ghastlyInc

L'Mordryn Academy

Fran Odile

Name | Fran Odile
Age | 18
Gender | Male
Level/Tier | V2
House | Phantasma
Appearance/Attire | Fran is often dressed sloppily, normally in ill fitting pants or sweaters with the buttons half way done if done at all. He's short, barely 'standing' taller than 4''3'. His figure is waifish and cute, which tends to get him in trouble on day where he feels particularly lazy and barely dresses himself at all. The only things which he seems to take exceptional care of are his hair and glasses, which he cleans to the point of it being obsessive.

His most striking feature however are the six long black tentacles that frequently slither in and out of his clothing, each about as thick as his arm. The tentacle seem to move with a mind of their own, though he can actively direct them. But most of the time he cant be bothered and simply allows them to roil around his body as they please.

Alignment | Bystander

Personality/Habits | Most folks cannot figure out how Fran became such an accomplished invoker. The first impression he gives off is of someone so chronically lazy that it borders on damaging. ...The second and third impressions he gives off are of a similar notion. But this is really not his fault. Fran is fairly intelligent and reasonably skilled at his craft, he just doesn't really do well in a fast paced school environment. He can sometimes be seen as ditzy or forgetful, but when he is allowed to move at his own (often glacial) pace, most find that he's astonishingly through in his work (largely because he knows he can't be bothered to go back and correct things if they're wrong the first time).

He regularly sleeps through classes or, if the teacher is particularly bothersome, reads material while ignoring the class all together, but he DOES manage (if only just barely) to keep his submitted work to an acceptable level. If only to avoid having to get lectured.

Really the only time Fran ever seems to expend energy is when he is forced to, either because the consequences of putting things off further is going to be MORE tiring than just dealing with it now or because whoever is bothering him as proven to be exceptionally motivated to get him off his ass.

On the subject of habits, he has many. He likes to sleep in random places, which this year have included: An air vent, a girls bathroom, the dracona dorm roof, the head masters office, the Bestia girls dorm laundry room, the Machina Dorm's workshop and on the skirmishers field. A random betting pool has sprung up around campus as to where he will be discovered next.

In the times he's not sleeping, he enjoys hot baths or doing sketch art in charcoal, which he seems to be exceptionally good at. He tried to combine them once. Didn't work out.

Background | Fran's background is fairly normal, all things considered. He parents were to two middle class invokers, house Machina alumni who met and school and started a business maintaining magiteck boilers together in one of the kingdoms larger town. While not over flowing with wealth, the Odile family carved a rather profitable little niche for themselves. Enough, atleast, to support a rather large family of three young girls, with a fourth on the way. To say they were...upset when they discovered their only son was born with a spine disorder that left his legs effectively paralyzed would be an understatement. But there was nothing that really could have prevented or even predicted the freak accident, and the Odile family are a stubborn bunch.

Much of his childhood was spent with or around his family, doing what little he could on his own but largely being dependent on them for day to day life. And while in the early years he was more than ok with this, at times even enjoying the fawning and spoiling his sisters would provide. But as he got older he started to realize there were...annoying downsides to his circumstances. As you can imagine, being in the troughs of puberty and having to need your sisters to help you into and out of a bath on a daily basis is hardly an enjoyable for comfortable experience for anyone.

When he was 15, he discovered he'd been the only one of his siblings to inherit the gifts of an invoker. At first he brushed it off, seeing it as bothersome and not an occupation he could feasibly do anyway. But once his father started showing off the summons and equipment, the wheels began to turn. Nobody really expected him to take up a real job anyway, but at least with training he could be independant enough to avoid some of the more annoying aspects of his disability.

With no real risk of failure to him, Fran began attending L'Mordryn at 16 and set about the task (albiet slowly) of mastering his laxly chosen profession. He didn't rise meteorically through the ranks, but he did well and soon found he'd an attitude for the more...wiggly realms and their inhabitants.

Favorite Summons |

Legs

A set of six black tentacles which attach to a small bulb of flesh that rest between Fran's shoulders. They are not particullarly intelligent creatures (creature?) but seem to hold some animal like affection to their master. Each tentacle is approximately six feet long and as thick as the young mans arm. They are moderately strong individually, able to lift nearly a hundred pounds on their own. Combined they provide Fran with some much needed mobility, and he's since stopped using a wheel chair all together in favor for them when he can. When not in use, they tend to squirm and fidget underneath his clothing.

Icon Of Pain (Penelope)

Penelope is a combat summon that is about as active as her(its?) master, atleast physically. She has no real mobility to speak of, generally just lounging ontop of her master whenever she is summoned and letting his tentacles do all the work of holding the two of them up. However, she is a devastating magician, able to tear a battle field asunder with fire and earth based magic. Mostly though, she just helps her master by walling opponents away while the two of them find a nice spot to sleep the problem away.

Miltias'hura'beltarom'chiziklakborp (Milti)

An entity who has taken this humble form to serve its (her?) master as a caretaker. She acts as his maid and is pretty much solely responsible for his dorm and clothing NOT being an unmitigated disaster. While she is a passable melee combatant, the form she has really isn't built for it. To combat this, she often splits the skin of her disguise open, letting a small fraction of her cosmic visage spill forth. This is generally enough to terrify more simple minded summons back to their realms and spook the shit out of more inexperienced invokers.

L'Mordryn Academy

.

”In an amateur respect, yes." Lorcan said, shooting Eric a pleasant smile and returning the handshake, the lie coming with such startling grace even HE almost believed it. "He must not follow the competition scene much, if at all. Good. Doubt he would have accepted otherwise..." He thinks, not once dropping the welcoming grin. Lorcan, for as much as he hated it, would have to admit there was an upside to all those tedious balls and galas. They made him exceptionally good at faking pleasantries.

"And yes, I am new. Just arrived yesterday as it happened." He said, leaning over and examining the Estoc. Aside from performing admirably as a perch, there was little to note about it. The construction was sturdy, if a bit spartan compared to the more decorative flair that plagued the sport. "Bottom left side of the grip is more worn than it should be." He noted mentally. "Guess he tightens up too much when he parries. But atleast he's using the blade length to his advantage and knows to use his forward hand as a pivot point. Unrefined but experienced enough not be considered helpless. I'll start him at....30% effort. With a 10% window up or down after I assess his footing." He thinks, brain automatically rattling off the normal battery of assessments he'd do before a match.

Lorcan blinks after a moment, realizing he's probably been caught staring. "I like your summon." He says, shooting Eric a playful look and chuckling slightly. "It's...cute. Suits you." He adds, turning back to the other young man. "You mentioned needing breakfast first yes? You headed that way currently or do you wish to meet up later? I'd hate to presume to join you for a meal uninvited after all..."
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"Thank you Floofel..." Odhra sigh as he took the tea and had a deep sip. The sugar was...noted, but went largely ignored. The blend still had the dark tartness that he enjoyed and honestly, he was not about to fault the moth woman. She was only doing what she tought was best and he'd be damned if he didn't accept that happily. "And we're not!" He objects quietly, thankful that Baily and Eva seemed preoccupied with her toy. "Livi's just a friend..." he mumbles, glacing over at the girl in question just in time to catch a coy look as she spoke to Nicola. He failed to catch what she had said, but the look she gave sent a shiver up his spine and sent a flash of pink over his cheeks. He sat straight up in his seat, sipping his tea deeply and sent her back a pouting look that, for all the world, told the girl that she was not helping!

Thankfully, Max's arrival provided a much needed distraction. Odhra turning to watch as Mr. Teethapus was lost in a sea of pillowy...pillows. Baily, for her part, seemed as excited for the strange analogs as the small girl next to her. "Miss Floofel's is very pretty!" The spider girl trilled, joining Eva in the comforting mass and squashing Mr. Teethapus between herself and the Floofel Pillow. "I desire to compare this comfort device's quantifiable hugging properties to the real life analog! Perhaps a side by side litmus test is in order?" She chirped to Eva, throwing a wildly excited look to the moth girl. "Miss Floofel please approach so that I may embrace you deeply!"

"Baily..." Odhra said thick with warning. "You know better than that..." He adds, the Spidery girl shrinking slightly in embarrassment. "Since there is a pillow of myself it would be a violation of experimental standards and practices to have me participate in the control group..." She grumbles, hugging both Eva and the pillow party slightly in embarrassment.

"Exactly!" Odhra said, looking a little pleased at his summon. "If we want objective results, We'll need a non-represented and unbiased person to hug both the pillows and the three of you in turn. And provide a metric of enjoyability. Given this is mostly for fun, lets say on a scale of 1 to 10...and yes if she agrees you may hug Floofel recreationaly afterwards." He says, looking over the group.

"...though that said. Me, Eva and Livi are out as well. Since we'd have a natural bias towards our own summons...which just leaves Max and Nikola as prospective candidates!"

L'Mordryn Academy

After his morning jog, there was fairly little on Lorcan's schedule which was...well. Not a NEW experience he supposed, but the first in a long time. Were he at home he was fairly certain that his family would have set up a meeting with some tutor or training session, either for his benefit or to curry favor with another family. Or worse, tea with a noble's son or daughter who was a fan and was less than subtle in their interests in his 'body of work'. It was frankly a wonder his parents kept trying their hand at those, considering the sheer number he'd feigned obliviousness through.

All that said, they were atleast better than the alternative his was discovering now. Lorcan was...bored. Terribly so. And he really had no clue as to how to deal with that fact. Pestering Isobel was an option but...given last night she might still be in a foul mood. Best leave her be for the time. The fact she was probably still asleep also made that a somewhat suicidal prospect.

”The hell do commoners do all day?" He grumbled as he walked the school grounds before his eyes caught a vaguely familiar glint of black hair. Ah yes, the upstart from yesterday who'd managed to calm Isobel's attempted rampage. He'd nearly forgotten about him.

Nearly being the operative word here. And given how much Albus apparently new of his cousin's private matters...

"We've certainly the morning for it." Lorcan called out, his voice calm and sweet as he approached despite the rising urge to grind his teeth together. The other man looked to be practicing some sort of martial art. Not a terribly combat effective one if looks were to be believed. The estoc resting on the tree, however, was a little bit more note worthy.

"Please forgive the intrusion, but...I noticed your weapon from across the way. Thought you might fancy a sparring match." He lied, making sure to for-go giving his name just in case. It'd be better to get the boy relaxed BEFORE he interrogated him, and fudging his own skill to make it look like they were evenly matched wouldn't be too great a challenge.

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Odhra looked like he wished to sink twelve feet into the floor and stay there when Baily spoke, face going a little red as he turned to Floofel. "Raspberry tea with no sugar please." He said quickly, hoping if he ignored that mistake nobody would notice.

Upon receiving the high praise of Eva Baily squeezed the octopus plushie hard enough that its teeth chattered and smiled at the smaller girl, tail trashing wildly with joy. Livia's comment, however, brought a small pout to her lips. "But my phrasing was accurate?" She defended halfheartedly. "Master said you engaged in intercourse for about an hour. He even mentioned you wanted him to take out his big boy at the start! He also mentioned he was concerned about your elevated heart rate afterwards and said I should keep an eye out for possible sighs of exhaustion." She elaborated.

"B-Baily!" Odhra yelped, quickly rushing over and gently putting a hand over his summons mouth before she said something even worse. "She uh...she means Bubbles. Livia asked to borrow Bubbles for the ritual..." He corrected quietly, shooting Livia an apologetic look. Turning back to his summon, removing his hand before speaking. "Baily, I know you're not meaning to baby but...most folks would use the word 'discourse' in this context. Intercourse implies more...private subjects." He said, carefully side eying Eva to make sure he wasn't giving to much away.

The spider girl looked curiously between her master and Livia, brows knit furiously together as she attempted to piece together what she did wrong. After a moment, her eyes light up and she let out a keening series of chirps that could only be interpreted as laughter. "Oh! You mean that I was implicating you and Flesh Body Livia as having had engaged in se-" She began, the S bomb only being prevented as Odhra quickly replaced his hand over his summons mouth.

"Successful summoning ritual yes!" Odhra said quickly, feeling he nailed that recovery despite the panic in his voice and shooting Eva a strained smile. There was an awkward silence for a moment before an idea struck. "Oh, Baily, you wanted to introduce Eva and Floofel to Mr. Teethapus right?" he asked softly and allowing the Summon to speak once more.

Bailys eyes light up as she practically leaps over to Eva's side. "YES YES!" She blurted too loudly, eagerly holding the be-molared Mollusc out for Eva's approval. "Master got me a toy after I learned how to draw blood on my own! His name is Mr. Teethapus. He is a morphologically inaccurate octopus with a morphologically accurate scale model set of Flesh Body Chewing structures!" She explained rather unnecessarily.

The plush in question stares at Eva, its wide set friendly eyes staring into the abyss of existence as its tentacles flopped limply in the air. "Master says they are used in oral hygiene practices to put children at ease. I find this to be a wonderful idea!" she adds, hugging the large plush toy, its tombstone teeth clacking slightly at the motion.

L'Mordryn Academy

Lorcan had awoken long before his roommates, the sun just barely peeking over the horizon and cast purple and pink streaks against the still grayed sky as he began his morning jog. Part of him wanted to stay in bed, but...training was always the priority. Plus, it wasn't like he was currently privy to any club functions. ”I'll check the student directory later." He thinks as he rounds the corner of the Dragon Aviary for what felt like the fiftieth time.

He'd be lying if he said he was truly interested in joining anything though. His parents had made it pretty clear before he left that they expected him to attend whatever Junior Military group the school had available. It would make for good press back home. The young artist turned champion now beginning his long sojourn into civil and military service and all that shit. The old brass polishers would eat that up.

He scowled and attempted to push the implications of the orders out of his mind. No. Coming here was for HIM, and even if they benefited from the whole ordeal he'd be damned if they'd suck the joy out of it. Even if only vicariously.

”Least I got to hang out with Isobel for a bit..." He grumbled, recalling the cavalcade of idiocy that occurred the night before when he finally got back to his room.

The Night Before

Lorcan trudged into his new dorm, Penjani quietly falling in behind him. Today had been...dull. To say the least. There was little time to socialize during his classes, much as he wished there had been. While his tutors did prep him appropriately before arriving at the school, he was still not exactly used to working on someone else's schedule. Or pace, for that matter. The lack of one on one instruction was...novel, if only because he’d never had to bother with its hurdles before.

Still, academically, he felt he could adjust. He had no real choice in the matter, he remembered, a scowl blossoming across his face as he did so. His family would likely pull him from the academy before rumor got out of him struggling at anything. ”I’d sooner die than go back to being their show pony…” He grumbled, closing the door.

As the two entered into the lounge area of the dorm, they would see a bat like wyvern laying across the couch looking at the TV in the room and it only looked up at them when it caught them in the corner of it’s eye. It just stared at them for a couple of seconds before quickly darting between them and the TV.

It shifted a little bit to free up a little bit of space so someone could sit down on the lip of the cushion if they really wanted to. One odd thing they might also notice is that it had a bag of potato chips with it. IT just kept quickly darting between them and the TV as if intently trying to pay attention to the show. It then pointed the bag at them, offering a snack it would seem. “You think you can get away with this!?” The TV exclaimed.

Lorcan stares at the strange wyvern or a moment, somewhat unsure of what the hell he was actually witnessing at the moment. Penjani, however, seemed to recover faster than her master, tip toeing over to the other strange dragon and sniffing at the bag. She stares at her fellow dragon a moment, ears twitching slightly for a moment before she bites down on the plastic bag. Nibbling weakly at the plastic container.

”I...Peni…” Lorcan grumbles, rubbing his eyes to try and push his own exasperation out of his mind. ”Don’t put that in your mouth. You’ve no idea where its been…” He scolds, his dragon turning to look at him quizically while continuing to chew on the strangely appealing plastic.

The wyvern for it’s part rolled its eyes at the small girl biting at the plastic bag and then poked the small dragon girl’s head away before reaching in the bag, taking out a chip and practically shoving it into Penjani’s mouth. The wyvern then looked up to Lorcan, sort of annoyed, and showed him the bag before pointing down to the couch as if saying “It’s been here the whole time, ass.” Then it took a couple of chips out and shoved them in it’s mouth.

Penjani munches on the chip, eyes slowly growing very wide as the fatty food explodes in her mouth in a miasma of taste sensation she’d not yet experianced. Lorcan stares still somewhat flabbergasted as the diminutive dragon girl climbs fully onto the couch and wraps herself around the wyvern, tail wagging desperately as her eyes stared holes into the chip bag.
”I...ok. Sure. Whatever.” Lorcan huffs, walking over and taking a seat next to the wyvern while his dragon engaged in a fit of uncharacteristic affection. He spares himself from the chips, not really wanting to introduce unneeded carbs to his diet. ”I’m guessing your master is not in yet?” He asked, a faint pang of pity welling in his gut as Penjani pressed herself further into the fluffy creature in the hopes of receiving more chips.

The wyvern just kept feeding chips to the dragon girl that curled up around it, unphased by the display of affection. “You bastard!” The TV goes again as the front door is banged on and a feminine voice calls out.

“Damn it Vesper! You can’t just lay on that couch and snack all day.” The voice continued. The doorknob could be heard, struggling to open until it finally opened. “I swear if you’re just sitting there watching your damn stupid TV then--” The owner of the voice came into view and Lorcan could probably not think to call this person as anything more than a girl. “Ehh, who the hell is this?” The girl asked. In her hands was a number of groceries… Namely… Potato chip bags? “Err, that is… Who in the world is this person Vesper?” She continued.

“Shut up you dumb-ass wyvern!” She said to the wyvern who… didn’t exactly seem to talk to her.

”Uh...hello miss?” Lorcan offers blankly, the haze of the day passing through his mind as he tried to place the girls face. ”Ah...right. She’s Isobel’s friend from this morning. Looks like she’s also from Dracona.” He thinks, sitting up just enough to give a slight bow.

”I am Lorcan Brigh, and this would be my dorm.” He says simply, his voice even and polite. ”And I think the better question is why you are here? I was fairly certain that those of the fairer sex were not permitted in the mens dorm….Also while I am new, please refrain from insulting my roommates summon.” He says, scratching behind the mute dragons ear. While she was...well, a bit quite, she’d been nothing if not a polite hostess since he and Penjani arrive.

”Miss? Oh, right.” The girl? Mentioned with a giggle. ”Well, I can say for a fact I know that wyvern better than you do good sir and she’s a pile of work alright.” The girl just set the groceries on a nearby tabletop and yawned watching at the wyvern allowed Lorcan to pet her. ”Anyhow, buddy… Did you not get the memo or something? This year they’ve decided to try out co-ed dorms.” A great fib said with such confidence… One might take a bit of time to try and think about it.

”I mean, you ARE new so you might not know.” At this time, the girl looked toward the dragon and furrowed her eyebrows. ”Quiet you. I know exactly what I’m talking about.” She added, practically stomping over and shoving a hand in the potato chip back, grabbing a couple and shoving them in her mouth. After mostly chewing and swallowing she continued on. ”Anyway, my name’s Al...Ba… Alba Winterhold.”
Lorcan stares at the young girl with the face of a man who had heard much MUCH better lies in his time. Yes, of course. It's totally obvious that the school would stick him in a co-ed dorm with no prior announcement. Like he was dumb enough to fall for that. ”...While I respect that attempt, you can just be honest ma’am. I am not the sort to rat out his roommate for sleeping with his girlfriend in the comfort of his own dormitory.” He says flatly, his expression staying fairly neutral. While he wasn’t exactly THRILLED about the prospect, if this girl was one of Isobel’s friends he wasn’t going to be the one to spoil her fun.

He continues to scratch Vesper’s ears, turning his attention away from the girl as she packed her food. ”So long as the two of you are respectful of the shared space I am more than comfortable keeping this our secret.”

“Ahh? Do I look like the type to just be easy like that?” Alba said, walking over to one of the doors and flipping a sign from “Out” to “Alba is in.” Vesper sighs and rolls her eyes as Alba speaks up again. “This is quite assuredly my room, sir. Our other roommate is currently out at his club at the moment. I have my club later. I’m the club leader you know? The Culinary Club. Perhaps you’d like to join me for it?” She added, opening her room. ”Oh… Did you want to come watch me change?” She continued, nullifying her entire original point.

Lorcan rolls his eyes. ”I continue to very much doubt that, but do as you wish.” he grunts, Penjani huffing concently as stopping her chip based destruction for the moment. ”And no, to either invitation. I’ve a diet to keep and this one…” he says, scratching Vesper’s ears once more. ”Has made temptation enough on the culinary grounds. As for the other temptation...I think my cousin would flay me alive. Not worth the risk, to be frank.”

”Well, you’re missing out. I have plenty of secrets in here.” Alba said starting to walk into her room… Before walking backwards out and looking to Lorcan. ”Wait, why would your cousin flay you alive? Are you two in an incestuous romance the bounds of which know none!? Oooo, how scandalous! Mayhap I should watch from the shadows?” She added, not caring for any consequences. Vesper for her part patted Penjani on the head to let her ignore the ramblings.

”C... CERTAINLY NOT!” Lorcan says, half shouts really, a blush exploding on his face. Penjani stares at her master from atop her wyvern shaped body pillow, curious as to what set of the display. He takes a moment and coughs into his fist, biting the inside of his cheek a little to force the blush down. ”What I mean to say is no. While my cousin is a woman of no small beauty, we are not romantically involved. As much as my parents might want that for the standing. It is more that I think if I did so, it would offend her sensibilities.” He thinks for a moment before shooting Alba a muted glare. ”...and even if we were. Which we are not and will not be. I am not a fan of having an audience to such matters.”

”Wow. You’re so easy to tease it’s almost not fun. Almost. Nyehehe.” Alba continued, spotting Penjani finally. Her first instinct seemed to be leaping at the target but seemed to hold back. ”Tch, fine.” Alba muttered while looking at Vesper and then walked over to where Penjani and Vesper were on the couch. Alba reached into the chip bag and pulled one out and put it right in front of Penjani’s face. ”Does the little cutie like potato chips?”

Penjani’s head shoots forward, lips wrapping around the offending chip like the vicious predator she think she is. She does not pull away from Albus’ hand, however, leaving her lightly chewing on the digits with a contented grin on her face.

”So, who is your cousin? I can think of a couple of beauties on campus but none that I can think of when I look at you.”

”That’s hardly shocking. We’ve not much in common in terms of looks sans eye color. And cousin is something of a misnomer here. Strictly speaking I am the grandson of her great aunt.” He says, shrugging. ”Cousin is simply easier to say. And to answer your question, Isobel Mulryan. I believe you two are familiar with one another?”

”Ahh! No kidding?! Isobel? Hahah! I love that girl! I can see her kicking your ass! Ahh, but, why would she be flaying you alive exactly?” Alba asked, confused. She seemed to try thinking about it while trying to free her hand from Penjani’s maw. ”Well, you said it’s nothing incestual so… Would she be jealous of you getting to see a cutie like me in the nude or something?”

The grip on Albus’ fingers tightened, Penjani’s eyes hardening and, while no sound is made, the idea of her growling does come to mind. It seems she is reluctant to depart with this new chew toy. ”You are aware she is somewhat old fashioned in that regard yes? She refused to wear a two piece bathing suit until she was 16….” He says simply. ”And even then it was only because her old suit was destroyed. The idea of me watching you disrobe would likely send her into a fit of histrionics.”

”Huh? You wouldn’t do it cause it’s funny to see her like that? I mean, if I had to choose one girl on campus right now to joke on it’d be Isobel. I mean, isn’t it great to see her beautiful dark skin marred by a light blush?” Alba obviously had different sensibilities than most people. ”She’s the first person that talked to me on campus though, so she’s sorta my best friend anyhow. Oh! Do you know what sorta panties she wears? Curious?” This much was to tease Lorcan. He used his free hand to pet the top of Penjani’s head gently. After a couple of incidents with Verper…. A cute girl nibbling on her hand wasn’t that bad. She just hoped the dragon girl didn’t bite down too hard…

”A-as fun as that sounds…” Lorcan grunts, voice straining to keep even. ”I’d rather not risk bisection. There are far easier ways to make her blush and infinitely safer ones.” Lorcan leans forward, continuing to listen to Alba but grabbing one of the straps that constituted the dragon girls top. The dragon girl shoots him a pouting look, but reluctantly releases the girls fingers, flopping half heartedly back into the cushions. He was about to release the dragon girl when Alba dropped the pany question causing the poor invokers body to violently shoot straight up. Penjani is practically dragged into the young mans lap (uncomfortably if the tail thrashing is any indication) by her straps. ”I...what?” He asks dumbly, his summon currently clutching her chest and attempting to free herself without the sacrifice of her modesty.

”Oh! Oh! OH! Did I find a nerve? So you do want to know what kinda panties she wears. Ufufufu.” The girl giggled, ”I mean, what kind do you think she wears? I mean, black lacy ones would look the best on her in my opinion but she refuses to wear them…. But I have seen her wear some… Daring… Ones…” She didn’t seem to want to elaborate on that. Meanwhile, Vesper was trying her hardest to unfurl Penjani from her tense situation by trying to open Lorcan’s hands up.

To the casual observer, it would appear that all of Lorcan’s blood seemed to have drained from the young man and evaporated into the aether. He sat stone still, save for the proxy wiggling provided by Penjani and Vesper through his arm. ”I...white probably? You know. Just underwear. I do not need to know what she wears if anything....” A brief flash of panic rolls over his face. ”WHICH I AM SURE THERE IS A THING THERE BUT IT IS NOT A THING I NEED TO KNOW PLEASE AND THANK YOU!”

”Oh wow, Isobel… What sort of trauma did you put this poor boy through?” Alba just stood there, waiting to see when/if he’d calm down. ”She’s not like, here, you know?”

After a few short deep breaths Lorcan seems to recover, letting go of Penjani. Said dragon girl practically flies behind Vesper, not really eager to be in arms reach of her master for once. ”Please excuse that outburst...Topics of such...variety do not normally come up in my day to day life.” he says, adjusting himself back into the prime and proper airs he was used to. ”It caught me off guard. To answer the question: No, I do not know. Nor do I wish to discuss. And as you are her friend ...”

Lorcan leans forward, fixing Alba a dangerously cold look. ”I would ask you keep this outburst well out of her ear shot. I’ve a reputation to think of and my cousin, or anyone else for that matter, thinking I’ve carnal desires to enact on her is very much counter to that. Are we in agreement?”

”I mean, it sounds like an agreement that I get nothing really out of.” Alba shrugged and turned around. ”I mean, the look on her face when she’d hears about this has to be great. Trying to wonder why I should keep my cute little lips shut.”

”Because I can skewer a man no less than six times in half as many seconds.” Lorcan says bluntly. ”And moreover...you forget that if you are staying here that MY misery shall translate directly into YOUR misery.”

”Ooooh, scary. Bucko, I know misery.” Alba said, looking defiant. ”I grew up in a house where my parents didn’t really care about me and as the only boy among way too many girls.” She continued. ”Besides, you make it sound like I don’t get beat up by Isobel ever. Heheh.”

”Oh So tragic.” Lorcan says, rolling his eyes. If the young lady wanted to trade sob stories fine. He could play ball. ”I’m so sorry you were met with indifference. I’ll be sure to schedule in a sobbing fit for you-...wait boy?” Lorcan says, eyes widening a bt.

”Ahh… Woops. Can I get a redo on that?” HE asked.

Lorcan stares at the trickster for a moment, his gaze cold and blank. ”Peni dear?” He says, his voice sickly sweet as his summon pops her head up. ”Please fetch my saber from my room.” He said as he placed his hand firmly on Albus’ shoulder. The tiny dragon girl gives a mock salute before rolling off the couch, skipping towards the room she sensed the weapon in.

”You’ve approximately thirty seconds to explain yourself and why exactly you’ve seen my cousin’s underwear before I make an honest woman out of you.” He chirps, his facial expression so beyond rage it somehow had looped back around to joy. The grip on the smaller boys shoulder not at all loosening despite the faint shaking that could be felt.

Alba just stood there a little dumbfounded. ”Ahh… I, uhhh… Teehee?” He mentioned, put is curled up fist to the top of his head and adopting what most would consider a cute pose.

Lorcan glared at the smaller boy for a few moments, attempting bore a hole through his skull with seething leers alone. After a few seconds he releases Albus, sighing and rubbing his face. ”Yeah ok this is probably half the reason she is friends with you.” he says, half defeated half too tired for these shenanigans. ”...that said, you realize if squeal on my reaction, its tantamount to telling her you’ve been sneaking peeks yourself right? Then you’d have both me AND her beating you up...A beating spared now only by the good will being her companion by the way.”

”You say it like she doesn’t already know. I’m pretty blatant about it.” Alba huffed up, somewhat displeased with the assumption that Lorcan had made. ”I mean, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t tell her they looked sexy on her?” It was somewhat funny how insulted he seemed at being thought of as sneaking peaks. ”Plus! She’s seen my panties more at this point.” He added, albeit leaving out the fact that he has a habit of tripping and falling on his face.

”....excuse me a moment.” Lorcan grunts, summoning his ear wrym. ”I think I need to have words with her before I decide if what you said was innocent or not. I honestly am unsure.”

A tinny ring echoes in Lorcans head as he focused on Isobel. While this was...arguably a gross misuse of their abilities, Lorcan was pretty sure if he didn’t get someone to straighten things out he would actually consider hurting the (admittedly) cute boy before him.

“....who the hell is calling me at this hour...” Isobel's voice rang out over the wyrm, not realizing she had already picked up. “Ah, hold on – Grarves stop eating Ciervia's food!” There was a happy bwark from the land dragon followed by a quiet chirp from the other. “Yo, whoever this is better have a good reason for interrupting me.”

”Isobel.” Lorcan said flatly, but still managing a smile at Grarves apparent trouble making. ”Pardon the intrusion but I’ve an urgent matter regarding my roommate to discuss with you...Also be nice to Grarves. I saw the fall he took earlier. Poor boy could use the pampering.” He adds, wondering when exactly WAS a good time to call her if this morning's call was any indication. He was starting to wonder if Isobel just had bad phone etiquette in general.

“Oh, hey Lorcan. I thought you were Albus bothering me again.” She laughed lightly. “And please, that big baby's already been pampered enough-bweh!?” There was another audible bwark in the background, the sound of Isobel fumbling with Wyrm before dropping it on the ground.

“H-hey! Put that down-don't eat it-!” Isobel's muffled voice came through over a cacophony of more bwarks. “I'll tell him you said hi just-sit-DOWN!”

“Bwark!” There was the sound of something slamming into the floor, another bwark, followed by Isobel taking the Wyrm again.

“...aha, Grarves says hi. What was this about a roommate?”

”Well, I am attempting to determine if the two of you have engaged in sexual congress. As he’s made some rather...disconcerting remarks with regards to his familiarity with your array of under garments.” Lorcan says simply, nodding to Albus. ”Frankly I am unable to determine if this, however, is me perhaps reading into things too much. And stabbing my roommate on the first night for a sleight against a family members honor would be something of a sour way to end the first day. Clarification on your part would help.”

Albus wasn’t amazingly sure what was going on… But he was talking to Isobel? ”Oii! Hey there beautiful!” Albus said in a loud voice, unsure if Isobel was on the other end or if that was loud enough for her to hear.

There was a long, audible silence as Lorcan explained the situation. One could almost feel the maidenly fury coming through the wyrm without so much as a single word.

“...Albus.” She exhaled. “Lorcan. You just. Stay right there. For a minute.”

And then she hung up.

”...I take it your name was Albus?” Lorcan asked putting the ear wrym away, a small pang of fear welling in his stomach. ”...We dont have much time left. It was a pleasure meeting you.” He adds ominously, relaxing into the couch.

”Hahaha! I’m not ready for this.” Albus said confidently. ”She likes me too much to do anything too bad to me.” He added again. ”Albus Winterhold await’s Isobel’s challenge! Most likely…. Maybe.”

”I...a bit of friendly advice?” Lorcan asks, not really as confident in Albus’ assessment of his cousin’s generosity. ”She tellegraphs her left hook too much. Duck low and right. It won’t save us but it spares us that.”

About exactly a minute passed before they could hear shouts down the hallway. Heavy footfalls seemed to ominously shake the hallway, each step getting closer and closer to the door of their dorm. A few shouts were heard. Something heavy hit the floor. The sound of someone running in the opposite direction crying?

The footsteps stopped in front of their door. For a few seconds, silence.

And then with all the fury of a great dragon, the door to their room was almost ripped off its hinges.

The dragon walked over to Albus.

With a gentle hand, she gripped his shoulder...before lifting the smaller human off the ground. Grabbing his arm, she locked it behind his back. Squatting, She lifted him off the ground further, twisting his abdomen and holding him by his arm.

“Don't go causing misunderstandings ya goddamn idiot!” Whether her face was flushed red with anger or embarrassment, was difficult to tell.

”Spines don’t twist that way!” Albus muttered out. ”All I told him was that I saw your panties and you probably saw mine more that I saw yours!” He continued, seeming content or truthful in what he was say.

Lorcan, meanwhile, stares at the two face now fairly flushed. ”I uh...Isobel...not to interuppted but...perhaps you shouldn’t….go that low in a skirt…” He says softly, trying to put what he just caught a glimpse of out of his mind. He then turns to Albus, something suddenly dawning on him. ”What why the hell do YOU wear panties? Is this deviant union running deeper than you informed me?”

“Right, why the hell does he? He's a guy!” Isobel replied with a sigh. She released Albus from the hold, but not before knocking his legs out from under him, causing him to sprawl to the floor -

Wait a minute.

Isobel turned her attention to Lorcan.

“...what the hell do you mean I shouldn't go that low, huh?!” Lorcan had about three and a half seconds before he was on the receiving end of another wrestling move.

”...” Lorcan stares at his cousin, racking his brain for the safest response. ”...In my defense it only occured to me to look because of the prior conversation.” He said, realizing as he was lifted bodily that that was probably a poor choice.

”Nice strips, Isobel.” Albus managed to spit out while on the floor. ”And I wear panties cause it’s all I can get.”

Isobel stopped lifting Lorcan mid lift, blessedly saving him from a back-breaker. She gave Albus a heated glare, before promptly lifting Lorcan over her head, and slamming him down right on top of Albus.

“Next time-!” Isobel began, before stopping, holding a hand to her head with a sigh. “I don't fuckin' know! Next time don't do...any of this!” She gestured vaguely at the both of them “Goddamn it...” Justice dispensed, Isobel stormed off, slamming shut the door behind her and leaving Lorcan laying on top of Albus.

”...” Lorcan sits atop Albus silently for a moment, reflecting on his day. All things considered it was...weird. ”...Albus?” He begins, a strange bubble of...mirth, he supposed welling inside him. ”...I believe your original assessment of black being a good color in this context to be correct.” He says, still somewhat stunned from the body slam.

”...Also, you’re an invoker. You can literally just manifest yourself a pair of boxers. Idiot.” He adds, still not getting up.

Albus huffed, unphased from Lorcan laying on him. ”I’ve only summoned mistakes. Yea, that’s right Vesper you were a mistake!” He added, looking to the wyvern who didn’t really seem to care. ”Yea, you’re damn right!” He added.

”...hmph. I’ll see about ordering you a few pairs if you promise to keep the thing about Isobel to yourself. Deal?” He asked, slowly pushing up from the trap shaped cushion he was resting on. ”Threats clearly don’t work so good old fashioned bribery is all that is left.”

”You don’t know the best bribery for me obviously. If you’re going to do so, make it worth my while.” Albus said, still half broken on the floor and refusing to stand. ”I require you to get me something more devious… A special bag of chips from the Happy Frying Company.” It… was just a special flavor of chip from argueably the most common brand of chip. ”I’m so devious!”

”You…” Lorcan begins before sighing and giving up. ”Done. It’ll be here by next week or the one there after. Now if you’ll excuse me..” he says, dusting himself off as he heads towards his room. ”I need to do some piano practice before bed. Good night Albus.” he huffed, sounding...weirdly disappointed about having to end the conversation despite himself.

Lorcan huffed, sweat beading off of him as he finally stopped his laps. Sixty Nine. He was doubtless that little troglodyte Albus would pull an innuendo out of that in some fashion if he were here. Finding a small bench off to the side of the path he peels off his shirt, letting himself cool off in the chill of the morning while there was still some privacy.

As much as he hated to admit it...he'd be hard pressed to say he disliked Albus. Oh sure, he was a perverted little freak with a host of neuroses that Lorcan was pretty sure he'd only just seen the barest surface of. But credit where it was due, the little trollop had actually managed to, in the most bizarre way possible, amuse him. Which was a damn sight more enjoyable than the other members he'd met of Dracona so far.

”...wonder when the culinary club meet next...." he said to himself, lazing into the bench and staring skyward.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sorry we're late!" Odhra cries, practically running into the CnF meeting room, carrying three heavy looking trays with him. "A few of my babies needed to get their weekly feeding and then the cobbler didn't set right so I had to remake it an-" The green haired youth blurted, words coming fast and furious and he wobbled towards the buffet table.

"Master..." A much softer voice coo'd as it entered the room. The spider like figure of Baily standing calmly in the door way carrying a very very large and fuzzy octopus with a disturbingly human like set of pearly white teeth. "We arrived on time. Hello Flesh Bodies!" Baily says as she smiles and waves a stuffed tentacle at the trio of other members.

"Ah..sorry. Good!" Odhra says, voice wavering a little as the words 'flesh bodies' floated to his ears. He grumbles something about needing to work on that as he sets out the food he'd prepared for todays meeting. "Anyway uh... I brought Veggie lasagna with ground mushroom and five cheeses. Homemade noodles this time, so do let me know what you think! Barbaque'd chicken with apple and cranberry chutney on rice if you don't want the vegetarian option..." He says, throwing Eva a knowing look and silently defending his veggie pasta dish, whose honor was DARED sullied (SULLIED!!!!!!!!) yesterday.

He sets down the dishes, quickly pouring himself some tea and putting the final tray before Floofel. Both for her approval and to know it would be kept safe out of reach until it was appropriate for members to serve themselves...save Eva, but he had long accepted that fact. "And for DESSERT..." He said, looking a little proud. "Strawberry Cobbler with white chocolate and coconut shredded on top."

Baily plops down on an arm chair next to Nikola, smiling too wide and staring at the boy as her tail swished erratically behind her. "Master decided to make it last night after engaging with Flesh Body Livia in intercourse!" She chirped loudly and (atleast to her) helpfully.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

Gillian

There was a small pause as Tyaethe asked for volunteers, which was...well. Business as usual honestly. Say what you could about the vampire's honorable position, it didn't really detract from the fact that most folk weren't half as fond of her (comparatively) suicidal tactics. And while this (thankfully, by the look of calm on a few knights face) wasn't her plan, the knee-jerk reaction to avoid the undead knight's retinue was as strong as ever.

Gillian sauntered over to the vampire's side, knowing full well that his presence would do little to actually EASE any nervousness of potential volunteers. Their numbers would be filled regardless. And frankly, he'd more respect for the Vampire than the little girl playing at captain or Aria. The latter of which seemed eager to part his neck from his body for whatever reason, if her body language was anything to go by.

"As charismatic a leader as always Lady Radistirin." he huffed, taking a position at her right. He rolled his shoulders, metal cracking and clinking as artificial joints moved about. There was nothing really relaxing about the act, he couldn't feel if his shoulders were stiff anymore. But the motion was mentally relaxing if nothing else. "Where do you want me?" He asked simply. While he'd be more than happy to spear head the charge, it wouldn't do for the two knights to get in each others way. And setting his senior knight on fire accidentally due to was not exactly something he wanted to have to apologize for.

@Raineh Daze

L'Mordryn Academy

Livia Fiore and Odhra Bebbin
Glade, Late Friday night.

---

Livia inhaled, a cool night breeze tickling her skin as she glanced towards the forest canopy. Night had fallen over L'Mordryn, and after sending Siobahn off and making sure Eva wasn't going to follow, the former noble was eagerly looking forward to see what would come of this summoning attempt. Odhra had given her quite the idea. A jiangshi. A perfect fit for her needs. Something a bit less stealthy than Siobahn, but far more dangerous in a direct confrontation.

Not that she wanted to have such things, but sometimes the direct application of force was the correct response to a situation.

Walking through the forest, Livia finally found an acceptable spot to try something. Not a clearing, but not heavily forested either. She doubted things would since she was the one doing the summoning, but if things did go awry for whatever reason, she wanted as many things between herself and whatever was happening since she didn't have Siobahn with her.

Speaking of...

“Odhra,” Livia turned towards the other summoner, briefly glancing in the direction of the school. “I don't mean to put you on the spot, but how's Bubbles doing?”

Odhra cocks his head at his friend for a moment, green hair turned almost black in the dim light falling in his face and framing his curiosity at the chosen spot for summoning. ”A moment, please.” He says simply, his eyes rolling back in their sockets as he reached out far into the realms. He stands with an unearthly stillness for a moment, eerily quiet save for the occasional clicking of teeth as his body mimics speech not given form on this plane.

”A bit gassy from his evening hunt. But otherwise he is fine and free should you feel the need to bring him in.” He admits, his features settling back into their normal warmth. He scratches the side of his head before continuing. ”Probably best make that a last resort though. He’s not exactly the most subtle of things to bring out, even at this time of night. And if I do, we’ll only have about...I wanna say three minutes at worst to get this situation under control.”

“I see.” Livia exhaled. “Good, good. I don't anticipate anything will go wrong, but...I dislike being without a summons...three minutes, though?” She asked. That was an odd time limit to have for something.

”Bubbles’ is a giant arthropod.” Odhra says, shrugging simply. ”Unfortunate reality of my babies is that their size is often incompatible with our own atmosphere. They lack lungs and instead breathe through spiracles. Basically a bunch of very small lung like structures along the body. As such, the much larger ones I have to essentially pull double duty in providing both the magical anchor for their existence here and provide the high oxygen their bodies need. Normally this isn’t too bad, but Bubbles is huge and his own regenerative abilities need to feed off my magical stamina. He’s...taxing to run at full strength.”

He taps his chin for a moment, considering something. ”That's probably an inherent advantage you phasma folk have over Bestia. We’re at times constrained by physical limitations of what we summon. Fish can’t breath without water and the like.” He says, not really having put too much thought into the houses before now. ”Don’t get me wrong. We can be heavier hitters. But you all have a little more leeway in what you can bring forth, even if its normally too abstract to survive….or even be considered live as the case might be.”

Chatty as usual, wasn't he? Livia listened with an amused smile. It made sense. She was no biologist or scientist, dealing more in mystical matters, but it was true. Insects didn't have the biological parts needed to survive in this atmosphere for long.

“An astute assessment.” Livia nodded. “Though, I will say at times, there are some constraints on what we can use and when. For example, various forms of undead are at their best during the night hours and grow weaker during the day.” A little known fact was that while Siobahn had no trouble existing during the day, there was a reason she normally hid herself in shadows. Sunlight made her uncomfortable. “But this is perhaps a better talk to have in a proper setting and not in the middle of a forest. I don't anticipate things will go awry, but should they do I'll be counting on you.”

Odhra gives a small mock salute. ”Righto! I’ll give you a little space in case you need to prepare stuff.” He chirps stepping a few feet back and kneeling next to a tree. He takes a few seconds to check his medical bag, the small interior light blaring in the clearing for a half second before he seemed satisfied and closed it. Then he sat quietly, letting his eyes readjust to the darkness and watching for the show to start.

“Right then, lets get this started.” She stepped away from Odhra, taking a few moments to mentally prepare herself. This was something significantly more powerful than a simple Wraith, though she supposed Siobahn wasn't quite so simple. Closing her eyes, Livia held her hands in front of her, the flat of her palms facing the opposite just inches away.

Relax her muscles...

Expand her mind...

Feel the outer realms...

Livia stood completely still, the cool breeze subtly growing in intensity.

She steered clear of the familiar, forlorn sensation of Siobahn's forest. The fey of the melancholy copse was not what she was looking for. She extended her mind further. Past the realms of fire spirits, the frigid realm of ice. The lands of the summer and winter courts. Realms she knew of well from her research, but never visited. She needed to go further. Further still.

Soon, she could feel it.

A subtle sense of dread began filling her. She could faintly smell rancid meat, metal, and...alcohol? A cold shiver passed through her body, but she wouldn't be deterred. Something here...yes, something here would be more than suitable. She had traveled far enough so this should be the area she needed to summon something from.

So she called.

And something answered.

Livia's body tensed, her throat clamping shut as a cold, icy grip wrenched her throat. No, she wouldn't quit. Not yet. Never. She would have whatever this was...! She pulled with all her ability, whatever it was on the other end trying to pull her instead. Her body was cold, a lack of oxygen was starting to cloud her thoughts.

“Ack-!” Livia coughed, desperately trying to refill her lungs with air. Just as suddenly as the grip formed, it was gone. A black portal opened in the air just in front of Livia, the rattling of chains and a horrendous smell of blood, alcohol, and meat filled the air as Livia stumbled backwards, any energy she might have had utterly drained.

whump

A pitch black structure fell from the portal, slamming into the ground with force enough to embed itself into the soft earth. The black onyx structure was abhorrently ornate. Its surface was carved with intricate designs of unknown origin, crafted with an obvious careful and steady hand. The designs themselves seem to depict some sort of story, with human figures, demons, and other supernatural entities dancing across its surface in a myriad of patterns and stories. The thing sits upright, with the bottom being wide and large enough to support its massive weight without falling over. The top of it is carved and decorated with a number of jewels.

The entire sarcophagus was covered in chains, rusted, but still holding tight around the sarcophagus. Talismans of unknown origin were taped liberally across its surface, written in ancient languages.

Odhra stands slowly, resisting his first instinct to rush to Livia’s side until they knew WHAT she’d summon was or if it would do anything on its own. He lightly shuffled his way towards her, the air behind him warping slightly as he prepped Bubbles for an emergency entrance. Once he was at the other invokers side he knelt down, looking her over for obvious signs of trauma. There was no blood, much to his mix of disappointment and relief. But sweat beaded across her skin and hair, breaths were ragged and more uneven than he’d like.

But more disturbingly... ”Livi. Hold still a moment.” He said quietly, his voice calm but carrying a friendly authority that refused all counter argument. He cupped a hand underneath the taller girls chin, her skin slightly too cold to be normal. For a moment he considered taking a small light out from his bag but decided against it. He’d no earthly clue what the sarcophagus might react to.

Instead he leaned his face in close, warm breath catching on the girls neck and clavicle as he examined her neck. On each side of her neck were four long claw marks. Not deep, he noted thankfully, but stippled with redness that blossomed on the girls otherwise pale skin. ”Something got its hands on you.” He said, keeping close and quiet. ”Nothing serious. Probably happened during the ritual. I’ve some aloe for that later. How do you feel? Any disorientation or pain?” He adds, keeping his pace slow and clear.

“Urgh,” Livia coughed, holding a hand lightly to her neck. ”Burns...slightly. Mild headache, feel like I got dumped into an ice bath...and I smell a rather horrendous combination of alcohol and blood.” She tried to chuckle, but only ended up having another small coughing fit.

The chains on the sarcophagus rattled gently in the breeze.

The portal hadn't closed yet.

”Noted. And you smell fine to me.” He half chuckled, eyeing the portal. ”I don’t want to rush you, but do you think you can keep...uh..that here and close that portal? I’m concerned about what keeping it open might do to you.” He added, a sudden small gust of warmth erupting behind the both of them as the gate he’d prepared for Bubbles earlier opened only the tiniest of fraction.

“Portal?...” Livia furrowed her brow, glancing at Odhra as she finally managed to catch her breath a bit. “I'm not...keeping any portal open, Odhra.” The invoker glanced towards the black hole like portal, wincing a bit as her neck moved. That wasn't right. She wasn't keeping that open, and Odhra sure as hell wasn't, so what was that even...! Before she could finish her thought, the air around the sarcophagus began to shimmer, several tears in space forming around it, cracking the air as several figures walked through the torn opening.

Undead Warrior

Grotesque looking undead shuffled through, wearing foreign armor and weapons as they slowly stepped foot into a realm not their own. With a guttural, demonic howl the four undead seemed to lock onto Livia and Odhra.

Odhra stares back at the four undead creatures for a moment, blinking owlishly at the quartet. ”....nope.” he chirps, smiling at the undead as space burst behind him. Briefly, the miasmic odor of blood and spirits is overwhelmed with the scent of rotting vegetation and tangy musk as the gate to Bubble’s primal world shatters open. Bubble’s hulking form barrels out, his form resting over the two kneeling invokers comfortably. Salvia drips from his mandibles in sticky globs and his stinger thrashest about wildly, a fist sized bubble of venom dangling from its tip and glowing faintly orange in the evening light. Bubbles answers the undead’s howl with a roar of his own, a series of clacking and chirping that (while not loud) resonates the air around him and making Odhra and Livia’s teeth vibrate uncomfortably in their skulls.

Unfortunately for Bubbles, mindless undead tended to lack what people knew as 'fear'.

Undeterred by the creatures appearance, the four undead soldiers shambled towards the insectoid creature, now focusing on it instead of them. A small reprieve as the four engaged Bubbles. One met the beast head on. It was slow, but there was an undeniable power behind its movements it bought its high, before swiftly bringing it down upon bubbles head.

Two of the others tried flanking the beast, trying to gain the advantage, whilst the last seemed to position itself in front of the sarcophagus.

“Hrn...they seem like simple undead, but they're not disorganized...”

”Looks like they’re trying to protect that...thingy you brought here. Any clue what it is?”

Bubbles, meanwhile, slammed forward, catching the sword on the face and driving forward. Blue-green ichor flowed from the gash as the beast charged forward, thrusting a paw and driving the undead into the ground where it belonged. The arachnids head swiveled quickly, the laceration already knitting together at an unnatural speed as its stinger tail swung like a battering ram into the skeleton on his left. Orange venom flushed from the stinger, pouring uselessly onto the ground in heavy puddles. But the sheer mass of the blow did enough to crumble the rib cage like powdered glass.

“Judging from the construction of it...a sarcophagus of some sort? It's construction isn't entirely indicative of eastern lores...” Livia pondered, utterly calm despite the ensuing fight between bubbles and the handful of undead. “I don't recognize those talismans either. And why is it chained shut?...to keep people out...or keep whatever is in there, in?”

The undead hissed as it was crushed beneath the arachnids blow, ancient armor and bones crumbling to pieces in an instant, returning it to the earth. The one on bubbles left was slammed with the stinger, its abhorrent ribcage nearly shattering itself in half, but the undead hardly seemed to notice. It hissed, a slow lunge forward, diving its rusted blade into bubbles side.

The second one lunged towards bubbles legs, using its blade to try and immobilize the beasts legs.

”Given its got a set of guards...I’m going to hazard a guess at keeping whatever it is in. Either way, if that is what you summoned you ability to influence is probably being hindered by the talismans. They probably need to come off...don’t suppose you know how to make replacement ones in case thats a terrible idea?” He asked nervously.

Bubbles hissed as his prey proved more resilient than he’d thought. Blades peirced everyside of him, only his pride taking any sort of permanent injury. Bubbles back leg crumpled as the skeleton to his right jabbed into his thigh, but it did little to really deter the creature. There was no need to move when his prey had been unwise enough to come this close. The stinger still embedded in the left skeletons chest lifted and slammed the undead into the earth once, twice, three times. Each impact sounded by a dull thump and the clinking of armor until it finally gave way entire.

”...hold on a moment. Bubbles!” Odhra said, the large creature not breaking its gaze to the final (and now lone) threat. ”Roll over.” A gurgle of amusement escaped the large creature as it hurled itself to the right, body slamming into the final attacking skeleton with a wet crack as the hulk half buried itself into the ground.

“Perhaps...they seem to be protecting it.” Livia agreed. There was only one way to really find out, though...and that was to open it. “I can't say I can remake those exact ones...but I could possibly do something should I need too.”

Livia watched with amused fascination as the last of the odd skeletal soldiers was dispatched by bubbles. The fourth so far, hadn't moved from its defensive position by the sarcophagus, and the portal overhead seemed to be growing smaller in size.

”Its a shame I’ve got to break them…” Odhra says, finally standing up as Bubbles wiggled on his back. Happily grinding what was left of the skeleton into a fine powder in the process no doubt. ”It would have been fun to figure out how they worked.” He sighs, snapping his fingers for Bubbles to rise. The spider creature rolls back to its legs, shaking briefly and letting the blades lodged in its side clatter to the ground as his body forced itself back together.

Bubbles waddled closer to the remaining skeleton, now calm in the knowledge that the threat to his master was all but non-existent. Almost casually, his stinger rose behind him, stabbing into the remaining skeleton and (like before) flailing its hooked foe about its body and into the ground. ”That said...for guards…” Odhra said, watching as his baby tore the skeleton a proverbial new one. ”They’re not exactly...I dunno. Good? Think maybe there are more of them to come or they just got made on the fly or something?” he asked, not quite yet approaching the sarcophagus until Bubbles had deemed play time over.

“Mhm, perhaps. Difficult to say. They were incredibly aged from what I could tell.” Unlike Odhra, Livia's curiosity was getting the better of her. “They may have just been whatever was easiest to make for now. Or perhaps they were not used to dealing with something like bubbles. From what I could tell, a human fighting them would be rather difficult.” As she spoke, Livia began walking towards the sarcophagus, cautiously curious of whatever might be inside.

“...now, what are you?”

By now the portal overhead and dissipated entirely.

whump

The sarcophagus jolted forwards a few inches, whatever was inside of it had slammed against the interior walls. The metal chains holding the lid in place snapped, creaking, and breaking against the force inside. The talismans shuddered, doing little to halt whatever monster was inside. It shifted again, and again, until the chains could no longer hold the creature inside.

Jiangshi

“...nhhhhn?” The sarcophagus lid slammed into the ground near Bubbles, a raspy, groaning voice echoing from within. “Aaaahhhhg-ack-urgh...aaah?” Something quite...odd quite literally hopped out of the sarcophagus, arms extended in front of it and dressed in foreign clothing, its lifeless eyes half opened.

“Hnnn...ah, my retainers...dead...? Ah, so useless...useless...make their bones into dessert...” The small humanoids eyes focused on the two humans. “...ah...? Human...not palace?...food?” her head tilted to the side. “Ah...smell...sweet...perhaps one of you...My lord? The other...dessert...?”

Odhra stares at the tiny forgien zombie, eyes wide. ”My gods Livia…” He begins, his voice shaking. ”She’s….ADORABLE!” Odhra squeaks, hugging Bubbles thick neck to resist the urge to rush the poor little Jianshi. Odhra snuggles into the nape of Bubbles neck, the large beast ‘purring’ in response, content to be the object of his masters misplaced affection. ”Also looks like SHE made the portals somehow. Maybe some dominion over other undead and acting as a proxy invoker? But her hoooornnns~” He adds, his ability to analyze the creature before him now pretty much lost in the frenzied thoughts of what the C&F will do once they see this masterpiece.

“Nhn...” The Jiangshi's eyes turned to Livia. “...my lord. My sweet lord...you are...him...? The one who called me? Ah, ah...it's been so long. Sweet air...sweet, delicious life filled air...” A subtle, smile formed on the undeads mouth. “...makes me so, so very hungry....”

“Adorable yes,” Livia held a hand to her chin. “...though I am unsure about her temperament.” The jiangshi took this time to literally hop over to Livia, its stiff joints and muscles.

“Master...my lord...Is that one dinner?”

“Dinner?”

“Ah, ah, that delicious looking boy. I can have him can't I? You summoned me and bought me a gift. Lord is too kind...”

“Well...I suppose if you want.” Livia smiled lightly. Probably no harm in letting this play out. She doubted this zombie could really do anything to Odhra as long as bubbles was here.

“Ah, ah~” With a odd giggle, the Jiangshi spun on her heels, facing Odhra. “Meat for Mizu, a pound of delicious red meat, for little Mizu~” She hopped towards Odhra...

And immediately fell flat on her face with an oddly adorable ‘squee’ noise and a small squeal.
Odhra stares down at the fallen zombie, Bubbles salivating over his shoulder as he rubbed his massive head agaisnt his master. He kneels down to the fallen zombie, staying just out of arms reachs for the moment. As adorable as this zombie was, he wasn’t so absent minded as to just let himself get eaten. ”You ok there...Mizu was it?” He asks, blinking curiously at the creature. ”Maybe you should stay seated for a little bit. No real telling how long you’ve been in that box for….” He offers, taking out his medical bag just in case he had anything that might theoretically help the poor zombie girl. Bubbles, meanwhile, glared down at the offending creature, practically begging her to try something so he might have an excuse to feed but making no movements beyond that.

“Mizushi-Douji.” She replied to Odhra with a small whine, arms flailing just slightly, trying to reach the boy just out of her reach. It seemed like she was having trouble bending her joints in any reasonable way. “Ah, my bed...sleeping for...years? Only wake...when feast.” Her mouth turned into a pout as she puffed out her cheeks. “Aaaah, this stupid undead body of miiiine. So inconvenient...so stiiiiif....hungry...boy let me have just a nibble. Just a little tiniest nibble...”

“If she is a proper Jiangshi, then she likely unable to move well. According to my notes their limbs are in a permanent state of rigor, meaning for the most part they will be locked in place.” Livia knelt next to Mizushi.

”Aww…” Odhra whines, eyes rolling over Mizu like an injured puppy. ”Poor girl. I’ll look into artificial muscles we might be able to implant later. Since you’re dead I’m not too worried about auto-immune rejection.” he chirps, opening up the medical bag. ”Plus…” He adds, his grin turning vicious and too wide as his previously pleasant gaze settled into a cheerful leer. ”I’ve always wanted to try surgery on an active and conscious participant.”

”But until then!” He chirps, the momentary sadism being washed away in the boys normal aura of warmth. ”Would a little blood work well enough? Don't really have any medical waste at hand to give you….at the moment anyway. But I can stand to lose a pint or two!”

“I don't think that's a good idea, Odhra.” Livia bopped the other summoner lightly on the head. “Not for now, at least.” She was concerned for a number of reasons – mostly it being she wasn't quite sure Mizu would take just a pint or two. “I'll take her back to my dorm for now. See if I can get any more information about her.” Standing up, Livia grabbed the Jiangshi's clawed hands, helping to pull her up back on her feet.

“Ah, my lord...your hands...so warm.”

“And uh, thanks for tonight, Odhra.” Livia looked uneasily off to the side, hiding her mouth with a hand. “Really...if I tried this without you, I am not quite sure I could have handled it....and you too, bubbles.”

”Nope!” Odhra says, now taking his turn to bop Livia in return. ”You’re a lot better at this than most people are at your rank. Waaay better than I was anyway. You could have handled it on your own.” He said, scratching the underside of Bubbles chin. Bubbles slowly leans forward and presses his head into Livia’s chest with surprising dexterity for such a large creature, a heavy purring rumbling from the beast to confirm his masters assessment. ”Me and Bubbles just helped a little. Sides, it was fun! My poor big baby doesn’t ever get a chance to stretch his stinger enough. Don’t you boy?” He adds, the last part devolving into baby talk as Bubbles tail flails wildly about a small rain of venom arcing behind the two as the creature lavishes in the praise.

“Haaa...” Livia returned Odhra's words with a small smile. “Well I suppose I can't deny that if you're going to insist.”

“Maaaaster....hungryyyyy.”

“We'll see about getting you something to eat once I'm back in the dorm, Mizu.” Livia said, turning her attention back to her newest summons. Ah, she was exhausted. She really needed a bath and a meal of her own. Not to mention her neck. “...do I have you to thank for my neck, by the way?”

“Ah, ah, Mizu is sorry, Lord...your neck was so pretty, so delicious...I almost broke it....” Mizu began hopping after Livia, the Sarcophagus she left behind seemingly not moving from its position where it had embedded itself in the earth, at least for now.

“I'll see you tomorrow, Odhra.” She headed back to the dorms, Mizu hopping along behind her.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

Gillian

Gillian dragged a body behind him as he skulked back towards the group, no small amount of gore coating his armor and hands. Say what one could about the benefits of having weaponized arms, clean up would forever be a chore. "If you've time to complain..." He said as he passed Fiora and Narciss, "You've the time to do something more useful. Like clearing a space out in a wagon to chain these folks in or securing the perimeter." It wasn't that he thought the two entirely wrong, and were the forces they were facing more dangerous he might agree. But as it stood, these bandits were hardly a threat. He was pretty sure the whole retinue could be asleep and the poor bastards they'd collected would still be all but helpless before them.

It wasn't arrogance that made him think that either. While the bandits clearly had some rudimentary training, as was evidence by their formation and their crossbow men using alternating volleys, it was really hardly better than the average milita's level of competence. To an average citizen, it would make them a legitmate threat. To Knights, festooned in armor likely several times more expensive than the whole of a farmers house and with training to match? Yeah. Kind of a joke.

He hefted the body over his shoulder, leaving the two Ladys of the Whining Court to their own devices, casually strolling over to where Aria was currently putting the screws to another of their poor survivors. While he could appreciate her honesty, opening an interrogation with the promise of death (albeit painless) was not exactly the best way to encourage someone to talk. "You know..." He said cheerily to the taller knight, dumping the body with a wet thud next to the bandit. "Most folks start with an introduction." he added, flicking the remaining gore from his fingers to the ground.

He kneels down beside his fellow knight, smiling calmly at their new captive. "You'll have to forgive the little lady here..." He said, taking a long second to chuckle at his own joke as if it actually amused him. "Nice to meet you friend, you can call me Gill. While I'd hate to take up more of your day than we've already have, I'd appreciate you answering her questions. If it proves true, I can probably convince the Captain that you should just get some jail time."

It was a lie of course, both in the sense of him not really intending to speak with the captain if the little bastard did talk and it being doubtful of her agreeing. But considering the man just watched his entire troupe get slaughtered, it was a lie he'd be readily open to believing . "Oh and uh...I'd do so quickly...Our ginger friend here isn't really the patient type..." He gives a dramatic sigh, patting the bandit on the head like one would a child. "You know I used to have real arms before she came along? Barbarian that one I swear."

Interactions with: @Click This@Asuras and@OwO

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

ok. Got a small post up. If things continue and I'm at work please just assume Gillian is terrorizing the backline.

Tl;dr: Remaining bandit decided he'd chance it begging Fanlily for mercy than continue fighting the spooky metal man who just mince meat his squad.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

Gillian

As the other knights scrambled about the battlefield, Gillian almost lazily steered Julia off the path and dismounted, taking his sweet time with the act. Parnella long since beat into him the lesson of staying calm during a fight. Not for any overly strategic reason, obviously. It was just that most folks were very hesitant to attack someone who walked through a battlefield like they owned the place. Less so if said person had several layers of metal grafted to their limbs.

After a quick moment to pat Julia on her flank he walked back into the chaos, as casually as one might a stroll through the woods. He took a moment to survey the goings on of the fight. The melee was pretty much handled, though it was hard for him to call it an elegant strategy. Most of the knights seemed only half interested in listening to the 'Captain's orders, barking their own commands as additions or throwing out their own counter strategies from what he could hear. But, credit to her where it was due, she'd atleast been the first one to give the order.

He broadened his circle around the combat, content to stay out of the brawl and work his way towards the back lines as the little girl had ordered. He got about half way when the crossbowmen-bandits finally noticed him, a small cluster of six closer to him turn and firing on him hurriedly. Gillian dropped low, his hands grasping into the earth as three poorly aimed reactionary shots whizzed past him. To give the poor bastards credit, they atleast proved to him in that volley they weren't entirely incompetent. Crossbows were great for ease of use, but most greenhorns tended to forget you were vulnerable during the slow reloading process. These gentlemen compensated as best they could, one half providing covering fire while the other reloaded.

Gill locked eyes with an aiming bandit, a honest and easy smile spreading across his lips as he silently congratulated as a familiar unnatural strength oozed into his arms. The bandit in question had about half a second to pull the trigger before Gillian launched himself at the squad, basically firing himself like a slingshot, deadly bolts thudding uselessly into the dirt where the knight once stood.

Gillian slammed into a bandit feet first, feeling something beneath the mans armor give way as the knight suddenly and violently decellerated on top of him and throwing him to the group. The bandit to his left, a short man with ruddy hair, screamed a curse as he turned his crossbow to Gillian, only to find a clawed hand slapping the weapon from his grasp and another plunge itself into his chest.

With the faint stunned gurgling from the man now impaled on his wrist, Gillian swung his free hand wide, clipping a retreating bandit across the shoulder and stumbling him as the four remaining members of the squad attempted to gain some distance. "FUCKING KILL IT!" One of the men screamed, firing his newly reloaded crossbow at the knight, the bolt going wide and sinking into the captive dying bandit. Gillian reached forward, snatching the bandits skull in his grasp and yanking downwards, a sickly crunch echoing in the vicinity as bone shattered against dirt.

Gillian wrenched his hand from the red heads chest, a soft squelching noise erupting from the soon to be cadaver as it feel limply to the ground. The two remaining bandits stared at him, both having abandoned their crossbows in favor of drawing short swords. Their guards were poor, arms too far apart and blades wavering in their shaking hands. Beneath him, his landing pad wheezed wetly. 'Punctured lung. Probably two.' Gillian noted dully, stepping off the man slowly as he kept himself low to the ground. Hunched and animal like, feeding into the remaining two bandits fear of the inhuman like thing that just tore through their companions and shocked them into stillness.

Fear tactics like this didn't always work. Especially not against more learned opponents. But Gillian knew from experience how well even a normally skilled fighter could simply dissolve into uselessness when scared enough. The left most bandit broke first; dropping his blade and turning to flee. His remaining companion turned to follow, a panicked scream cut short as white hot pain seared through him as claws rippled and played along his spine.

"I...I YIELD I YIELD!" The final bandit wailed, flinging himself into the swarming melee and rushing to the young captain as fast as his legs could carry him. "Call it off! Please call it off!" From the back of the bandit line, Gill watched the exchange for a moment, an amused grin slipping past his lips for a moment before turning his gaze to what few bandit crossbow men remained, slinking towards them with a predatory gait.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

but...but...but I have a warhammer army to build D:>