cqbexpt — Roleplayer Guild

Baulder, Catacombs

Baulder could not tell if he was even alive anymore. His vision was nigh non-exsistant, his body felt like a numb slab of meat, and he couldn't so much as even articulate his mouth. Baulder was drooling when he suddenly hit the ground again and was then picked up.... again. He heard a voice but it was so distant, something about blame. Was he being blamed for something? Had Tyrael killed the students as well as the Naga? It wasn't like he particularly cared about any of the students he had come to the catacombs with, but Baulder had been told many times that killing other students was off limits. Did this rule apply to teachers to? Baulder suddenly felt himself passed from one set of hands to another, these ones warmer and rougher than the other ones. Another distant voice, he couldn't make out the words but it was most certainly Khan. He could remember the voice from when he talked to him during the feast.

There was only one word he could make out, Tyrael. Baulder was still skeptical that he was even alive, maybe this was a dream before he passed over? The only thing he really thought about in that moment was if he would see Tyrael again or Annabeth or Keri or.... E'nasha. The last name made Baulder feel particularly desperate to struggle for an answer. She was so nice.... and he had not repaid her for all that she'd done for him. Baulder attempted to will his body into movement but he felt nothing move, well maybe something moved but he couldn't feel it if it did. He tried to call out for Tyrael but all that really came out was a gurgling noise at the back of his spit filled throat. His body felt like a lead weight but his head felt lighter than air. 

Baulder then felt himself pass into even rougher hands, except these hands were cold and even a bit damp. He was moving now, somewhere. His sense of balance had thankfully not yet left him and he could atleast tell they were moving. He strained against the darkness and he managed to get out a half insane "Ngehhhh." before he passed out finally. 

About a month ago

Baulder walked into Underhaven with half a deer on his shoulder and made his way through the doorway quickly, so quickly you would think he was running from something. Then his demon who was now the same size as him and had begun growing black hair on it’s head as well as begun to lose it’s take followed in quickly behind him. Clutching the back legs of the deer that Baulder was carrying the front of. The deer was still warm as if it had just recently been killed. It was so fresh in fact that Baulder could still smell the deers fear. The smell felt velvety smooth to his nostrils and sent shivers down his spine. Baulder made a weird face where he lowered his jaw down and forward for a moment as sensation washed over him. He then looked to the bar keep and his eyes lit up and his face broke into a wicked smile. He raced over to the bar counter and placed his half on the counter. ”See yes, we need this… these cooked. Only lightly, just enough to get your chefs wood flavor into it. Yes, the blood should be warmed up again too. Yes, we would like that. I have….” Baulder rummaged around in his left pocket for a second after he shifted his kill further on to his shoulder. Baulder let out a “HA” as he pulled coins out of his pocket. ”I have five gold and seven silver. This should be to your satisfaction barkeep yes! We will do, we will do.” The barkeep sighed as Baulder and John both put down their still bleeding halves on the counter so that they could be cooked. 

Baulder supposed he could have gone to the kitchen and had them cook it for free but he liked the wood they had in the Underhaven better. Something about it was simply divine to him, something he couldn’t figure out. Baulder’s eye twitched as he put his hands and his hips and he began laughing. Oh he was going to eat, the demon was going to be allowed to aswell. Baulder figured the demon deserved it after he had made so much progress on his transformation. He had found out from Tyrael that John likey either had the ability to shape shift or he had some vitamancer blood in him. Either way Baulder felt like he needed a copy of himself, since there were none other of himself.  Baulder scratched his ever present massive hand sized burn mark and said to John quite loudly. ”What a wonderful day! A true day for a good kill, we shall try harder prey next time. Perhaps something that runs faster or fights!”

Keri walked behind Lucilia at her usual distance. The walk through the maze was quiet which she was glad about. There wasn't really anything she could say to Lucilia about her actions. Once they arrived inside Underhaven Keri noticed Annabeth working. This would be rather… Strange now between them. Her attention was grabbed when Lucilia said something about Tin Man making her groan. He was the very last person she wanted to see. After the older vampire left Keri felt a bit better.

Blood filled the air as a strange man brought in half a deer. A growl worked up in Keri’s throat. This was an unwelcomed sight in her opinion. There was always some happy luck person who always needed a kill. This just pissed her off massively.” Cool it Ker. Don't start something you can't finish. The warning was her older brother.” I can take that hunter down any day of the week. Leave me alone already.” she answered as she walked up to the counter. Her eyes shifted to blood color as she faced the man. Her usual features were still there making her some as if she was the meanest person alive.” Careful what you wish for. There are a lot of things out there that will gladly kill you in a blink of an eye. Though that deer most likely didn't have a fair chance. Did it?” Keri said in a hiss towards Baulder.

Baulder’s eyes lit up again and his smile cracked wide again turning to the petite girl talking to him who was also seated at the bar. Baulder laughed lightly then quickly responded.  ”Helllllooo dear, If you think that not getting in a good kick isn’t a fair chance then no.” Baulder pointed of his shoulder at the eagerly waiting John Cena behind him with his thumb.  ”Knocked his poor head in, killed em instantly. The deer got a fair shot I think. Say….. would you like some? I don’t seem to remember who you are, if we have met anyways. Have we met? I don’t think we have, correct? Yes, surely I would remember. I think we might look for a moose next time! Big fuckers, I hear they have a good texture.” Baulder couldn’t tell if she was actually a vampire or not. Usually vampires didn’t have flushed faces, or at least none of the ones he had seen so far had them. Though even as he had spent more and more time in the underhaven recently he still found there was much to learn about the vampires. By the Inferno he hadn’t even figured out the names of the one that tried to eat him when he’d first discovered he was a demonmancer yet. They would make tasty meals, he was sure of it.

“Don't call me that. I would rather see a stranger like you in your own pool of blood. That is at least my opinion as for wanting some I'm not hungry. Besides your partner looks perfectly fine to me.” Keri said with a hint of anger. What she said was the truth granted she had avoided the question about who she was. She wanted distance from these people yet they kept pushing. She was hoping this one would be different. Her eyes shifted to crimson as she felt her temper cool a bit.” Why do you want something that has a better chance of killing you? If you think about it that would be something a madman would do.”

”Because it might kil-more fun that way. If I can kill them I can learn about them, like what they eat! Did you know deer eat acorns? Thrilling really, I didn’t know that they did that until today.” Baulder paused a brief second and looked at the girl more closely from where he was standing. He took two steps towards her with his still bloody hands on the counter. ”Your eyes…. they did. Were a different color? Say…. would you happen to be a vampire? I’ve met a few down here, they all want to eat me at first glance though. You would have been the different one so far. They really want my blood I think.” Baulder could suddenly smell the deer cooking in the kitchen and it sent a shiver through every part of his body. All of his hairs stood on end at the gentle caress of the foods smell.

Keri let out a hiss letting her fangs show as a warning. The guy was too close for her comfort, making her eyes show a little bit of fear, as they shifted back to blood.”Easy Ker. Don't lose it now.” without really thinking she swiped at Baulder.[color=silver]” Back away from me now! What do I look like to you? Haven't you heard of personal space? Yes my eyes change color, 4 to be exact, got a problem with it? I don't want your blood. I maybe a vampire but I don't want more human blood on my hands. And as for losing my temper bug off.” Keri took a deep breath then hold it due to the smell. She hadn't really brought the candies due to her panic attack in the bathroom.

Baulder took the swipe in surprise, it was an outcome he hadn’t really expected but it did confirm she was a vampire for him. The feeling of his shirt and chest being clawed open smelt like a sweet copper to him. While it wasn’t a terribly deep cut it still began to soak the area around it in blood. He knew it wasn’t much worry about and the pain felt…. not bad. So he kept his smile. Stay their John, master lives through much worse. He said to John telepathically, while it was a new trick with a very limited range he was finding it useful already. John went back to scraping the deer blood off the counter into his hands and drinking it. “E’nasha said something about personal space. She never really said what it was though, I should ask. But your eyes, are rather nice to look at. The changing was nice to look at too, but now I know, I’m not crazy, it happened, surely. If it makes you feel better I’m not human blood. Humans are… overdone. I’m sad you don’t want deer, means I’ll have to pack the leftovers. living things don’t keep long. Mind showing me the other colors? I assume they’re nice to.” Baulder put his fingers to the claw marks and he got some of his blood on his fingers then brought it to his mouth. Licking the blood off his fingers Baulder smiled. He did taste good.

Keri listened as he talked leaning back for space. When the man said about living things  her breathing became ridged. The scars on her body became clearer in color. Her eyes shifted to pure black. Keri knew she wasn't quite at her attack yet.” Personal space can't really be explained. Its like a distance between people. Your rather close and I don't like it. As for my eyes I can't force them to shift. They do that depending on how I feel. The fact you just said don't use it again. It's something I’ve experienced first hand and much rather not be reminded.” Keri stated as she continued to pull back. She was hoping the guy was getting the hint. Granted all she could do was hope. If this didn't work she would have to swipe once more. Keri felt uncomfortable now since her eyes interested the man. Truthfully she didn't want the attention.

Not really moving Baulder squinted his eyes at the reeling girl. Was she trying to tell him something? Naw, surely she would just tell him. She said he was close no? Maybe if he just stood in the same place she would back up right? ”Oh yeah, E’nasha said I should probably introduce myself to new people. Something about it being less weird. I’m Baulder, am new…. still…. kinda.” Baulder wiped his hand off on his trousers and extended his arm and retracted his claws as much as he could to try and have the most human hands he could. He extended it for a handshake but he was entirely unsure if he was doing it right. This was only the first time since he had been taught it that he was trying it.

Keri backed up with an escaped sigh of relief. This was much better in her opinion. When Baulder reached out his hand Keri smacked it away, just as she had when she first met Khan, without a second thought. She didn't want anyone to know her name yet they would give theirs. This would make things harder when the time came to go hunting once again. She glared at Baulder. Her black eyes were cold and empty. Her hand stayed by her side in case he tried something to get back at her. Her serious features shifted as a mending smile crossed her face.

” I didn't ask for your name. I didn't want to know it in the first place. I'm not staying here long so I don't need names of the students here. I only came here to ask Satori something and I got my answer. I don't need anymore people who think they can waltz into my life. It's like adding a links in a chain. The longer it gets the more someone can break it.” she said loud enough for Annabeth could hear the words as well.[color=silver]” I'd much rather get back to my hunt then stay caged here with a bunch of strangers.”

Annabeth soon arrived with Baulder meat, at least some if it. Lightly roasted deer haunch. It was still bloody, but at least it was warm. She had heard everything Keri had said, and all she could do was give was give a slight smile. Of course she wasn't really happy. It was just the face she made when she was uncomfortable, like dealing with irate customers.

“Baulder, here and some of your meat. More will be coming soon. If there is anything else you'd like, please just ask.” Annabeth looked at Keri, feeling a mix of guilt and embarrassment. Eventually she mustered up the courage time speak. “Is there anything you'd like?”

”Annabeth!” Baulder turned on his back toe and his eye twitched. He then quickly threw up his arms and gave Annabeth a hug. He then backed off and held her shoulders in his hands. ”Ah yes dear! I haven’t seen you in some time, how has the bar...tendering been? Good yes? Have you met this fine chap here yet? She is being a bit…. brooding.” Baulder realized he had gotten some of his blood on Annabeth’s shirt but she figured she’d had worse substances on it. Baulder than turned back to the vampire girl. ”I don’t know where you got chains from. Believe me I’ve been chained before, they are nice and sturdy. Well the ones in the wal-however, I’m not sure what waltzing is. Is that another word for feeding yes? I like hunts, hunts are fun, things to kill, things to eat. Vampires like eating right? Do you want some of my deer? It doesn't hurt vampires if I remember.” Baulder’s eye twitched again and he scratched his scar. Some of his own blood got on his face but he didn’t really care much.

” Nope I'm fine Annabeth. Though I'm quite… Curious on how you two know each other.” Keri shifted trying to hide the dust on her tunic from Annabeth. This was a bit too much for her. She began to relax causing her eye color to turn her normal red coloring. She tilted her head trying to decide what to do next in case things went south. This was mostly hopeful thinking on her part.” It's just something I say is all Baulder. A waltz is a dance that you do for fun. Yes I can eat it but it's not as appealing as human blood.”

Annabeth wiped some of the blood off her clothes, turning it into a dark stain instead of the vibrant red. “I met him a while ago. He came here for a meal and a few vampires wanted to make a meal out of him. However the college doesn't allow vampires to hurt others for the sake of feeding, so we had to stop them.” of course Annabeth didn't explain that it was mostly her who saved Baulder since he was in a weakened state at the time. Minor details.

As another piece of Baulder’s food arrived, Annabeth also slid a drink down to Keri, on the house. A Valenta’s Red, an Underhaven signature drink, garnished with a corn chip for texture. “And yes, I do know her. We've met recently…” Annabeth's face blushed at the memory of her intimate time with Keri. “And business has been well. The same as usual, but it puts coin in my pocket.”  

As Annabeth maintained small talk, she noticed a few of the regulars leaving, and rhe bouncers were changing shift. That meant it was almost time for Annabeth to leave and attend her private lessons with Satori. She still has some time though and wanted to make sure Keri and Baulder would be alright once she left. “Say, are you two busy later?”

Baulder could hear John whimpering behind him waiting to eat. He had to teach him recently to not eat before him. Deciding he didn’t want to break him of this newly acquired habit Baulder went over to the back end of the skinned and lightly sear carcass and with his claws ripped off a chunk of the deer and took a large bite out of the flesh. Baulder shivered again and took another bite barely giving himself time to chew the first bite. John also dug into the front half as well, perhaps even more eager than he was. Baulder than turned back to the talking two and swallowed his food while still clutching a hunk of meat in his left hand.

”You’ll have to show me what this waltz is, I don’t understand how it could be fun. OH, but how is that…. make sense. Why would I be dancing into your life? I’m just trying to make friends, well, that’s what E’nasha said I should do. Baulder thought for a second about Annabeth’s question. ”No I don’t think so, I have the day off from the forge. Something about needing materials he said, can’t remember. But no, not busy later.”

The interactions between Baulder and Annabeth was mystifying to Keri. Annabeth seemed to trust too quickly making Keri a bit worried.[i] If only you knew that some day you'll trust the wrong person and the outcome would be life threatening.” The sliding glass made her give the human a questioning look at first then she slides it back. She wasn't happy about Annabeth confirming they knew each other but there wasn't much she could do. Keri noticed the blush making her a bit uncomfortable now.

[color=silver]” The only thing I had today was training. Though I'm quite sure Lucilia is a bit disappointed at how much I have to learn. I’d much rather not run into the insane Uicle any time soon. For some odd reason he thinks that I don't attend classes. I really don't understand where he gets that idea from.” Keri added with an innocent shrug for good measure. It wasn't as if they would run into Tin Man any time soon.” What do you have in mind?”

Keri’s eyes shifted towards Baulder as he ate his meal. He seemed pretty relaxed around the Underhaven making her a bit frightened. The claw was another thing that added to her fear since it shifted very easily. ” It's something humans do. As for the waltzing into my life it's just a saying. I'm avoiding the subject of friends.”

“Well, I have to head to my extra class soon. I thought maybe you’d like to see Satori. Baulder is of course invited to watch too. Despite the type of magic I use, it can be quite… Flashy.” As Annabeth said that she started to clean off the counter tops and cups, as she often does before she leaves. She’d normally change out of her work clothes before heading to class, but she didn’t want to leave Keri and Baulder waiting. “You don’t have to stay for the whole class of course. I just figured it’d be nice for you to come and watch, is all.”

Baulder put his hand to his chin and stroked his stubble with his index finger and thumb. He suddenly felt his face heat up a bit and Baulder made up his mind. ”John Cena! Chop the legs and sunder the meat just like I taught you! We have an extra class to go to, we’ll bring the meat with us!” John looked at him with a whimper for a moment then quickly went to work scraping all the meat from the two ends off of the carcass. He went to work quickly trying to take as big intact chunks as he could, wanting to preserve the texture of the meat for his master. ”Nothing else to do for the day. Master Tyrael has been in the Inferno all day and he has yet to assign me any new books, so we have our time to do…. this… mind things…… or…… yeah. Oh and the staff… suit man, he’s quite funny, classes would be fun with him, what with all the falling rocks and breaking chars….. oh it’s just a good time.”

Keri sat there quietly as Annabeth said the suggestion. Keri hadn't really spend time with Satori since she arrive. This was due to avoiding people mostly. She wasn't always like this. If it would have been before the attack then she would be a rather different person. Though it seemed better this way to her at least even if it result was hatred towards herself. She shook her head to clear the thoughts inside. It wasn't worth remembering anymore.

The shifting of people made her turn her head. The Baulder and his friend seemed to be eager to go. This made her uncomfortable with going now. Annabeth being the only one to go Keri could handle but these two were a different matter entirely.” Ker be very careful around those two.” Hearing the voice inside her head once more made her sigh. This was getting on her nerves mostly now since the two men didn't pose as a threat at the moment.” Go away for a while. I can take care of this myself. Satori you said? Heh why not maybe for once I can get her into trouble instead of the other way around.” she stood up with a smile on her face.
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