[IC] The Light In The Darkness

[Cartwright]

Ansen smiled upon receiving such a positive response then cleared his throat, his light spirit seeming to transition to his serious one as he walked up to the table. The cianid walked up to a chair, but instead of sitting in it he scooted it aside. Instead, the guardian climbed on top the table after shifting some of the plates aside and waved everyone to the table, his tail seeming to have difficulty to find a resting spot. "Everyone! I ask you take a seat and continue your conversations another time. Lets first get this address over for the new ones." He announced, wrapping his right hand around his sword with a big smirk despite the lack of his typical laid back voice.

Feress upon hearing the ex-general's voice looked up at the wolfish creature, raising an eyebrow as he internally questioned why the guardian decided to get on the table. Letting out a slight sigh, the researcher had to agree and grab the nearest open seat next to Elaine, almost having to actually hop onto the seat.

[SnowAngel]

Arya shot Anders a glare before sitting down at the table, Lyari sitting on her left side. She left place on her right side for Jason as she beckoned him to sit down next to her.
She then looked at the beastman climbing on the table. "He's sure making himself comfortable." The girl whispered to Jason, giggling.

Lyari looked annoyed at the two of them and noticed Arya laughing. He felt his stomach twist. "What was so funny? Why isn't she telling me in stead of him? I'm her best friend. She hardly even know's the guy! Maybe Arya was fooled by this demon making her think he's innocent and good, but he won't be fooling me." The elf thought eyeing the both of them..

[JessieTargaryen]

"Effort to get everybody's attention. I gotta say, I wouldn't be able to ignore a beastman on a table."He said with a small smirk as he sat next to the girl. He moved his sword so the blade was sitting behind the chair. That w way Jason wouldn't accidentally skewer himself whenever he tried to sit down. That would have been pretty awkward.

[Slypheed]

Sakura smiled "Nice to meet you Elanie." her voice changed to normal, even Sakura hated doing the higher pitch voice "Me and Caroline will always be here if you want someone to talk to." she smiled once more before turning her attention to the beastman who was standing on the table. She couldn't help but make a remark "Weren't we going to eat on that table later?" she smirked.

Caroline's attention didn't turn to the beastman, it stayed glued to the girl. She walked up to her and sat in front of her. She was still quite big when sitting, but she poked at Elanie's cheek "What are you? I've never seen anyone like you"

[deadpixel101]

Dusk followed after his conversation partner, taking a seat beside him. Looking at bit better at his features now that his hood was off, he didn't actually expect to see so many elven folk around here."What an interesting group indeed..." he said smiling to himself, he looked again at each of the new faces, they were all so different. He was getting interested in what sort of team they would make up...it could really go either way, there seemed to be a little shaky ground with...a few members.

Elaine nodded to the woman with a big smile, she actually seemed quite nice...Elaine decided she should not judge people until she spoke to them...as if to test her new conviction a very serious and scruffy man made his voice heard. Elaine's first though was he was scary...then he glared at a boy and that didn't really make Elaine much more confident that she was wrong...a poke to the cheek broke up her thoughts, and she heard another new voice. "Uhm..." was all she could muster at first to the question. "Pixie...half" she said after a short time of thought, she had been asked this before, and had actually asked herself, it was only known to her a year or so ago...Another off the wall event broker her train of thought, when someone stood up top the table. Elaine shrunk down in her seat a bit when he made his voice even more commanding.

[Nytem4re]

Anders decided now was a good time to start. These people got side tracked way too often for his liking anyway. "Now listen up." He placed a map on the large table in front of him, and pointed to several points near the human empire's borders. "Outpost Draxis, Aegis, and Thel took the brunt of the first onslaught of the taint. Draxis and Aegis were able to hold. Thel is currently under siege by our forces to bring it back under our control. The taint comes from the north, the largely unexplored part of the Continent. And I led a scouting party into these lands. Unfortunately, we were bogged down and took too many losses before we were able to find anything of relevance. The darkness is apparent there, as a dark fog envelops it at all times. It becomes thicker as you travel further into the unexplored mainland. A few miles forward, and it was so heavy, we felt like we were fighting ghosts. As such, if it comes to it, I will lead the circle into the corrupted mainland, considering my experience, if that is the route you wish to take. Any questions?"

[Cartwright]

Ansen nodded to Anders when the general started briefing everyone, waiting for the man to finish before he spoke. "Thank you for the information. If nobody has any questions I want to point this out to all of you.. Welcome to the circle, you are one of the few to have the courage to stand up against the unknown. I respect all of you for that, but mark my words: you are equal regardless of title or race. I expect everyone of you to cooperate with eachother. I will not take you out there if you don't concede to that requirement. Ladies, gentlemen, when we are out there, its only us.. Eachother." He cleared his throat, his tail doing a skip upward before he continued. "Huntresses, warriors, heroes, and citizens. This is your opportunity to earn your stories as a guardian, a protector, and a savior."

Feress was quiet throughout the speech and briefing, and when he had the opportunity the kitsune spoke up, his ears twitching a few times. "Is there any chance there are survivors in the darkness? Do we have any reports of such things?"

[JessieTargaryen]

"All reports you here of survivors in the darkness are false. Nobody survives unless it lets you. That land had been poisoned by the curse and the dead roam, alive once again. Demons have come to the overworld to expand Thier empire. It is a land that feeds off of Fear and spawns new beings with terrifying powers. So no, there are not any survivors. The only survivor stands here now telling you of his travel into it. I am the only survivor. I can also be your guide. I can see clear as day through that darkness." Jason says as he stands up and approches Anders. "What the beastman said is true. We will have to put differences behind us. I am willing to do so if you are. Otherwise the darkness will feed on it and tear us apart." He says directly to the man. Then extends his hand for a handshake. The humans seemed find of such a gesture.

[SnowAngel]

"Only us... eachother." Arya repeted the words silently to herself scanning through the room. The only one she could have a problem with was Anders. But for the sake of her people she would try to coöperate with him,.. everyone. But she did have her doubts about the little girl that was eagerly eating her food. Wasn't she a little to young to come along? It would be dangerous. The princess was sure to keep an eye on her. Then her eyes fell on the half-demon, Jason. She didn't have any problems with him joining. In fact Arya quite liked it. He was strong, after all he's been through he was still standing, facing the world head on. Arya admired that, and of course he was rather good looking also. She blushed at that and caught herself staring at him.

[Slypheed]

"Jason~~" Venessa exclaimed happily as she feel from a disappearing portal. She was in her true form as she fell onto the half demon boy. Her arms out stretched, as if she were going to hug him. It didn't take long for her to crash down on the boy. No doubt leaving a bruise or two afterwards

[Nytem4re]

"You claim there are no survivors, yet you also claim it can let you survive, and apparently you survived. Hmm. I do not know what you have been taught in the depths of hell, but here, there is something called logic. It would do you well to learn this simple concept." Anders merely stared at the outstretched hand. " We may be allies for now, but that does not mean I need to show respect for you. I do not expect anything from you either." At that moment, another demon fell on top of the first demon.

What in the living...? Anders immediately pulled out his sword, wary of the new arrival. "Do you things simply multiply? Or is this just the place for all the demons to hang out now all of a sudden?"

[JessieTargaryen]

Jason registered a call of his name then somebody fell onto him. Jason grunted as he got up from under the girl. "Vanessa, you should really work on your portal control. Can't keep falling on me." He said with a grin as he helped the girl up. Then turned to Anders. "I'd back off. Vanessa is not as easily controlled as I am. And clearly the concept if me being the lone survivor has flown past you. The darkness allowed me to pass because I am a demon, and it recognizes my species as servants of the Darkness." He says to Anders, although he had moved himself between Anders and Vanessa. His hand hanging at his side but ready to draw the sword quickly if needed.

[Cartwright]

Ansen watched the scene unfold with a sense of dismay in his facial expression when he observed one simple event causing the group to practically fall apart... And the hands near blades wasn't helping. "Aii.. What am I going to do with these people.." The Cianid muttered, running his hand through his head with a deep sigh as he turned and hopped off the table, straightening his cap when his feet were planted on the ground. He looked over at Feress then nodded before exiting the room, his destination unknown for the time being.

Feress who's eyes were shifting around the series of conflicts eventually met the old guardian's eyes. When they met and the kitsune had time to register the Cianid's expression he nodded in response, clasping his little pawish hands together as he stood up in his seat. "Swords down and hands at your side! All of you!" He demanded, the assertive image being difficult for him to hold up because of his appearance as a small... Innocent looking creature. "We still have to speak of the arrangements for tonight... You.. You are you?" His question was directed to Vanessa even though her name did come out of Jason's mouth. There was a need of confirmation still..

[Slypheed]

Venessa giggled, despite the situation she caused. "I've worked on my portal control Jason, I just like falling on you since you're the only one who doesn't mind it" she looked at Ansen and just smiled at him with a childish smile. Then her attention turned to the kitsune, she took a bow and introduced herself "I am Venessa Netheri, royal guard to Jason." she didn't say his true last name, as she knew he didn't want to be associated with it anymore. She pulled up from the bow, and looked around the room at everyone else. "Quite the interesting mix of races you have here."

---

Sakura was stunned by the sudden entry of a new person, and it was obvious she wasn't invited to the party. But she let further reactions be taken out by the others. Although Caroline seemed to have been caught off guard, scrambling up into a defensive stance, trying to be between her and the half pixie as much as she could without being on the table.

[deadpixel101]

Elaine was as deep back in her seat, listening as intently as she could, when the random woman dropped from the sky, landing on the younger boy. Elaine didn't have much time to react, as before she could even get a good look at the situation, someone had stepped between her and it. Elaine looked to the back of Caroline, the one who had just become a wall between her and the excitement, it took her a few seconds to recognize that the situation could easily turn dangerous, and that Caroline was protecting her. She was about to try and muster some words before Feress suddenly made his voice heard. Elaine's attention moved to the small furry creature as he tried to be commanding, she couldn't help but feel he was forcing it a bit, she looked back over to the late drop in (har har) and listened to her response, it didn't surprise her, but it certainly interested her. She would try, despite probably a few people's efforts, to get acquainted with this mysterious demon protector.

Dusk just sat back and watched as everyone got a bit heated, feeling a tad worried something might set them off, he moved to rise from his seat but before he could an odd looking woman appeared out of nowhere, she landed square on the person currently speaking and well, it started a little commotion. Dusk slumped back in his chair, "oh boy" he said chuckling slightly, interesting interesting interesting...

[JessieTargaryen]

Jason turned to ferress. Respecting the being' s wishes, although he did keep an eye on Anders, not completely trusting the man yet. "Vanessa, get up. We need to focus right now. Okay?" He says to the girl on the floor next to him. In very much the same tone that one would use when talking to their best friend.

[SnowAngel]

Arya looked at Vanessa and Jason then quickly looked away with red cheeks.
Lyari saw her reaction and thought he could use that to his advantage. He leaned towards her. "They sure look close don't they?" He said while patting her back.
"They do?" She winced looking up at him.
"Yeah, they probably know eachother for a long time. Can't you tell?"
Arya stuttert looking back at the two friends suddenly she got grabbed from behind and pulled onto Lyari's lap. "Lyari what the...?"
"You know I can't stand it when my best friend is upset. So lets turn that frown upside down." He grinned.
Arya's eyes widened and shook her head. "No... Lyari, I warn you.. don't you dare!" She tried to escape but was to late as Lyari launced his tickle attack on her. She bursted out in laughter. "No-o-o! Lyari sto-o-p! Eeee!" She hit him in the stomach and he quickly let go of her. "I'll get you back for that." She said clenching her fist.
Lyari held his stomach in pain. "Got you in a better mood didn't I?" He grinned in pain.
Arya looked at him and giggled. "Sure."

[Cartwright]

Feress, the small kitsune glanced between Anders and the demons as he waited for both parties to settle down. It was a consolation to the circle member when he observed Jason following his request, but when Arya and Lyari started into a tickle fight a resolution came to mind about all of this disorganization. The kitsune cleared his throat and tried to speak again, but his voice was more quiet and withdrawn compared to the commanding voice he used earlier. "Perhaps we should stay the night here like Ansen suggested.. It would be a mental affair for us if you guys are going out there with hands on throats and dying by the darkness. Too many people have died.. Too much deatg." A slight sigh escaped the little one as he sat down, his ears flicking back and forth.

[Slypheed]

Venessa nodded when Jason said to calm down, but once the Kitsune said everyone was to be staying the night, she threw her hands up "Yay! A sleep over!" She latched onto Jason's arm "I hope I get the same room as Jason" she said with a big smile on her face.

[JessieTargaryen]

Jason pulled his arm out from Vanessa's grip. "I'm going to go find a room." He says before walking first towards Arya. "Don't worry about giving back my jacket. You keep it. I don't get cold." He says with a smile and touches her hand. A sign of friendship. Then he turns and walks down the nearest hallway, almost instantly finding a room. He laid claim by scratching 'Jason is in here' on a spare piece of would and leaving it outside of the room