distract from his work." A quick curtsy towards Sir Wick, her hands lifting the hems of a non-existant dress from sheer habit. "Where does adventure lead us, Milord?"

"Ah, glad you asked." Arthur said, hoping that his quick response will negate the possibility of Joulie picking up and following up on Iravis' rather clever remark. Iravis was garbed in some rather simple clothes, Arthur would be more surprised but they didn't have time for that, the sooner they left the better the chances they wouldn't have to fight three other groups of people or something. "We set out for where the empire of Babylon used to be. We'll be leaving the island in about half an hour, so meet up at the mall, the foodcourt, in about fifteen minutes. See you guys there." Mr Wick would say before closing his eyes, concentrating for a moment before he was gone.

After the weird naked woman returned adorned like a demoness the Valkyrie smirked. It was almost like a wolf in sheep clothing. Joulie didn't bother replying to the student after Arthur left, the red haired girl was acting like a child about the situation made it only further into an laughing matter.

Well, Lyssa was going to be missing a few clothes. Not that she minded, though, they looked pretty good on Iravis. She hoped she wasn't too upset with her...but considering she was pretty sure she almost got turned into an adorable pile of ash, she was pretty sure Iravis was pretty upset with her, considering the fact that the phoenix was glaring at her.

"Oh wow, you look amazing in my stuff." Lyssa gave Iravis a friendly smile, walking over to her. Some of the hostility disappeared from the Goddesses eyes as Iravis averted them slightly.

"Uhm, I'm really, really, sorry about that..." She quietly apologized, fidgeting a bit nervously. "I've always been...well, bad at controlling magic...I could have seriously injured you if...well, if I was actually...uhm, touching you."

The Goddess looked away haughtily. "Work on it then. Industria is a virtue." The phoenix's tone was serious, but the spreading color of fire across the red haired girl's face suggested that her mind had drifted. Still looking away from both of the others, the party headed towards the food court. Lyssa merely frowned, looking at the palms of her hands with a troubled expression before following after.

When Arthur then decided to leave them hanging after commanding them to meet up at some place that Joulie didn't quite know where it was she simply glanced to the remaining females.

She pondered about what to do now, but then looked to the demon and demoness. "So what do you two otherswise do for fun around here when your not riding each other?" she asked after a moment.

Iravis was already heading off in the direction of the mall's food court, beakoning the other two to follow. "Do you ask this honestly, or only to insult me further?" It was clear that the Phoenix was upset about this whole situation, and the Valkyrie's previous insults weren't helping. If Lyssa answered the Valkyries question though, Iravis would be thankful.

"Oh oh, there's tons of stuff!~" Lyssa replied to Joulie, ignoring the comment. "There's the mall. Tons of stuff there we could do. Like ice cream and stuff! I could buy you a cake! Oooor, we could go buy a TV and a playstaion or something. Ooh, I still need to buy a Wii. I still wanna challenge Iravis to Smash, hehe~" She gave the valkyrie a smile. "Buuut, I'm not so sure I should go back after the laptop. Hehe~"

Joulie kept glancing at the two as they replied, one of them obviously more offended and the demomess being surprisingly calm about it. "I see you have taken offence, In that case I apologise." She replied offering the upset female a slight bow in apology before turning her attention to Lyssa as the girl chatted up a hurricane. "Well, If you wish to buy me cake... I should gracefully accept thine offer. Perhaps we can leave tv and tv games to another day... Even if I wouldnt mind playing with someone so eager... Hmm, I am Joulie..It seems I recall never having an proper introduction with thy two" She replied and returned the smile

"Nice to meet ya, Joulie. I'm Lyssa, that's Iravis." The demon introduced the two of them. "And uh, do we have enough time to stop and get something to eat before we leave? Or do we have to leave now? We're already kind of a day behind aren't we?" She didn't mind doing either, really. She still wanted to apologize to Iravis somehow, but she wasn't sure how. She didn't think cake would do as well as it had previously.

Iravis walked, not speaking as her follower introduced her loyally. "We are already behind. Let's catch up." The Goddess began to walk in a rushed pace, trying to put some distance between herself and the other two.

"Ah yep...she's still mad." Lyssa sighed, walking just a bit faster after Iravis.

---

It had been nearly fourteen minutes. It took Arthur that long to gather the last of the things he needed, get Igneel sorted, and get to the mall.

Arthur now stood next to one of the many food vendors, a place selling large soft pretzels and nacho cheese. In one hand Arthur held his spear, which he held vertically and was nearly leaning against and in the other hand he held a cat carrier, the interior of which was hidden by darkness. He stood there, looking up at a large clock nearby and hoping the girls weren't late.

A minute later, the party finished arriving. Iravis had calmed down a little, but unless one of the others made a serious effort to keep up she had steamrolled ahead by at least thirty paces. A brief curtsy as she approached the teacher."Apologies for being tardy, Sir Wick. We are prepared to depart when you are, Sir."

"Hi again, Mr Wick!~" Lyssa greeted as she walked up, trailing just a bit behind Iraivs. "Oh, what's in the cat carrier?" She hoped it was a fluffy kitty. Please say fluffy kitty.

Joulie looked to Arthur as the party reached the place, yet she didn't feel the need to apologise when they were just about on time or at least as close to it as one could come. Instead she smirked slightly "Well Arthur so why have you summ... Is that a cat!?... Oh..." she said suddenly interupting herself and facepalming. Arthur looked like a lone man with a cat at that moment, and she wondered if that was what he had degraded too.

Arthur watched as he group of adventurer's made it, "Tis Alright Iravis, and this?" Arthur slightly raised the cat carrier, "Is... my cat. He doesn't like crowds though so he is staying in here until we're on our way. Before we go though, anyone want some over sized pretzels that can be dipped in hot cheese? I'll pay."

"Oh oh, me! I'll take some!" Lyssa replied to the offer of pretzels. She was a bit sad that the cat wasn't a fan of crowds, but that was fine. She'd get snuggles from the cat later. "You should get some too, Iravis!~"

Iravis shot a glance over to Lyssa, but responded half-heartedly as her eyes returned to Sir Wick. "It would be nice to secure some food before we travel, thank you Sir Wick."

Joulie chuckled slightly as the two seemingly treated Arthur with such respect, but as he had grabbed hold of his life and become a teacher with a cat she figured he might deserve some credit. "Well, that's an pleasant offer Arthur... Thank you" she said as she walked up to him and gently stroke his cheek with her hand. She smiled and waited for him to lead the way.

It seemed everyone wanted pretzals, jollygood. And Joulie was stroking his cheek. Arthur was less certain how to feel exactly, he'll settle on thinking nothing of it and buy the pretzals. He turned around to face the booth from which a elf was selling the food in question. I'll take four." Arthur said as he passed the man some money. In barely a moment Arthur was passing out the food, Pretzals, napkins, small plastic containers holding nacho cheese. Then Arthur would say, "Now, we can't stand around and eat. So do keep up." Arthur said as he started sprinting away, out of the mall and towards the coast.

"Thanks!~" Lyssa took one of the pretzel containers, though she didn't have much time to enjoy it before the teacher was sprinting off somewhere. Jeez, everyone was in a hurry today! Not that she particularly minded, but running and eating at the same time was not something just anyone should attempt. It was a skill that required great concentration. Thankfully, she was such a person who was capable of doing such a thing. She followed after Wick, a half-eaten pretzel shoved in her mouth as she did so. Iravis followed the party, sprinting along with them and trying to keep up. The pretzel remained in her hand as she ran, the Phoenix lacking the skill to eat and sprint at the same time.

Joulie looked to the others as they took off running, for a moment she just stood there as the others ran off while she decided if she should be excited from such a thing or if she should just... shrug it off. However, life was meant to be claimed by the moment, and if she couldn't enjoy it now she knew she never would. Relaxing for an instant she turned serious as her eyes were shielded by her helms sudden appearance. Leaning down slightly her wings extended and in a second she leaped up in the air higher than any human could possibly accomplish without magic. She then spread her wings and hoovered before diving down at incredible speed easily blasting past the others in a dazzling display as she zig-zagged between them and circled around vertically before blasting up in the air with but one beat of her wings.

It would not take long to reach the shore, the island was not all that large and the group was running rather fast. Arthur would stop, panting slightly as he leaned against a tree, past that tree was a small dock and tied to that was a rather pitiful rowboat. Arthur looked to the group, grinned and said, "Alright, two of us will have to row, we're going to my house. From there, from there we're going to Mesopotamia. Or actually now that I think of it. I'm the only one here without wings. You guys could just all fly over. Dammit. Why did we all run to this stupid boat then? Just, just fly that way." Arthur said pointing across the water, "I'll, I'll catch up in a moment." The cat carrer rocked around a bit, to which Arthur set it down and rested both his arms against the tree, the run having taken a bit out of him.

"I ... I could go with you..." The Phoenix could change forms at this point only while being incredibly frustrated, but the current anger she felt didn't count for that (only the laptop could produce such fury reliably at this point, and sometimes Meriun). With a week's worth of practice her flying was still sloppy anyways, and she hadn't slept the entire night even after going to Wales.

"Hehe, well, I'm a good flyer but I'm not that good." Lyssa replied with a giggle after gulping down a pretzel. She was in fact, a pretty good flyer. Or at least, she thought she was. Flying all the way across some ocean or something? Yeeah, she'd probably have to take a swim. "I don't even know where Mesopa-what is. Taking a rowboat sounds like fun anyways. Trips are more fun with people!~"

Dropping down from the sky as they reached their destination, Joulie landed near soundlessly even if she seemed to fall at great speed. She then let her wings fold and dissipate as the Kimoto reappeared and her helmet faded away again. She felt a bit bad for the cat actuall who had been caught up in Arthurs running... poor thing was probably shaken out of its wits... "Heh... Just one of your usual half assed plans I assume?... I Recon I wouldn't even need my wings to cross over there... but as all are in agreement by boat we shall travel." she said as she took one leap into the shabby excuse for a water vessel. "Well this ain't no Viking ship that's for sure... Is it even sea worthy?... " she muttered mostly to herself as she took a oar in hand. "Well guess we find out... All aboard... Hard to port... to hellheims gates... or so the Dragon tamer father said... "she said as she leaned over the railing to glance towards the island almost like a seafarer scouting for land.

Arthur leaned against the tree and listened. Well, looks like they were taking the boat after all. Picking up the plastic crate Arthur put it down in the boat before sitting himself next to Joulie, "Onward then, we've not all day after all!" Arthur shouted, the moment everyone was in the boat and sitting he would begin rowing, and the sooner they got across this body of water the faster they would be on their way proper.

---

As the trip went on long, Joulie rowing besides Arthur to the best of her ability eventually she were expecting everyone to feel a bit peakish again. At this point she let go of her oar and looked between them all. "Well... looks like it might be time for a snack" she said and pulled out her pretzel from seemingly nowhere perticular. She then broke it onto four pieces handing one to each member of the crew before keeping what was left to herself. "Here... its something if you want it" she said and sighed as she bit into her own piece. It did taste quite... well, but the feeling from sharing with others certainly filled the gap left by not consuming the whole herself even if the others already had eaten one and she had not.

The trip had taken about three hours, three hours spent on the rocking water. Arthur was nearly seasick, but even something as bad as this wasn't going to stop him from adventuring. Pretzals were passed around, Arthur didn't eat any due to his stomach giving him the what for though he didn't share that fact. Every one in awhile from cat carrer a hissing sound could be heard, the creature within clearly not caring for the rocky ride. However, the journey was ending.

The midmorning sun shone down on the group as land entered sight, then details became clearly visible. The boat was moving towards a small castle, a simple stone keep surrounded by a wall. The wall stretched out into the water, but there was an archway that allowed the small rowboat passage. Past the wall was a small pond ending with a simple wooden dock, past that a pleasant field of green grass and red flowers of all forms growing wildly. In the center was a stone keep, a single large wooden door being the enterance, the door itself baring a magnificant carving of a dragon. "Here we are." Arthur said as he stepped out of the boat, "I'd show you guys around but we have no time. Follow me.' Arthur said as he hefted the cat carrier out of the boat and then started walking towards the gate out of the fort, a simple wooden gate with a currently raised portcullis.

Lyssa rather enjoyed the little trip. She had never been on a rowboat, or any boat before for that matter, so it was a first for her. She spent most of the trip eating pretzels and talking to the rest of them, and occasionally showing off her flying skills. It was a fairly nice day, after all, and such a nice day was perfect for flying.

A few hours and a few more pretzels later, their destination finally came into sight. It looked like some old fancy castle you might see in a video game or something, which was definitely exciting to the demon. She had never been in one before, and would have loved to stick around and explore it. Unfortunately, Wick had other plans and was still in a bit of a hurry. So with a huff, and a small pout she hurried after him

"Someone want to tell me why we're in such of a hurry?" Well, she knew they were in some competition, but...she wanted to explore the castle. "Come ooon, can't we explore the castle just a little? I bet there's a secret passage around here somewhere!"

Joulie got of the boat and waited for the others to pass before she turned around and gritted her mouth and her fist tightly over the pain in her arms... surely rowing for such a loong time was horribly straining. For a good while she decided whatever or not to sink the blasted boat... why haden't they used a blasted engine?... it was invented for a reason. She sighed heavily and did a javelin throw gesture towards Arthur before brushing her still emply hands and arms off. It felt very good to be off the blasted island at least, that constant gaze around her was very annoying and now the air felt much fresher when not stained by the Self proclaimed god's presence. She then walked up to the castle and chuckled slightly to herself, "Well this place is not to shabby... It might not be made out of gold, but its not a bad looking castle" she said as she went to check on the cat to see if it was still alive... poor thing locked in a cage like this was probably restless. However Lyssa broke her attention away from the cat and back onto the Demoness. "If there's a secret passage I don't believe Arthur would want you to find it... after all that's why its secret. Besides for a man who can teleport out of a place if he need to escape I doubt there is such a contraption for any other reason than pure curiosity..." she said as she looked around a bit. Instead she walked up to the door looked at the lock for a second before pulling out her sword from seemingly nowhere and gently shoved it into the lock of the door to make it open. "Knock knock..."she said as she 'unlocked' the door and pulled it open.

Iravis accepted the offered tribute, nodding as a form of brief thanks. For most of the trip, she simply looked at the cold water with mild fear. The Phoenix yawned as she got off the boat, a little intriguied by the fact that Joulie felt the need to barge into her own master's house. The Goddess decided this was probably part of their ... relationship? "Sir Wick, shall we get going?"

Arthur was moving towards the gate when he turns around, only to find his familiar breaking into his home. "Hey, I'm happy that your curious but now is not the time, we have a plane to catch!" Arthur would then walk up to the main gate, opening it slowly. "And we can't explore right now as I said, plane to catch. However if you must know there are three secret passages that I know of, one of which is trapped. Perhaps at a later date I can show them off but now is not the time."

"Ah, really?!" Hearing that there were three secret passages excited the demon. "No no, I must find them myself! traps or no!" Trap finding sounded like so much fun. Well, exploring secret passages sounded like fun. Traps not so much, but she was confident her video game skills extended to the real world. Maybe they were behind a painting or something? Pull a book on a bookshelf? Maybe turn a candelabra? Behind the fire place? Gah, she wanted to spend the week exploring this place now. "Hey hey, maybe after the Magus games we could come back and explore it?"

Joulie chuckled slightly towards Lyssa's eagerness to explore this place, it sure sounded like a fun idea given the time. She smiled to the demoness, it was curious how much energy she seemed to have and how happy she seemed about nearly everything... it was refreshing to say the least given that most other beings she spent time with was totally boring in compare. "My my Lyssa, your certainly an eager one aren't you?... you?... You would be a pleasant company at the Labyrinth at Knosso" she said as she found Lyssa very interesting.

"Perhaps." Arthur mused as he got the gate open. Stepping through he looks over the landscape outside the castle. Heavily forested, save for a road leading inland, and a large runway beside the castle. Sitting on the runway was a jet plane. Arthur began walking to it. Stepping aboard the plane Arthur would set the cat carrer down on a table before stepping into the cockpit, closing the door behind him. From a speaker his voice would be heard however, "Zzt- This is your captain speaking. We'll be departing any second now, I highly recommend seating yourselves as take off can be rough sometimes. I really should learn how to fly this thing properly... Anyways, there will be mid-flight refreshments, and perhaps some entertainment hell if I know. zzT- "

Iravis was very, very confused at the sight of the jet. It was shapped like a bird, and the Goddess had heard about flying machines in her lifetime. When she entered the plane, the goddess sat down on one of the chouches, a curious look in her eyes as she didn't know what exactly to expect.

"Ooh, a plane!" Lyssa was obviously excited. It looked all fancy and expensive, too! She wondered how fast it went. She also hoped she didn't accidentally do something like destroy a window. That'd be bad. But a thought for later. For now, she took a seat next to Iraivs, giving her a smile. "Bet ya never have seen a plane before either, huh?" She asked. "They're fun! You can travel really fast using one." Iravis shook her head in silence, yawning again as exhaustion slowly set in. She still hadn't forgiven Lyssa for that embaressment earlier.

---

Hm? She stared at him with a blank while before it sank in. He wasn’t interested in picture books… Oh god, had I messed up? I rambled on too much as well… [color=red]“M-my bad… I-I just always..” She stopped herself, not wanting to say anymore as he soon introduced himself.

“Night parade of One thousand..?” she mumbled quietly, not familiar with the term whatsoever. Well, parades were fun so it must be something festive. “Ah, m-my name is Kurosawa Emi. It’s a pleasure t-to meet you, Arata-san.” Adding a honorific to the ending so that she didn’t sound too overly familiar as she shook his hand lightly before placing her hands back on her lap. Hello! I’m backkk! It was Elise, back from from her charging state and ready to judge everything around her. Eli.. Eli! Eli! Screaming her name inside of her body, causing Eli to flinch a bit before gaining her composure rather quickly. Then she felt it. A stir of darkness inside her stomach, a sickening and revolting feeling.

Her father was near.

Eli turned around quickly but made sure to stay sane, not wanting to go off of her rails when she wasn’t even sure.

Elise, however, already understood what was happening. That son of a bitch is here, isn’t he… Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! Eli could feel her mind being dominating but Elise was still not strong enough at the moment which meant that taking control of her body was a negative.

Eli looked at at the man with a smile. If he was here… Maybe she should leave? But if she left… He could be anywhere. He could be absolutely anywhere. “Ahaha… S-s-so, how long have y-you been a-attending this s-school?” She couldn’t hold in her nerves, breathing harder than before. At the same time, she didn’t want to be hated by the man just yet. She didn’t want to leave this small safe haven. It wasn’t even safe. It was simply a place where she felt the most at peace.

Where was he? Where is he? Where? “Where?” she whispered, not realizing that the words had come out of her mouth. She smiled nervously at the man and remembered something. This is why she shouldn’t make friends. She had a friend when she was younger. 10 years old, a boy name Yuuya. He was just a sweet and innocent kid and her father saw them together playing a game.

Next day his entire family was in an “accident”. A tragic car accident that killed him and his entire family. Elise knew that it was her father but Eli simply had her suspicions. She loved him, after all. A feeling of love that she wasn’t able to shake off.

Arata noticed that shift in attitude, this Emi girl’s expression going from an embarrassed anxiety to something odder. Fear? But of what? He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to sense any other, odder presences, but outside of the still overbearing aura of Marx, and the noticeable smell of that half-spider woman, there was...nothing. Should he pass it off? Or should he be direct?

Actually, what the fuck, he was an oni. Of course he’d be direct.

“Just got here two or so weeks ago, Eli,” he replied easily, leaning back on the chair, “Something the matter? Did you realize the meaning of Night Parade of One Thousand or something?”

He smiled at the end, trying to lighten the mood.

She had failed. Of course she had. The girl that couldn't hide her anxiety if it was the only thing she had to do to survive. However, he mentioned himself, wondering if he was part of the problem. “E-eh? No! I-it’s not you…I-I don’t know what that is but... y-you aren't a bad person either way, right?” She asked, tilting her head a bit.

“I mean, my mother is the Goddess of the Underworld, and I just went berserk today, but sure, I’m not a bad person. Just an oni.” The oni laughed, then, before hushing up when he felt some pointed glares pierce his back.

She smiled before remembering her situation. “I-it’s just… He’s here.” Quietly speaking as she fumbled with her fingers, attempting to have them stop shaking.

Yeah, thanks, that told him everything. Arata suppressed the urge to roll his eyes, wondering why the fairer sex was so enamoured with only alluding to the problem, instead of straight up saying it. Turning around and scanning the rest of the students present within the library, the oni didn’t notice any particular person with an excess of killing intent, and shrugged.

“Who?”

Eli hadn't even noticed what she had said and looked up. She might as well tell him…. Fuck you. Why won't that mother fucking pedo die already. Elise was beginning to get extremely frustrated and was finally able to muster up the strength speak through her, eyes flashing red before the change. “Dad. Daddy’s here. And you know what? That’s never good. Be it getting tied up, raping 50 women, killing a 10 year old, he neeever gets enough out of little Eli here. So yeah, he’s here. Haha, maybe he'll finally rape her.” Elise exhaled deeply,pressing her forehead with her hand. Finally, I took over her entire body.

Arata narrowed his eyes when another change came across Eli, this time her eyes flashing red and her tone suddenly taking a darker turn. It was abrasive, aggressive, and pretty much the exact opposite of what the bookworm was like before. Nevertheless, he could indeed agree that fathers were assholes. After all, what sort of God-King were you if you left your wife to rot in Yomi just because she wasn’t a peerless beauty anymore?

With a grimace, Arata cracked his wrists, and said, “So kill him before he gets you. If you need help with that, I wouldn’t mind getting into another fight.”

She looked at the man for a while before smiling. “Eli killing her father? That's simply hilarious. She loves him. She might just get herself killed for the dicks sake.” Sighing as the words came out of her mouth, all true and all annoying.

“So you would prefer slavery over death.”

“Me? I’m not even actually Eli. And I can't hold this form too long. Obviously, he put her under a spell when she was younger. He's been wanting to fuck her forever, it's pathetic. P. E. D. O. She has to love him. She doesn't love him but she doesn't know that herself. Even if she is an naive idiot, she knows when people need to be disposed of. Kinda.”

Now things were getting confusing. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Arata sighed. It was a rather complicated situation, which had a very simple answer that Eli, or whoever this was, couldn’t actually do. With a gurgle of exasperation at how much talking she did, the oni said, “Alright, so...father is here in Liserranna, and he wants to...procreate with Eli. He put a spell under her, and now she loves him. Get rid of the spell then. There’s teachers here who are stupidly powerful. One of them could probably do that.”

Awww, what a cute way he said that. Procreate. A was the only one that she had seen to be powerful enough but he didn't seem too helpful to her personally. “He's strong. Extremely strong.” A pain went through her head, causing her to groan a bit. “Fuck. Eli… Anyways, A doesn't seem very much of a helping type to me but… Maybe I suppose..”

Arata gave her a withering look. So she hasn’t even tried yet. Geez, first Iravis with her ‘hurrdurr I need muh army to do shit for me’ and now Eli going all defeatist might as well get raped for shits and giggles’. “Honestly,” he admitted, “I have no idea what you even mean by ‘extremely strong’, but Director A is strong beyond strong. That being said...maybe he’ll grant your request if you win the Magus Games or whatever. Having a monstrous being on your side when you go sodomize your shitty dad sounds like a pretty good idea to me.”

That expression on his face was something she could read. She smiled. That was true. She could just get raped. “I suppose… But the thing is with Eli… Ughh… The only time that I was able to somewhat defeat her father or run away was when she was nearly dead or something. She simply can't hurt people. She's not programmed that way I suppose you could say. A battle? I would need to stay here for a while. However, our power is enjoyable for me and treacherous for Eli… But oh well I suppose.”

Huh? Nani sore?

“It’s a treasure hunt, not a battle. You can get out of Liserranna while your daddy’s going around masturbating to your scent, so...yeah, you don’t need to fight.”

Regrettably. Arata really wished that it was a straight-up tournament fight, but, well, it worked in the favour of this pacifist bookworm, at least.

“God, please don't say your… I know I am her but I just hate being categorized as the same person when it comes to him.” Masturbating to my scent. . revolting but hilarious. “Oh? I guess that's what happens when you're gone for a while. You miss important details.” She smiled at him. Eli could do that. No killing? That's perfect but god damn it…Elise enjoyed using her power so it wasn't exactly great or herself.

“Gone for a while, huh?” He mused about that, tilting his head to the side. So while one ‘personality’ was active, the other one was ‘dormant’. Ah well, who cares. The oni shrugged, and said, “Well, whatever. What’s the riddle? If it’s the same as mine, I can give you the answer and you can get your...Eli’s ass out of Liserranna before yo- her dad starts sniffing it.”

“How vulgar” She says with a slight smile. This whole situation between Eli and her father was hilarious but the downside was that she was stuck in Eli’s body. She shuffled through her pocket and looked at the note. She hadn’t seen it yet. Beginning to read as she clenched the paper in her hands.
“It was a cave.
The only thing you wouldn't expect to drag a shut-in out actually worked.
The gods reunited to help this goddess.
Ages have come and gone. The regalia of the goddess has since then fallen in the hands of her followers.
Bring me that which has Eight Hands.
You want a hint? I'll trade it for a kiss... No, but seriously.
Hints.
Japan, Regalia, The Gods Of Creation”
“Well, apparently, that’s the riddle.”

Eh?

Arata froze, perplexed at this riddle. Wait what? Director A handed out something like this? Geez, what a difference in difficulty. Scratching his chin with a wry smile on his face, the oni leaned back on his chair and said, “It’s the Yata no Kagami, isn’t it? I mean, gods, even ten year olds knew this back then.”

He knew? Elise smiled brightly. The first smile that didn’t look sarcastic, evil, or just plain fake. Her actual personality was coming out and that wasn’t very good for her. “Really? Thank you!” She got up from her seat abruptly. She would have hugged the oni but knew that keeping your hands to yourself was one of the things that she liked to follow throughout her life.

If she got this, she could get out of this hell hole and not have “her” body get raped. “Really, thank you so much! I’ve got to go and get something to eat since i’m starved and then return Eli. Haha, I haven’t actually eaten in awhile.” Elise didn’t even know the truth about herself. She simply thought that she was an extra. A disposable item in Eli’s body.

Arata probably would have toppled over if Eli had actually tried hugging him, seeing how he was leaning back and balancing on the back two legs of the chair, but thankfully, she only stood up abruptly. Letting out a low whistle, the oni remarked, “Well, good for you, I guess? Though might be a better idea to head out of Liseranna first...you know, asslicker dad being here and all.”

She sighed. The first time she could stay was the time that he had to show up. “Yeah, probably… Bye.” chuckling at him being called an “asslicker”. The fucking dick always ruins things. Looking back, it was all that “Verid’s” fault that she was there in the first place. WIth that, she walked out of the room but not before Eli was finally returned to her body. Falling to her knees automatically with a loud “BAM”.

SHIT! Mother fucker has the worst timing! Elise continued to swear as Eli looked around. For the first time… actually remembering what had happened. At least the fact that she needed to find the Yata no Kagami. Kill. Kill. Kill. Eli stood up, staring at her wrist which showed that her catalyst was bleeding. Observing the blood drip down her wrist and onto the ground. An emotionless expression on her face as she turned back around and bowed at the man sitting in the library.

Elise wasn’t the puppet. Eli was. The broken puppet that always, always falls~

Giving a little wave, Arata couldn’t help but snicker when Eli seemed to have tripped on her own feet. Investing interest in the bookshelves instead, the oni was about to count to three hundred and spare the young maiden any undue embarrassment, when he caught the scent of blood.

He swivelled his head, noticed the odd stiffness of her actions, saw the scarlet droplets that slid down inside of her arm, and got up. “Wait up, Eli,” Arata called, “You alright? Cut yourself on something?”

Eli lifted her head slowly, turning to the man that was asking her a question. Eli couldn’t understand why he would care. “Y-yes. Just a little cut.” Even with such a lie, it was clearly visible that the star shaped mark wasn’t just bleeding “a little” at all. The outlines were pouring blood as the sword in the middle remained unaffected.

It even stunned Eli a bit. It never bled more than 5 drops. This time it seemed as though it was a fresh wound like the time it was first made. Her mother outlining the star deeply, making sure that she felt a powerful surge of power as well as pain. Frowning as she looked at it and continuing to observe it. Why wasn’t it stopping?

As Arata got closer, it became really obvious that no, this wasn’t just a little cut, and no, this wasn’t just something occurred from the faceplant that Eli probably just did. This was a mark, and it was a mark drawn by blood. The spell that her father cast upon her? He narrowed his eyes, drawing his own conclusions as blood continued to fall onto the library’s marbled floor. There weren’t any other students near at this point, and that was probably a good thing.

“Welp, guess there’s no helping it. Let’s get you to Rollanda and get this fixed up, yeah? Probably won’t stop just by rubbing some spit on it. Now, if you’ll excuse me...”

With that, Arata hoisted the surprisingly light girl up over his shoulder, like how one would carry a sack of potatoes, before casually heading out of the Library. He could feel her blood dripping on his recently ‘resurrected’ clothing, but, well, the oni was used to that sort of sensation as well.

At least it wasn’t his own blood~!

Eli’s eyes widened a bit at the sudden action. Flinching before she realized that she was simply being lifted over his shoulder. “Eh?” but she understood afterwards. Did he think she couldn’t walk? Oh! He must not want me to get it all over the floor! “Th-this might not help… The blood will still drip.” she then realized that there was blood falling onto his shirt and quickly covered the mark with her hand, allowing the blood to flow into her hands.

“If it’s dripping, just press it into my clothes then. I don’t mind the smell of blood at all,” Arata replied cheerfully. Stepping out into the open air after a couple of hours spent cooped indoors, the oni took in a deep breath of the fresh air, and then began to speed up, leaping twenty feet with each step as he sailed towards Rollanda’s ‘hospital’.

Arata’s approach was anything but subtle.

One of Rollanda’s nurses hurried to her to tell her that some kind of madman was carrying a girl, like a bag of potatoes, and jumping like an idiot.

Rollanda brought a single hand to her face and then sighed. Why was everyone in Liseranna so dimwitted?

”Let me go check on that.” she said and stepped out of the hospital of sorts.

She saw Arata quickly approaching. With a sigh and a motion of her hand, and making sure that Arata was safely on the floor, she turned the oni back into the sad state he was brought in last time. A simple ribcage. Yes, her magic was capable of doing that.

She then approached Eli, who was now on the floor, and Arata’s ribcage.

With another motion of her hand, Arata returned to his normal state.

”Would you care to explain what the hell you were doing?”

To a casual observer, Arata would have gone from an energetic, blonde haired, cloak-wearing student to a piece of a human rib. To Arata, however, it just felt like he had lost consciousness for a moment there. Brushing off that weird break in consciousness, the oni said, pointing at the blood that was obviously spewing from Eli’s arm, “She tripped, fell, and apparently started spurting like a fountain. Thought you might want to take a look at it and all. Seems pretty magical to me, really.”

“Oh, right, thanks for reviving me a couple hours ago! Didn’t get to thank you cause you weren’t around when I came to, but yeah, here you go!”

Eli was shocked, not quite understanding what had just happened but the only explanation was simply magic. Her power of not really giving things like this too much thought came in handy at times like this as she shrugged it off, glad to see him return to his original form.

She looked at the woman and back at her mark. “I-it’s nothing really. It’s normal. Th-this time it’s just a little more blood.” Eli continued to cover the mark with her other hand, for some reason still trying to stop the blood from spilling on the floor.

”Ah, yes, you are that girl with the odd magic. And the guy without wits over here just overreacted. Well, we still need to keep the blood inside you.” Rollanda kneeled down and put her hands over Eli’s wound.

”And done. Got anything else to say, or is that all?” With a flash of light, Eli’s wound disappeared and Rollanda stood back up.

She didn’t have any pressing matter to attend to, just that it was a bit of a pain having to deal with idiots like this.

“Naw, that’s pretty much all,” Arata said, “Thanks again!”

With that, the oni waved once more, and went off in his own direction, bounding off with a 50 meter step. Dude’s got places to be, after all.

Waving at the helpful man she turns back to the nurse who was applying her healing magic. Eli smiles a little, looking at her do her magic and heal the wound. She was quite jealous of healers. Their power was made for helping. Not for torturing. “Thank you.” She says quietly, admiring the piece of art. It looked so perfect and unharmed on her arm. “It’s amazing..” With that, she stood up as well. Bowing and taking her leave. Once she left, her smile vanished. Replaced with a look of… Nothing. Her eyes appeared dead from an outsider's view as she flipped her hair over her shoulder gently.

He'd been pouring over dusty, old books for the past day now, but had yet to get much further than finding out that Babylon was the nontraditional name meaning Confusion. Alas, maybe he would have to resign himself to visiting the Library afterall. Aster had initially hoped that the old history tomes he'd borrowed for researching ancient Mana rituals would hold the keys to unlocking the Director's godforsaken riddle, but it wasn't to be. He clenched a fist in annoyance. "This won't do." He said out loud. He had to come up with a quicker method of finding the location of the treasure. Normally, when theories arose within his mind, the Demon Prince would have been more prudent. He'd have allowed for hitches to hinder him at every turn and he understood that no matter how much he planned, something would go wrong. It was just the nature of experimentation. But this was not just some experiment; A measly idea cobbled together whilst pouring himself a fresh cup of the black stuff, no.

This was his life's work; A vast myriad of staircases, each one leading toward an unopened door or unexplored avenue. Yet every step he'd taken towards the answer had been littered with dead ends and misdirection. Doors slammed in his face and avenues closed together so tight, he was unable to go any further. He'd reached a low point once, where he figured that he'd never find the answer. That he would simply have to let the brilliance that was once his vision slip away into the ether of forgotten ideas. That was until a yesterday, when the mere recollection of a young student's powers re-ignited the spark within his mind, which by now had grown into a roaring conflagration. Everything felt right about it and what could he do but allow his mind to wander. He could feel himself racing up staircase after staircase, each step filling him with renewed vigor.

The Director's riddle was merely the first hurdle. 'That's it! The Director!' Aster sat back into his ornate, wooden chair, gripping the leather-bound padded arms in realization. A had never cared much for anything among the lives of his students or teachers alike, merely anything that would entertain him. Once you'd reached a certain plateau of power, you forgot about those still at the bottom of the mountain, unwilling or unable to make the same climb. But what about those who would dare to follow in your footsteps? Would you ignore them blindly, or would curiosity rear its' playful hand and beckon you to peek over the edge? It was a risk, Aster knew, but the risks were far outweighed by the rewards. Maybe the Director would recognize his climb and lend a helping hand? Or maybe he'd throw rocks instead? Either way, it was he who was the next hurdle, not some damned riddle. Casting his books aside, the Demon rose swiftly from his chair and almost ran out of his study. His destination: The Director's office.



Aster had arrived in minutes, somewhat out of breath yet no too much as for it to be noticeable that he had rushed to get here. He straightened his shoulders, his coat ruffling as it settled into it's new position. Then he raised a balled fist and knocked.

"Who might it be? Oh, who am I fooling. Mister Aster, what do you seek here?" The man answered, in his usual playful tone.

He had kicked out Arthur not that long ago, expecting Aster to visit any time soon.

"I'm not here to beat around the bush, A, I'm here to ask for a favor." He stated, all matter-of-fact-like.

"Uh, a favor! And what might that be? If it's not too boring, I might consider it."

Aster had prepared a little speech on the way over but he'd have to paraphrase, the Director's attention could only be held for so long. "Simply put, I think I've finally found out a way of converting Apparent Mana back into Latent Mana. However, I require the use of a student to assist me, though I foresee that she will not be so willing to help. I trust you've heard of Lyssa Nemorienne. Her deconstruction magic could very well be the key element I've been searching for these past hundred years." He took a short breath, not wanting to rush this next part. "The favor in question is in regards to the treasure hunt; If I can beat her team to it, then I'll be able to take the required steps to then test out my theory using her magic."

"I see... So you wish to screw over miss Nemorienne? And here I thought devils weren't as bad as they all said." He chuckled.

The door finally opened and the man himself stood in front of Aster.

"Very well, I understand. It seems I am rather popular today. What, with hot studs coming over to talk with me non-stop. I could get used to this." He sighed, seemingly lovestruck.

"In any case, you want to beat her to the punch, right? What task was she assigned with, hm? Tell me and I might help you in this... endeavor of yours." By far the least crazy task the director had imposed on someone.

The fact that he was licking his lips all the while while he looked at Aster could probably give him a good idea as to why he was being so forgiving.

The Demon Prince was rather taken aback by his initial statement. Was he really that bad for wanting to use a student to further his own plans? He shook his head a little. 'Ludicrous.' He thought. Although it was only natural for others to be used as stepping stones towards the path to greatness. Eggs and Omelettes sprung to mind. When eventually the door opened, Aster's face flushed red. He'd never been so outwardly complimented by the Director before, despite being very aware of his sexuality.

"Ahem," He began, trying not to make a big deal about it but ultimately failing. "I guess screw over would be one way you could put it. Although I hardly intend to be completely malicious when going about it." He tried not to notice A's tongue sliding wildly across his lips. Yet it seemed he would fail at that too.

"The task she was given, alludes to retrieving something from Babylon. I know not what it is exactly but I'd rather not speculate either." He answered, somewhat mesmerized by the Director's tongue by now.

"Good, good! Then, you shall be the one to impede their advance." He followed up.

"Truly, I hope that you did not expect for this to be as easy as a simple 'treasure hunt'." He chuckled some. "Each and every one of the treasures is protected by something. Truthfully, I expected this one to be protected by the spirit of Gilgamesh himself, but it seems I won't have to rely on the King Of Heroes this time."

The director then smiled, malicious as ever. "If you manage to fend off a minimum of 10 students on your own, I will grant you the treasure that they would've otherwise wrenched out of the claws of Gilgamesh's spirit."

Aster returned the Director's smile. Not that he was entirely interested in the treasure to begin with, simply the chance to witness Lyssa's magic up close would be reward enough. But who was he to turn down any bonuses? "Consider it done." He stated, firmly. Then, bidding A farewell, Aster swiftly headed back towards his study. He was going to need to pack some things and come up with a strategy before heading to the teleportation pad.

Arthur, Lyssa, Joulie and Iravis.

Joulie had seated among the others as the plane were about to leave solid ground, yet she felt slightly nervous as she didn't quite trust these flying things... her wings had never failed her compared to these metal machines that could crash at any moment. However, with these flying beasts around shooting at each other flying were dangerous in some places as humans were so incredibly trigger happy. And hearing that the ride could get bumpy didn't make the situation much better... she wondered if Arthur even knew how to fly this good enough to be trustworthy.
However she sighed and shook her head as she looked to the others who seemed to settle in. She buckled up and thought about what to do during the ride. Perhaps she could just nap or something... her arms were still terribly sore from all the rowing.
Iravis realized after the engines started that she couldn't ignore Lyssa forever as the jubilant girl never seemed to silence herself. They were supposed to be working together.
And, there was what had bothered Iravis earlier. The Goddess decided she would confront the demoness sitting on the couch next to her about it as soon as possible.
"Joulie, should a familiar work to get closer to their master?" The Phoenix wasn't sure if she was only trying to pass the older ... younger .... woman a hint?
Joulie let out a 'hmm?' as Iravis said her name and gave the girl her attention. It was a curious word indeed, Familiar... and how it was put to use here on beings that were contracted to others. "All relationships that are worth something requires a bit of work dear. If you don't need to work for it, it will eventually break apart. So yes, I would say that both master and familiar should work on getting closer to each other" she replied and pondered about it for a moment. "How about you? Are you Lyssa's familiar?" she asked as she really had no idea about their relationship.
Lyssa's face had been firmly glued to a nearby window, even as the engines started. The demon hadn't even bothered to sit down. At hearing the question asked by Joulie though, Lyssa pulled herself away from it and turned to Joulie. "Nope, just friends!~" She replied with her usual enthusiasm. "I would love a familiar though. Hmm...something warm and cuddly, I think!~" Lyssa paused for only a moment before adding. "Kinda like Iravis!~"
Iravis was initially going to respond just roomates but the exhausted red head was defeated by the more brightly animated pink-haired demoness. For a moment the Goddess wondered how Lyssa hadn't picked up on something like a cat or some other furry creature as a familiar considering how open and friendly she was, but the finishing comment practically sent the Fire Goddess into a state of shock as she looked to the girl sharing the couch with her.. "No." The Phoenix's reaction would have been more intense, but at least there was flattery in there.
"No what?" Lyssa replied, a bit confused, giving Iravis a puzzled look. "I'd love something warm and cuddly. Like a dragon! A baby dragon would be an adorable familiar!~" A small look of realization soon covered her face as she gave Iravis a grin. "You didn't think I meant you, did you? Silly, you're not a familiar. You're a person. A warm and cuddly person, but a person!~"
Joulie chuckled slightly in amusement towards the girls reaction, in a way she found them both rather cute in their own way always in some kind of odd but funny trouble. She looked between the two of them waiting for their drama to play out for a bit. However what Lyssa said next however made her raise a brow in reaction. "So a Familiar is not a person?..." she questioned wondering slightly what she meant with such a statement. Surely what she had seen Familiars could be anything.
Iravis simply looked at Lyssa, the expression of shock clearly appearing on her face. The Phoenix felt both flattered and worried at the same time. "Apparently not."
"Ah, uhm, that's not-" Ah, bad choice of words there Lyssa. Really bad. "Uhm, I just meant that, well, Familiars are people too. And, well, Iravis is...Iravis?" She seemed to be having trouble choosing her words a bit. "I wouldn't want to make her my familiar unless she was like, really really, okay with it." A look that crossed between amused and mild rage crossed the look of the Phoenix as she raised a single questioning eyebrow.

---

Arthur meanwhile was sitting in the cockpit, sighing as the plane flew through the sky. Luckily take-off wasn't too shaky this time. Looking down at a nearby screen that showed the main room he watched as the conversation slowly moved towards what could only end in Arthur's really expensive plane getting damaged.
He then stepped out of the cockpit, leaning his spear against the wall as he said, "I enjoy autopilot. It is nice to know the fast moving metal cage can move without me personally overseeing it. Now then, I suppose I best let Igneel out." Arthur then walked over towards the cat carrier, "I wish I remembered names. I mean, team. So, I promise to remember this in the future, Iravis' reasonably cute demon roommate if I may have your name and you may want to see this."
Lyssa got the distinct feeling, she had just messed up again. For the second time that day.
What she messed up about, she didn't really know. She didn't get much time to ponder that it. Wick walked out of the cockpit, and walking over to the cat carrier. Ooh, was he gonna let the cat out? That'd be fun! Finally, something she could cuddle that wouldn't be upset with her cuddling it!
"Lyssa! It's Lyssa! And yep, I am adorable." She got off of the couch, walking over to wick. She was definitely looking forward to cuddling a cat. She hoped it was extra fluffy.
Joulie raised a brow again as Arthur stepped out of the cockpit, somewhat pondering if they were going to crash now that he had... then again the machine itself might be more trustworthy than Arthur himself... hard choice. "So your going to let the poor creature out now eh?..." she mumbled looking to Lyssa that seemed so excited to get to see some pussy-cat. Then she had to admit that her pun was so bad that she had to face palm herself for it.
Arthur mentally said the name, Lyssa. Lyssa. Good, name. She had the exact reaction he expected. Well, she was in for a treat. He slowly opened the metal gate, and in a moment it was fully open.
The only thing visible inside were two bright blue slinted eyes that stared out at any and everything. Then the creature slowly exited the cage. Regal red scales, slick and clean adorned the beasts as small white nubs rose out of it's head, the beginning of what would someday be some majestic horns. It slid in and out a thin tongue and looked upwards before letting loose a small puff of fire, pitiful and cute.
Igneel was about the size of a cat, with similar proportions. All in all the creature, despite how it may try to be otherwise, was just adorable.
"Ladies, meet Igneel. Igneel, ladies.
Lyssa waited, obviously impatient for wick to go on and let the kitty out. What she was greeted with, however, was not a cat at all. As the reptile slowly exited the cage, Lyssa simply stared in awe. It was certainly adorable, but it was no cat. The creature was the size of one, but it was covered in scales and had the most adorable little face. The demon quietly stared at the creature in front of her as a small puff of fire escaped the dragon's lips. Suddenly, the demon wrapped a hand around the Dragon, holding it the same way one might a cat. "Eee, he's so adorable!~" Lyssa excitedly replied. "Igneel's his name?" She didn't want for a response before hugging the struggling dragon tightly to her chest, giggling and doing a little twirl like she had just received the best christmas present in the history of christmas presents.
Joulie starred silently at the creature for the longest of times, it looked even shappier than what she even thought was possible for a cat, what had Arthur done to the poor creature to make it look this way?. "That's one weird looking cat..." she muttered as she crouched down for a better look. "No fur... no ears... too long claws... poor thing" she mumbled as she shook her head slowly.
Well, there went my chance of a serious conversation with Lyssa... Iravis looked at Sir Wick as if she had something to say, but reconsidered after a few moments. It would be rude to ask the person who was giving them a ride and his familiar to leave the room. "Dragonslayer, the beast's spawn?" Iravis questioned, a little curious about where Sir Wick had found the hatchling.
Arthur watched as Igneel struggled in the grip of Lyssa. It was rather cute, "Indeed, named him after a dragon in a work of fiction." The pyromancer smirked, until Iravis asked her question. A small frown creeped onto his face as he said, "Yeah. Let's not talk about it though. I'm not sure just how much intelligent thought Igneel is capable of quite yet but he seems to know what's said around him." Arthur walked over to the bar, "Don't suppose anyone want's anything to drink? Vodka? Rum? Milk? Anything?"
"An earlier promise of wine shall be redeemed today, Sir Wick." The seventeen year old red head requested. The Phoenix leaned a bit forward, ready to take the drink from Sir Wick. This stressful day needed a bit of relief.
Lyssa twirled back over to the couch, still holding Igneel tightly in her arms. She took her seat again near Iravis, letting the dragon sit on her lap as she started petting its head. "Hey hey, isn't he adorable Iravis?" She asked. "And uh, do you allow minors to drink, Mr. Wick?" Lyssa asked, a bit hesitantly. She was just 16, after all. She had drank alcohol before, but uh, that was not something she wanted her parents to ever find out. Especially her dad. Actually, both of them would probably have her head.
Arthur shrugged while grabbing a bottle, saying, "I mean, I was younger when I had my first drink. If your not comfortable with alcohol that's fine I won't pressure you to drink it or anything, as I said I stock milk." Arthur then passed a bottle to Iravis. It was a green bottle with golden etchings across it, some elven wine judging from the lettering.
Hearing this, Lyssa shot a hand up into the air rather quickly. "I'll take the vodka!" Without any hesitation at all. "Any will do!~"
Iravis had already leaned back and started drinking straight from the bottle. "You are worthy of Elysium, Dragonslayer." The Goddess knew she was good at handling her liquor and wasn't worried about reacting irresponsibly as a result.
Joulie facepalmed again (mentally this time however) as Arthur went on and offered them alcoholic drinks or milk... it was probably some of the worst things a mortal man could do. It was irresponsible to say the least, especially for someone that is a teacher. [color=Orchid]"Well I suppose you will Drink milk then Dear Arthur... If you believe for a second that I allow you to consume anything alcoholic while driving this thing... I think I'm going to see if you can fly well without it"[/color ]she said shooting him a slight murderous gaze. Looking to the bottle Iravis was drinking and thought it might be elvish, that was probably for the best... Elves were whimps when it came to drinking, she would have been much more frightened if it was a Dwarvish brew, especially if it was made by Russian Dwarves, then it would probably be lethal for the girl.
Arthur sighed before pulling out a plastic carton filled with a white drink, "Oh course, I'd be insane to fly a piece of metal through the air drunk. But that means your drinking for me." Arthur said as he passed a black bottle to his familiar, a quick smell would throw back most mortal noses. Clearly dwarf made. Quickly Arthur also passed Lyssa a clear bottle of Vodka, russian. "Me and Igneel would join you guys, but I'm flying a giant metal deathtrap and Igneel is still a kid I think." Arthur would then sit himself in a chair from which he could watch over the room.
Lyssa grabbed the bottle of vodka from Arthur with obvious enthusasim. It had actually been awhile since she actually drank anything alcoholic. Well, a few months. Maybe one. Didn't matter. She opened the bottle easily, before bringing it to her lips, and started chugging it.
"Ahhh~ Ehehehe, I haven't had something that good in awhile~" The demon giggled after a emptying a generous amount of alcohol from the bottle. "Ehe, glad I take after my dad~"
Looking to the black bottle that had been handed to her, Joulie simply snorted before checking it out for a moment. Surely it was about as foul as the darkness from whence it came. "You want me... to drink for you?..." she questioned before opening the bottle, its foul smell reeked near worse than the worse she knew. focusing for a few seconds a small shot glass appeared in her hand that she proceeded to gently place on the table of a seat. She then filled it halfway, and glanced to Arthur. "Well this would be for you then... I reckon you wouldn't be able to handle more or this brew" she said before pulling out a feather from seemingly nowhere. Using the feather's pointy end to stir the liquid around she then lifted it up to see it melt away. Lovely... it is corrosive as well... she starred at Arthur who sat and watched them wondering what in the world he had in mind... something was definitely fishy about this and she didn't feel her past experiences made it very trustworthy. She then sat back to watch for a while, not rushing anything really... instead she placed the bottle nearby and circled her finger around the tip of the glass.
Iravis, seeing the Lyssa was catching up followed suit, downed more of the wine. After finishing a long but somehow dignified gulp, she met the other girl's eyes. "Four thousand years of experience with liquor I've had, I doubt you can outlast me!" The Goddess took Lyssa's aggressive chugging as a challenge, continuing to follow suit herself.
Lyssa laughed loudly at Iravis' statement. "Ehe, is that a challenge Iravis? Just because I'm adorable, doesn't mean I can't drink!~" She brought the bottle to her lips again, and started chugging more of the alcohol. After a few moments, she set the bottle down with a happy sigh, before giving Iravis a bit of a smirk. Maybe one. Didn't matter. She opened the bottle easily, before bringing it to her lips, and started chugging it.
"I wasn't planning on making a drinking contest out of this, but alrighty!" The demon flashed a grin, not at all intimidated by Iravis' 'experience' "So what do I get if I win?~"
Iravis chugged more wine, trying to keep up. The Goddess believed that she didn't need trickery to send the hellion over the edge. "When you are defeated, you shall obey all my orders for a full day of my choosing without incurring your wrath. I grant the same to your 'adorable' presence on the off chance of your victory."
"Prepare for hugs when you lose, then!~"
"A good servant you'll be after my triumph."
Arthur sat quietly, this could only end well, it would be hilarious. However, Joulie seemed to be hesitant, and not only that doubted the amount Arthur could take. So what if the dwarves found a way to make a liquor that could literally burn through anything but glass and the insides of the body? And made it to strong for most of their species to boot!? Arthur would have taken the bottle from Joulie that moment and downed half of it himself if he didn't know that would just end in a crashing plane and several dead people. Instead he settled on, "Joulie, just drink the bloody drink, your suppose to live in a damn mead hall in the sky anyways."
And so it began.

Despite her 'divine' ability to take in wine while remaining sober, a few minutes later the Goddess found herself on the lap of Sir Wick, facing towards him as she drank just a few more drops from the three fourths full bottle. She was slowing down ... "... A new sensation for me ... how one feels when wearing these barbaric clothes, Sir Wick..." She moved her bare legs to a more comfortable position, not giving up just yet. The red haired girl was the most experienced one after all.
A sudden question popped into her head as she looked into his eyes. "Earlier ... Did Sir Wick think I was well endowed ...?" Not giving him the opportunity to reply, the Phoenix closed her eyes and her breathing slowed.
Mr. Wick sat there, watching as the girls drank to their hearts content. Arthur couldn't just about see the money washing away, but whatever, at least nobody was dead yet. Iravis had managed to find her way over to the pyromancer, and before Arthur could do anything for it she was sitting in his lap, her head rather firmly against his chest.
Of course, this was rather awkward. More so since Arthur was completely sober, he had been drinking milk the entire time. Then the phoenix had to go and ask the question she did, Arthur at least noticed her snoring before making an idiot of himself by stammering out an answer. Of course, now a sleeping Iravis was on top of Arthur, and Igneel was staring up at the girl who was sitting in what was normally the dragon's spot.
Well a few minutes went by and all Joulie had managed to do at the time was to silently stare at Arthur until the point the Phoenix suddenly had settled in his lap. This mostly made her raise a brow and sigh to herself. Pulling out a flagon from seemingly nowhere she emptied the shot glass into it and then slowly filled it with the contents of the bottle until it was empty. After that she left the empty bottle on the side and leaned her seat back slightly as she starred towards the roof. Then she slowly just shut her eyes and sighed...
Well, Lyssa hadn't been expecting such an easy victory.
"Ehe, Iravis you're a lightweight!~" The demon giggled from the couch. When Iravis went to use Wick for a pillow, the demon decided the entire couch was now under the rulership of Lady Demon Candy. She was laying on it, head dangling off the end of the couch, hand still wrapped around a mostly empty vodka bottle. She was a bit disappointed that Igneel escaped her grasp, but she was a bit too tipsy to really care at the moment.
She also didn't get a chance to comment on the question Iravis asked Wick, as she rolled off the couch and landed on the floor about the same time.
"Ah, my subjects have started a rebellion. My kingdom was such a short lived one." The demon giggled from the floor before using the couch to help her stand.
Once she was, she walked over to Iravis and Wick on somewhat unsteady feet. With a bright giggle, the demon had intended to throw her arms around Iravis. However, in her tipsy state she had managed to somehow confuse the two of them...and instead wrapped Wick in a tight hug.
"But I guess that means I wooon!~" She giggled, before frowning and releasing Wick form the hug. "Ah...you're not Iravis!~" She giggled again before returning the hug. "But it's okay, you're cuddly too!~"
Arthur was about to move Iravis when Lyssa walked up, well, stumbled up Arthur thought. He wasn't allowed any other thoughts before the demon wrapped herself around him. It was clearly a mistake judging from her words, but the girl didn't stop. In normal circumstances Arthur would bask in this moment, but these were students, his familiar was watching, and worse of all, his pet/child/whatever Igneel could be considered was watching with curiosity in his little sapphire eyes.
"Um, could you, could you let me go? Lyssa?" Arthur asked as he very forcefully stood, not waiting for her answer. He was as careful as he could be, considering the fact that Iravis was on his lap and disturbing her would be a shame, but it really just ended in the phoenix and the demon falling in a heap when Arthur forced himself up and then teleported to the other side of the cabin.
"Wha ....?" The Phoenix spoke as she was elegantly dropped, but a few moments later her eyes close again as she decided it wasn't worth it to wake up from killing heathens.
"Sorry to leave so soon, but there is very important things I have to do in the cockpit. Or something akin to that." Arthur said before turning around and reaching up towards the ceiling, his hand grabbing at a small camera that had gone unnoticed before that point, "I'm turning this camera off, if you girls actually need me I'll be in the cockpit. Please don't drink all my alcohol if you can help it, and Joulie just drink the damn drink, it's not going to kill you. I don't think. Come on Igneel." Arthur said as he stepped into the front most portion of the ship, dragonling following right behind him with a joyful chirp coming from it.
Once Arthur had undone the camera and walked into his cabin after dismissing the other females she opened her eyes to glance at the flagon. Joulie unbuckled and then stood as she gently grabbed the flagon and walked past the others soon standing by the cockpit herself. She let herself into Arthur's room and closed the door behind her, letting the other two females do as they pleased on their own.

---

Lyssa didn't offer much resistance when Arthur stood, but she was still unprepared for it. Considering she was a bit tipsy too, her balance wasn't the best. As soon as he did, she stumbled, losing her footing and falling right on top of Iravis.
"Aww, alright. I'm done drinking anyways! See ya later Igneel!~" After that, the demon simply laid there for a few moments until Arthur left, before getting to her feet, still a bit unsteady. She hummed to herself, looking around the room, eyes falling back on the rebellious couch and then back to Iravis. She knelt next to the phoenix, and gave her cheek a gentle poke.
"Yep, she's out..." The demon giggled. Carrying people while you yourself were drunk, was probably a bad idea but she couldn't just leave her on the floor. With a small huff, she hefted Iravis and brought her over to the couch, stumbling and almost falling once, but managing to make it without any major incidents.
Iravis instinctively curled up slightly. "Damn Bohemond..." She seemed to reach for some non-existant sheets.
Bohemond?...well, Lyssa wasn't sure who or what that was, but Iravis looked like she wanted some blankets. The demon frowned, taking a look around the room, but not finding anything that would at least pass for a blanket. Hmm...for a private jet, it didn't seem like it had any really soft blankets or something. Weren't they supposed to have those or something? Hrm...well, she'd take a quick look around and see if there was anything.
She grabbed the mostly finished bottle of Vodka, downing the rest of it as she approached the bar and began going through the cabinets. After a few moments, no blankets were found. She huffed, a small pout forming on her lips. At least she found something she could use though. A lot of paper, and some pens. She had no idea what they were doing in the cabinet when there obviously should have been blankets there, but she wasn't going to complain.
She took a few sheets of paper and a pen, and walked over to the couch, placing them on the half table before taking a look around the room again. she needed a chair, but found most of them were bolted too the floor. Thankfully, she found one that wasn't and brought it back to the table, and took a seat.
Perhaps studying and doing a bit of...working on her magic while she was drunk wasn't a good idea, but she felt a bit motivated and there wasn't much else to do considering she left her laptop back at the dorm and Iravis was sleeping. She could always cuddle her, but that might end badly.
So instead, the demon started writing.
Igneel walked into the main room of the metal flying plane. He looked around the room. The bird lady was on the couch, her name was Iravis. The demon lady was nearby, writing. Igneel practically jumped over to her, curious to see what exactly was being written. Or even drawn! Igneel loved pictures. He rested his upper legs up against the half table the demon was writing on and looked down at her work. Since he couldn't saw human words yet he gave out a sharp chirp in greeting, not wanting to be rude.
Lyssa, actually seemed to be focusing. One hand was resting on the table, her other hand was writing chemical equations, formulas and all manner of chemistry and alchimia related things. The demon was definitely not ready for the small chirp from Igneel. The demon gave a quiet, somewhat startled yelp in response. A brief flash of red was seen as several cracks appeared on the surface of the table.
"...I really should get some gloves." she sighed, before looking at the source of the noise, placing some paper over the evidence of her crime. "Oh hi Igneel!~" She cheerily greeted the dragon. "What are you doing here?" She got off the chair, kneeling next to the baby dragon on the ground.
Igneel had been looking down at the things the demon lady was writing, they were really confusing but Igneel thought he was just about to figure it all out when the table cracked. Igneel jumped away, before slowly walking back.
The demon lady got down next to Igneel, which was just the best. It meant that Igneel could look her in the eye, eye to eye. He wasn't some tiny little pet!
However that didn't help the fact that he still couldn't say human words yet. So he settled on chirping and making a slight purring sound.
Eheh, he certainly was a cute little dragon! That purring was just adorable. The demon reached her hand out, and started petting his head. Gah, he was just a precious little thing. She wanted to take him home and give him tons of snuggles. Maybe if she asked really...'nicely' Wick would say yes?
"Aren't you adorable?~"
Igneel felt the lady's hand on his head, and mentally screamed. NoooOooOooo, Igneel was a dragon. A dragon! Big and scary! If Igneel was any bigger he would eat the lady! But then Daddy, Arthur, would be angry. But Igneel would still do it!
Sadly all he could do to show his anger was to growl in what was likely the cutest way possible.
Igneel really wished he could make human sounds.
The growl only made Lyssa find the dragon even more adorable. Unable to resist, she scooped the creature up in her arms, holding it tightly and snuggling it in place of a sleeping Iravis.
Not only did the demon lady not stop, but she even picked up Igneel! He started thrashing about and shaking, but he couldn't escape her iron grip. Slowly, painfully, Igneel decided to stop fighting it. It even felt, kinda good?
It was called a hug right? That was what this lady was doing? Igneel guessed that when he got big and scary he wouldn't eat this lady, no matter what.

---

Inside the cockpit Joulie walked up behind Arthur and then gently sank down in to Co-pilots seat. She looked outside for a while before glancing to him, "I am not going to consume this brew before I've at least had a chance to talk to you Arthur..." she said lowly and sighed as she reached down to pat his dragon. "I'm not sure what you find so funny in the idea of me drinking... we have barely just again met... and I'm saddened that you intend to force these 'games' on me" she said with a large hint of disappointment and sadness in her voice. "I would have hoped for a chance to just speak to you sooner... but you were quite busy... My faith wavers. Was it a mistake for me to return?..." she asked sincerely. She went silent, at the moment she just felt sad.
Arthur had taken back the controls. Despite being in a giant metal deathtrap waiting for an excuses to fall from the sky it was still calming to glide through the sky. One of the many reasons Arthur bought the damn thing. However, he didn't have much time to consider this before Joulie walked in and sat beside him.
Sighing deeply, Arthur replied, " I'm sorry. It was all in the name of fun and curiosity. You came at a bad time, the Magus games are always chaotic even on years when I do it alone. This year, well my mind is all over the place." Arthur took of his hat and let it fall to the floor before moving his hand through his hair. "Hey Igneel, could you go make sure Lyssa and Iravis are okay?" Arthur asked.
Giving a chirp the small dragon used its snout to push the door out of the cockpit open and stepping into the other room.
"Let's talk." Arthur said firmly.
She glanced towards his general direction as he took of his hat and let it fall to the floor. He then went ahead to ask the dragon to leave, something she found a bit curious to say the least but at least she felt it was a very respectful choice. She waited until they were alone and as Arthur firmly stated that they should talk she finally relaxed even if it was slightly. "Well your mind being all over the place is no news... you've always been a thinker, even when you don't use your brain to do it" she replied but in a kind voice as she kept looking to him. "But... I'm not here to just speak of the past I guess.... I want to talk about the now... I've come to understand this quest of yours is important for these games, and I've not come to take your fun away" she said put her hand on her own chin for a moment as she thought. "If it had been like before I wouldn't have hesitated to drink that bottle... say what you may, but I just don't feel comfortable enough doing such things for you right now. It may have been a bit presumptuous of me to just come here and expect that you would just let me back into your life with open arms" she continued and and then paused for a bit. "Yet.. you did... I'm humbled... and I should perhaps be more grateful than I show... I am sorry, " she said finishing and allowing Arhur some time to reply to her.
Arthur was quiet, flying the plane through the air, not much work now that the thing was in the air, it was good weather as well.
Why? Why did life always try so hard to be depressing? Arthur just wanted a simple life of throwing fire around and telling other people how to. Iravis, Joulie, damn near everyone else. Seemed like the only person who wasn't purposely trying to complicate life was A. But then again, A was a bit of a madman. But he had fun with that fact.
"Don't say sorry. Your a Valkyrie, sorry doesn't suit you. Your my familiar too, so sorry really doesn't suit you."
Joulie frowned slightly but were still rather eased up, Hearing him say that sorry didn't suit her she stood and then gently gave Arthur a hug. She slowly tightened it and just held him like that for a while before replying. [color=orhcid]"There's likely a million things that don't suit me... and I think I've burned through most of them with you"[/color]she replied softly. She then leans up to press her lips towards Arthur holding them there for a while to firmly seal a kiss with him. Unless she was pushed away she wouldn't let go that easily and at that point she unless stopped would sink down on the floor nearby. "Besides... I already promised you.... a promise you probably have forgotten... that at least around you I should let loose my emotions" she said and sighed, "... And I did... I let my emotions run wild... and you know what happened?... I fell in love with you... I cherished the time we spent together, and I had fun... things that I probably not felt in the longest of times felt possible with you... I was happy... even when you were drunk, I forgave you... because you made me remember that life were about feeling and experiencing it... Its why I came to be your Girlfriend... a Familiar signed so that I had a reason to stay by your side... an excuse if I would need it." she said looking to him. "It doesn't matter to me that years have passed... I still love you Arthur... its why I came back.... its why I'm here now... And because of it I want to apologize... I want to hug... I want to kiss and love... " she said looking down. "I.. .wish to be more than just a Emotionless doll that bring people to their after life... to be more than just a Valkyrie... please don't ask of me to become that again... " she slightly begged while lowering her head.
That was not what Arthur was expecting, but maybe he should have. How could he not have seen this? Why could he not remember this? Why did that drunken idiot from the past have to go and get a girl in love with him?
"I'm sorry. Arthur muttered after Joulie broke the kiss. Arthur pressed a few buttons, enabling the autopilot again as he rested his head into his hands.
"I'm so sorry. I'm a fool, a fool. My damn head won't remember you, won't remember that time, no matter how much I want to. What do we do Joulie? What are we supposed to do?" Arthur asked as he hid his face in his hands.
As he bent over like that Joulie looked up to him from where she sat on the floor. Yet seeing him like that because of his own conflicted feelings just like her own she gently put her hand on top of his head and patted him gently. She was unsure what to say at this point, but at least he seemed to still be gentle under that rough front. "...I don't know... what do you want to do Arthur?... what does your heart tell you to do?" she asked calmly as she kept stroking his head.
Arthur felt her hand upon his head, and he slowly raised his hand from his hands. It didn't really matter how he felt. Because of course, they were on a mission. And also really high up in the air in a metal box. Taking the controls again Arthur remained silent, not letting thoughts touch his mind for as long as he could get away with it.
Every once in awhile Joulie would try to raise some small talk, Arthur would reply, but for the most part, the room, and at that point the plane, was silent.

In a few hours they would be at their destination. They would grab the stupid relic, they would probably be forced to fight something for the directors fun, Arthur would melt it to ash, and they would go home. Then Arthur would hopefully be able to get things together.

It was an average day. Well, fairly average anyways. The Magus games were in full swing, or at least the first part of them were. A treasure hunt! It sounded exciting, very exciting! Especially to a certain blonde haired girl who was happily walking in an up-beat manner next to a rather skinny fellow with glasses. She’d absolutely love to go on something like this, though she wasn’t interested in the treasure. She was more or less interested in the possible creatures she might find on such a mission! So many things she could catalog, take samples from! Things she could cut…dissect.

But of course, she’d take her time. Rushing things was bad, and lead to people messing up! Yes yes, patience was a virtue indeed! Besides, she’d need to convince Graham, her bestie to go with her! It’d be no fun alone, after all, and Graham was perfect for a little…entertainment!~

“So, Graham!~” She asked, turning to face the boy next to her as she started walking backwards with somewhat uncanny skill. “What are we doing today, bestie? I’ve got some research I need help with!~”

The boy in question drudged slowly forward, following the invisible leash that the blonde beastie had wrapped around his skinny little neck. Dark bags lay underneath bloodshot eyes that lazily scanned the path before them. Yet another terrible night at the lovely Liseranna Academy. And what a surprise! It was all thanks to that nightmare before him. As if on cue, the girl turned to face him, and like always, Graham jumped a little. Even after two years, he was still constantly on edge around her. Of course, who wouldn't be? Suuure, she looks all sweet and innocent, but...GAH! It was so frustrating! No matter how far she pushed him, he couldn't push back. Not unless he wanted his guts to take a one way trip to sidewalk city. A second flinch hit him at the sound of her vile, vile, sick, nasty, disgustingly evil voice. It took him a moment to process what she had said, and although he opened his mouth, nothing came out. Graham never was much of a morning person, but damn was he feeling rough. Stress, probably. Hell, he also felt as if he were coming down with SOMETHING, which, y'know, was just the fucking icing on this shitcake.

Huh? Why was his night so shitty? Well...the third wheel was just about to explain that.

As the girl had her one-sided conversation with Graham, Lukas lazily cocked his head back at Meredith, his eyes rolling like bowling balls down an alley. Of course, this wasn't anything new to Lukas as she was always up to weird antics that encompassed mainly Graham. Since the Magus Games were in full swing, he would need to cut down on the slack a bit, and display what honed skills he had alongside his companions. Squinting at the two as he walked beside them, he piped up to interject as a way to assist the bespectacled boy, in hopes that he might possibly have some courage this time.

"Er, Meredith..." Lukas spoke loosely, without a care in the world to the girl walking backwards. "You're kinda forgetting I'm here too; plus, it's the Magus Games! We honestly shouldn't be goofin' off right now beautiful..." The boy sighed as he took in the sights, glancing away for a mere second before returning his gaze. Alright, fifth girl down for the day...

Despite his daze, Graham still managed to sigh and shake his head. Lukas was...desperate? Determined? Hell if Graham knew, really. But after two years of flirting with anything with tits and being impressively unsuccessful, he couldn't help but think that the guy actually got off on getting shot down. In a way, Lukas was the fucking Picasso of terrible pickup lines. Watching him work was...well it was like watching two trains crashing in slow motion. You know it's terrible, but there's just no looking away from it.

"You know, like breaking into Grahams quarters and sleeping with him per usual," Lukas stated as he sarcastically coughed, covering his mouth with a tight fist. As he began clearing his throat, he let out a whistle as he finished hacking. "Apologies, I think some dust tickled the back of my throat love..." Hopefully that bought enough time for Graham to response and maybe tell her to bugger off this time? Hopefully...

And there was the bombshell! The root of Graham's insomnia. Meredith, despite having her own perfectly comfortable bed, INSISTED on sharing his. Though sharing was probably a bit generous. No matter what kind of barrier the boy constructed, she managed to tear through it and occupy roughly 95% of the bedspace. Graham wasn't even sure how that was even possible. They were small people. He strongly considered the possibility that she used her freaky-deaky magic to expand her body JUST for that nefarious deed. And last night? Well, she decided that that last five percent of bed looking pretty tasty and...well, just took it. Poof. Graham ended up sprawling onto the floor with a crash. And being the idiot that he was, he just went with it.

Little known fact: the floors of the dorms in Liseranna Academy? About as comfortable as gargling broken glass.

"Ehe, but he's so much fun in bed!~" Meredith replied to Lukas, giving him a grin. "And I never goof off! I'm being serious! This research is part of the Magus games! Kinda. Who knows what kinda fun, interesting, dangerous," She seemed to emphasize that word just a bit. "Creatures we could meet! I must catalog them all! And as my assistant, Graham must help me! And you can too if you want, Lukas!~" She giggled, doing a twirl as she started walking in the direction she was looking. "Who knows! Maybe we'll run into a giant spider or something! Or maybe it'll be a snake lady you can flirt with!~"

The girl seemed entirely too enthusiastic about the prospect of meeting some odd creature.

Lukas could only stare, his mouth slightly agape as the girl twirled and twisted her words around the poor kid. He could only let her ramble on, contradicting herself to a pint as she asserted her dominance over Graham. To top it off, she treated this like it was a game! Games are fun and all, but dying here is cheap and has consequences from what he has noted. "With that attitude, I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up in body bags, whilst at the mercy of Miss Rolanda," Lukas grumbled as her hyperactive, overconfidence beamed through.

Of course, that wouldn't matter, because safety was overshadowed by the sheer facet of documenting every known beast and jumping around like a kid dosed with high amounts of sugar. Of course, there was mention of a snake lady by this eldritch abomination disguised as a hottie which caused a sneer, followed by a scoff. "Meredith..." His voice was rumbling, swinging low as a baritone before leading to the grand finale. "I'm a guy with standards," the boy brazenly puffed out his chest brazenly. "Unless that snake lady is any thing close to beautiful (while having an awesome bust (but that's a plus), and has a charming personality... wait... you're talking about Lamias aren't you? In that case..."

FOCUS LUKAS! Don't think about the seductive, busty Lamia as she draws you in... smothering you and putting you into marshmallow heaven while whispering sweet nothings into your ear...

And then he was lost to the erotic fantasies inside his head.

Oooh, Lamias. She had read about those, but never had seen one before. She'd love to get her mitts on one! Or at least, the body of one! She'd love to study their physiology, anatomy, and well, everything about them!~

Graham was dead to the world. Or was. A few moments passed...and...

The redhead's reddened eyes shot wide open. What the actual fuck did she just volunteer him to do?!! Graham began stammering gibberish, unable to form a coherent thought, let alone a sentence. THE MAGUS GAMES?! OH HELL NO! Not with Meredith. Not ANYWHERE NEAR THAT BEAST! Sure, Graham was not the biggest fan of the games. For some reason, he wasn't the biggest fan of life-threatening magical shenanigans. Go figure. Really, any way he could skirt around it or just coast through it with as little effort as possible, he'd take it. But Meredith...that sadistic chica would crack her whip and dedicate her life to making the experience as dreadful as possible. A lone tear made an escape down the tortured boy's face.

If in some previous life, Graham did something so horrible as to deserve such a fate...well fuck that guy. Fuck that guy and the horse he rode in on.

"Gi-giant spiders? Those aren't really a thing...right guys? Right? ...guys?" he managed to blurt out at last. Looking first at Meredith, then to Lukas, and back to the blonde menace, eyes full of terror.

"Ehe, who knows! But I'd love to find out!" Meredith replied, doing another twirl and starting to walk backwards again as she spoke. "It'd be fun! So many things I could learn from one!~" She gave Graham a toothy grin. "And don't worry, I'm not gonna let one eat you~" She might use him as bait, of course, but that was an entirely different matter. "That's my job, ehehe~" Judging from the tone of her voice, she may not have been joking.

Graham simply hung his head in defeat. As sad as it was, this was probably the closest thing to a win that he'd find. Might as well accept it now rather than fight against it. It would make whatever was left of his tragically short life much less stressful. Meredith wins. Again.

Lukas snapped out of his trance, reentering reality with a dozed mind... before realizing he was drooling a bit. Whipping the saliva off his chin, he resumed his stalwart and solemn position as he looked at the reclusive soul, cowering per usual at a frightening aspect. Defeated, from watching Graham unable to muster up even the Triforce of Courage within, shook his head and frowned while staring sympathetically at the kid. He mouthed windless words to the unredy red-head, beckoning him to tell her off. It was difficult to give positive support, especially since Doujin Girl could easily interject at any plausible moment.

Rotating his head back to Meredith, he spoke his piece, interjecting some logic into this whole mess. "I'm pretty sure that huge, hairy spiders are a thing... honestly, it isn't far out of the world of fantasy for such a creature to exist... but..." Lukas' hand shot up, his finger pointing upwards, piercing the heavens... at the side of his head. "Why do you feel the need to document these creatures; I mean, I'm pretty sure most of the things you've found have been documented somewhere."

To be fair, Lukas made a good point. In a perfect world, it might have even swayed the blonde tyrant. But this is not a perfect world and logic was just doomed to fail. Graham knew this. He knew it well. But hey, props to Lukas for trying it anyway. If he wasn't stuck between these two stubborn chucklefucks, he might even find the whole thing funny.

Cocking his eyebrow up, Lukas could only... chuckle? Groan? It was difficult to say how he reacted to the last statement as he had a mundane glare plastered on him. "Considering the fact that you want to observe things that are unmolested, you really are keen on molesting the kid (and every other victim you come into contact with)..." Lukas grumbled as he stared at the floor, reminiscing on his first encounter with Meredith, and the myriads more. He shuddered a bit, recalling one of the times when she tried to actually dissect him...

Why did Graham and him have to put up with such a ludicrous yandere?

Meredith stopped in her tracks upon hearing Lukas' words. The blonde gave him a grin, their faces suddenly merely inches apart as she placed a finger on his lips to shush his silliness before replying. "Why not?~ Oh sure, sure, they've been documented before! But not by me." She removed her finger, taking a few steps away from Lukas. "There may have been things people missed! Things I can improve on! And maybe one of these days I will discover a new species of something!" That seemed to be all she had to say on the matter of why she wanted to, though she didn't have a reply to Lukas' last comment and merely continued to walk in front of the two of them.

"Yes, yes, because one day you're going to discover that arachnids actually have nine legs instead of eight; what an amaaaaaaaaazing discovery!" His voice pierced through, a smile erupting on his face as he retorted with an amazing weapon that was sharper than his four blades - sarcasm. "I'll be honest here," Lukas continued, still using the same, lenient voice from earlier, except this time a little more... friendly? "You're pretty good at a lot of things like being physically beautiful, but you might need to tone down your fetish for discovering and rediscovering creatures... before dissecting them ten seconds later. You gotta focus on the big picture - we need to complete our task at utmost haste so we can enjoy what we do most later!"

Tapping his chin, he began to ponder on a couple of things they might do, before snapping back into the fray with ideas on hand. "Like hitting on attractive women, indulging in the ecstatic delight of slicing animals and aware beings alike, and a certain someone telling someone else to stop harassing them in so many ways possible." Leering at Graham, he bestowed the torch to the lanky young man, hoping he might seize the opportunity and catch the Casanovas drift.

If not, he may be back to square one as usual. Being a good friend is rough at times...

Graham shook his head and looked away from his unusual companions and their...bickering? Flirting? Sure, let's go with one of those. Their little group had been walking for some time and now they were...at the school's entrance. Why were they at the school's entrance?

Grrrrr...

He stopped in his tracks while the other two kept walking. Had he eaten yet? Uhm...no. No he had not. At all. Meredith just sort of woke him up and started dragging him around. "Uhm...hey guys? Where are we going, again? I'm starving here." he whined, holding his belly with his hands. Honestly, he wasn't as hungry as he was dead tired. Even if it was just to stop the group for a few moments while they berated him, the dude just needed a breather.

"We're going to the city for food, obviously!~" Meredith replied to Graham. "Can't have an adventure on an empty stomach, and I haven't eaten yet either!" The blonde stopped walking as well, turning around to face Graham as she reached into her clothing. After fumbling around for a few seconds, she pulled out an apple and tossed it towards Graham. "There ya go." She grinned. "That'll keep you alive until we get some food. Annnd possibly give ya enough energy to run if we run into one of those giant spiders, eheh~"

Graham was caught off-guard by the apple flying towards him, but it was his chance to finally redeem himself after years of athletic failure! He shot his hand out to where he thought the apple was going and...

No dice.

It bounced off his hand, rather painfully really. He fumbled with it for a moment before finally securing it. Not a pretty catch by any means, but it at least didn't hit the ground. He'd give himself a D+ for effort. Now as for the apple itself, Graham did question whether or not to risk it, but then his stomach did the whole growling bullshit again. It was either risk potentially dying due to poison apple, or absolutely die when Meredith's little field-trip inevitably blew up in their faces. He brought the apple up to his mouth, breathed on it, rubbed it on his shirt before taking a bite out of it. And to his surprise...it was...just an apple. Huh.

"Maybe if someone didn't cling on to someone all morning, you two wouldn't be starved and frittering our time away." Lukas shot a dirty look at the eccentric girl, still bouncing around and speaking of creatures that left a look of indifference on his face... before watching her toss an apple to the young man. "I don't know whether to applaud you for being considerate for someone elses health, or absolutely stunned you somehow procured food somewhere with your inordinate ah-

Wait... was that.

Girl near the gate, blonde hair, dressed wonderfully (though modestly), has an air of beauty about her, and has a nice bust!

Babe spotted, 12'o clock, port side. Scrub the decks and bring the best you out Lukas! A buxom beaut is in sight with a loli by her side! Target locked, time for this ship to board another and... fraternize with the cargo. Hopefully she has great cargo other than looks, as her physical attraction is a plus if she does. "aaaaction! Well, I guess going out to eat right won't be such a bad idea; double dates are always nice!~" Lukas eyed the girl ravenously; he was sharp, crisp, and ready with now brighten eyes and a confident smile. A predator to prey, if said predator wanted to flock and mate with prey. It seemed he didn't give a damn about contradicting himself, especially with that dame a couple of meters away.

"How about we invite that chica over there, heh," Lukas grin grew, winking to the duo as he jabbed a thumb into the air at the girl by the entrance. "I bet she would be great, great company, wouldn't you two agree?"

And once more, the boy became deluded, swimming in a sea filled with his own fantasies.

Meredith turned, eyes following Lukas’ until they landed on the two girls herself. A wide grin formed on her face. “Ooh, she does look like wonderful…research material!~” Meredith giggled. Well, another test subject friend wouldn’t be bad at all, would it?

While the other two were plotting out how to ruin the day of the poor, unfortunate soul that just so happened to catch the perv's eye, Graham just happily enjoyed his apple...or he was. Until...

"Mrmph...Mrere'd mroo mreet mris mrapple?"

"Oh, I grew it myself!~” Meredith replied, hopping back over to Graham. “Delicious isn’t it? A little radiation can make things taste a lot better!~”

@Savo @Rune_Alchemist @Ogobrogo @Kimiyosis

@liferusher
Adrians voice (Use your imagination)


Adrian stared in wide-eyed excitement, the thrill of becoming a familiar was suddenly the most interesting thing he could think of despite having been a familiar to over a dozen different people. Rarely by his own choice and more by whim for something new, but this was a choice he had requested and now was being honored with. The magic built in his body, focusing into his eyes to enhance the paralyzing effect. The moth man raised his hands to the sky and felt the energy beg for release, his colossal frame towering over Kirby before he thrust his magic out the only way he knew how.

Defeating gaze!

The magical induced paralysis rippled out like a wave at the only person in the vicinity, freezing her where she stood. A necessary part of the contract was to understand Adrians power firsthand, to know its effects and be able to overcome it if necessary, but it did not end there. A shake of his robes sent out the fluttering moths clinging to him, promptly he grabbed them from the sky and crushed them in his clawed apendages until they had turned to a paste, the final ingredient to the process was an aspect of his own body. Stomach acids mixed with the horrible remains of the moths to form a pitch black glob. Adrian moved behind Kirby and tore off a section of her shirt, enough to reveal her upper back and nothing else.

"Speak your words, Master, I will repeat them."

He spoke in her ear quietly as his clawed finger dipped into the mixture, drawing a crude picture of a moths wings and a skull in the middle of it. The bloody mucus neither stung nor ate at her skin but made it numb instead. Kirby spoke the words of binding, a phrase any first year was told to learn flawlessly for these very occassions, and Adrian repeated them word for word as he expanded the wing shape again and again until it reached from her shoulders to her lower back, the pattern of wings flowing from the skull like a wave. A representation of his own patterned wings.
At the peak of the ritual he was taken by the magic and raised from the ground as his spirit became anchored to his master.

"Let no enemy stand in my sight, Master, and let nothing find its way through me."

The final words of the fusing were symbolic, words of promise that effected the final outcome of the partnership between Master and Familiar. His wording became addition to the binding magic to create an effect unique to his relation now. Adrian did not understand the magic at work but he knew his gaze had intensified, his normally softer hairy skin had become smoother, thicker, a strong exoskeleton to protect him.
The magic faded and his paralysis ended on his master, now immune to the effect. Adrian briefly wondered what had happened with the symbol upon her back but could not look, afraid his impulsive nature had somehow scarred the poor girl.

Radi-radiation... huh. Graham nodded before turning his head and discreetly spitting the chewed up apple bits out. And the apple? It relocated to a convenient, nearby trash bin. Real nice neighbor, really. "Yep. Really uh...... really should have seen that one coming." he muttered under his breath.

Lukas didn't bother grimacing over the somewhat morally ambiguous response, nor the silence that Graham answered him with (which he assumed was pure agreement over the situation). Fluffing his hair up, adjusting his sheathes, and striking a smile with prominent cocky gazing, he knew he was ready to strut his stuff. "You can do some research on her Meredith!... but only at a distance; I'm the expert who has hands-on experience with these events, so leave the examination of the alluring damsels anatomy to me.~"

His head held high, he winked back at his friends as he gave them one last reassuring nod and whisper. "Watch and learn, the master is goin' t'show you how it is done once more!~" Lukas strode towards Ruri, conviction and pride on the palette shown like a blinding torch. As he approached the girl, he made careful observations as to how he would go about this whole spiel... in hopes of not getting shot down and sinking.

Meredith simply giggled, waving bye to Lukas as long, sinewy, appendage extending quickly from her upper back and catching the apple before it fell into the trash-bin. She was pretty sure she was more familiar with female anatomy than he was, considering he'd probably never seen any before and she was in fact, a female and had hands on experience with her own body daily.

Well, it'd be funny to see him fail again. So she brought the appendage holding the apple back to her, dropping the fruit in one of her hands before the tentacle disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared beneath her clothing.

More importantly...she turned her head to Graham, greeting him with a grin that could probably only be called nightmare fuel.

Uh-oh. Graham felt a chill run down his back. Something was wrong. Danger mode. DANGER MODE. DEFCON-1, PEOPLE!

The girl then turned to Graham, apple in hand. She walked right up to him, resting a hand on his shoulder, the same appendage that caught the apple appearing again in her sleeve, as it started to wrap around Grahams back. Not tight enough to actually restrain him, but definitely enough to make him feel a bit uncomfortable.

Ew.
Ew ew.
ewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewwewewewew-
Not good. Not good at all. That slimy tentacle...ugggh. Graham couldn't stand the slimy tentacle. It was just so disgusting looking. And...oh God... the texture. Bad day. Bad day. Bad day bad day bad day bad day bad day bad day bad day bad day bad day bad day bad day ba-

“Awww,” The blond spoke, leaning forward...close enough for her chest to touch his. “Don’t like my…Apples?~” Her voice was low, definitely suggestive in manner. “Maybe you’d prefer…melons?” She then proceeded to take a bite out of the apple, some of the juice running down her chin as she licked her lips."That's...easy enough for me to fix, hehe~" Her face was mere inches from his now, probably close enough that she could almost kiss him, if she wanted too.

See...people have this primal need to have their personal space. Some leftover shit from when they used to live in caves and kill bears with their bare hands or something along those lines. In this moment, Graham felt that oh-so important need being violated, not just by an unwanted intruder, but by THE UNWANTED INTRUDER. Meredith was so very close...why, she could most likely see the terror screaming behind his eyes.

DANGER MAX

DEFCON -5

Need to scream rising. No. No no no. Bad Graham. Keep calm and diffuse the situation. Make a little joke, change the topic, lighten the mood.

"Uhhh haha...yeah, I'm uh...more of a vegetable guy, really. Carrots are nice, y'know? Err, no I mean uh... OH! You've got something right uh...yeah."

Suddenly, Meredith’s chest would begin to feel just a bit heavier to Graham. If he just so happened to look, he would actually find her endowments to be getting just a tiny little bit bigger as she wrapped both her arms around his neck.

“Oh?~” She giggled. “Well…Carrots can be arranged, too.” For a moment, something seemed to shift under her clothing, specifically, around her skirt and abdomen area. Soon after, a second sinewy appendage slithered out from her other sleeve, revealing what was in fact, a carrot. “I grew ‘em myself, too~” The second appendage, then brought the orange vegetable, right up to Graham’s mouth as she gave him a somewhat expectant look.

NOPE!

People we have reached critical overload. This is a MELTDOWN! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! WE REPEAT, THIS IS NOT A DRILL! EEE-OOO EEE-OOO!

Graham's mouth opened, and a scream almost made it's way past his throat, but as Graham took a step backwards, his foot caught the apple bits and he lost his footing. Falling backwards and dinging his head. Scream dead, third grade completely forgotten.

Well, she was most certainly not prepared for Graham to trip. The blonde girl fell with him, locking her arms around his neck tightly as they fell, him dinging his head and her ending up on top of him.

Well, she didn't find the turn of events unfavorable.

The blonde simply laid there, still on top of the boy, not seeming to have much of an intent to move herself at the moment. Instead, she brought the half-eaten apple back to her lips and took another bite of it.

“Ehe, oops. Someone bumped his head.” She giggled, swallowing the apple. “Need a…comfy pillow to rest on?~” She pressed her chest into him again, just for emphasis.

Before he got a chance to reply, she sat up, and got off of Graham. Her tentacle appendages disappeared into her clothing, taking the carrot with them.

She stretched, before looking down at the guy and giving him a friendly grin as she offered him a hand to help him stand up. She had played with Graham enough for now. She was curious as to whether Lukas had been completely rejected yet. Again.

Well, besides the stinging sensation on the back of his head, Graham wasn't in too much pain. He was in a situation though. Not a good one. Like, seriously, Universe? Fuck you.

The boy waited patiently in hopes that Meredith would get off of him.

No dice. Again. Just more harassment. Again.

Then she did get off him. It was a miracle. Graham took her hand and rose back to his feet. Now that little episode had passed...

Wait...

Where was Luk-

Shit.

“Hey hey, come ooon, I wanna see Lukas get rejected.” She said once Graham got to his feet, not letting go of him. Instead, she promptly started dragging him to where Lukas was probably failing miserably to get with a girl.

---

"Alright, so I know what she's wearing... modest, covering up her necessaries... not much to work with unless I strike up a friendly conversation - tone of voice and body language, tone of voice and body language... watch for that." He eyed the girl and her position, starting at the stocking laced legs and working his way up to the skirt; afterwords her torso and arms. Finally, her face - she seemed to be in a good mood; maybe something swell happened to her today, or it was the fact that a dashing young man was walking up to her.

Lukas chose to believe the latter for the time being as he popped out from somewhere, giving the girl a strong smile as he pretended to notice her out of the blue. Keeping pace with the endowed lady and smaller friend, the boy spoke cheerfully - a sharp contrast to his previous attitude from earlier. "Nice lookin' day today; reminds me of this girls attitude and the way they're dressed!" Lukas gave the chick a wink as a hint as he continued talking. "What's gotcha in a great mood any way? Found a new interesting read or successfully completed some challenging task?"

Her musings interrupted slightly, as a boy entered her field of view, Ruri half lowered the pipe in her hand. "Indeed, it is a splendid day, however, you are too kind. Perhaps you should check yourself when you rise every morning." Commonly speaking, while taking the hem of her skirt, and gave a small curtsy, a habit from her lifestyle. Always return with polite words and behavior, especially towards someone you've never met. She turned her gaze up towards the sky, before the bemused smile returned. "While it is a wonderful day, it's the change in scenery that has placed one such as myself in a positive mood."

Everything was going as planned as the girl welcomed the exchanged. It was surprising to him, refreshing he could say, to not get shot down before he actually began flirting. The facade began to fade a little as his smile continued to beam blindingly. "Me? Oh, you're too kind, but I'm nothing special you know - just another magi aiming for greatness, but I'll be sure to commit that advice to memory." He bent his head slightly, tapping it twice before noticing where she was looking - the cerulean heavens above.

Lukas was lost in the sea of blue, only hearing what the girl had to say. It felt like a cut-scene out of a video game; except it was just the background with dialog... soothing dialog per say. "Heh, the summer weather is rather refreshing; on days like this, you could head to the beech, relax, and get some eye candy for both guy and gal." Putting his arms up, he began stretching before putting his hands behind his head, yawning a tinge. It wasn't long before his own head was level with the ground once more, the silence waxing for a moment.

"But doesn't that mean I'm a part of the change of scenery too?" Lukas turned his head to the girl, abruptly shooting it out as he stared. "Guess that means I've kinda put an elegant lady in a jovial mood,~" Lukas exclaimed, his pearly whites now on full display as he continued. "That leaves me in a great mood too, you know! Now that I think about it..."

"You're participating in the Magus Tournament from what I can assume," his tone grew a bit more serious, drifting away from the carefree mood he was in for a bit. "So I can assume you're going out to compete too." His face was still, neutral even as he began recalling the task. It almost looked as his mental processes stopped, as his desires and logistics were in a game of tug of war, vying for control whether he would try to get into her pants, er skirt, or finish his mission, then get into her skirt.

"Hey, maybe I could help deal with your needs, and you with mine; I understand this is a competition, but we need to help each other out from time to time." A mischievous grin formulated as he tilted his head downwards, dwelling on a few fantasies once again. "Before we do any 'research' on specific topics, I still have to introduce myself too... and, y'know, give you the choice of pairing up." Letting one of his hands fall back to his sides, he put a hand on his chest and gave a polite bow due to her reaction from earlier.

"My name is Lukas Kunze, year five, master of matter with my glamorous mind; may I have the pleasure of knowing your name, other than your middle name being beautiful?"

Looks like his desires won this round, per usual...with some really, horrible flirting.

Ruri had to contain her laughter. This boy, was trying far too hard, It was be so much easier if he went about at a more natural pace. This was almost like one of those romantic plays. Her amusement hidden behind a smiling mask of an expression, Ruri pondered for a moment over the boy's -who had introduced himself as Lukas- words. Magus tournament. Which would mean that it was a place where many different magi showed off their magic. Perhaps she could find the key to her lifelong goal there. "Of course I shall be competing. However, perhaps finding allies to support one another beforehand isn't such a bad idea." Choosing to answer the more serious question first, before choosing how to tackle the more....informal method of his advances.

"While some needs may be taken care of by others, one shouldn't be so intimate with an acquaintance. Perhaps if we were to know each other more, then one can give it some thought." As gentle as she could, she tried to decline the advances from Lukas. It had seemed to be going well, until Suki spoke up. "Master, don't waste your time with this degenerate. He obviously lacks the brains to communicate properly." Glaring at the boy with an arrogant look, her expression as if she was viewing a cockroach, mildly disgusted and almost pitying. However, a smug smile quickly appeared, as her gaze lowered slightly. "But...I guess his brain is big enough. When compared to what he packs down south anyways."

As the young woman softly declined his prodigious proposition, Lukas began reclining out of his slightly exaggerated pose. Before he knew it, he was standing normally as the Cheshire smile began to dissipate, leaving him with a much more, honest grin. Her denial wasn't as over the top as some of the other prospective companions rejections (or rude for that matter), as she left him with a bittersweet taste in his mouth, more leaning on sugary delights. It left him open to at least try again for the matter, but above all, he felt successful for once.

"... Heh, alright, I give, I give. Starting at square one instead of at the very end suits me fine too," Lukas spoke gently, his previous, corny facade vanished and he became a bit more genuine. Before he continued on, that little loli he previously forgot about popped up into view, criticizing Lukas very harshly. The little devil went on about how he lacked any sort of gray matter to the wisdom he heralded. "Excuse me, but aren't you being a bi-," he cut himself off at her final choice of words, which left him dazed, with widened eyes.

Did she...

Did she just really insult...

His.

Man.

Hood?!

Despair crawled like tiny spiders onto his face, little by little; his right eye twitched a little. For a moment, he was at a loss of words, befuddled to the point of more return, reeling from the damage caused by that insolent, little girl! It was difficult enough dealing with Meredith's insanity, but going as far as to just be plain crude when they first met? But, UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH he wanted to retort so badly, and yet her friend who he hit on was still lingering about. She went too far, yet he couldn't give some retribution...

...

Maybe he could... just maybe. The color on his face began returning to him as he furrowed his brows, looking downwards at the fiery child in charred clothing. "Y'know," his voice was shaky, yet irrepressibly calm, the eye of the storm. Lukas wasn't going to let this lovely ladies rude acquaintance get the best of him, nope, nada. "Insulting someone without knowing a single thing about em' is a great way to give yourself a nasty rep." His pace was even, a rhythm of words flowed out like smooth jazz. "... but I know when someone is trying to dissuade the competition; it isn't arduous to understand."

His tone was faintly condescending, his voice was surging with confidence, his neutral mouth growing upwards into a sneer. Lukas' eyes focused down the girl, as if she was a transparent, malign spirit who held no love for mankind. "Face it, I can tell you are infatuated with your friend and you don't want to see another snatch her away, correct?" A trump card was at hand, a jest was made - he truly appeared serious on the matter as he indolently crossed his arms. His eyes read "your move," as he stood there awaiting the girls next volatile strike.

Suki turned her head and crossed her arms over her flat chest, as she heard Lukas speak. Of course, hearing the boy trying to defend himself only riled up her fighting pride. However, glancing from the corner of her eyes with suspicion, as the boy continued to speak. Suspicion that had become true. "Y-you! W-w-w-what are you t-t-trying to i-imply?! I couldn't care less whether or not Master wants to h-hook up with you! Like I give a d-damn!" Her words interrupted by numerous stutters, her face completely red as she dropped her arms and glared head-on at Lukas.

Lukas failed to comprehend that something like this would happen as he lowered his arms completely; his confidence twisted to sheer befuddlement as the girl began stuttering like a two year old attempting to enunciate a word or two. His hands drooped downwards, completely segregating as they limply stood at his side. He was honestly at a loss for words - he barely knew this chick and already he was guessing correctly, whilst on a joking manner!

"Uh, missy? I was, er,"The boy attempted to get his piece in, outstretching his arm just ever so slightly... but the girl continued to motor mouth through, as if Armageddon was at hand. Lukas could only shakes his head mentally as he stood there, letting the whole scene play out.

"However!" Pausing momentarily, she pointed at Lukas, her arm outstretched, as if to emphasis her point, she continued speaking. "You were quite desperate when you were hitting on my Master, despite only meeting her! Which probably means that you have Never. Had. A. Girlfriend. Ever! Talk about pitiful! The most likely conclusion was that you were a disappointment to every girl out there! So it's most likely that t-the size of y-y-your...your...that you are rather lacking!" Unable to even properly finish her sentence, as Suki's face seemed to become more and more flushed with embarrassment.

However, before she could continue her rant, Ruri calmly placed her hand on the smaller girl's shoulder. "...Master...? Why are you using the Neutra-" Before she could finish her words, an object appeared above Suki's head, about a meter away. The object, taken by gravity, dropped quickly, and slammed into her head with a heavy sound, of thick, sturdy metal impacting bone structure. Mouth agape in shock and pain, the girl lost consciousness, and would have fallen to the ground if not for the support of Ruri's hand wrapped around Suki's waist, while the object, easily seen to be an over sized gear, rolled a few feet before tipping over and coming to a halt. Although only for a fleeting moment, it seemed that there was a dainty pair of hands in the air where the gear had appeared. However, as soon as Ruri sent her gaze at them, those hands retreated into nothingness, as if they were never there.

"At this point, I have no clue whether to pity the girls desperate attempts or be shocked at the fact that she can't come up with any good insults at this point." It was invariably obvious that it wasn't getting to him since he had the upper hand... well other than the disappointment part which he bared his molars for a brief moment, as if pain was coursing through his veins. "Ok, so while in a disruptive, accusative, angered state, she becomes just about as accurate as a shotgun - lucky to hit something if she tried."

While he didn't react to anything, he cooled down just a tinge as the loli cluelessly quizzed her... master? This child was a familiar? That answered his question over why this lovely lady could stand hanging around such an arrogant person. Of course, what happen next left him completely dazed. An... over sized metal object dropped onto the young girls head with a sickening crack, before the cog slammed onto the ground with an erupting clunk. While he flinched a bit, holding his hands up a few centimeters from his torso as if they were miniature shields, he took heed of the lifeless hands that wiggled in a robotic fashion before dispersing into thin air.

Ok then... That's one way to shut her up (a super creepy and harmful way), but Lukas found that method to be a bit overkill; someone as soft spoken as her could of conjured up another, less unpleasant way to resolve this, no?

"I must apologize for this child's behavior. She has quite a number of flaws, but she's a good kid." Bowing slightly, Ruri kept an apologetic expression on her face, until she straightened up. "If I recall, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Ruri Tokei, year six, and a humble doll maker and clockwork designer. This child here is Suki, and she is a Living Artifact, and my catalyst."

Lukas returned his attention swiftly to the young woman who introduced herself as Ruri Tokei, doll maker. He couldn't help but shift around slightly as she then went to introducing her brash mouthed companion as a living artifact. His interest was slightly piqued about them both, but he couldn't help but worry himself over the peculiar magic Ruri heralded. Putting up his former attitude, he continued to act as if nothing alarming transpired, though he did ponder on the physical condition of Suki.

"I-it's fine Ruri, and it's a pleasure to meet you too," he exclaimed with a nervous smile. He eyed the cold girl, limply held like a doll by her master. Er, I don't think that shushing her up like that was completely necessary," he spoke out, showing some concern for both familiar and master. "I mean, I can tank insults, but don't you think that was... extreme to an extent?"

Lukas spoke, worried over the intensity of the situation and how calm she was while performing the feat. At any rate, he managed to stand stalwart, but had some disquiet traces about. "So, I guess those... things you summoned with that portal - your dolls?" Lukas felt that this whole situation had gotten tense and eerie as possible. "... er, maybe you can elaborate that later, or something." He feigned a smile before continuing on. "So, you wanna walk, talk, and grab a bite with some of my friee..."

As he jabbed a thumb out at where they last were, he rotated his head to see what they were up to... which lead to him to cutting off mid-sentence. His jaw was agape as he watched Meredith hastily dragged Graham over, like a sock puppet, nearing the trios location. "Oh dear god, what did she do while I was gone," Lukas muttered under his breath as Doujin Girl approached. "Uh, friends; these guys!" Lukas turned his gaze back to Ruri, anxiously smiling as they arrived.

Meredith still had a death grip on Grahams wrist, practically dragging the boy with her. Any protests he may have had, fell on deaf ears as she approached Lukas and the two girls, her usual grin displayed on her face. She was even humming a happy little tune, with the apple in her free hand as she walked up to Lukas and his recent victims of horrible flirting. How did she know it was horrible? Well, one he was Lukas. Two, one of the girls was passed out.

“Lukas!~” She cheerily greeted, walking up to him. “Ehe, flirting with other girls again, are we?” She chuckled, glancing at Suki. “Swing and a miss, hmm? Must have been really horrible ones if she passed out.” She ended with a teasing giggle, before taking the final bite out of the apple.

Still, since they hadn’t kicked him out yet means he must not have offended the other girl too badly. Well, that was interesting. Most girls she knew ended up brushing him off.

“I’m Meredith!” She introduced herself to Ruri, fumbling around in her clothing again for a few seconds. “Want a carrot? I was gonna give it to Graham but he doesn’t want it.”

Ruri calmly shook her head in denial at Meredith's guess regarding Suki's current...predicament. "No need to worry, it was this child's fault for being unable to behave appropriately." Quickly explaining the unconscious girl, Ruri's attention diverted towards the boy being dragged.

The carrot-topped hostage's eyes were wide with terror, as he shook his head from side to side, frantically mouthing the word NO over and over again.

Her thoughts interrupted as the girl had offered her a carrot, withdrawn from the depths of her clothing. Unfazed, Ruri smiled. "While I'm grateful for the offer, I'm going to have to decline. I'm not hungry at the moment."

“Aww, no one wants my fruits and vegetables.” Meredith sighed, though she wasn’t really disappointed. “I worked so hard to grow them... Welp, more for me then!~” The blonde then stuffed the thing in her mouth, and began to chew. Ignoring the comment about the fainted girls’ behavior, Meredith simply extended her right hand instead.

Still smiling, Ruri mirrored Meredith's actions, and extended her hand as well, shaking hands with the other girl.

Meredith grinned and vigorously shook the other girls’ hand with both of hers, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically but otherwise, she opted not to mess with her for the moment.“Hehe, well you’ve already met Lukas! The one being all shy back there Is Graham.”

As Ruri corresponded to Meredith's actions, Lukas was relieved that nothing went awry for the most part, seeing as Meredith was very eccentric in her field of "research." Of course, the jab was unnecessary, but he shrugged it off as he reverted to a reserved state. Eyeing Graham, he mouthed out the words "sorry" to him, whilst displaying a hidden tinge of displeasure before continuing with his collected demeanor. "Well, shy is a bit of a stretch Meredith... discomfort is more like it due to someone elses actions." Lukas gave her a glancing glare before resuming.

"Anyways, even though you aren't really peckish at the moment, you wanna join up with are little group? These two are gonna grab something to eat before they continue on with the Magus Games since they forgot to eat this morning." Lukas gave the girl a warm smile as he extended his hand forward, giving her the option to latch onto it, sealing the deal, or to deny it. As he did so, the large cog near the five began to lift itself off the ground, hovering in place briefly before floating right over to Lukas. He took a brief look at it before mentioning something else.

"By the way, do you want this back?"

Ruri shook hands with Lukas, and with a nod, agreed to join up for their little outing regarding food. However, as she beheld the sight of her gear being lifted up, and floated over, most likely with magic. "Ah, when you mentioned mind and matter....I presume this would be it? Telekinesis? Or some variation thereof?" Out of curiosity, Ruri voiced her question, before shaking her head lightly in denial. While she would prefer to take that gear back, that was not possible while Suki was still out cold, as using magic directly was a bad idea.

However, by chance, the loli in her hold stirred, before struggling to stand properly. "M-master....? Ugh....I have a pounding headache...." Now that her catalyst was awake, Ruri could cast her magic.

"On second thought, I'll retrieve the gear." With that, the pale, disembodied pair of arms reached out from nowhere, took hold of the gear, before withdrawing back into nothingness, taking the cog with it.

"Shall we get going?"

Gently grasping her hand and shaking it, Lukas was glad that she came to the conclusion of joining them before commenting in awe over the floating gear. "Right on target Ruri," Lukas free hand snapped, the boy winking in approval of her answer. "Telekinesis is my specialty, through and through! Wish it could lift up people, buuuuut," shrugging, Lukas put both of his hands up, flat in the air, "that's how the cookie crumbles; maybe in the future I might be able to bend the will of people."

"That would make it easier to pick up girls, wouldn't you agree?"

"I'm ready, hope you two are," Lukas exclaimed proudly, excitingly squeezing his fist as his elbow jabbed downwards. "Lets go, Team!... uh..." He stopped speaking mid-sentence, staring absentmindedly as he stood there, a bit embarrassed at this whole situation. "... RWBY? Ok, forget I ever said any of that... please."

Eh, maybe coming up with a squad name wasn't such a bad idea, if he didn't continuously act this hammy.

Adrian looked excited about being her familiar. She hadn't seem him excited like this yet, she was even surprised he would have been so happy to spend his life with someone like her. Reina sweetly smiled back at him as her rose his hands above his head towering into the sky overlapping Reina with shadow. Reina curiously looked at what he was trying to do but she noticed soon enough. As his eyes shone down upon her, Reina's eyes widened as she wanted to pull her body away from him but it was already too late.

Reina froze on spot having a rather terrified look on her face. Her eyes moved with the movement of Adrian. She tried talking but her words were barely understandable since she couldn't move her lips any longer. Reina tried calling for help and such but we all knew that something like that wasn't gonna happen.

Adrian began preparing for the ritual by crushing his own moths. Well Reina didn't even have to show what she thought of it since the expression was already on her face. He added some of his own liquid and it only looked worse. Reina's thought process slowly moved on as she realise that he wasn't making it for nothing and that he was actually going to do something with this.

Adrian moved towards her back, she couldn't see what he was doing any longer and just had to hope now. Adrian ripped her clothes apart from the back. He tore her upper shirt and the strap of her bra clearing her upper back from anything in the way. Reina released a muffled cry for help but still... nothing came. Adrian asked to speak her words, well here goes nothing.



Her voice rose as he placed the mucus onto her back and wasn't even completely understandable by the paralyzing effect that Adrian had given her. Not only did it feel gross but it also gave a numbing feeling on the spots he had drawn on. Reina kind of wondered what he was doing back there. Well to be exact she was trying to kill him so he would stop with that. When Adrian finished his little ceremony Reina's face immediately cringed in disgust and moved away from Adrian. Her arms wrapped around her body in a hug and squated down slightly.



Reina was tearing up and about to cry as loud as she could. How could she accept the pervert as familiar?! Well he probably didn't even realise how wrong he had done to Reina. It wasn't untill she realised that he was pretty scared for Reina. Reina shyly tried smiling at him now not trying to scare him off but wasn't done with the gross feeling on her back yet. She was kind of bend over when she attempted to try and look on her own back. She held her hairs firmly so that they wouldn't spread the muckus even more or would get stuck in her hair.