[IC] Dusk: The Return of Caligo Nox

[Demous]

Watching the little exchange Say'ri frowned, "I had hopped for a quiet few hours..." sighing she turns around and follows Cassie to the kitchen after a couple seconds. When she got there she waved for her to sit back down, "I don't really need any help sit there and rest. To answer you question is yes. Some vampires eat."

[manapool1]

Marduk stepped back appalled by what she had said, as if he was the robber.
"my name is marduk, and I am the assistant of the fare maiden that lives here" he looked at the girl again, this time with pity in his eyes. He hated seeing fellow 'monsters' in pain. He pulled on of the leaves out of the bag and handed it to her.
"this is supposed to help with pain, I don't know why chrystella wanted it, or now that I think of it, if she even did" he had a tendency of putting in anything he knew had a good side affect. He looked away from the girl and he held the leaves in his hands, as he noticed now how she looked, cute even when she was hurt. He looked at the people around him. Maybe they were chrystella's friends, or just people in need, he was going to be nice, as long as they did the same.
"so, may I get you guys anything? Tea? Maybe a little bite to eat?" he said as he looked around, smiling, he was happy to have friends around.

[MarshiestMallow]

"Uh, I...thank you" Cassie said, sl ewhat embarrassed. She looked away, she disliked seeing pity directed at her. "Chystella will be back soon, I hope" she sat back down, shook her head, "no, Say'ri is working on food right now"

Shenglanced at Say'ri, "you said some eat, how? Doesnt it make them sick?"

[Demous]

"Certain types of vampires eat. I do eat and need to. Other vampires are strictly blood," Say'ri smiles at Cassie, "I do have a couple questions for you though."

Before she continues she returns to cutting carrots, "First of all where are you from, and do you have your own pack?"

[manapool1]

marduk jumped to answer, he really wanted to make some new friends.
"I am from a far away place, around places were animals roam free. As for a pack, no I usually go stag" he said snatching a carrot and nibbling on it, as to make sure he didn't chew on anything else, he had been craving to gnarl on the wooden table, and the carrot helped him from doing so.

He still wasn't sure about the guest but hey, they were nice and so he was too.

[MarshiestMallow]

"I live about a week away" Cassie said, glamcing at Murduk, "I have my family-my parents and brothers, an uncle who hasn't yet found a mate, and the wolves my parents raised when their mother was killed"

she shrugged, "but soon my brothers will make their own packs, and while they are still connected to the family pack, it will change. Soon, I will be expected to take a mate and join his pack. In a sense, all of our packs are connected in one way or another back home."

[Demous]

Say'ri raises an eyebrow when Marduk snatched a carrot but made no response to the action. When she heard Cassie's answer, "Do you want to take a mate or do you want to have a pack you call your own? If I was you I'd just make my own pack and if they don't approve well screw them!" She pauses for a second, "Not that I'm telling you what to do or anything!"

[MarshiestMallow]

Cassie smiled slightly, "its easier to be alpha female if you have a mate" she said, "and my oarents, and brothers don't think I can cut it on my own" she shrugged, "honestly, I don't see why a pack has ti be made up of just wolves"

[Absolute Grace]

When her house came into view she looked at Dragniast with a small smile. "This is home." She said and looked back at it fondly. It was then that she noticed someone at her doorstep. The closer she got the more familiar he became. It was Vilo, the Canine Claudoshifter werewolf, who wandered around the non forested area near her house. He had visited enough and was welcome, so why wasn't he inside? Chrystella wondered in confusion. "Excuse me for a moment." She pardoned herself away from Dragniast and Zac and went over to her friend on the doorstep. "Vilo, what are you doing outside?" It was all a bit strange. Weren't Say'ri and Cassandra inside? Surely they didn't refuse him entry? Though if they had, then she could understood why, but still, anyone or thing that wished her harm was outside of the barrier. Plus, if it had been a customer after an Entry Rune- Oh she didn't want to think about than.

[manapool1]

Guy ran to the door and opened it, bowing as he did.
"hurrah the wonderful miss chrystella has arrived, now there are some people inside and I wanted to know i-" he stopped noticing the 2 next to her and reached a hand ut.
"ah sorry and who is it I make the acquaintance of today"
He was in a good mood today, he liked to meet other people, and he was getting just that. Maybe they were more witches, or family, well he was soon to find out.
"oh I brought you remedies from the foliage near by, I forgot what you wanted, so I just brought what ever I thought would be nice" he wasn't the best assistant, but he never thought twice about doing anything for her, even if it meant doing her biding, thought he doesn't remember doing anything like that. Even if she fired him, he would still come by every day and ask if she needed anything, she was the only one he knew, as it took him 10 months to gain the courage to actually talk to her, and since then he's just got better and better at talking to people, he really had her to thank for everything.

[FoxFireOfDawn]

Vilo straightened up when he heard Chrystella. He had took a momentary glance behind her to see others, but his main focus was on Chrystella. "Your nice and lovely wolf friend in there won't let me in, simply because she doesn't trust me. She said I had to wait outside till you came, so here I am. I didn't want to be slapped or something by her..." He replied, staring rather innocently at her, "She was very fussy, if I do say so myself."

[Absolute Grace]

Chrystella sighed. It seemed that Vilo had indeed been refused entry into her home. "I apologise for her actions Vilo, I hope you don't hold them against her." or me She internally added. Surely Cassandra would have smelt his scent inside, he had visited not overly long ago. It was her understanding that scents lingered for awhile, which is why prey could be tracked down even if the trail was up to a week old. "Now that I am here, you are welcome to come inside." It was then that the front door opened and Marduk welcomed her home with a bow. "Marduk, we have been over this before. You need not bow before me, you are my assistant." She lectured lightly, she wasn't mad, she was merely reminding him. "Thank you Marduk and never mind if you didn't get what I wanted. At the moment there are bigger things than collecting the right ingredients." Bigger things meaning the death of her cousin, the hybrid creatures and the darkness.

Turning back to Dragniast and Zac, Chrystella motioned them in. "Please come inside Dragniast, make yourself comfortable in the living room with the others. Marduk, show our guests the living room and prepare some tea I shall organise some rooms and gather a few things for information discussing." She waited for the others to go ahead of her before she entered and closed the door behind herself. Next she made her way to the tower and got five rooms ready for her guests on the way to her bedroom and private study on the top floor. Half an hour later she was back in the living room, with an assortment of books, novels and parchments. With one hour since she left Say'ri in the kitchen, the food should be finished and she Chrystella planned to talk while the others ate. "A few of you seek information and I shall provide it, if you'll hear my story. It started exactly one month ago." She told the group about how her cousin left on a journey to seek out a secret study hoping to find a way to break her immortal rune, then recounted the events of the morning. Her cousin being consumed by darkness, and dying and also what he had told her. She recounted until the part where Cassandra came knocking on her door.

She then flicked through a novel titled Caligo Nox: Vanquished Shadow Wizard and repeated her cousins last words “Flee. Hide. Just try, But your life…” then added what he hadn't been able to say. "Mine." She stopped on the right page and held the book up for the others to see. In the middle of the left page was a poem.
I am the Gloom of Night.
That shadow just out of sight.
The whisper in the wind,
As a chill blows in.

From shadow I strike,
Deep at night.
Flee.
Hide.
Just try.
But your life;
Mine.

A monster?
A Blight?
Nay,
I am always.
I am forever.
I am the Gloom of Night.

"I wish it weren't true, but it is the only explanation. Caligo Nox has returned." She let her words hang in the air, to sink in and waited for any opinions or questions anyone may have had.

[MarshiestMallow]

Cassie was unsure of what this meant. But it couldn't be good. She had a choice here. Stay, and find out what was haopening and help. Or go home. She knew what she would chose. She munchec thoughtfully on a carrort, having mostly finished the food on her plate.

"Than we stop it" she said "whatever it is"

Cassie could be impulsive, but she knew one thing. If she didn't see whatever this was through, she wouldn't be able to live with herself.

[Mortim]

Dragniast had followed Chrystella in smooth cadence, constant pace keeping well-tuned rhythm. He awaited for her permission to enter and did not do so until being told to follow, his olympiad form practically glowing after entrance.

He hadn’t paid any immediate attention for those within, without speech or gesture as if already knowing what to expect upon entrance. Dragniast’s body slid into the nearest seat in one smooth motion, his coat flowing over its side like some cloak which was to never touch earth.

Dragniast’s left leg crossed over the right, his left arm resting upon the chairs side to support his chin. He looked more like some king then any commoner who might find himself here, yet even that palpable aura of high-born descent did not breed awkwardness. Perhaps he belonged wherever he was, never claiming ownership though never being denied access.

Both eyes remained only partially open as they lazily passed over each inhabitant here. ‘Perhaps these people merit second thoughts..?’ would be the thought plastered over each perfectly sculpted feature. Should one interpret this as ego-filled they would most certainly be wrong for Dragniast obviously hadn’t demeaned these people by his aloof nature, only waiting to express his thoughts inwardly. Perhaps you could even say such actions are out of respect, giving another person time to gather their faculties by instinct rather than instantly assess them.

Chrystella returned with a book, Caligo’s self-proclaimed poetry pushed into his gaze soon after some story of another relative’s end plagued his ears. The whole affair was…. mundane.

Dragniast found that poem to be more humorous than anything, another person who perceives they have gained power beginning to grow haughty in their swollen ego. Another idiot calling themselves the plague of night.

Dragniast hadn’t spoken since entrance, yet even with that gap he made no attempt to compensate by two short statements.

“Comedy found by your era truly has taken its turn for the worse…. Or perhaps…-”

Before speaking again his amethyst eyes permeated light which shimmered not unlike some distant star.

“-... Another maggot needs taught his rotten place.”

At that moment, the air in the room would be thick and cool. Moisture like that of midnight fog plunging headlong into everyones nostrils, death itself lingering on the edge of every thought. Though this wouldn’t be of “stench” as every werewolf in the universe seems to think it is. This sensation would be of peace, like someone who’s suffering of cancer gently touching your shoulder saying “It’s time..” knowing that their end would come regardless of effort.

“Forgive me… I abhor ignorance.”

Would be his last words after sighing aloud, the room immediately returning to its previous state after only three-five seconds of aura-consumption. Truly Dragniast hadn’t moved, that level of strength being achieved without even trying; in fact he appeared to be containing himself near these people who had caught the distant warped notions that he smelled of rot.

[Daxam]

Zac had followed Chrystella and Dragniast gloomily, glaring at the back of the newcomer's head, already having decided he didn't care much for him. However, shaking his head, he pushed the thoughts aside as they came to Chrystella's home. For awhile, everything was a blur. Then, Chrystella dropped the mother of all bombshells. Zac's shock was even strong enough for him to completely forget about everything that had happened up until that point, including what happened with Dragniast. Looking at Chrystella, not paying attention to what he quietly asks, "The stories about my--I mean, about Lupin and the rest...they're true?

[manapool1]

though he sat in the corner, as to keep out of everyone's hair, he still listened, interested and worried, as well as sad for the loss of chrystella's relative, and worried about what ever this darkness was.

"umm sorry, uh if I may" he said shuffling his way to stand behind zac, and stood over him, thought it still looked as if he was sitting, being hunched over and short.
"may I ask who this caligo is, I assume a bad man, but you know where assuming will get you" he said talking with his hands as he spoke, and letting out a sigh as he talked. He felt bothersome to the people around him, but was very interested, he wanted to know more, and to help in any way possible.

[Demous]

Say'ri gives Marduk an annoyed look and sighs, "Caligo Nox is, sorry, was a shadow wizard who lived long ago and became obsessed with the power of hybrids and eventually used magic to become one himself. He soon went on many rampages and was eventually stopped by his 3 closest friends by sealing him. I would assume that meas that your cousin accidentally," she looks at Chrystella, "Or purposely released him and now wants revenge on the world."

She sighs again, "I suppose that's up to us then, huh?"

[Absolute Grace]

Things weren't so oppressive when Cassie spoke, but when Dragniast spoke, the room seemed to tremble and a feeling resembling anger grew palpable. Chrystella swallowed nervously and shifted in her seat uncomfortably, Goosebumps rose up on her skin and she tried to suppress a shiver. His last words however caused the feeling in the room to subside and Chrystella felt a lot better when it was gone. "You are forgiven Dragniast." She somehow managed to tell him softly and the room once again fell to silence. When Zac broke the silence she was glad for the distraction and turned to him with a nod. "Yes Zac. The mere stories are in fact history and it appears that history wishes to repeat itself." She said grimly and was going to answer her assistant Marduk but Say'ri beat her to it. However Chrystella was none too pleased by the accusation that her cousin released Caligo on purpose. Anger flashed across her eyes, but it was gone just as fast. Anger on top of grief was a bad combination and would likely cloud her judgment. Though to say that the words hurt her, would be an understatement. Say'ri really had no right to say something like that.

"I am afraid that things aren't quite as simple as they seem. It is my belief that it is not truly Caligo Nox that we need defeat, but instead the ancient darkness which controls him." She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts and then frowned up at everyone in the room. "Caligo Nox is already dead, but his soul cannot pass on until the darkness it gone. The darkness should be our focus."

[Demous]

Say'ri shrugs when she sees the anger in Chrystella's eyes, "I'm not saying that he did. I'm just saying its possible. Maybe he didn't know what it was and used it to see what it did or maybe he did it hoping to make a deal with him. People don't always think straight when trying to help someone they care about..." She slaps herself internally, 'Why do I never just keep quiet at times like this. I should know the damage it causes. I've started a war doing this... Though I did also cause a war trying to help my best friend..." Say'ri shakes her dead clearing it, "Anyways do you have some sort of plan to deal with it?"

[MarshiestMallow]

Cassie frowned, leaning back into the chair she was sitting in. She was still pale, but colour was coming back, and she was no longer sweaty. She thought fighting the darkness would be doomsville for all of them, "how can you fight the darkness? Doesnt light and dark balance each other out? Although, with those creatures, darkness seems to be overpowering light, so maybe its a good idea"