FunnyGuy

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Campsite, Outskirts of Roshmi City
Interaction: @Helo Bowyn, @Tae Kenia, @Dezuel Elthrael, @Alivefalling "Vaeril", @Howlsofwinter Zephyrin

Elthrael and Kenia clashed like two elderly women fighting over the last cup of tapioca pudding in a retirement home for the ninth time in a month… except they had just met each other… and they weren't old women… well one of them could be considered old, but you know how elves are. Darius let those two have at it as he just figured they just weren't compatible yet. To him, the sexual tension was as clear as day. And no, the previous analogy about the retirement home did not apply to that. He gave them both warm smiles when they addressed him individually.

"Just trying to pull my weight." He replied to Kenia.

"More like going… with the flow.'" Darius quipped to Elthrael with a smirk. Despite how selfish the guy seemed, he liked the way he talked. Like Dr. Seuss or something.

When Zephyrin spoke up about her interest in him, Darius mentally facepalmed. That makes way more sense of why she's staring at me. A hero… I guess...

Zephyrin continued, stating she had never seen a forest fae either, which gave the impression she did not get around much. Before even the ball, Darius had seen a bit of every race. Every race except hers. Darius was not the sharpest guy around, but Bowyn and this female shared a resemblance. He also recalled last night when Eltrhrael indicated Bowyn's kind did not usually venture this far south. He was nearly lost in his pondering when his name was called by… Vaeril.

”Darius!” He turned to face Vaeril who stumbled over while handing him a half-drank bottle.

"Vaeril? You…" He stared at the bottle labeled as "mournwine." From what he remembered, Kol had told him was a beverage dark elves especially drank during their lowest points. "When the pain is too much." Darius whispered softly as he repeated the words that Kol had shared with him after one of their training sessions. Darius' eyes were fixated on the bottle as Vaeril played his game. He was now an elf plagued with sorrow from last night's events. It was his ball after all where so many had perished.

Darius gripped the bottle tight as he considered indulging in its contents. Perhaps another time. Darius let out a heavy sigh as he stood to help Vaeril get up off the grass.

"It's okay old man. Helping you up is the least I could do. Plus, you'll owe me once we get back home. Deal?" Darius grinned as he handed him a speared fish. Vaeril was much too heavy for Darius to carry while traveling, so he simply got beside Vaeril and wrapped his arm around his back to his side with the mournwine bottle still in his grip. "Now just get your arm over my shoulder and we'll be ready to rock until you sober up some." Darius looked to the group with an uneasy smile like Yeah I know my friend is kind of embarrassing. "We can keep up. Let's get out of here already." And with that and a little bit of clean up, the group set out towards the port.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Afternoon
Location: Apartment #405 in Charlotte's Noggin
Interactions: Charlotte @Crusader Lord

"Over four thousand?" Dante let out softly before looking between the women. His attention was less on their conversation and more on their appearances. They were true reincarnations. Each life is new, yet with an old soul. Correction… old souls. This discovery filled him with interest. He wished that he could have discovered this without any sort of crime committed.

The dominant past lives soon directed Dante's attention to Charlotte. She was so much different than the others. He quickly guessed that it was the dominant personas that were the most engaged here. There's are at least a few dozen missing. Maybe short lives or they're simply not so showy.

Charlotte spoke up, and when she did, Dante listened with a thoughtful expression on his face. To think this young woman was capable of performing such a powerful spell. As alien as her explanation was, it made more sense after arriving in the mindscape.

"I see… However, a crime committed in ignorance is still a crime. And so, I will hold the most dominant soul accountable." Dante said with a hint of a smile before he vanished from the visages to return to the physical plane.

Dante jolted awake and took a few deep breaths before sitting up. No voice now. Ash sat up as well before Dante made a nod to Charlotte while giving a thumbs up. And with that, Ash went to town, licking the salt from Charlotte's face as Dante smiled with amusement.

The plan would be to take Charlotte to his coven. She would no longer be restrained, but it would not be an option. Communication would not be so smooth, but Dante was sure it was better out here than in the presence of the council of past lives within her. Dante used a mild amount of telekinesis to loosen the blanket wrapped around the young witch as he did not want to seem inappropriate in removing them. She could be nude under there for all he knew. These times were definitely weird enough for that to be the case.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Afternoon
Location: Apartment #405
Interactions: Charlotte @Crusader Lord

Dante tried to remain silent as he watched the mindscaped of the young woman he had held captive unfold. The women before him presented themselves with their own particular flavor. The threats and warnings normally came with this kind of intrusion into a person's soul, but these different women were not supposed to have dominion here, but they did.

He listened to them change the subject, but it was at the mention of "others" which only worried him. He wondered how many, but more importantly… how. Perhaps Maeve had knowledge of such an anomaly as this, but she was not here and Dante had a job to do as complicated as it might be. When Charlotte spoke to him apologetically. This one was the one he detained in the apartment. He cleared his throat before addressing all of the women.

"This is quite a welcome." He did not want to offend any of them. They were the gods of this spirit, or behaved as such, so he would try his best not to offend any of the very different women. A truly heavy task. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dante Hale and I must let you know that I arrive in your domain without ill will. Answers are what I seek from you. If I present anything else, you may strike down or banish my spirit. You may even demand my leave… But I would like to know how all you reside in this young witch."

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Campsite, Outskirts of Roshmi City
Interaction: @Helo Bowyn, @Tae Kenia, @Dezuel Elthrael, @Alivefalling "Vaeril", @Howlsofwinter Zephyrin

As Darius feasted on one of the fish provided and cooked by Bowyn, he silently watched and listened to going ons of the rest of the group. If anyone here knew him any better, they would find Darius' behavior troubling. He was normally the social butterfly, but there was much weighing on his mind. So much had happened last night, but there was also so much more to come. He tried to ignore Elthrael's display of magic as it made him uneasy. He was still shaking off last night's nightmare.

When Kenia finally spoke up, it was to address the group in continuing their journey to the rendezvous point her allies had established. He figured she would also address Zephyrin the way she had, giving the same warning she had given the rest of the members of the group. Kind of reminded him of Kol... Kol disguised as a hot female light elf named Kenia? At this point with all of the skin wearing and disguising, Darius wouldn't be all that surprised even though he was aware of how unlikely it was. Darius watched for Zephyrin's reply, wondering how the newcomer would respond to Kenia's icy words.

Zephyrin's polite reply was nice to hear. Even if it was faked, it meant she had some level of tact which would keep the dynamic of the group running quite smoothly. No infighting yet.

When Zephyrin's sights landed on him, he stared back. He wasn't used to such a look toward himself. It was the same one he may have had upon first seeing Edenia or Roshmi City. As a human he was a curiosity in this world, but this was not something he was used to so he just assumed Zephyrin was just captivated by his good looks. Sorry Elthrael. He shot her a warm smile before addressing the group himself as he stood up and cleared his throat.

"If anyone needs water for the road, I can spot you… I mean I can provide some before and probably even during the trip." He wasn't sure if Avalians used that particular term in that way and kept it simple.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Afternoon
Location: Apartment #405
Interactions: Charlotte @Crusader Lord

"Wait, are you trying to turn me into human jerky for transport, or is this some cool magic-dampening ritual for criminals? I mean, either way you just had to put on the message on or ask and I'd come along anyways. At least instead of knocking me off the couch and getting salt in the carpet."

Dante shrugged with a hint of amusement on his face as his lips slightly upturned. Still, this was very strange. This witch did not seem to fit the bill of someone who could cast a forbidden level lightning spell. Even after hearing his recording, her reaction was… off.

When asked about hot cocoa and petting Ash, Dante shook his head. Not saying "No," but in disbelief in her reply. He then placed the salt pouch back into his pocket.

Praesidium the salt glowed for a split second before Charlotte's burrito wrap blanket tightened ever so slightly. Dante had used the basic level barrier spell to ensure the witch remained wrapped up.

He had originally planned to take her, but he needed more answers. Dante had her restrained to a minimal degree. There was no need for anything more powerful as she had trouble with the blankets she wrapped herself. He pulled another item which appeared to be an old used rubber band. The simple kind kids would shoot at their friends in grade school. He walked over to the door and placed the rubber band around the door handle. The substandard rubberband warded the door, making it impossible to unlock and more difficult to knock down. Dante couldn't have any interruptions or ambushes occur for what he was about to do.

He walked back towards Charlotte, stared at her for a moment and then laid himself on the very couch she fell from. He nodded to Ash, who nodded back and lay right beside the girl. Dante shut his eyes.

Accipe spiritum meum leve fuga… Accipe spiritum meum leve fuga… Accipe spiritum meu... He suddenly felt his astral body rise from his physical one that became limp on the couch. He looked upon his astral body, one that was unseen to most on the physical plane. Dante wasted no time as he floated down towards the burrito girl and sank into her physical form. This was possibly the most dangerous thing a witch or warlock could do as it was equivalent to entering a King's castle with one hundred strobelights attached to you. Dante felt his "fair" treatment of the girl would make things less hostile and he could make his exit if he felt he was in danger. Besides, he could talk here.

"What… How is this even possible?"

This was no King's castle. Dante had entered the bodies of other witches and one thing was prevalent. There was only ever a single setting inside. Sometimes it was a castle fortess with traps lurking within. Other times it was simple house with a picket fence and garden. But THIS. This was too much. It was as if someone had taken dozens of these settings and put them all in one place. Dante awaited whatever this mindscape had in store for him, not sure he would he ready.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Afternoon
Location: Apartment #405
Interactions: Charlotte @Crusader Lord

"What the hell is going on?! Why are you in my apartment??? Cops, somebody, police!" Dante frowned with unamused eyes. He was really questioning if he got the wrong person.

Ash then pulled the young woman off of the couch, sure of her catch.

"Oww..." Dante raised an eyebrow at the young woman that was trapped in her own linen.

I trust you Ash, but this girl is… I will just have to take her in. Praesidium should work.

Dante pulled his phone and a bag of salt from his jacket pocket. The phone was set on the arm of the couch before it started playing a recorded message for Charlotte to listen to. As it played, Dante showered the blanket burrito girl with salt.

"So twenty bucks if I recite th-" Dante stopped throwing salt to skip to the actual message. "You are hereby placed under arrest by the Circle of the Ancients for the suspected use of forbidden magic. It would behoove you to be escorted quietly into Circle's custody. Dante looked upon the girl as the recording ended, waiting on her reply while Ash fought the urge to lick the salt off of Charlotte's face.

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Campsite, Outskirts of Roshmi City
Interaction: @Helo Bowyn, @Tae Kenia, @Dezuel Elthrael, @Alivefalling "Vaeril", @Howlsofwinter Zephyrin

Zephyrin's claim of being lost in the woods softened Darius' expression. He knew how it felt to be unfamiliar with the wilderness while it encroached itself around you. His first week on Avalia was spent trekking the wilds with a nomadic orc and a forest-dwelling demon. Without them, he might have ended up looking as troubled as the stranger before him. Myra… and Skar.

The water in Darius' hand dissipated the more the group interacted with the mysterious fae woman. Elthrael was a lot more welcoming to this woman than what Darius witnessed previously with the others. He nearly smirked at the interaction between the two fae.

Just swooping in to be her superman, huh? Darius wouldn't knock this guy's game, but he was sure there was someone else who might if they took the chance at it. Kenia came to mind, but judging by how she looked this morning, it might be best to leave her be. Vaeril or Aklenroth kept to himself. Part of Darius wondered what the Lich King's next action would be. Would he really wait to get to their destination, where his enemies would convene? Maybe Darius wouldn't need to do anything after all. His eyes then landed back on the female winter fae.

Another bystander that might become collateral…

He grabbed a speared fish for himself while the others seemed to take in the lost woman. He simply shot Zephyrin a kind and apologetic smile as his way of assuring he was no longer hostile to her.

"I'm Darius." He kept his introduction short before he moved around the firepit and took a seat on the ground. He had put a bit of space between himself and the faeries. Zephyrin seemed to warm up to Bowyn and Elthrael a bit more anyway, especially since his first impression was a not so friendly.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Operation Humanity Infirmary
Interaction with: Angel @princess and Nikolaus @Potter

---

Sean had remained silent and watched as Angel shut the door on Nikolaus' cue. He couldn't help but to raise an eyebrow when the guy started to divulge information that he personally felt shouldn't be kept behind closed doors. Keeping secrets from dad was not worth an innocent life.

"If you don't want the girl ending up in the hellhole, why not report this up?! I get it, your dad is an asshole, but you're behaving like a…" Sean stopped himself as he knew scolding Nikolaus wouldn't really help things. He took a quick heavy breath within his pause before continuing with a bit more tact. "Sorry. Just report shit like that next time. It doesn't help anyone to keep information on Drake hush-hush. A whole ambush team was massacred today because Drake got the drop on them… Sean paused yet again, but played it off as if he was finished with the subject. He had just realized something.

Drake got the drop on them... After he came into contact with you! Someone he would have killed on site, bar or not… Sean wouldn't jump on a suspicion, but if it proved to be true, he wouldn't hesitate to put a permanent end to the beeping of the annoying heart monitor.

Good thing there was someone else in the room to take all of Nikolaus' attention. Angel was doing a lot of the talking, and in doing so, she also posed a valid point that only furthered Sean's suspicion. Was the grown man simply being rebellious and acting out or was there something sinister behind his actions?

"I don't think our friend would be alive if he pissed Drake off." Sean joked darkly, yet he was covertly casting his suspicion. "Glad you're still breathing, but it sucks you'll miss out on tonight's search for a particular individual." Sean looked to Angel with a nod. "I think you'll like the details when I tell you in the truck." Was Sean a hypocrite for not sharing details..? Possibly.

But maybe it was because Nikolaus was possibly a mole for the devil, Alexander Drake.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Afternoon
Location: Apartment #405
Interactions: Charlotte @Crusader Lord

Ash led and Dante followed. All the way to an apartment complex in the Western Residential Area, north of the university.

Fled to their residence? Not to their coven leader to report their act? Good. It was easier to approach a lone wolf, especially when they were willing to perform highly lethal spells in the middle of the day and out in the open. His first act would be to arrest the spellcaster with haste. Next would be delivering the perpetrator to the Circle of the Ancients.

Upon entering the complex, Dante unclipped Ash's leash from her harness. This allowed her to bolt up the stairwell to the fourth floor. She waited for her warlock companion as he causally climbed the stairs. Everything about this complex was… normal. No wards or barriers that he could detect. No familiars acting as lookouts. Not one security measure so far. Not even a hasty one.

Once up the stairs, the dog walked to a door down the hall and stopped after a good whiff beside it. She sat on her hindlegs, waiting on Dante who grew ever more suspicious. Still nothing. Nothing in his way. Perhaps they believed they got away…. but how?! How would someone with that much firepower not have any defenses up or predict a potential tail.

Dante unholstered his weapon, a 9mm pistol. With a quick exhale he used telekinesis to unlock the door, before entering swiftly. He cleared the corners and allowed Ash to brush past silently to get the jump on an ambushing witch, but instead Ash simply barked and tugged hard on blanket of whoever was lying on the couch within the apartment. Dante aimed his weapon at her, but sighed as he looked around the room. This was no threat. Not in the slightest. He lowered his weapon. But was ready to cast if he felt threatened.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Ember Grove Diner
Mentions: Shay @Potter and Charlotte @Crusader Lord

Shay.

A name that had become quite popular this weekend, gaining all sorts of attention in the hidden world of the supernatural. Dante, the silent warlock enjoying a delicious chicken wrap, pondered the woman himself. From what he gathered was that she had escaped New Paeonia and that Alexander wanted her dead. So much so, others were being targeted the Sanguine Moon in grisly attacks.

Does she know something? It would have to be damaging to the Sanguine Moon if she is such a priority.

His faithful companion and familiar, Ash sat on her hind legs next to his stool at the counter. Despite allowing Dante's "service animal" in the diner, they place him and his pet far away from others at the far end of the counter. It was easier to isolate him since he was by himself.

He and Ash shared a look before he smiled and gave her a soft pat on her head. Familiars had deep connections to their companion witches and warlocks. They served as guides, guardians, and even just friends. Dante and Ash knew each other best. She was aware he wanted to go after this Shay woman as acquiring her would help the Circle of the Ancients greatly.

It was settled. At least until a thunderous sound boomed from outside. People within the diner were unsettled, try to see if what had made the sound was visible through the many large windows of the diner. Ash simply barked once, which only proved the sound to be from the use of magic.

Dante sighed as he walked from the counter with a plate of fries and a half-eaten wrap with a few bills beside it.

What he saw in the alley as he came upon the scene was horrific. A charred unrecognizable corpse lay on the ground with bits of it spattered about. There were already people snapping pictures and recording the still steaming remains. Ash barked once more seemingly picking up something from the scene, a culprit to follow. She tugged against the leash attached to her harness to lead the way.

Shay can wait.