MelonHead

[MONSTER COLISEUM] [3-players] VS. [1 Beast] ::: Battle your favorite monsters from Mythology! (Griffins, Hydras, Werewolves, etc.)

I'll fight.



[CHARACTER SHEET]
--Name/Alias: Brennus
--Age: 24
--Sex: Male
___
--Height: 5ft 8"
--Weight: 80kg
--Personality: Confident, boastful, cruel.
___
--WEAPON: Six foot spear, wooden shaft, steel head, doubles as a javelin if necessary. Also and a Celtic Longsword.
--Shield: Brennus carries a roughly oval shield about 100cm tall and 75cm wide, made of oak and covered with leather, with an iron rim. The front is decorated with green spirals roughly resembling plants on a brown background.
--ARMOR: None

http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/2659740

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

_{banner credit to Hellis}

The Heist

Part 1
Featuring… @VATROU

---

Time: Present Day - Afternoon
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

“We have landed at North Las Vegas Airport, remember to pick up your luggage and I hope you enjoyed your flight!”

A short but completely avoidable journey at its end, a Polish man picked up his noticeably scant luggage in the form of a single backpack and stepped out into the blazing heat. A prompt ride in a bus with laughing tourists, his head aching from lack of proper sleep, and finally he was alone again. With a feeling of relief, the criminal allowed his aura to expel itself into his surroundings, the tension of keeping it locked tight for over seven hours having really grated on his nerves. Still, needs must, and at least he’d arrived in Vegas. He’d always wanted to see Vegas before he died, so much sin and theft on such a grand scale, how could he resist?

The problem was this was hostile territory for Silence. His contacts in the area were scant, just a couple of people to be honest, enough to get his hands on a firearm within an hour and a rental car that had been lent out on an untraceable fake name. Driving around in a pale blue family car wasn’t likely to attract much attention out here, but if needs be, it could be used for a speedy get-away. At least for him. The other two could find their own way out of trouble, he was sure.

Pulling in for some refreshments, the Pole sat in a McDonalds car-park and texted the Ambassador.

Ms F,
I am in town, want to meet up for coffee?
-L

Suspicious to the point of paranoia, as per usual, Silence didn’t trust the unsecured line enough to ask for his ally’s direct location. They could meet somewhere and discuss details like that in person.

Short hours had passed quickly for Mandate, Odette and Bach. Her fey partner had grown rather wary since their arrival to Las Vegas, he commented how he felt an overwhelmingly large presence of a witch coven. Bach was more sensitive to high concentrations of magic.

While The Ambassador ate, rested and scouted out the warehouse locations. A few she discovered were distribution centres. The centres were mainly set for shipping and receiving. Whatever arrived was later shipped off into storage or another location. The warehouse she was looking for was a rather large one set up for long term storage. It took her some time to observe, but she found success.

A text from Lekh, she quickly replied with.

Oh! ¸♬·¯·♩¸¸♪·¯·♫
I feel like I’ve been waiting f-o-r-e-v-e-r for you to visit me.
Coffee would be great! (•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑
-`ღ´- I’m on the East end,
this cute little restaurant on the edge of the industrial area -`ღ´-
See you soon~ <3

She sent the text along with their current address a few blocks away from the warehouse, following his lead in obscurity. It had irritated her initially that he still decided to take a silly plane over the much more convenient portal door. It did, arguably, give her some time to catch her breath and rest for the next part of their plan. The mess they left in Lost Haven splashed across the news headlines, police puzzled over the scene. Who could have possibly been to responsible for the multiple murders? Who could be capable of crushing bones and desiccation...etc. Such a scene would keep Barron’s attention on Lost Haven while they slipped past his defences and pilfer valuable magical items.

Odette, Bach and Mandate sat outside at a patio table, idly fanning herself with the drink menu. “Lekh texted me. He is finally here. We’ll be moving soon.” She said sipping her iced tea. It was insufferably dry and hot, the neon lights, tourists… this city of sin held no class, no history; just excess. Perfect for the likes of Barron to take root in.

Silence stared at his phone for a few moments. That, is an excessive amount of emoticons. He decided finally, after summarising that it probably wasn’t a code but rather the Ambassador being flippant. With a sigh, he pulled out a map he’d borrowed from his associate in town and looked across it for the restaurant the Ambassador was talking about. It took him a little while, but knowing where they were hitting helped. Obviously, the Ambassador had settled close to the warehouse, and from there he could find the street she had referred him to.

Putting the map to one side, already familiar with his route, Silence reversed out of the bay in his people carrier and drove into the hubbub of Las Vegas. Albeit, a little outside of the usual touristy areas, and therefore not into a complete standstill at every street corner. It took him the better part of an hour still, travel in Las Vegas was a pain in the ass, he discovered. Like most big cities the world over.

Parking up outside the restaurant, Silence paused for a moment to check himself over. He’d changed since the ambush at the trainyard, and again after leaving the plane. Now he was just an average joe tourist, in loose beige cargo pants and a light blue polo, sunglasses over his eyes because the sun was just so damn bright out here. Deserts, what can you do?

Walking in, the criminal folded up his glasses and hung them in the v of his collar, looking around for his associates. He assumed the Golem wouldn’t be inside though, not unless the Ambassador could disguise her somehow.

Odette removed her straw wide brimmed hat peering across the tables noticing Lekh, the chameleon of a man had changed again. She waved him over, since their arrival to Vegas she had changed outfits as well. Picking from clothing stored away in her purse, avidly prepared wherever she ended up. She wore a loose white cotton blouse unbuttoned, with sleeves rolled up, beneath it she wore a black crop top, high waisted blue jean shorts, and white gladiator sandals.

Bach was taking his restlessness out on the poor unsuspecting waitresses and their customers. Making them trip, switching food, pranking the customers. It was silly and Odette didn't possess the need nor want to stop him.

Mandate sat across from her having resumed her glamoured disguise as a large yet plainly dressed human. To any roaming eyes, they were tourists relaxing after a day of sightseeing. A glass of water sat in front of Mandate, untouched. In sharp contrast to the pleasant humming escaping her ‘lips’, Mandate’s glamour presented the same dead, emotionless eyes as ever, peering around listlessly as her fingers gently drummed the table. It only took a few moments for her eyes to snap to the man to whom Miss Ambassador waved, of course, and the drumming and humming ceased.

Lekh’s eyes roamed the room until he spotted the Ambassador, just as she took off her large floppy hat. Raising a hand in greeting, he bypassed some overly helpful staff and made his way to their table, seemingly at ease in his surroundings. He paused in front of their table just long enough to pull out a chair, and then sat down, a smile briefly flickering across his face.

“How ya’ll doin?” He asked, settling into an American accent for their current surroundings were far from private, and his natural accent might draw the wrong sort of attention. It would be unwise to underestimate the Barron in his own territory. As he awaited their replies, his finger rose up to the waiter and he flagged him down for a drink. “I’ll have a glass a Tennessee whiskey if ya got it waiter, anything but Jack Daniels’ll be fine, thankya.”

Odette stared at Lekh and his new accent, arching one of her eyebrows at him. She wasn’t far off the mark thinking of him as a chameleon. Instead of laughing she said, “Lovely, thank you for asking. You’re later than I expected.” She leaned a little closer, “Regardless, I’ve kept myself busy. Visited a few tourist traps today, but there’s one more souvenir shop I want to shop around in, if you would like to join me. It has a few trinkets I think you’d be interested in.”

She smiled herself playing along. In a city of this size, three people could be easily unrecognized as the next. The Barron is looking for faceless goons in Lost Haven, he has no reason to suspect the culprits would be sitting right under his nose only a few hours after the deed. She sipped her iced tea, a basket of french fries sat in front of her, half of it eaten.

At least he wasn’t wearing jeans again, but still no cufflinks.

“Oh yeah? How’s the place lookin, busy at all?”

“At the moment? No, not busy surprisingly. I was expecting more sales associates on duty but could only account for seeing a good handful across the store.” She said, “I’m sure they must be of the more senior staff members. More capable.” She popped a cold fry in her mouth.

“I’m full, do you want some?” Nudging the basket his way the waiter arrived with Lekh’s drink.

“Cold fries? Think’ll pass miss. Glad to hear the place ain’t too busy, when d’ya reckon we should go?”

She shrugged replacing her hat shifting back in her seat again to allow the waiter to place the drink on the cardboard coaster, “Finish your drink, there’s no hurry.” She meant that, from her observations she counted for some vampires strolling through the shadowy areas of the warehouse while she had spotted a mage radiating energy from the arcane stream.

To avoid security would be preferable, stealth would be imperative.

“So, how was your flight?”

“Not bad, not bad.” He took a sip of his whiskey in-between, the only sign of his distaste a slight furrowing of his brow. This wasn’t what Poles drink nor how they drink it. His eyes wandered over to Mandate sitting at the table. “I see you brought your cousin along, that’s mighty nice of you, doubt they get out much after getting kicked in the head by that horse all those years back.”

Mandate did not particularly see how a horse kicking her could be dangerous, but did not comment. Instead, she stared blankly into her glass of water.

Odette squinted at him then Mandate. Sure it was a quickly thrown together glamour but disguising an eight foot tall, cyclops golem was easier said than done. “My dear cousin loves to meet with all my friends. Even the ones that keep me waiting, did you get lost on your way from the airport or was it just bad traffic? I thought you had stood us up.” She laughed lightly, giving him an impish smile.

“Kept you waitin? Why if I’d known you were hankering so badly for my company Miss I’d have got here all the sooner.”

She rolled her eyes, chuckling behind her hand, “Charming. What a gentleman, hard to find in the city known for its sin.”

“Well, you know what they say, the Southern gentleman brings his hospitality wherever he goes, ‘specially in the company of a fine young lady such as yourself.” Silence gave her an ironic wink and sipped on his drink.

“While a frenchwoman knows her cheese.” She said. “It looks like you might need something to chase that with.” She noted his distaste, every little thing contributing to his disguise right down to the drink. Although she was sure she wouldn’t be able to stomach a glass of sour mash whiskey. It was admittedly amusing to watch.

“Come on now Miss, you wound me.” He laughed, legitimately. “I reckoned I was up for a glass, guess maybe I had a little too much last night for its tasting a trifle sour goin down.” With a determination to fulfil his role to the last, the Pole drank down the last of the whiskey with held breath, gritting his teeth for just a moment. “Well then, drinkins’ done, shall we be headin off?”

She laughed with him, genuinely amused by his accent and charm. Nodding she said, “Please, after you. I’ll buy your drink, I still owe you for that coffee.”

“Why thank you kindly Miss.”

She dug her wallet out and waved over the waiter. He quickly scribbled out the bill for her small meal and the drink. She handed him cash and a decent tip. Bach returned to her side again, looking pleased after harassing the restaurant staff.

“You drive, I’ll direct you.”

Silence stood and led the group out of the restaurant, judging the sun in the sky as he stepped out into open air. Shrugging, he flicked out his sunglasses and put them back on to shade his eyes before pointing to the less than stylish people carrier in the car park.

“How’d ya like my wheels Miss?” He said, walking over and pulling out his keys to hit the fob. He hopped into the driver’s seat and gave the other’s time to get in.

“Right, where to?” All traces of Southern accent gone now, all business.

They settled in easily, Odette’s expression defaulted back to neutral. She gave simple directions, they were only about five minutes away by car. They drove past the warehouse, looking for a discrete spot to park the van. Close but not out of reach. “Vampires, mage, and possibly metahumans are patrolling the warehouse.” She said turning to Lekh, she dug through her purse pulling free some bottles of holy water and short but sharpened wooden stakes. “I hope we have no use for these tonight.”

Lekh took a stake a little uncertainly, looking at the slender wooden point, before tucking it into his waist-band beside his gun. Then, he took a bottle of holy water.

“So these things kill these Vampires, and the heart is the key, correct?” He wanted to see if he remembered what she had taught him about killing the undead creatures Barron had at his beck and call.

“The heart, yes. Don’t miss.” She warned him.

“We’ll have to find where the healing based artefacts are being kept. I can imagine it won’t be difficult considering they hold such high value.” She said, removing her hat setting it on the dash.

“With such a sophisticated operation I would suspect that someone must know what is in each container, perhaps they are marked or coded? We shall have to grab someone and ask them to be sure, it would be best not to spend too long here.”

She nodded pulling off her white blouse, stuffing it away in her purse then pulling out a dark blue long sleeved shirt. “I think that would be best. Some desk jockey could find what we’re looking for much faster.”

”I can grab someone.” Mandate offered, fiddling with her glamoured necklace. Her curiosity was not conveyed in her false eyes. ”Miss Ambassador, what makes a vampire different from a metahuman?”

“Vampires are generally faster, stronger and quieter. They’re also undead. For you Mandate, their speed will be your main concern.” Pulling the shirt over her head, she tucked some wooden stakes into her belt along her lower back for easy access.

“Right. So we know they have metahumans in there, or Vampires, or both. With people like this I do not think I will be able to infiltrate them brazenly, stealth and execution will be the key. Mandate seems hardy enough, I say we move in from the sides and send Mandate in directly through the front as a distraction while we pick off stragglers and get what we need. Do you have any other ideas? You have been here longer than myself.”

Unstrapping her sandals while she thought. “I don’t think splitting up will be wise but it seems we need to cover some more ground. The warehouse grounds are on the large side. Mandate, are you alright with taking the brunt of the distraction?” Dropping the sandals into her purse and switching out for running shoes.

Mandate, unperturbed by the imminent danger, responded quite chipperly. ”Of course, Miss Ambassador!” She continued to play with her necklace. ”Should I remove this? I’d like for it to stay safe.”

“Yes, I can keep it safe for you.” She opened her hand. “The west side of the building has it’s shipping and receiving centre. Two large doors, with side entrances. When I checked they were deserted. On the east side is the employee entrance and parking lot, essentially the front doors. On the roof, there are some large windows but most of them have been boarded up, I can imagine in consideration for their undead co-workers. Where would you like to start, Silence?”

“I will sneak in through the west entrance, through their loading bay. I would rather have the sun at my back for as long as possible as I am the most vulnerable to those Vampires in there.”

Mandate tilted her head at the mention of the sun, her necklace having been slipped off of her neck and into the Ambassador’s hand. ”Do you think there’s still enough light to be hurtful if those windows are broken, Miss Ambassador? I’m good at breaking.” It was a niggling memory, brought on by the conversation at hand. The sun was the enemy of dead things, right?

Odette nodded storing the necklace away, “I believe so. I can portal you to the rooftop and the distraction will begin when you break through the window. I’ll cover the east side, discreetly remove any opposition, set some traps in case there is reinforcements. Then meet Silence, to help search for our prizes.”

“It sounds as if we have a plan then. I will get equipped and meet you both inside this warehouse. Good luck.” And with that, he opened the door and hopped outside, moving around to the boot and popping it. Inside was his apparel for the afternoon’s work, a bulletproof vest, ballistic gloves and mask, and some falconer’s bracers he’d had the foresight to ask for while on waiting in the airport. It was lucky his meagre contacts in the area had easy access to this sort of equipment in Las Vegas. After equipping himself thusly, he tailed out of the parking spot, hastily sprinting across the quiet street while no one was in view and disappearing behind a fence lining the perimeter.

Odette watched Lekh’s back as he departed before stepping out of the van, beckoning Mandate away from the vehicle. She began crafting a new portal, quickly forming its door a minute or so later. “This will take you to the roof. Countdown from one hundred before you step through the window. Please try not to cause too much property damage, feel free to tear the opposition apart, there is no one we need to save for questioning this time.” Odette instructed looking up into Mandate’s singular red ‘eye’. She smiled, thoughtfully adding, “Try not to have too much fun without me, my dear.”

”Of course, Miss Ambassador! I could never have enough fun without you.” Mandate chirped in response, poking and prodding curiously at the portal. She paused as a thought struck her, twisting to face the Ambassador. Her hand hit her head in a crude salute. ”I’ll get it done, Miss Ambassador.” The rather serious and solemn statement was interrupted by a series of short-lived giggles.

Odette gave her a wink, clicked her heels and jogged off across the street heading for the opposite direction of Lekh, hopping up and over the fence. She kept close to the building, casting her warding spells as she went. Bach followed closely behind her, full sized and keeping a wary eye out. Counting down the seconds.

Arena Chat Thread

<Snipped quote by MelonHead>

You were some weird as animal. But if you want in, I'll set it up soon. It'll be a lot of story and of course, you can add to it and all. Multi person world building.

@Rilla

Go for it, mention me when you make it.

Arena Chat Thread

You sure you wanna do it again, you were the penguin, and ina. Tournament. Has that officially started yet?

@Rilla

I was a Ram, actually. I am in the tournament, yeah, but it's not that high intensity surprisingly (despite being in three fights simultaneously.)

Arena Chat Thread

Let's be honest. He probably shouldn't win it, or at least. Come very close to dying to do it.

@Dazsos wut

@DjAtomika Long time.

@Rilla

Well, if you want someone to kick your ass and make it near impossible, I'm your man.

Arena Chat Thread

You lost your super long sword?

Lame.

So you need someone to kick your ass as a monkey spirit? I can probably do that.

You didn't want to... win, did you?

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

_{banner credit to Hellis}

---

Time: Present Day
Location: Lost Haven, Maine

Ms F
I am sorry for the late reply, I have been out of town.
Care to meet somewhere quiet to discuss what I have discovered?
-L

The text tone on the Ambassador's smartphone rang, she had been awake for several hours going about her daily routine, having taken the past couple of days to relax and pick away at deciphering the prophecies. She was surprised but pleased she wouldn't need to track him down. She read the text then quickly replied.

❀Quite alright.❀
I have been rather busy myself.
I can be in LH today, meet me at my hotel. I'll text you the address and room number.

Until then ¸¸♬·¯·♩¸¸♪·¯·♫¸

She tapped SEND then called for Bach to get ready. The meeting with Lekh would need to be played with caution. Depending on how she presented whatever information he wanted to know, could result in either losing him as an ally or keeping him as a tentative friend. She safely assumed he would ask about the Soul Mark, a little red thumb print on his wrist months ago, when they first met. There was no real way around explaining away the mark's more invasive properties. Regardless it would be removed one way or another, there wasn't need for it anymore.

The time it took to call a hotel in Lost Haven, create a portal and check in, it was considerably short. With everything she could ever need stored in her enchanted purse, travelling was really never a problem unless she was forced to keep up appearances.

Lost Haven awaited her return.

---

Elsewhere...

Silence had quite the trip. Uncovering family secrets, discovering mysterious government sanctioned research labs, high octane jail breaks, it wasn't quite the vacation the Pole had been looking forward too but it was certainly one to write home about. Unfortunately, that wasn't quite what Lekh had in mind. The Ambassador had commissioned him for the job with a rather tantalising reward offered in recompense, the truthful answer to a question of his choosing. The criminal's mind was abuzz with the sort of things he could ask a woman like Odette, who manifested powers the likes of which he had only read about, wouldn't have even believed existed until a few months prior. Still, there was the small matter of the goblin.

It had been transported directly into the back of his car to receive the dossier. Lekh was by no means familiar in any way, shape, or form with magic or its uses, but his memory was sound. Odette had told him that he had only to press his finger to the mark on his wrist and speak her name and she could come to him. Yet, seemingly, without any of these actions taking place she had known his exact location and by extension where to send her little servant. It would seem she had misled him in regards to the exact nature of this little gift she had bestowed upon him. Though he was hardly surprised.

Dressed in shirt, dark green jacket and jeans the chameleon of a man waltzed through the Ambassador's hotel. It was a nice place, not overly special as such but certainly comfortable. He respected the place's lack of defining features, something which he shared with the building, and which made both of them useful in certain circumstances. His hair was a mousey brown today, but not much longer than the last time he and the Ambassador had met, which was only a short while ago.

He found the room with no real trouble and his mind harkened back to his first meeting with Ms Favre, the sense of deja-vu palpable as he knocked lightly at the door.

"Room service, Madam."

Odette stood from the small sitting area at the sound of his knocking, then peeked through the eye window. She motioned for Bach to leave with a dismissive shoo motion, he shrugged.

"If you insist, My Lady. I'll be close if you need my assistance." Bach replied in French then shrunk down to six inches. He scurried out under the door frame casting a tiny glower up at Lekh as he walked by, invisible but indignant.

She opened the door giving him a chipper greeting, "Bonjour, Monsieur. Please come in we have quite a bit to discuss today, non?"

She had settled on wearing a close fit black cross strapped tank top, ruffled pink skirt and on her feet were fashionable flats with small golden studded toes. To top off the outfit she accessorized with a intricate drop necklace with pale rose quartz. She opened the door wide gesturing for him to come inside. "Bach will not be joining us today."

She studied the career criminal and noticed his hair colour had changed once again, he still dressed rather casually if not a bit plainly. She appreciated his efforts to at least be neat and tidy.

"Quite a bit, yes," Lekh replied as he crossed the threshold, taking in the Ambassador's rather extravagant sense of style. Just once, he wanted to see her wearing an old hoodie and jeans, but honestly, he wasn't sure if he would recognise her in such casual attire. He almost cocked his head when she told him Bach was not present, resisting the urge to look around furtively for the sneaky little imp. He and Silence did not see eye to eye, for whatever reason, though the criminal suspected there was some degree of jealousy and over-protectiveness involved. Exactly what relationship Ms Favre and Bach shared was still unknown to Silence. Perhaps he would ask about it?

He wasn't all that taken aback by the hotel room, in fact he gave it barely a second glance as his eyes settled on a neat sofa. It was a business executive suite, with a large hardwood desk and leather chair. The bedroom was behind frosted glass doors and the living area was roomy enough for the sofa and coffee table. On the coffee table was a pitcher filled with iced water and two glasses. He turned and waited for Odette to give him the indication to sit down, and to show where she herself was sitting.

She strolled past him gesturing to the sofa. "Please make yourself comfortable, there is water if you would like a drink. Unfortunately on such short notice I have not much else prepared in the way of refreshments." She walked around the coffee table folding her skirt beneath her legs as she sat. "There is actual room service if you are hungry." Genuinely she was concerned at playing the part of a good hostess. Fey hospitality was legendary and this was quite embarrassingly meager to those standards.

Silence cocked an eyebrow as he caught the edges of a large tattoo on Odette's back, perhaps of a tree though it was difficult to tell for sure. Though a tree was certainly what he expected, for her to have a tattoo at all was not something he would have reckoned on. It was interesting how little he really knew about his temporary employer.

"I will, thank you, and water will be fine." He eyed up the jug beside a couple of smooth glasses and poured for himself as he sat on the sofa, feeling a lot more comfortable with a glass in hand, even if he would have preferred the clear liquid within to be a tad stronger stuff. "I will pass on room service, if it is all the same, Ms Favre."

She nodded, pouring a glass for herself as well setting it on the cardboard coaster for when she was ready.

Silence sipped from his glass, his mind awash with thoughts and feelings, and as always that slight pinprick of pressure in his chest that he had always had around the Ambassador. He identified it as fear.

"So, Ms Favre, I would assume by now you have had time to glance through the dossier I left with your interesting companion?" He paused, for a moment, as his brow furrowed at the thought of the little creature's sudden arrival. "Though if you would prefer it, I could give you the full, debriefing if you will, of my travels?"

"I have, very thorough as I expected. You did well in collecting all of the essentials. I would like to hear the full report, though before you begin. When we first met with Racheli, do you remember seeing..." She paused looking for the appropriate English word. "The projection of a man? He looked exactly like Racheli's father, Michael Garth." Hoping to validate her seeing the virus's psychic image.

"I remember seeing... something. A hazy image appeared before me as I attempted to sedate the girl, a man's voice warned us away. I assumed it was something the girl had done." He swirled the liquid in his glass in an unconscious gesture that was somewhat unfitting with simple water. "I remember the... 'projection' only hazily, but I believe it bore some resemblance to the man. Michael Garth. Though he was not in the best of conditions when I met with him. We seem to be getting ahead of ourselves here though, no?"

She nodded again relieved she wasn't alone in seeing that pesky visage, "Yes, of course. Please go on."

"Well then, it would be best if we start at the beginning. I will keep this as short as possible. After meeting with you at the coffee shop, I did some digging in the CDC for files on one 'Racheli Desdemona'. Interestingly, it was not the matter of her stay there that drew me, but rather that the state keeps certain census files in the building's database." He shrugged. "Or perhaps not so interesting, hmm?"

"In any case, it was there that I discovered the birth date and location of Rach, and the names of her parents, Jackie and Michael, in Jamestown Nevada. I had no particular desire to head out of state and across the country for what I believed was a dead-end, but after speaking with some contacts they revealed to me some interesting information. Her parents had both been murdered, albeit Michael met his end through government sanctioned execution. I decided that was interesting enough to warrant a personal visit of sorts, and so I went.

"In Jamestown, I asked around and found some interesting tid-bits about our friend Rach's past. It would seem her dear Father was a serial killer of sorts and Rach was right in the middle of it all. When he was finally arrested, and incarcerated she was moved with her Aunt, on account of her Mother being killed, presumably by Michael though considering the circumstances. He was later apparently executed on death row. However, I investigated further into his sentencing and uncovered some old files that detailed his time on death row. It turned out he had been selected by some government sanctioned geneticists for a trial run of some experimental process to active a dormant meta-human gene, though I do not pretend to fully understand the science behind it."

She remembered reading the notes about Michael's nasty streak of killing young women. When he mentioned Michael's metahuman status her eyebrows lifted, surprised at that. A serial killer with manifested powers and a motive to see his daughter. Things were about to get very interesting for the likes of Racheli.

He took a breath, keenly aware that he might have just said the most he had spoken to any one person in quite a while. For someone so used to manipulating others, Silence wasn't the most talkative of people in his own time.

"What I do know is that Michael was very much alive, though I dare not say well. I tracked the lab he was being held in down to a location just north of Jamestown, after uncovering some additional details from a less than voluntary doctor. From there it was simplistic to infiltrate the lab and break Michael out of confinement, and with a few pictures and words, to direct him like an arrow at Ms Desdemona. I suspect he will be with us soon in Lost Haven, using his newfound power to shapeshift into creatures to wreak a path of destruction. One that I have no doubt will force Ms Desdemona out of hiding." He paused one last time. "She is still in hiding, correct? I would hate to think this effort had been for naught."

He infiltrated a lab and broke him out? At the drop of a hat, he continued to impress her. She smiled as he summarized his success in sending Mr. Garth off to Lost Haven. It disappeared when he asked of her whereabouts.

"Colour me impressed, Lekh. Infiltrating a government facility and sneaking out one of their experiments with no time to prepare, I would find that difficult even with cheating security with illusions. Unfortunately..." She took a sip of water her brow furrowing. "While you and I have been abroad Racheli got herself into a high profile fight with a mercenary by the name of War-Pulse. Tore up Chinatown and dragged two other metahumans into the conflict. When the dust cleared an unknown third party swooped in and took her body aIway. No confirmation on who it was nor if she's still alive. Incredibly irritating."

She frowned replacing the glass on the coaster. "I believe the Syndicate is still searching for more clues while my own eyes are roaming for any signs of her."

"Thank you for those details. Mr. Garth's appearance in Lost Haven will hopefully draw her out or have this third party act against him." Her smile returned this time, more sinister than kind or gentle. Genuine. "Now armed with this invaluable information, I can finish the job. Make her pay."

A moment passed and she took a deep breath in through her nose shifting back to neutral. She was glad she kicked Bach out of the meeting, he would have surely had words for showing so much personal attachment again. Bach failed to understand how much Odette needed to ruin Racheli Desdemona.

"I assume now you would like questions about my world answered? I believe you've more than earned them."

Well, that was ominous Silence thought to himself, keeping his own face expressionless as he once again confirmed just how much Racheli seemed to aggravate the Ambassador. As for the other things, frankly, Silence was unconcerned. Rach meant nothing to him, she would either be caught, escape, or die.

"Yes, I do believe that was the term of our arrangement." He swirled his glass around for a moment longer, revealing the mark on his right hand as his arm dipped for a moment. He allowed his eyes to settle on the mark as if by chance, squinting with his brow furrowed."Something has been bothering me though, Ms Ambassador. When you marked me with this, you said I had but to speak your name and you would come to me, and yet I seem to remember a strange creature appearing in the back of my car without any such requirements being met." It wasn't a question, he wouldn't come right out and accuse this woman of anything, not here, and besides which he wanted to save his question for what he really wanted to know. Yet the unasked question still sat between the two of them.

Replying, a little sheepish casting her eyes away, "[color=thistle]I was afraid that would happen. Good help is so difficult to find. I do apologise for the unconventional courier. Goblins have a bad reputation for being impulsive.[/color" Then looked back to him. "Your memory serves you well. That is what I said. So, what is your question?"

"I sense whatever you're going to ask is going to be a bit more involved than the whys and hows of a goblin poofing about." She said her tone growing more serious.

"And an impressive capacity for finding people, it would seem." Silence replied, though there was nothing cheerful about it, his voice was like ice. "Still, I do have a question for you, yes. As you no doubt recall, when we first met you promised me an artefact of sorts to carry out an additional service, one that proved invaluable after our business was interfered with. The item in question was a healing salve, I believe that is what it would be called." He let his glass sit on the table, and leaned back in his chair."I need more, tell me, where can I acquire similar items of greater power than the salve you gave me?"

"Hoping to dip into the magical artefact's market? It's certainly not like drugs or smuggling weapons. But..." She tapped her chin in thought, The Barron came to mind immediately. The Broker mentioned bringing his undead criminals into the cabal but nothing was quite official yet. It would be up to Silence how well he managed against the undead and their market for moving magical items and how willing he was to ask for help.

"You have no doubt heard of the vicious new gang moving against the Syndicate yes? They're operating out of Las Vegas. The Barron is the head of this organization, an old and powerful Vampire. His ehm... associates are none other than the undead blood sucking creatures straight out of a nightmare. His organization capitalizes quite famously on their involvement in magical items." She went on, "I would suggest to carrying a litre or two of holy water."

"Something along those lines. I must admit, though I expected it to be a dangerous prospect, I would not have suspected the undead between my goal and I. Up until this very moment I had not the faintest idea that Vampires existed." Silence looked taken aback by this information, wondering just how many creatures from nightmare were out there abound in the world. Were meta-humans not enough?

"Still, it is fortuitous that the Syndicate is at odds with this Barron, perhaps it is time I spoke with the Cowl personally." And while doing so, use the distraction of a large scale assault on this organisation to achieve my own aims. "Is this all you can tell me in regards to such items, I assume you did not acquire your own from this Barron?"

"You assume correctly. I have other means of acquiring items like the salve on my own. I loathe to involve myself with the undead. But... If you are in need of my assistance against The Barron I am available. The Cowl, knowing him, he has some plans to defend his territory against The Barron." She offered, sincerely. It would be a shame if Silence was turned or bled dry.

"I have no doubt. So, to be clear, I will find items like the healing salve being transported by the Barron's people? But stronger, ideally?"

Odette about to reply paused then cocked her head at him, noting his focus on the healing salve. "I woud not know for certain. Hoping to find a magical cure all? I can't imagine it would be for yourself. You seem rather healthy." She said a small curious smile brightened her expression.

"Does such a thing exist?"

"There are a few things like that in existence, a few rare people with gifts of healing. You can certainly hope to find something like that among Barron's things. You would need to do some research to be sure. We both know you are rather skilled in research." She replied.

"This is a little out of my area of expertise, Ms Favre." He looked thoughtful, his fingers tapping the surface of the coffee table rhythmically. "Still, you have given me much to think on."

"As I said, I am available to assist. This is very much my area of expertise. A chance to snub the undead would be motivation enough for me. A push back, even." She commented eyes flicking again to the mark on his wrist.

"In that case I would gratefully accept your help, Ms Favre."

"Anything else you would like to discuss? Still under the terms of our arrangement, open and honest answers for your questions." She had prepared for this discussion. Knew the goblin's impulsive decision showed her hand too soon.

"I suppose there is something." His entire body tensed. "What else does this mark on my wrist do?"

Sighing through her nose she took a deep drink of water, brushing some hair behind her ear. "It's a bit more than just a mark. It's called a Soul Mark. I do admit that I placed it a bit hastily when we first worked together. I am a shameless opportunist." Letting out a little chuckle.

"However, Soul Marks are typically placed with a pre-prepared spell more often than not, a location spell. Allows the bearer of the mark to be exclusively tied to the spellcaster. In our case, I had no such thing prepared." She admitted and held out her hand.

"May I see your wrist?"

Hesitantly, the man passed his hand over to the woman, though his eyes were harsh with disapproval.

Gently she held his wrist and brushed the sleeve back to reveal the mark wholly, her eyes on the mark. It was lightly red and a small print of her thumb. "I used a small portion of my own magic to coat your soul to substitute for a customized spell. It..." She pursed her lips. "Gave me an idea of your general location at my will. While if you used the mark it would have given me a direct link to what you were seeing and much more specific idea of where you were."

Silence moved suddenly, interrupting her in the most direct way possible. He twisted his own hand to grab her wrist and released his aura, full force, as his left hand shot up from under the table with an iron knife in hand. As his right hand clamped around her wrist he yanked her toward him, drawing that knife towards her flesh.

His power hit her full force like a hammer of nausea, her mind scrambled. Her instincts reacted faster than her own thoughts and with her free hand she pressed the mark on his wrist. "Oh-... Words were immediately difficult. Willing with every ounce she nearly spat out her own name, "Odette Favre!"

The connection was instantaneous, through his eyes she saw herself frozen at the edge of an iron blade. Felt his thoughts racing now with confusion of her immediate invasion, but felt as if she'd been thrown into a raging storm the only sliver of stability was the Soul Mark. Overwhelming might have been an underestimation, she knew the mark was a mistake but activating it was so much worse. She had to sever it. Now.

Feebly she broke the connection forcing her own magic to sever the tether. "I! I was going to remove it!" Her breathing was heavy and her eyes wide with alarm.

Silence regained full use of his faculties and held that dull iron blade to the Ambassador's throat, keenly aware that for just a moment, he had all the power.

"Yes Ms Favre, I believe you may have, but now you will remove it because you have no choice, as I had no choice when I accepted it. Consider this a warning, Odette, I am not an ordinary man, never treat me as such again." He looked at her, his gaze unwavering as his aura saturated the very air around them, though very much invisible. As suddenly as it appeared, the knife slipped away into his sleeve and the room returned to normal, his aura safely trapped within the vaults of his mind.

She stared at him hard and her fists clenched. Jaw set. She held her wrist where he had gripped it, chewing, and gnawing, at the inside of her cheek.

"Now we sit as equals, you and I, and we will have trust if we are to continue to work together. You have seen what I am capable of, and I have seen what you are capable of. Will you work with me? Or can you only accept subservience in your associates?"

Standing up from the sofa he followed suit as well. He stood a little over an inch taller, she glared before pacing over to her purse, not saying a word. Tension knotted in her shoulders, stiff. She opened up her purse slowly, measured not to put Lekh back on edge. "Equals."

She tossed a small cloth case at him, "This was originally to soften the mistake and equalize our standings."

"I came into this meeting hoping to carry on under new..." She paused thoughtfully, "New terms. Wasn't expecting you to react so strongly." She rubbed her wrist, squinting. Her heart was still thrumming away and the effects of his aura felt cold.

Lekh caught the box as it was thrown over to him, but he made no move to open it immediately. "I have done my research, you associate with tricksters and liars, Miss Ambassador. I am surprised you have forgotten how it feels to be manipulated among such company. Perhaps you are the puppeteer, but do you wonder if some of your friends on the other side are perhaps using you?”

She pointed to the box, "Those will grant you the ability to see the likes of my tricksters and liars." She said venomously, not taking his comments in stride. "Without opening the floodgates to seeing the Fey full time. I worked rather hard on enchanting them. Get them appraised, throw them away, do whatever you like. I have repaid you in kind for the work." It was diffcult to hide her irritation. This wasn't going how she had imagined at all.

"I will get them appraised.”

Shutting her purse with a scoff, "Such arrogance, because you managed the upper hand today. It would be incredibly foolish to assume anything about the Fey ever again. Like that knife, you asumed I was Fey as well. Iron does nothing to me. I will assure you that I am in complete control of my power as you are in control of your own. Equals, remember?"

"The iron was for Bach, Miss Ambassador, as I expected him to be here. I assumed you would have guessed as much. I know you are very much human, Miss Ambassador, and carry those vulnerabilities with you. It must be strange, to associate with all these powerful creatures from beyond our world, and to be so assured that they will remain under your control. Control, Miss Ambassador." He laughed, genuinely, and it was a frightful thing. "No one controls true power, and if your control goes only so far as my own, then I doubt you fully understand the nature of your relationship with the fey. You are right that I know little of those creatures, but I do know power when I see it. What you have seen here is power that is at a loath to be controlled. My power. Remember it." And for god's sake, Odette, be careful with the monsters you make pact with, I still need you.

Odette licked her lips his laughter unsettled her, today she had seen Lekh at his most genuine and as irritated as she was at having lost the game it was quite the little thrill. She stepped around the coffee table again within a few feet of Lekh again, "I won't forget. You are not the first person to warn me against affiliating with Fey and I'm sure you won't be the last. Perhaps next time we meet will be in Paris, where you will get a better taste of my hospitality." Ending that as something warmer rather than threatening. Where things stood it was arguably better now. Now there was an understanding.

"Perhaps, Miss Ambassador. I hope at least that the next time we meet will be under friendlier circumstances. If you are still interested in striking a blow towards this Barron's organisation, please let me know. I can ensure that you receive a fair reward in what I manage to secure from the shipment. As you know, there is only one particular thing I have interest in." Silence sighed inwardly, but outside he remained stoic, all business. Those his words had taken on a warmer quality, his tone had not.

"As I said before, snubbing the undead is something that interests me. I am still willing to help with The Barron. I would rather not see this new friendship to be for nothing when you're bitten or bled dry by some upstart vampire." She couldn't help but chuckle, "It'd be rather embarrassing."

"Then teach me how to kill them, Miss Ambassador, so we can both avoid the embarrassment."

A few Words of Power summoned power of the Arcane Stream to envelope her hand, the final dregs of his aura disappeared immediately in the blue glow. "There is much to cover but I think today we can cover the basics." Odette gave him a knowing smile. Delving into the specifics, techniques, and lore it would be another few hours before they parted.

Arena Chat Thread

Has the King returned?

@Rilla

Nope, don't think so.

Aegis Faces the Man-Eater

Like a man possessed, the boy lived up to his name and his reputation. Golden blood dripped from his wounded side, betraying his divine origins but no more than his action already had, and was about to. Strong legs pumped, he moved quickly, skirting the creature’s right flank wide to avoid the lashing tail and the clouds of dirt and grass it spewed in desperation. He ran around and then toward the stricken monster, his sword in hand, cold steel catching in the sunlight, nearly blinding. Two more steps carried him so very close, and then he lunged, force was more important than poise as he literally flung himself through the air, twisting at the torso to put all his body weight into one single sword thrust. His own momentum carried him forward and down to the earth, but a split second before that his sword should make brutal contact with his intended target, the right eye of the crocodilian beast. He meant to run it through, skewer it with metal and drive the blade through the gooey eyeball and through whatever the beast had amounting to a brain.

Arena Chat Thread

<Snipped quote by MelonHead>

Yes do that

@Rilla

Sent you a pm boss