PopeAlessandros

Lost On Course To Tomorrow ~ PopeAlessandros x ShadowRaeper

The arguing continues, the two major factions all but tearing into one another as each one tries to get it's point across. Sparks fly and words that will be later mourned and regretted pass back and forth like dust on the wind. The fight is long, the anger real and having been building up for a long time and at last explodes in a furious combat bound to words and regulated only by the combatants desire to remain undiscovered. To the rest of the world this sight would be one to be feared, hated, and the people destroyed on sight, nor so so many believe. Then at last the literal and figurative dust settles, a decision made, and the time for action upon them. Yes, this is what needs to happen, and now, they have the perfect volunteer. . . .

~*~*~*~*~

She moves along, stealthy and silent. She knows she's not suppose to be here. The decision was made and he was chosen. She knows this, but still, she needs to check on him. Just this once, then she'll let history take it's course. It is not her place, not her right, but she simply can not leave him to the universe without one last look. She doesn't know quite where he was dropped off, or what state he'll be in, but she knows the general area. She stalks as quietly as she can through the woods, following the faint trail left by those who had dumped him to his dump site. She really hopes that they weren't too rough with him. She knows the ones who left him in this forest don't really like him all that much. . .But they wouldn't hurt him or anything, right?

She feels a pang of worry, hoping against hope that it is unfounded and wrong. So focused she is on her quest that she does not notice the thing following her, armed and silent. She darts along, a spry little thing, barely bigger than a child and her form completely covered by a ground length red robe complete with hood. She keeps to the shadows, he magic seeping out only just enough to make her light on her feet as to not leave a trace of her passage on the ground. She moves quickly as she can along the trail until at last she slows, spotting something laying on the grass in the distance.

The magic trail fades almost completely as she approaches the clearing where the figure lay sprawled out spread eagle on the plush green forest floor. Just beyond the body is s beautiful pond with a tree draped over it. She knows now exactly who dropped him and rolls her eyes, smiling slightly. Creeping forward as quiet as ever she stands over the sleeping person, gazing at his gentle features for a full minute before kneeling down and letting out a sigh. 'Well, here you are. You're breathing, you’re not hurt, and you will wake soon. That's all I needed to know my friend. . .'

Reaching out her hand hovers over his arm, not able to touch him least he wake and spot her, but a comforting gesture for her none the less. It is as she kneels there, finally able to relax, a small smile on her lips, that she finally realizes she's being watched. She tenses up, sending out her senses to make sure that it's not someone who can get her in trouble before standing slowly and drifting off behind the nearest tree and vanishing completely.

The figure on the ground does not stir through all of this, his silky black hair splayed out beneath his head like a fan, his arms and legs spread out carelessly. Somehow he looks very at home despite the fact that he's sleeping in the middle of nowhere.

Outlast The Night ~ PopeAlessandros x Rapture

The cold chill of stone against his flesh is what greets the beastman upon his waking. His claws spread out reflexively on the hard surface, his last memory of being in fire and resting on earth making the sudden change shocking. A low growl finds it's way out from between his lips as he wakes with a snap, his body trying to come to attention on instinct. Unfortunately a combination of burns, open wounds, and smoke inhalation keeps the beastman down, unable to get beyond being on his hands and knees. His eyes sting at the brightness surrounding him, the sun streaming through an open window shining right one him.

'Where am I? What is this place?!' His growl continues, alerting the guards outside his cell a little way away that he's awake. As one runs off to tell the captain the other moves to into the beastman's line of sight. Shuraal, who had been staring at the window, blinking to try and clear his vision and realizing that the window is barred, snaps his attention over to the guard and lets out a long hiss. He is still very confused as to where he is and what's going on. He backs away slowly, still on all fours, and stares p at the man staring right back.

The man is quite curious over the prisoner, having never been so close to a beastman before. 'They usually keep to themselves, and those who do leave their groups live alone, or so I've heard. They say he saved a bunch of the villagers singlhandedly. Took on the raiders. . .' Despite this claim by the villagers, and the man's unequiped state, the guard keeps a firm hold on his spear, ever at attention should the nonhuman try and escape.

But escape isn't even on Shu's mind at the moment. Right now, all he wants is information. He swallows over and over, trying to get some moisture into his throat, however each time he does he flinches, the action making his throat sting. The hiss hadn't helped. After some deep breathing he manages to calm a bit, his tail brushing against the back wall of the cell. Slowly his lips fall over his fangs and he leans back into a sitting position, his claws still pressed into the stone floor. 'I need to stop, to think. This can't be the raiders' He begins reasoning with himself, looking the guard over carefully, making him uncomfortable though the armed man would never admit it.

'The raiders would not take prisoners. They don't do that. The only place even remotely related to them that would have a stone cell like this is miles and miles away, and I would have been forcibly woken up and tortured. . .No, this, this must be. . .' He closes his eyes and shakes his head, trying to clear the fog from his mind, once hand coming up to clutch the side of his head. It's all too much right now. He knows he must be somewhere related to the villagers he helped. . .'[/i] His eyes snap open. Looking up once more at the guard he croaks out, “The villagers, the children, they, they are *cough* safe?!” His eyes are intense and his voice, despite it's roughness, sounds honestly worried.

The Truth Behind The Blaze ~ PopeAlessandros x tenebrae16

Anime Detour in MN. I go every year, and it was a lot of fun. I actually joined the staff and will be actually working the con next year, yays!!!!

*More wide shiny anime eyes*

Well, you'll have to tell me what you wanna change in order for me to get an idea of what you're talking about. Also, there's nothing wrong with being confused after a break. I think you just need to find what you personally were driving for when you posted. You need to get back into his head. . .I'm always open to talking about it but the less we have to change the better in my opinion. But then again, I'm an odd person who doesn't like change on principal :P I'm phobic like that :P *Grin*

So, yeah, what exactly do you want to change? I like the characters as they are. . .And the setting is fun to play with. . . .*Shiny eyes* I'm a patient person, I can talk about it and work with what you need.

The Truth Behind The Blaze ~ PopeAlessandros x tenebrae16

Sorry, I was busy for about a month getting ready for a convention 2 states over, then I was at con, then I was recovering from con. So so SO sorry! I forgot to warn all my partners.

EDIT: *Looks at IC* *Wide sad eyes* I was having a lot of fun and if you feel jumbled I'm willing to work with you on this. just, reboot? First I'm not quite sure what that would entail and second, I like the way it is and where it was going. . . . .I don't wanna start over. . . .

The Power of The Fallen ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

Fury races through him and indeed Kuro is ready to rip the young demon limb from limb. How dare he come so close to Aoba! He's made it very clear that no demon is allowed to interfere with the fallen angel, the aura of the demons he killed giving off that message loud and clear from Aoba's charm bracelet. 'You will know my wrath little demon. I won't even give Dani a chance with this one. Coming up to him in public so I can't smite you on the spot And. . . .And. . . .' His vicious thoughts are interrupted by the sound of Aoba's voice. It takes him a moment however for the words themselves to register.

For his part Dani stands there stunned, turning completely around to stare at the fallen angel. “Are you nuts?! He's a fricken demon! He could have, wait, wha-?” Aoba races pat him before he can stop him unless he wanted to hurt the angel and use his magic. The smaller demon races up to stand behind his little brother and a little off to the side, his eyes wide, his mouth open. 'I can't believe he's defending this demon!'

Kuro can feel his feeling swell. He's not really sure what they all are at this point but as he watches Aoba move between him and the offending demon, gray wings obscuring his vision, hands pressed to his chest to keep him from his quarry, he knows the predominant one is a demon's natural jealousy. 'He's defending him!? After what all the other demons have tried to do to him, and how long it took for him to trust me, this guy here has a few minutes conversation with him and he, he trusts him!? I, what? Why. . . Why Aoba? What has he done to earn your trust? In what way is he better than me and how did he take you away from me so quickly. . .' He knows that final thought is inaccurate, but as Aoba smiles at the kneeling male and begs for his life the youngest son of Satan can feel his confusion and sadness build. Somehow, he feels that he's failed horribly.

Dani can sense the conflict in his little brother and a growl once more rumbles loudly from his lips. He feels no conflict whatsoever.

"Come on Kuro. . . I could kill him easy. He was too close and he could've hurt him."

Nodding vaguely Kuro stares, getting glimpses of the demon beyond Aoba's wings every so often. He hears both Dani's and Aoba's words and in his mind a grand battle begins between them.

~*~*~*~*~

Even though he has relaxed some now that Kuro and Dani are back near little Aoba Fenrir is all but screaming at the mirror at Aoba's actions. “What are you doing Aoba!? Are you crazy!? Don't let his honeyed words cloud your mind! He's a demon, he's tricking you! Can't you see it there! Oh, for the love of, gah!” He has to resist slamming down the mirror in frustration at the angel's actions. He's long advocated demon training for all angels and if he could he would use this as the perfect example of why the training is necessary.

After a moment to breath his frustrations tor to Kuro himself, his hesitation irritating the arch angel to no end. “And you! You know better that all this! You know he's just playing the little one, don't let those shiny blue eyes distract you! He's been lead down a demons path of corruption, how could you let this happen!” Fenrir is loath to admit that a small, small part of him had begin to trust Kuro. Something inside had changed ever so slightly, convincing him that the young demon meant no harm to his dear ex-medic. “Maybe. . .Maybe I was wrong about you you beast. . .” He sighs, propping up the mirror on a stack of papers and resting his chin in his hands. Now that Kuro and Dani are at least near to Aoba he's able to relax ever so slightly.

~*~*~*~*~

The elder brother, tired of Kuro's hesitation, hisses loudly and tries to move past Kuro. However the taller male's hand comes out and he blocks Dani's advance, giving him a glare that ensures he will wait, but only for a short time.

The demon in question, though his vision obscured for the most part by those fluffy gray things, spots the gesture and takes to breathing again. He pulls a warm smile the second time Aoba looks his way, though his terror is still evident in his eyes. When Aoba had rushed to his defense he was afraid that the brothers would toss him aside and apologize to the angel later, after slaughtering him of course. 'But this little angel, he seems to really hold a lot of sway over Kuro, the younger one. I wonder how he managed to wrangle such a powerful demon. . . I know it's not like he's a pet or anything, with how he's pleading, but he clearly holds some kind of power here. He's not a toy like so many demons would make of him. . .' He bites down on his tongue, his fangs drawing blood, in order to keep the new explosion of questions from tumbling from his lips. He knows it's not the time.

His feelings still in turmoil Kuro knows he needs to do something, say something. He can't just stand here forever. . . .Shaking his head he gives Dani a very firm look, nailing him on the spot before reaching out and laying a gentle hand on Aoba's shoulder and giving him a soft smile. “Let me talk to him for a moment Little Mouse.” His voice is gentle, making it clear that he doesn't intend violence on the male. Not yet at least. Kyouku swallows hard, respectfully keeping his eyes up towards where he can barely see Kuro's face.

The Truth Behind The Blaze ~ PopeAlessandros x tenebrae16

The angel feels the demon approach and as soon as he's within sight he looks over at the Father, giving him that good morning smile he planned on giving him. “Hey mister, whatcha lookin' at?” His head turns back to the gathered youngsters and he gives them all an even sunnier smile.

“Oh, I was just greeting Father Xephos.” He says happily, glancing back over at the man and noting he now has company. 'I can small her from over here. . .' He smiles once more at the children, going back to his story, wrapping it up neatly and leaving the children both satisfied and begging for more. However just then one of the older kids shows up with a bowl full of breakfast and Lai has an excuse to take a break from full time entertainment. The children too are ushered off to grab their own bowls and for a moment the angel feels a little bad at being treated special. The feeling does not go away as the children return and Laisander knows he's going to have to work extra hard today to get rid of the feeling. Being catered to is not something any angel should be happy about.

'We are here to serve, not be served' he muses, watching the older kids walking around and finding out which travelers are staying and which are going. Javier bounces up and down as he eats, telling the rest of the kids about the dream he had last night.

When the young lady from the day before comes close enough for the boy to notice he stands up on the pew and waves at her. “He's staying!” She smiles at him and looks at the angel for confirmation. Laisander smiles and nods at her. She makes the mark on her clipboard and moves to head over to the next person however Lai waves her down.

“Yes Mister?” she asks, coming closer to the angel and his pack of children.

He gives her one of his really charming smiles. “Oh I was just wondering what's on the docket today as far as volunteer work. I feel like working hard today!” The children giggle, a few of them tugging on his leg playfully.

Athena returns the smile and flips the top page back to check over all the daily chores the travelers are allowed to do. The angel focuses on his meal as she begins listing off everything that needs to get done along with things that would be good to get done but are not necessarily of dire importance. Lai marks down in his own head how many he could get done. Then with some hard thought as she walks away he begins shaving the list down to something humanly possible. 'A part of me wants to just do it all, make life easier for these little ones, but I know that the good lord has plans for them and if I interfere too much I will not only possibly derail that plan but also draw attention to the church and right now that would be disastrous. . .'

Bring Me Peace ~ PopeAlessandros x Apoalo

Hi hi! I'm back from that convention that kept me busy for close to a month!

Never Ending Battle ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

It is with great relief that Akito slowly looks up from his hands, feeling the rulers' eyes move off of him and over to his betrothed. His hands slowly come apart – slightly slick from nervous sweat – and he reaches out to stroke a finger down Hoko's back. The creature calms, turning around to lick at the warrior's chin before curling up and going back to eating. A smile finds it's way to his eyes alone and for a moment all he can think is that there is something unmistakably sweet about the man he is to marry. . .And that is not a bad quality for a husband. 'Of course those reasons are valid too, but that's not really why I want to explore those areas. . .' That paranoid part of his mind can not get those suspicious images out of his head, and for now he considers his vigilance a good thing.

The smile in his eyes reaches his lips for a moment as Hiro graces him with one of his own. 'So beautiful' His thought brings a flush once more to his cheeks but a moment later the youth across from him once more encourages him to 'relax', so with a concerted effort he takes a deep breath and turns his focus back on to his food. He tenses moments later but relaxes immediately as he recognizes the noise of a woman with an overly active bun in the oven. As the emperor looks to her, concerned, Akito offers up an amused smile before taking another bite of a meal he has as of yet not been calm enough to actually taste.

Only a bite later there is once more talking going on around him. However since it does not directly involve him at the moment he is able to listen while focusing on his meal. At last that savory meat touches his tongue and sends him back to the field with it's flavor. Hoko chitters happily, having finished his portion a while ago, the beast is not above begging more off his master. The soldier however is too busy with the duel task of remaining calm – an act aided by the nostalgic flavors – and actually paying attention to stuff that will affect his future.

Like any excited mother planning a wedding a wave of excitement seems to pass through the woman as she goes off on her list of attendees. The looming prospect of being surrounded by so many nobles threatens to spook the man once more, the urge to flee to the woods returning. However as her list comes to an end she turns suddenly to Akito with a smile. Despite the smile the young man has to fight the urge to jump and looks up at the empress with a subtle polity questioning expression. “Yes my lady?” he asks softly, setting his fork down.

“Oh, I was just wondering, who will be coming from your side?” Her tone is light and for the first time Akito realizes that she knows of his familial situation.

'She knows that the general is my only family and that I was orphaned. That I have no blood ties. . .' He swallows slowly before taking a sip of his drink and dropping his gaze to the happy animal on his knee, now licking it's paws clean. Just out of sight of his gaze the empress adopts an apologetic expression, fearing she did not approach the subject delicately enough, however before she can make amends Akito speaks up softly, but clearly. “Well, the general will be coming. As. . .As he is my family. He will stand with me. And, um, I think I overheard him saying that my unit will also be invited to come.” Trying to brush away some of the awkward he adds on with a small laugh. “I'm sure they'll all show up. It's free food after all.”

The emperor chuckles at this, nodding. “Yes, they are invited, as your closest companions. I'm sure a few will have something to say in your favor when it comes time to speak of your virtues.” He says this with such jovial confidence that Akito does not have the heart to admit that most of them barely know him despite having served with him for many years, some so far back as to have been around when he was adopted.

Bring Me Peace ~ PopeAlessandros x Apoalo

The warm body between his legs jolts slightly with every step, the saddle, while comfortable, doing nothing to cushion the motion. However, as experienced rider he is, Dirk O'Lauriel shifts and rocks in perfect time to the motions of the running stallion and to the beast it's almost as if he has no rider at all. The road has been long, and the rider knows that they have almost reached their location, but as the low rumble of thunder rolls overhead he can't help but let out a soft sigh. It will be a danger to his horse should the rain start too soon, the road they are on not five yards from the lip of a high cliff that drops off into the ocean. He could dart into the trees but his pace would be significantly slowed as the low hanging pine branches make travel by horseback hazardous even under the blazing light of the sun.

Not that that's even an option for the traveler, his black travel cloak not quite enough to shield his sun sensitive skin from the deadly solar rays. While this elder vampire can travel under the sun for short distances, doing so for anything less than to save ones life is just foolish. And of all things Dirk is, he is no fool. His clock flaps open, trailing behind him in such a way that makes it almost look like a shadow is flying above the horse's back, the crash of waves below urging Dirk to make a decision. He is an expert rider, and his horse is perfectly broken in, but is it worth it? His mind, hidden beneath a sheet of jet black hair currently tied back by a leather traveling strap, falls back to the meeting not twelve days past where one of the only vampires he knows of that outstrip the elder in age and experience, came to his home to deliver some distributing news.

The night had been warm, perfect for the hunt, but Dirk did not have time to go out that evening, and was eating in from his own personal stores. The middle aged servant was quite oblivious to the feeding and felt no pain, the elder being very adept at not only feeding gently but also doing so without disabling his meal. Dirk never kills unless he has to, and in this particular case would have been more of a hassle as he would need to find someone to replace the man. The ring of his doorbell at that hour had been something unexpected so he went to answer it himself, shooing away the sleepy servant who'd been almost at the door by the time he arrived in the front hall. Answering to find the young courier from the coven had set him on edge, an edge that only grew throughout the evening meeting until at last it passed and he simply fell into a resolve to do as was asked of him.

The reports had been alarming, though if it was just one rogue Dirk is more than a match for any known vampire in the new world. As tight knit as the vampiric community is for the most part, there is no way that another elder made it across the great pond without the coven masters knowing about it, and anyone younger would provide little to no challenge, unless he was beset by overwhelming numbers. But as the reports indicated only a few casualties every once in a while it being many is unlikely. Dirk is unsure what this rogue element is up to, but as the he comes to the top of a rather steep drop in the road leading down to the stretch of road that will lead through the seaside town he decides that he will keep an open mind.

As the road itself has decided he must slow down Dirk pulls his horse up a little short and leads him into a light trot down the decline just as the heavens decide to open. The two bodies are quickly soaked and in the distance, before the rain drowns most sounds out completely, the vampire hears several shouts from the area around the village and he looks towards them curiously. 'Surely, with the deaths recently, they are not wandering about without a care at this late hour?' Shaking his head he turns his focus back to the road. The deaths have been happening over the past four months, a couple deaths a week, and from the reports the villagers are lose to panic. To hear anyone out of town just past midnight seems quite contradictory.

However as he reaches the bottom of the decline, the ground now quite muddy an slick, he spots the source of the shouts and shakes his head sadly. Pulling his cloak in tighter around his fine clothing, - a deep purple sir coat, matching pants, white shirt and cravat, the later of which is tucked into his red vest with silken ivy patterns on it – the vampire slows his horse even further as to not startle what is obviously a hunting party. Every man in the group still seems ready to go on the hunt, the torches they'd been carrying tossed into a pile off to the side as what apparently is the leader rallys the men's spirits. 'Well, this could be inconvenient' he muses, his head turning slowly to gaze at the treeline now several yards away from the road. 'All the deaths happened in or near the woods, and all the bodies were found in there. They must think it is a large animal of some sort. . .'

With a shrug, his eyes flash for a moment, allowing him to see through the rain to spot the path into the woods. He still has time, it's just past midnight, and unlike the human hunters he will not be too hindered by the rain, even if it will dull his senses significantly. Unfortunately, as he turns off the road, one of the men in the party spots him and calls out. 'Oh bother' he thinks with a sigh, bringing his steed to a stop as he turns to face the man approaching, the rest of them close behind, clutching their weapons as if he himself may be the threat they all fear. A bunch of armed humans is never a happy sight for a vampire, so as to try and avoid accidentally inciting them into taking out their fear on the 'Mysterious Stranger' Dirk dismounts and pulls his hood back so it drops around his shoulders letting them see his face.

His riding boots shift on the muddy surface of the old road and for a moment he longs for the cobblestone streets of his home across the ocean. He sets that notion aside quickly though, not just because the man comes to a stop a few paces away and seems to be gripping his sickle a little too tight to be normal, but because he really does enjoy the openness and freedom of the new world. With one of his most charming smiles he holds his hands up in a peaceful gesture and waits for the telltale signs that his charm is working before speaking just loud enough for the entire group to hear. “I mean no harm gentleman. Indeed, I have just arrived and find myself a bit alarmed at this reception.”

His voice betrays none of his professed emotions, instead sounding rather calm borderline jovial. The men look to one another and seem to relax ever so slightly. Dirk has always been rather good at handling people en-mass. The one with the sickle, a brutish looking middle aged man with scraggly looking brown hair, slowly lowers his weapon and visibly sighs. “Sorry stranger, don't mean to scare you off. However you may be better off passing through rather than stopping in our little village. Misfortune seems to be hanging around this place, ever since the disappearance of a pair of our young ones.” He points off towards the woods. “And if you planned on going that way, I insist further than you change your plans my friend, nothing but death waits beneath those boughs.”

Dirk follows his gesture but calmly looks back at the men with a nod. “I have heard as such. In fact, I just came from a town several days north of here to see for myself if there be any good game in this area. Maybe check out whatever beast is plaguing you good folk. See, I am a bit of a hunter.” He pulls back his cloak a bit to show off a very shiny looking rapier in it's silver sheath before dropping it back down. With a bit of a half smile he nods again. “Unconventional, but rather good. Would be quite a prize to take down some unknown man killer.” It is not exactly what he wanted to do, much preferring to keep his business unknown, however in this case he does not see that being an option.

The men look to one another with a mixture of expressions ranging from disbelief to avid hope, to simple relief. The front man looks him over with a critical eye before nodding sharply. “Do what you will stranger. We are off to hunt the beast now. We won't let it take any more of our friends and family, but be warned.” He points at Dirk with his weapon. “Don't go spreading your intentions about raising false hopes. You're not the first “hunter” that's been through these ways.” Many of the men look a little ill. “Last one we pulled out of the woods only a day ago.” The men who'd looked hopeful now look quite depressed.

“I will raise no false hopes, I promise you.” The vampire says softly. “Would you mind if I joined you however? I would at least like to get an idea of my hunting grounds before beginning my hunt in earnest.” The bug man motions that he doesn't care and Dirk gives a half bow, looking to the men behind him. “Would one of you gentleman take my horse to town for me? I would rather not leave him on the road out here. I sent a messenger ahead and have a room at the Fairview Inn.” The smallest in the group, a youth who looks not even old enough to shave, is motioned forward and after Dirk drops a few coins into his palm walks sullenly towards the twinkling lights barely visible to the vampire's eyes in the distance. It's clear the young man wanted to be a part of the hunt.

'One so young. . .He should not be wielding a weapon. . . .' Shrugging off his feelings on the matter however Dirk turns and follows the men as they begin trudging off towards the woods. The forest is thick, making the ground less muddy and easier to walk on, the strong smell of pine permeating the area making ti hard for Dirk to smell anything else. It does not take long however for the vampire to smell something out of place and like a shadow he vanishes from his place at the back of the group. Running low to the ground he is soon a good distance away from the humans, and closer to the source of the smell. Slowing, he moves through the trees slowly, cautiously. The pine trees in this area are mixed with a few tall leafy trees that stretch above the the waving green needles. His feet come to a complete stop at the base of a tall, rather old looking, oak tree. His head rotates this way and that, trying to locate the source of that all too familiar smell. The smell of fresh human blood.

When Realms Collide {AkiBlue & PopeAlessandros}

Stirring slightly Inui's eyes slide open. Something has changed. A hollow feeling gnawing at his insides Forces his eyes open wider, sitting up slowly, his head rotating this way and that. His sleep addled brain clears quickly and like a cat shocked awake by a sudden noise he is soon tense and alert, his claws and canines growing. His head continues to rotate, unsure of just what woke him up. Rue stirs moments later, the small waves of negative coming off of the Nightmare Minion making him ache slightly. Without even opening his eyes he reaches across Enasi and pats Inui on the hand and makes a shushing noise. “It's okay Inui, just calm down, I'm sure it was a ba-”

His voice stalls as he feels the claws extended deep into the comforter. The little fairy's eyes snap up and his sits up quickly, his brows jumping high as he sees how tense and alert his friend is. “What's wrong Inui?” he whispers softly, his own head beginning to rotate about, trying to find the source of his disquiet. Inui simply shakes his head, not knowing what's wrong, but knowing it's bad. Rasha stays sleeping, quite used to people talking around him while he sleeps as he often sleeps in public, stretched out over a fence or a overhang.

~*~*~*~*~

Slipping quickly back into the infirmary Fuan sets to work, her normal nervous state easily covering up her excitement over what she's just done. She notes the absence of her boss but thinks nothing of it. After all, their lord is hurt. The fact that he leaves Lord Enasi's side in his current state at all is further proof that the foul creature's influence has tainted even the best of them. Even those she's always looked up to and aspired to be. Not only to corrupt her role model, but to actually convince their beloved leader to imprison their own over and act that would be rejoiced not two weeks ago. No, Crios out taking care of their leader is good, it makes her smile as she goes about her rounds. Each wound she treats a small victory, and every patient she discharges another life that can return to the wonderful routine of life in the Dream Realm.

~*~*~*~*~

Feeling his stomach tighten, and mentally cursing Seishu for all the trouble he causes, Harper quickly comes up with a search pattern for the four of them, his large ears picking up the sound of Starla and Finn approaching. 'This may not be that bad. He may have just decided to do his best to ditch Crios and is hiding really, really well. . . .I have no idea how he would hide that very distinctive energy in this realm, but I know it's possible' He lets out a sigh as the siblings come to a skidding halt next to the doctor and himself. “Seishu is either in really good hiding, or something bad has happened. We need to search, and quickly. The Powers only know how long it will be until Lord Enasi awakens and wants to see Night again, and I want to be able to at least tell him why he can't if he really is missing.”

Finn and Starla exchange worried glances before turning back to their commanding officer and nodding, serious expressions on their faces. Crios begin trying to think of all the places Seishu may have gone but after a moment he snaps out of his thoughts as Harper explains his search pattern. Because he and the rodent are the fastest, they have the greater portion of the search grid, Finn and Starla getting the less open and more complex areas that need to be searched closely. As soon as everyone knows where they are going the group breaks, Harper gone in an instant, the siblings sapping hands before heading off in different directions, and, after a few calming breaths, Crios darting off in a blaze of blue fire, slim trail of blue flame left in his wake, going out quickly on the stone.

~*~*~*~*~

With a soft sigh Kaila very carefully steps away from his sleeping brother, barely visible beneath the mountain of children piled on top of him. It too the second in command half a day to figure out why the little ones are now so attached to the white clad man. 'After what Master Seishu did a touch of him lingers on my brother's soul, and the little ones, so sensitive to it, can feel it inside of him' He smiles one of his rare smiles at the sleeping figure before carefully sneaking off to get a little actual work done. It's been less than a day since the group from the Dream Realm left, Master Seishu among them, leaving so suddenly and abruptly that the children cried long and hard over not being able to see him again before he left.

It had taken a lot of work to calm them down, but Jentou had been good for them and with his help they seemed almost back to normal by the time they piled up for sleep. The smile slips from his lips as he looks away from the sleep pile, the multitudes of Nightmares and Minions milling about in need of direction and strength. Kaila's eyes flash and as soon as he's far enough away from Jentou he begins moving through the camp at a very brisk pace, being strong, giving direction, lending aid, and keeping order. He needs to be what Master Seishu would be were he here, though he knows he can not actually replace their Master, he will do his best to fill the position while their leader is away.