Open - Storm's a Brewin

Something had just occurred to him, it was something so mundane. He had one goal, it was such a simple goal too-- explore all that was Terra. Exploring more meant more beasties and if he was lucky he might find or rather unlock places that weren't available before. He had started off in Brisshal, it had been good for a few journeys. Though even then he hadn't found everything this place had to offer. He always had to keep moving. There had been the journeys in Astorea and the Hylands. The Yladians home place had been briefly brushed upon.

He would find a way to be the very best. To get stronger , he needed to build his strength and his knowledge. He refused to just go along with the pack. Yes, the pack. The ragtag team had turned into the pack, it seemed like they kept meeting. What was worse (would worse be the word here) was they had all bowed to serve under one person and rebuild the land of Yladia to what it should have been. "Honestly impossible" he spoke to himself, though what was impossible wouldn't have been known to anyone who just seemed to be passing by.

He was lost in his thoughts, talking to himself had become a habit for him. "Though impossible is better than being too easy" crimson eyes would look within the fire (or rather what would have been should it had been dark.) It was just a pile of sticks that he had gathered, he wouldn't actually light them just yet. He had been on a journey this whole time, one set exclusively by himself and only by himself. He plucked a stick from the pile and started to twirl it slightly in his thoughts. His teeth lightly going within his bottom lip and chewing on it. It was a small habit he had started doing when he was thinking. He started to draw in the dirt where he sat, drawing a small map. An X marking the spot where he currently was located and a circle marking where the nearest cities were. Slightly lower down he marked an X with a line through it, this destination being Druuk Island.

"To go there I need a ship and some suckers that would take the journey" of course he had heard the stories of the pirates that seemed to call the island their home. Not exactly beast per say, but he longed to see these pirates. What would they be like? This had the silver haired Yladian chewing his lip again as he put the stick down back into the pile. His camp had been set up near the towns, but far enough out that he wouldn't be bothered. It would have been easier should he stay in town, but his journey was to see the land and the beasties not the people. He scoffed to himself as he stood up "time to go where the people are." He stood up to his full height, not bothering to strike the camp he planned on coming back to. He began the small journey to one of the villages that looked out towards Druuk Island.

Upon entering the town he was drawn to a local tavern. This was the perfect place to set up shop, he knew it the moment he had walked into the place. Eyes would fall on him the minute the door opened and he smiled and gave a wave of his right hand. "Don't tell me I'm early to the party. Please, don't stop on account of me. I really mean no harm" if there were any who could smell his scent they would be able to smell the scent of death on him. It seemed to cling to him no matter if he had a fresh kill or not. He let out a light chuckle and actually raised his hands almost in a surrender type position. "Carry on."

"Well you heard the man" the slightly chubby blond woman stated from her position nearest the bar. It was almost as if something was off about this place. The woman had begun to walk towards him. By the time she had made it to stand by him, and half usher him into the tavern, music had started to be played on the stage, "You pick your times, son. This isn't exactly the safest parts." He never let his smile waver. "I've heard, but safer than if we were on Druuk Island, right. Danger is exciting, nothing that scares me away actually. Pirates, sirens, fishmen, it is all exciting to me."

The music in the background was the type that was cheery, yet at the same time it had an almost darker feel to it. Maybe it was just his imagination. "I advise you to heed my warning, don't mess with something your not ready for." The woman's voice seemed to grow darker. "Thanks for the concern, but I'm going to get myself a crew." He wouldn't go alone, but now to just see what might occur in the mean time. His eyes skimmed the area around him before looking once more to the woman. "So if that is all I would love some rum." The woman sighed and looked dead serious for a minute or two and that is when she gave him the warning. Once the warning was stated she had walked off to hopefully get him his rum.

The Warning​

The tides are rising and the storm is coming. Our fishermen have gone out and some haven't even returned. Just the other night a nearby village was plundered and pillaged and so the people of the town are scared. They might not look it from the looks of those in the tavern-- but it doesn't mean anything. People are scared. The storm will come in three days time.​

@Lorelei Varic @Kaede Hoshi

 

Lorelei had been traveling for some time now. Having decided to take a small break from the little ragtag-seeming group she had found herself in upon accepting the self-proclaimed King of Yladia's proposal for her to join his King's Guard, she was off now, in the hopes of finding new recruits for the King's cause as well as for the chance at a few more adventures for herself. Everything she did in the world that was Terrasphere served a purpose, be it for her to train or to simply explore. She intended to experience everything this world had to offer, and that meant leaving her people's homeland at times, rather solo or within the group the King had chosen.

This particular time, the King had actually given them all missions to attend. She had completed hers and knowing she had time to do so, she had decided to take some time off for travel. She actually hadn't seen a lot of the Terrasphere world. Brisshal she had seen the most of and from there, she had simply traveled straight through to Yladia. Esuilus and Crystallized Zalra she had been through. She had found some pretty interesting things in both. Now she felt the need to find somewhere new for a time. There were many wonders on the land to see, yes, but what of the waters here in Terrasphere? What might she find there? Duunstands seemed a good place to start to, in order to find out.

Her thoughts ranged like this as she traveled, the days going by with her having to stop and make camp here and there. At times she found a place to buy a few items. Each new area she found, she made sure to log. If she wasn't going to spend much time there this time, it didn't mean she wouldn't stop on her way back or possibly return on another journey. Her maps were not complete and there were many, many adventures still to be had, for sure. She simply needed only to make the absolute best use of her time, when she wasn't helping the King with his current plans to restore Yladia; a mission she thoroughly hoped he would be able to accomplish, with the help of herself and their friends. Friends...Could they all be called that? She believed so, except maybe the one. She wanted him to be, but...Well, that was a tale for another day.

She had pulled herself from her thoughts as she made her way across the field she had found herself in. She had been told there was a port town less than a few hours walk from where she had stopped to rest the morning before. Yes, to most it seemed odd for her to travel at night, but she had a habit of resting when she felt it was needed as opposed to keeping to a schedule. She didn't differentiate between what she might find in the light or day. It all died the same, though she was sure that one day she would find something that...Didn't. Until that day came, she was content with the ways she had come to spend her life here, at least on the days she was able to.

Musing over these things, she stopped as noticed the slight glow of what appeared to be fire not far from her. As her mossy-green hues scanned the area around her, she made her way towards the spark of orange, her ears twitching to the sounds that whispered through the air. She sensed nothing of malice nearby, so far, but still, the air held that thick aura as if danger could be around any corner. It was perfect for her, in this case, considering she was intending on finding her way to an island of pirates. She rather enjoyed the feeling. That was one thing about Lorelei. She had that darkness about her, it wasn't an evilness, though. No. It was more like her soul was encased in black ice. Reaching the source of the glow, she kicked her feet through the dirt as she realized it was only coals, nearly gone.

From her new position, though, she could see the lights of the town. She was close and she was ready. This new adventure was going to be one she wouldn't soon forget, she was sure. Making her way across the expanse of land between herself and the buildings, she smiled to herself, the expression barely touching her eyes. As she made her way around the few structures of the place, she pondered over where to start for the information she would need. It didn't take her long to find an answer to her internal inquiry, as she spotted a nearby tavern and she made her way to push open the doors. Her eyes missed little as she made her way into the establishment, including the chubby blonde who stood speaking with a very familiar face.

She nearly rolled her mossy-hues as she saw him, one hand raising to wave in a silent gesture that had the suddenly halted music starting back up before she moved herself to step across the floor and towards the silver-haired male. She had caught simply the tail end of the blonde's words before she had walked away from him, but she wasn't focusing on the heavy air of the place nor the seeming warning that the male had been given. No, she was too much about to enjoy this moment as it had been given to her. Her boots silent against the wooden floor, she stepped across it, only to stand before the male, that almost chilled and empty grin on her lips. “Well, hello, there, Cammy. Fancy meeting you here.”

 

How exactly was he going to go about doing this? It wasn't like he was exactly wanting to have to put up with others, but if he could rope in a few suckers... yes that was what all of this was about. He couldn't forget about it. He needed to get to Druuk Island, so what if there was some warning by a crazy old bat-- it didn't stop him at all. If he did half the things he was told or warned not to do-- then this game would very boring. To think that Terra would be boring, but half of the fun was doing his own thing.

What happened if he couldn't rope in anyone? No, he couldn't even allow that thought of doubt enter his mind. He would get what he wanted. It might not be easy at all, but he would find a way to get onto that island. This was a port town, storm or not-- the food supply needed the fishermen. If he couldn't find a crew, then he would just have to hijack a ship of his own. It shouldn't be that hard at all, with his skills it should be easy enough. He would just slink pass the fishermen and hijack the thing-- or perhaps just hop on-board without the owner knowing any better. Though the thing with that , it wouldn't get him to the needed destination at all.

Something told him that no one would be truly that stupid as to want to go to Druuk Island-- at least no NPC fisherman. Other adventures , they were more than willing to join out-- it was just trying to find the right ones and rope them in. Rewards, that is what drew them out of the wood work. A small smirk crossed his lips as he zoned out and thought of what he could process. Riches, he would promise riches beyond their wildest dreams. It would be like what the players could get from any quest that they found in the game-- no it would be BETTER. Though the thing about that type of richest-- it didn't exist. If it did, it would be only enough for him and for him alone.

Another thought was that he could always wait for the pirates to come here and terrorize the village. Slip onto their ship and maybe even 'vow' to serve under their Captain. For a moment his mind drifted off further and wondered if the man would be like Captain Hook. The man could use him if so, especially if there were any Peter Pans in the world. Or perhaps it was a Captain like Jack Sparrow, now that would be good for a good laugh and a few drinks. Or perhaps it was like the pirates of that one pirate anime-- that one about the goofy idiot of a Captain named Luffy . Not that he would know much about that one, whatever it was didn't actually interest him. Now Captain Hook and Jack Sparrow were the real pirates.

Now where was the girl with his rum? Then came that name. A small snarl left his lips, though it was such a soft sound and it could have been mistaken for a intake of breath with the way his lips were curled. His crimson eyes looked up at the one person he didn't want to see here. Honestly, it felt like he was being followed. He wondered if their glorious self proclaimed King had sent her after him or if she had just happened upon this place too. He seemed almost bored as he looked at her. "Oh it is you. Don't tell me they haven't taken you away yet. Can't get enough of me , can ya?"

He seemed to lean closer to her, his hand going to crease her cheek softly. "You can just admit it and get it over with" his tone had taken on an almost deep seductive type of purr. "I mean why else would you always happen to find me. Isn't that right Lollie" he said and pulled back from her. He smirked "and how many times have I told you that isn't my name. Not that it seems to get through that thick skull of yours" he knew it was a game. He detested that girly nickname that she had decided. He was trying to be nicer to her, but sometimes he would love to strangle her.

"Anyway's I'm a very busy man. So if you would actually like to be useful to me than go back and report back to Gladdie Poo." He still had his own plans of course and he didn't need the negative troll following him around with her less than shiny personality. Sure, it was more tolerable than Caelynn's bouncy one-- but he didn't really care for either of the girls he had started this journey with. "So do tell Lollie, why are you here" he had gone to rest his chin against the palm of his right hand. That was when the blond winch came back with his rum. "Bloody finally I thought I was going to die waitin for ya" he stated and went to go take a drink from the glass.

 

She almost chuckled, as she heard the light sound from him. She had known him long enough, now, that she knew it was a snarl. His next words only brought her to want to tease him a little, as she could sense the aggravation in him. Yes, back in Yladia, they were teammates; two members of the guard for the self-proclaimed King, Galadion. Their actual relationship, though, was one that was always at odds. Most of the time it seemed they hated each other. For Camus, Lorelei had to wonder if it might be the truth; for herself, though, she'd never dream of admitting it to him, but she did like the guy, even with his arrogant, sadistic, nature. It was simply hard to handle him at times, with the brashness that seemed to come so naturally to him.

“You'd miss me, if I was taken away, Camus. Don't try to fool yourself.” She said, giving him a wide grin. The gesture would seem genuine, for once, actually touching her normally darkened hues and causing them to seem to glow, slightly. “It would appear I can't, seeing as we do continue to meet this way, right?” She chuckled, lightly at this, the lyrical tones of her voice moving, gently, through the room. Of course, she knew he was toying with her, or at least trying to, but it had gotten to where this had become a sort of game for them. It was all a matter of who might crack, first. More and more she was beginning to believe that it might be her, and his further actions only made it seem more likely.

He had shifted closer to her, and his hand had lifted to her cheek. She felt her spine stiffen as it happened; felt that spark of cold defense build in herself. She didn't show any sign of it, though. No, she actually turned her head, slightly. Her cheek pressed against his fingers, and she playfully snapped her teeth at his palm. She knew the actions would probably irritate him, but she didn't care. He wanted to play his little games and she didn't want to cause a fight, here, when she had work to do. She was on a mission after all.

The smile had remained on her face as she turned her eyes back to look at him, hearing him speak once more. “I really can't speak for why it seems to always turn out this way.” She said as she watched him pull away, and she tilted her head at him. “However, I don't complain about it. As for your name, I know well what it is, but Lollie isn't mine, either.” The old argument between them had her wanting to chuckle in appreciation, but she wouldn't be one to openly admit such to him, either. In truth, her emotions generally always ran in circles with him. One minuted she was content with him, the next she was ready to punch him. Again. She had once. She wondered if he remembered.

“I have nothing to report to Galadion about. I came on my own.” She said as she glanced around the tavern, slowly. Her eyes came back to look into his and she leaned herself forward, slightly, the smile on her lips only widening. “I actually came in hopes of finding passage to Druuk Island.” She said, her voice had dropped to a near whisper, though the lyrical tones seemed quite excited. “I want to see what sort of adventure there is to be had with the pirates.” It was the truth. She couldn't deny it. She was definitely looking forward to it.

“And what of yourself? What brought you here?” She asked him as he received his drink, and she nodded to the woman who brought it as she asked if she would like the same. It only took the woman a moment to return with her glass, and she took a slow sip from it as she watched the silver-haired male in front of her. She was patiently awaiting his answer, as her mind pondered over what all she might need to get together for this little excursion of hers. Her eyes widened as if she had gotten a grand idea, and she tilted her head at him once more. “Want to join me?”

 

He knew that Lollie wasn't her name, but it was part of the fun. It was like he knew that all of his so called team mates weren't the names that he went on about calling them. Though he did it anyways. Why? Well it really depended on the person. Some he enjoyed making them mad about it, such as with Gladdie Poo. His nickname was probably the worse of it all, but he had yet to die from it. Caelynn earned the name that she got when she went about saying they should feed Trouble to the dire crow from their first journey together.

He had plenty of nicknames for her throughout their travels, and watching her yell and go on about her name-- well it was funny for him. Lun Lun he simply didn't want to say anything actually resembled the younger male's name. There had been others, and some hadn't seemed to care about the nicknames that he gave them. Lorelei however seemed to always find herself as if she was drawn to him or something. Her name was the first one he had ever gave a nickname from-- but he was very capable of saying her actual name. Though she might not want him to, seeing as it was the upbeat name of Lollie that showed that in his own way he didn't truly hate her.

He let out a whistle when she spoke the island and how she wanted to have an adventure with pirates. So maybe this wouldn't be that bad. He could use her yet. She was capable enough and it also would be quite a show along the way. She was one of the only people to actually lay a hand on him, okay the first person to lay a hand on him here. He had a tendency to piss people off and he did quite enjoy it actually. Now he did still think of what it would be like to have a death in this game, something he hadn't gotten just yet. He was actually shocked at it himself.

He took a drink of his rum, his crimson eyes never leaving her. This was too easy though. What was she playing at. The words she had spoken "want to join me?”, what was in it for her? Why would she want him to join her. Though it was almost like that time when Galadion had offered to help catch a flying gator after trying to kill him. Though Lorelei hadn't exactly tried to kill him, nor had she even truly made him feel weak like that bastard had. "What is in it for ya, love." There was an almost bitter sweet toxin dripping off that world-- love.

He leaned back a little in his chair, never taking his eyes away from her. She might not trust him, but he didn't truly trust her either. It wasn't like they were friends, ready to start some journey together. No random people were better to start journeys, it really was in a way like that pirate show. Luffy kept getting people to join his crew in the oddest ways. Okay so he admitted he had seen the thing, but gave up on it because it was too long. Though they weren't pirates at all. Though wouldn't that be great if he could become a pirate.

Maybe that was some secret route in this place and someone could take it. "I was gonna go there myself. Have a little fun with pirates and see what type of beasties are there, but say I do take ya up on it. I doubt ya have much more means of getting there then if I just went by myself." Sneaking on the pirate ship was probably his best bet. Though if he just blew her off, then it might be someone useful being tossed away. No she would always be back, it was a given.

She for whatever reason seemed to enjoy his company. "I ask again what do ya want?" She did always seem to set him on edge. Hell that whole lot of them set him on edge and he didn't know why. He had done things with others, but no one had set him off like that bunch of people. 'You LIKE her' the voice taunted him in his head and it caused him to take a long drink of the rum , perhaps a bit too fast. "First we need a bunch of suc--- I mean people to help us with a ship. Building one is always an option, but if the hags warning is correct-- then we only have three days."

 

The Dunnstad region was one of the few regions that Tavion had ever actually taken the time to explore during his time in this virtual world, since coming here he had always remained upon the move and never stayed in one spot for very long. When he first dove into the world of Terrasphere it was because he had wanted to live out his real life fantasy of becoming a knight but ever since he had gotten here that had slowly began to change day by day until he had all but given up on that. Now he wanted to see what kind of technological wonders he could create in this primitive world, what could he accomplish during his time here, how could he make everyone in this world come to know the name of Tavion Tyde? The ideas that were coming to him were dark in nature and would more than likely cause him to be shunned by the rest of the world, or at least that was what he had thought until he had met that man, Galadion had heard the things that he wanted to create and hand't recoiled from him in horror no instead that man had offered to build a place where he would be able to carry out any experiment that he could think up no matter how dark or twisted it was in nature.

It was because of this that he had pledged to follow the man the world would come to know as the Sorcerer King, he would use every one of his sinister creations to make sure that Galadions dreams became a reality, together they would create the ideal dark kingdom where no form of depravity was turned away or shunned. No they would build the place that all those that were cast aside by society for being to dark in nature could call a home and so when Galadion had asked him to go to the Dunnstad region and scout it out to make sure that there was nothing there that would prove to be a threat to their final goals he happily accepted, it was the least he could do to make himself useful after all. And that was where he found himself now, aside from some small cities and farmlands he really had't found anything that could prove a threat to their existence but he was just now getting to the out areas in this region.

His first stop was a small little run down village that wasn't to far away from the oceans shores, it seemed like this place had most definitely seen better days for sure. Everyone of the of the houses was small, battered and in disrepair, the entire village looked as if one good strong storm would be all that it would take to cause it to be completely destroyed, as he made his way through the town the slight breeze made his long and ragged looking cloak to rustle slightly, the hood pulled up over his head casting a shadow over the mask that he wore draped over his face. His crimson eyes flashing behind the mask as he came to stop outside of a tavern as he listened to the music and lively atmosphere that was taking place inside its walls, walking up he pushed the door open and stood there looking around through the goggle lenses that were attached to his mask when his eyes landed on two familiar faces, Lorelei and Camus, two other people who had sworn their services to their Dark Lord.

He moved to make his way over to them when suddenly he cound his path blocked by a giant of a man, this man possessed arms that were are big around as his entire chest, tilting his head back slightly he looked up at the man through his mask for a few seconds in silence before he heard the behemoth speak "Who in the hell are you? You're one creepy ass dude wearing a get up like that, we don't want you in here ruining our fu....." the behemoth of a mans eyes opened wide and his words trailed off as he looked down and seen a crossbow bolt protruding from his chest where it had embedded itself in his heart. Tavion stood there holding the crossbow that had fired the bolt from underneath his cloak before reaching out and pushing the now massive corpse over and watched it crash down upon the floor of the tavern which caused the rest of the tavern to go silent for a second before they all erupted out in laughter at how easily the gigantic man had been killed by the much smaller man. Stepping over the corpse he made his way over to his companions and lowered himself onto a chair at the table they were sitting at without waiting to have been invited to do so "Lorelei, Camus......greetings"

 

Leave it to Camus to ignore her casual flirting and get right to the point. It was funny, seeing as even with the way they usually seemed to be constantly at each others' throats, they actually, generally worked well together as teammates. She couldn't help but wonder if she'd simply pressed a button he'd rather not activate, or if he was truly trying to stay serious in the respect of their current conversation. With Camus one could never truly tell. It was part of his intrigue, for her.

“What's in it for you, Love?” The tone of his voice alone was enough that most people would probably have taken off and not bothered again. He did have a tendency to come across as a bit overbearing. She knew his mannerisms well enough by now, though, to know not to play into the snake-like charm that he seemed to be able to put off for most when it came to interactions. “A new adventure and the pleasure of your company.” She said, giving him a smile that, for once, lit up her eyes with a genuine spark.

So he had been planning on making his way there, himself? That was excellent news in itself. It meant she wouldn't necessarily have to be alone in trying to do this. She had actually been wondering about that, especially since it seemed most she had spoken to, so far, seemed to steer clear of the Island called Druuk. Of course, most wouldn't have chosen Camus as a traveling partner, but that was neither here nor there.

Leaning forward and towards him a bit, she tilted her head. “We can have a ship by the end of today. That part of it isn't an issue.” She said, flashing him that wide, rare smile once more. It was already looking like this was definitely going so well. At least she had to hope so. He hadn't yet told her 'no' had he? She rather hoped he didn't. She was ecstatic about the possibilities here, and would much rather have him along so she wouldn't be completely alone and bored.

He was questioning her motives again, and she couldn't help but chuckle. “As I said, the pleasure of your company and the sense of adventure.” She said, one hand resting beneath her chin, as she looked at him. “Would you object to such? I mean, I'm going with or without you, so we may as well save us both some of the hassles, right? Who knows, maybe we'll get an offer to become pirates, though, yes, we will definitely need a crew.” She didn't know why she'd said that last part, but it was too late to take it back now.

At that moment, the sound of the door opening caught her ears, and she turned to watch as some burly asshat moved in front of the person who had entered. It happened fast enough that she wasn't able to see the new entry. She was just about to say something when the burly one grew quite stiff with a sharp intake of breath, and she raised a brow, looking back at Camus, before turning back to the scene. She couldn't help but wonder what was going on, and she had little time to wonder, as the man's body was pushed to the side.

As the burly man fell, she noticed the crossbow bolt in his chest, and her eyes widened, slightly, as she finally laid eyes on the cause of the short-lived ruckus. Giving a cheer with the others in the tavern, she chuckled, as she raised a hand to the familiar victor of the small battle. “Well, hey there, Tavion. What brings you around these parts?” She answered him, as she shifted her seat, moving her closer to Camus and giving the other male room to join them. “Looking for trouble, I presume?” She said, before turning back to Camus and giving him a wide grin and whispering almost silently. "Looks like possible sucker number one."

 

'The pleasure of our company, now that is a joke. You aren't a pleasure to be around. Though if you tap it and go...' he made sure to shove the inner demon back into his head. The idea of an adventure was appealing and he needed a crew. Though why had she been one to bite? Galadion seemed to be the only person the bitch even served. Okay, so maybe he knew that it was little different than that. Maybe he knew there was more to her then actually was on the surface. There had been plenty times in their journey that they had seemed to find each other and they actually got along somehow.

Now a ship would be handy, not that he needed her to get one of his own. It was easy to sweet talk his way into getting what he wanted and if he couldn't there was always negations. He wouldn't exactly follow through with what he stated, who knew maybe he would this time. The thing about being him was he could do what he wanted and take what he wanted. He wasn't some no good thief, and he wasn't exactly caught either. Galadion had caught him in the act of stealing, but had he been reported-- no. Then again he had tried to kill him. Though it was thanks to him that he was on the right path now. So his version of right and wrong might variety from what most might see as right or wrong.

He did raise an eyebrow when she continued to talk. She was smiling and her eyes lit up in excitement. She wanted to become a pirate. It was enough to cause the silve haired male to chuckle as the door opened. "You are something else, though I suppose one has to aim high. Don't they, love." There was that word again, love. Well it was that or princess or m'lady-- it really just depended on his mood at this point. This was the first time that he seemed almost as if he was at easy, it was an odd thing for him. He didn't like it. 'Then just throw her down on the table. That will stop all the pleasant little love fest you two have going on. Unless you're going soft.' Could he actually kill the demon without it causing his own death?

His eyes did light up at the sound of the the brawl. He always loved watching fights, though they would never get as bloody as if he was fighting himself. Then there was sucker number one, and of course it was yet another familiar face from their little group. So maybe he didn't see the guy's face, but he knew who it was before he found himself coming over to their table and sitting down. His crimson eyes looked at the new addition. He had a name, but would he call him by it-- that was a negative. He heard the whispering from Lorelei. This earned her a side smirk. This was scary. Who had taken her and replaced her?

"Tavi is always looking for trouble, that should always be assumed with out little group." Though he hated being part of the island of fucked up toys. They had long graduated from the island of misfit toys, somewhere along the way things had changed for a lot of things. He smiled at the other male. "Are ya up for an adventure? You can throw together as many toys as you want. Who knows what Druuk Island holds for you. " He had gone to clasp the man by his shoulder, half patting him "what ya say , Rikki Tykki Tavi?" Each syllable of the name he patted the man before he leaned back in his chair and took a drink of his rum.

There was a slight wild glow to his crimson eyes, oh he was looking for trouble here. As he leaned back he was looking for possible people to come along with him. There was plenty of NPCs here, but those were no fun. Well they were no fun unless he found a way to make them scream too. After all a person was a person, the louder they scream the better. "Lollie, what makes you think that they would want to recruit us. To my knowledge that might go against the rules" his eyes seemed to twinkle. He had no problem with if they tried to recruit him. He would gladly be a pirate.

"Now why are the other victims for our crew" not even suckers anymore, they were victims. He hummed slightly, the melody had gotten much darker. "I say we take a few of the NPCS with us as bait. It isn't like they will be missed" he had lowered his voice so only those around the table could hear him. Not that he really cared, the music was still playing in the background and there was laughter. The place was loud enough and he doubted anyone would even hear him anyways. "Maybe the pirates would be happy with an offering" he knew pirates were pirates and weren't actually demons. They didn't accept souls or blood sacrifices, but he might as well paint that pretty little picture out for this little bunch.

"Though pirates are more then my reasons for going to Druuk. Actually the haunts are quite interesting too. I've heard stories , wonder what kind of trouble actually is there." He took another drink. He was interested in all of it for his own reasons. This little group of theirs, it actually might be an interesting journey. "Now Lollie, you said you could get us a ship" he spoke as if Tavion had already agreed to things rather then just sitting down with them. He would find a way to rope the guy in though.

 

How long had it been since her bare feet had touched the cold stone of the ground? Since her time away, Vivian had contemplated on what was going to happen to her future. More so, plots had taken a turn and she was now at an impasse to her future. She wandered the streets as a mere ghost to the eyes of the people who nothing of her. Plump lips squared and arched to a sharp curve resembling something of a smile. Though her mind was so far gone away from where she was standing.

Bump

"Ahh, hey, you should learn to watch where you are going." The voice drowned her day dream. Like a snap of fingers, her eyes sat upon a figure who was now moving only inches away from her and growing fearful of the Witchy looking woman. The massive hat the adored her head, and the purple locks of hair now shifted with a coming of wind. Vivian took a step forward, her dirty feet mucked up with dust and cracked rubble. Her hand shifted her head side and she leaned to show a generous amount of her cleavage. "Are you...talking to me?" She asked with a sweet tone, almost innocent. Almost.

The man took a double glance at her hourglass figure and his face glowed red from embarrassment. Surely, such a young woman such as herself was talking to him. He took off his hat and wrung it with his hand, "Ah, sorry Miss. I only meant to say you might wish---"

He stopped, her smile faded away. Instead of that cute smile was replaced by a rather bored and intimidating look. He stammered as he spoke, but she wasn't listening. She took another step forward and reached her hand out. The man begun to squint as if he were a dog about to be beaten. Such masculinity...she thought with a bemused look.

"I am no longer bound by leash and collar. I am free..." She said with a gesture of her hand as she pet the man on his head. And then the heat began, he was getting hot under the collar. And then a strike from her next hand. She was now holding his bald head with both hands, he was now on his knees.

"I am free." She spoke again, and then her hands started to glow a dark red. Crimson fire shot from her fingertips and ran slick down the curve of that balding head of the man until he started to writhe. She laughed lightly as her burning hands now turned to blackened flame. The dark power began to eat away at his flesh, scraping away the dermis until bone could be seen. Flesh flecked away from her power as she concentrated her power into her hands, her eyes a dark violet as they shifted from crimson to black and back to violet. Her nails would continue to dig into his skull as his screams continued and now drawing a crowd of people.

"Let this be a lesson to those who oppose the future queen of Astorea!" Then with all her strength, she squeezed the skull until he was nothing but ash and dust in the wind. He crumbled away as she stood there, dusting her hands off and then flicking her violet hair off her shoulder, "I can get used to this..."

 

Manya was walking back from Bryrwich, smiling contentedly. His lessons at the hands of Madison Freebird had served to instill a sense of peace within him, and he found himself a lot calmer...more balanced.

Man did not live by bread alone - sometimes he had to fight something off for it. And just like that, White Magic alone will not help in protecting the people he cared for. After events in this world, he found out that one needed to balance offense and defense equally to truly balance things out.

He was walking through the streets of Dunnstads now, his hat pulled down. Just another Faerin wanderer, another mage minding his own business. He needed to restock at the city before setting off to return to Honeyhome, after all. He fully expected it to not be all that eventful, considering that he subconsciously didn't want to do anything. He needed to meditate on what he'd learned, inscribe spells into his grimoire, log off and take a break. Phew!

But then he saw a commotion. People gathering around...and screams.

Common sense told him to avoid it, but Manya-sense swiftly took control, turning his legs around to march towards what was happening, nay, run towards it. It sounded like people were in pain!

He pushed past people, stepping out of the crowd to look at what was going on...and an anguished choke of despair was stuck in his throat on seeing the sight in front of him.

It was a man. Burned away, right down to ash by a woman, a Witch by the looks of it. He watched with a kind of petrified shock as the sight played out in front of him, and the woman declaring herself future Queen of Astorea.

This was...beyond him! The man was dead, the witch was far too powerful, and he was untrained and weak. What could he do?

"MURDERER!"

Something stupid, apparently. He had pushed past the people, coming to the front of the crowd to glare at @Vivian Cruz , hatred in her eyes.

"How could you?! How can you kill someone in cold blood like that you...you monster?!"

 

"Monster? Oooh boogie woogie woo!" She said lifting her hands up, her fingers bending and overshadowing the small boy before laughing at his comment. "Please, if I was a monster I would have done something far more worse. You don't seem to have much of a backbone rather than called me a Monster. If you are not going to do anything else, go yell at someone else. Go on, shoo!"

Vivian used her hands now to wave the boy away. She touched the brim of her hat on her head, fixing and adjusting it as she started to walk away. The nerve of these prattling children, they think they can do anything they want and yell as if they were at a playground or something. Monster, monster. Rubbish. These thoughts were beyond trivial. The crowd of those who watched the person flicker and die before their eyes now stood motionless and were more than ready to just let it be. Messing with a Witch of that nature was suicidal, who knows what other kinds of devious spells she had up her sleeves and the populace wanted nothing more of it.

The Dark Witch sauntered off, her bare feet grazing over the stone path as she circled around the corner of a building. She stopped shortly at a bar of sorts and watched as two men, drunk off their ass, rush out in the middle of her path and fell down at her feet from their drunken stupor.

"Ah! Subjects! Good to know there are people who know when they see a Queen and just bow at their feet. Mmm...a little on the drunk side. Anyways..." plop plop. Vivian stepped on the two men walking over them and continued her path down the road, her hands now behind her back as her hips swayed to her own beat, and walked off towards no particular destination except for the one that would bring her some more fun. The two men who had her foot prints on their backs got up and dusted themselves off. With a belch they stormed right back into the tavern to make another ruckus.

The Pyromancer stopped and stood there looking out towards the horizon. People flocked around her and a smile curved her lips as the air around her got instantly much, much hotter.

 

Manya flinched at her words, nearly recoiling from the evil woman. But there was no doubt that she was right. She could do a lot worse, and it might be right at Manya no less unless he watched his step. He did not have the backbone, not a shred of bravery to stand up for what is right and just in this place. As long as he couldn't bring himself to be stronger, he'd just have to stand back and watch, or jump in and die.

As the witch walked away, he gritted his teeth. Looking again at the ashes of the person who has burned away, he would have almost cried...but he told himself to save that anger, the frustration, and all those feelings. This was the investment that Vivian would make on him, and he swore, right then and there, to repay it all back, with interest.

"I'll be coming for you one day...", he said through clenched teeth, watching the woman walk off. She was gone, beyond his reach for now, nor was he foolish enough to try anything at her. But one day...

Oh, one day, the reckoning will come down on her. He glanced at his palms.

He needed to be stronger. Much stronger than he was, to the point that he could face her once again. Right as she would leave his sightline, he toggled Investigation Mode on, seeing her name.

"Vivian Cruz..."

So that was her name. He too turned away then, angrily marching out from the impotent bystanders, of which no one even lifted a finger to do anything.

"You're no Queen of mine. Never will be, either."

Now he could see what Madison told him about. The strength to hurt someone, the drive, the reason, that persistent feeling! His hands were smoking, wisps of black forming on them, before dying out.

It was time to redouble his efforts. Come hell or high water, this will not end well for one of them.

And this was the day Manya found his reason to fight. As he walked away from the town, and soon from Dunnstads itself, he walked aimlessly but forever looking up and ahead. It was the destination, not the path. She might not acknowledge it, but she had made a very persistent nemesis out of Manya Boole, White Magician.

 

One could wonder what type of trouble awaited them. Though sometimes when one wondered about it too much, things jumped from ones mind and became reality. This seemed to be what had happened at that moment. They had been within the tavern, the three of them and they had been looking for other victims to come with them on their journey when the sound of a scream seemed to entered his ears. He wondered if Tavion or Lorelei had heard the scream as well or if it was just him. He didn't wait to figure out, he wanted to know where the scream had come from. He wanted to see what kind of adventure waited for him to find with the scream.

The scream was that of a male, one could easily tell that. It was slightly higher pitched sounding, one that was in pain rather than being frighten. He should have stayed put, but curiosity was coursing through him. It lifted him to his feet, he hadn't even waited for either of the 'victims' who sat with him at the table to answer him or even acknowledge the scream themselves. He didn't even say anything of where he was going, he didn't have to tell either of them. They weren't his keepers or anything. The scream had clearly interested him for his own reasons. He knew that type of scream, no the scream was slightly different-- he had never heard something-- no wait he had heard something similar to it on various accounts. He had even caused such noises to leave others before.

He needed to keep moving forward to see what he could find in the source of the scream. Who was the reason behind the guy crying out. Face it, it had been a cry and not someone screaming in pure joy. The screams seemed to grow louder as he left the tavern and continued forward. Though alas as any fun that he was late for it died before he could get there. He had rounded the corner to see the crowd of people, more than likely to see the source of the scream. He had spotted the purple haired woman as he was on his way, but she didn't speak to him and he didn't speak to her. He wasn't aware that she was the one who had made the ruckus, how could he--- that wasn't a power he possessed.

He could have checked to see her name in investigation mode, but he didn't see why he should bother. He wasn't aware that she was even a true player-- for all he knew she could have been an NPC who had gathered to the source of the screaming and was walking back to where she had come from. No, she wasn't an NPC but a player-- though it was just his mind clearly paying no attention to her. She clearly must not have been important. Anyone who would cause someone to scream like that would stay in their handy work and try to work the crowd they had brought on. They wouldn't walk away-- maybe that was just him. Though this logic showed him that she clearly couldn't be the source of chaos.

He had continued on his way, the crowd was breaking apart. That was when he saw someone all too familiar to him. The little Faerin was marching out almost angrily from the bystanders. He heard the other's words, he had been lucky to catch the words. No Queen of his... well that was important information. He could always ask Manya what he had just seen, because clearly the other had seen the chaos. It was a shame that he didn't get to see it himself, but he had the next best thing here. He could see what he could pick from Manya's mind and from there he could go and hunt down the source. He hadn't forgotten his quest of wanting to see pirates, but it would be all the more fun to see this little side quest of his through.

Manya was the nice dependable little Faerin, he would tell him all he needed to know. That much he was sure of. Plus he could easily get the identity of the person who had caused the chaos. He wondered if they were actually around. 'What then? Would you invite him back with you as another victim for your crew to go see the pirates?' He smiled to himself at the little demon's question to him. The answer was clear of what he would do. He had of course seen the smoking wisps of black forming even though they had died out. He wouldn't let the other just walk away from him.

"Manya! We've met again. I'm so happy to see you" there was actually truth in these words of course. He had half slinked in front of the other to block the other from going any further as well as for the other to clearly see him. Had to make sure his presence was known and noticed. "Strange how I ran into you. I heard a scream and then here you are. Don't tell me something happened. No you said something about someone not being a Queen to you. What was that about?" Clearly curious, this wasn't an act. He wondered what Lorelei and Tavion would have ended up doing with his disappearing act.

 

She had just finished speaking and was awaiting an answer from both of her current companions ~Was that what they were? Companions? She generally viewed them more so as annoyances; well, Camus had become something of a partner, even if it hadn't been by choice, and she still didn't really view him quite as harshly as the others in their group seemed to.~ Those were thoughts for another time, though, and she pushed them away. Something had broken her train of concentration. A scream. Not just a scream, but one of pain and possible terror. The very sound of it was enough to leave her heartbeat quickening and bring a smirk to her lips. There was definitely trouble of some sort afoot, and she couldn't help but wonder just who or what might have caused it.

Her head turned to watch Camus as he stood from the table and made his way towards the door. So he had heard it too? Her elongated, elfish ears twitched with the thought. Of course, he had. Their hearing was basically evenly matched. It was a shared trait for their race. Of course, he was going to bound off with no thought to say anything; mindless of their plans and intentions for the moment. She knew he wasn't actually attached to any of their little group and he seemed to act before he thought, at times. She also knew that wasn't actually the case, though. The man was a walking tactical machine. His mind never stopped. She had learned that in their first few hours together as newly spawned characters.

Not giving it a second thought, she moved from her seat and headed to follow him. She didn't need the ability to read minds to know that the older Yladian was going to try and storm his ass right out into the middle of whatever was going on. It was just the way he was. Camus was one that had to be the center of attention, and usually, despite his darker nature and will to cause chaos, wound up being the hero in spite of his more devious intentions. It was part of her interest in him. She couldn't help but wonder just when that luck of his would wind up running out, but she also had a sense of connection to him that she couldn't shake.

“Hey, Camus.” She called after him as she stepped out of the bar's door and he took off around the corner. Grumbling she leaped up, landing lithely on the roof of the small bar, so that she could actually see him. “Watch your back, would ya? Make it back in one piece. We've got pirates to go see.” Normally she would have followed him. Granted, she would have probably done so by taking to the rooftops and watching his progress, only stepping in, if he seemed to truly need the help, but something else had caught her attention as the door to the bar had closed behind her. Camus, himself, had barely missed running into the two drunken fools that had exited the place before him and Lorelei had watched as they had fallen over trying to help each other walk. That wasn't the source of her new-found curiosity, though.

"Ah! Subjects! Good to know there are people who know when they see a Queen and just bow at their feet. Mmm...a little on the drunk side. Anyways..." The female's words had caused Lorelei to raise a brow as she turned and watched the violet-haired vixen from her perch on the roof. The woman quite literally walked over the males on the ground before her. “Queen? That's laughable.” The little voice in her head was strong, and for once she actually agreed with it. Sure, the woman held herself well enough. Her stance showed a grace that few actually managed to pull off, but the way she conducted herself was pure tyranny in Lorelei's eyes. It actually borderlined on being worse than Camus' general disposition, and that said a lot.

It wasn't the woman's stance or her figure that had caught her eye, though. No, Lorelei had felt the air of malice and dark energy coming off of the other female as soon as she had stepped from the door of the bar. It was something she didn't often feel. Even Camus for all of his sadistic and even masochistic tendencies didn't put off such a dark aura to her. It was fascinating and Lorelei's already unstable mindset was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Though not in a manner most might think.

“A Queen is it? Does the supposed Queen have a name, or is she another that simply has given herself a title?” Lorelei's mossy-toned hues locked onto the violet-haired woman as an almost sinister smirk pulled at her lips. She was probably going to regret the way she approached the situation, but who really gave a damn? Death even was something she was prepared to face, though at present she didn't have the feeling that it was something she would really have to worry about facing for a while.

 

Manya was still brooding, very dark thoughts running in circles in the otherwise genteel Faerin's mind. But as he heard a voice behind him, he paused his black mood to look around and smiled at seeing his friend walk over.

"Camus!", he said, quite happy to see the matter. Fortunate meetings were rare enough, but @Camus Varic was one of the few people who he had met and got to know well enough since his time here. "The sentiment is the same, it's good to see you around.", he replied, nodding his head. Manya looked at the man in front of him and gave his bright smile. He would have asked what Camus was doing in Dunnstads, but the other man had posed his own question first.

"Oh. That. Yes, well..." He looked back at the dispersing crowd and the black mark on the ground that was once a man. He felt that white-hot anger surge in him once more, but he willed himself to be calm.

"Some woman, a witch. She was off her rocker, talking about becoming the future Queen of Astorea and all. She burned a man to death for no reason. Burned him alive, with dark magic."

The reason that he felt so angry was that he saw in that incident a mirror. A man bumped into another, an honest mistake, and a grave retribution...

His hands balled together into fists.

"I know it's wrong...and I should know better than to feel this...but I hate that woman so much."

It was just minutes since they had seen each other, much less met each other, yet Manya could tell that she stood against everything that he desired and respected.

And that angered him.

"What that was about, in short, is a wannabe Tyrant. But I can't do anything yet..." His hands loosened and he sighed. "I'm too weak, and yet to grow into my fangs. I need to learn more, develop...I need to meet her again."

When they had parted, Madison Freebird had taught Manya an important lesson about balancing his kindness with the willingness to use force. Even if he had refused her cruel methods of training...he could see now why she had a point.