The kingdom of the Night

[nekoryuuha]

Much like Zachary, Ariana also chose to stay silent in the entire affair of the sentient, talking, flying Grimoire. A Grimoire that could apparently identify a Non-Human through heavy armor. No, maybe it was because of his strange armor that the Grimoire recognized him. From what it said, it was possible that it was real old. Old enough to recognize things like Racial armor and traits, maybe. But it didn't matter, as far as she was concerned. They found the thing, now it was just a matter of leaving. After all, getting in was almost always the easy part.

[GamerKale]

Melanie undid his ruined tie and placed it in a pocket. "The ice box is fully stocked, of course. I can prepare anything you desire when we return." Somehow, when nobody was looking at him, Melanie changed into a leather jacket and a gray t-shirt, woefully underdressed for him but his clothes were clean and whole now.

[Zorolo]

Zachary stepped forwards and away from the group as he started walking off. He lowered the piece of his helmet that covered his mouth to speak as he turned back towards them slightly. A light breath released a cold mist into the air as he smiled. "I shall be leaving..." He said as he began to walk off. He accepted it wasn't very nice to leave and not say anything, after all. Closing his mask, he trudged towards the exit, feeling very tired. This day had just kept getting stranger and stranger.

[kai the pkk]

Raven: Zachary has the right idea lets star heading back ( the group heads back to report to the guild)

Commander: really know...this is fascinating a talking grimoire that truly is a first even for me

Raven: yeah... It was real shocking at first * it's no big deal just a talking old dusty book*...anyway mission accomplished with zero casualties of I may commander I wish to take my leave

Commander: very well the 5 of you are exscuses for the day though I need you to stop by tomorrow when you all have the time....

Raven: sure... ( he walks out) it took us awhile to get back but I'm starving...hey Melanie wanna go home and eat?

[GamerKale]

Five? There aren't five of them. Oh well, I am not his tutor therefore it is not my problem.((Note: Melanie, does but count himself.)) "Of course, Raven. Your desires are my desires. I shall prepare a bountiful meal for you. Until next our paths cross Ariana, Mr. Leos."

Literally the second the butler entered the home he was clad in a suit once more and prepared a meal for the crownless prince with dishes and silverware of gold and crystal. Where and how the man had acquired such finery was a mystery, but the servant refused to allow his master to use common tableware. Melanie would eat later, discreetly and in much simpler fashion, stating simply that he was not hungry if questioned or pressed by Raven to eat with him, as always.

Far away a somewhat different servant was also tending to her prince's needs and desires. The terrain was twisted, gouged, and otherwise marred as Jasmine and Crow battled. The latter was finding his thrall a much greater challenge than usual until his strength waxed to full once more.

[nekoryuuha]

Ariana to both the Commander and to Melanie as she headed out as well. This was very possibly the strangest this that had happened in her recent memories. Zachery had actually spoken to them, they found a Sentient, Talking Grimoire, and nothing overly shocking had occurred on the way back. "All in all... Not as bad as I had expected It to be..." She said to herself as she walked. Her stomach rumbled and her arm twitched in turn as she paused. "Yes... Food would be a good thing." And with that, she detoured toward the butcher shop.

[Zorolo]

Zachary sat at the lake and looked upon the reflection of his armor and sighed. He looked at the sky and pondered quietly. That book had known what he was... That part bothered him a little, but he knew no one would learn about it unless the book spoke... and odds are, the book wouldn't say anything out of the ordinary. In truth, it was a book after all. For now, though, the Undine laid back and looked at the stars. What a beautiful night.

[kai the pkk]

Raven:...you know I don't need wait ( he looks at the silverware) how much money was all this?! Is this stuff gold?! ( he begins to eAt) wow you really are an excellent cook! What's the matter Not hungry?... ( he looks out the window at the snow filled streets)


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Crow: (he clashes blAdes without releAsIng any magic) ahahaha!!! I forgot how much of a prominent swordswoman you were I have to sAy I'm impressed ( he parrys a attack with his claw as he creates a distance and blocks an attackTch fight like this brings back some bad memories of that foolish old man...why won't you go away! heh ( he continues to clash) come on my dear surely you can move faster than this!

[GamerKale]

"Oh, I picked them up here and there for extremely reasonable bargains." Melanie said with a brilliant smile, he could definitely turn on that old charm vampires were so well known for. He nodded his appreciation at his master's compliment. Upon noting Raven's look out the window. Melanie offered an excuse, "On a day such as this, I'm sure Natasha would like some hot chocolate." Melanie removed the dishes and placed a thermos in their place on the table. The butler left Raven alone with his thoughts; while he cleaned the dishes.

Jasmine was already breathing hard, but she pushed herself to go even faster. Not knowing about Melanie's chi blocking a thought occurred to the samurai as her liege lord's power returned, Crow had been toying with her earlier. That annoyed her.

[Helbaworshipper]

Fiorella continued to cook with Aciano. The other staff were preparing to eat the meal as a peace offering for earlier. The Master would be coming home in a few days. Still, Aciano didn't understand how she could handle such situations. He had never asked, but her turning had been accidental, not on purpose. He wondered vaguely if he would be able to be on the same level as her when the Master returned.

[kai the pkk]

Raven: it was on a night like this wasent? the night where I lost my humanity and became a creature of the night...all because of HIM...in a single night Vlad took away everything I cared about my friends my brother my whole family.....why did he decide to turn only me and my brother why none of the others my memory of that night is hazy.... { he glances back to the room}....hmmm oh I guess melanie went somewhere

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Crow: come on come on! { he picks ups speed as he begings clashing blade with blade both the vampire and his thrall simply begin to dance around each other as their blades clash widely as suddenly crows blade sparks a ominous aura} Dammit that mans face...dammit that whole group of people...LEave me be...just go away WHY WON"T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE! { he clashes as his powers surge out} DEVOUR! { Darkness erupts upward as he knocks jasmine off balance as he continues clashing though his powers begin to dim as he continues to clash with his swordsmanship against hers as he begins to unleash everything he has} Savage blade! { he unleashes a flurry of 12 strikes as a stream of shadow magic flows with each of his strikes as finally the two comes to a deadlock}....why is it when ever I spar with this woman those memories always come back...damn....your call wanna continue it looks like your starting to really get into it { he grins at her} your even causing me to get serious

[GamerKale]

After so much sparring Jasmine had developed techniques that mirrored Crow's own, the key difference, and what allowed her to actually survive his overwhelming onslaughts was that rather than darkness she utilized the divine emerald fire she had won from the imperial dragons during her mortal life. She didn't respond, Jasmine wasn't one for banter, but she bared her fangs angrily at his getting serious comment. She rested her blade across her shoulders. There was power in names and every move she made had one, she rarely used them as there was not always time and reliance upon them would make her soft, but Crow was treating her as a parent would a child and so she named her next strike. "Blazing jaws of the emperor crush the boulder into diamonds." She made a single downward arcing slash, but a mirroring phantom slash came up from the opposite side as well, normally only the glint of an otherwise invisible blade would have revealed the true nature of the attack, that of a bear trap or jaws closing about a creature's throat, but Crow had seen this before and so this time there was a storm of green flames behind both blades. The words added weight to her already powerful attack and had caused the normally small flames to increase in size and intensity by orders of magnitude. She pressed the offensive, never assuming for a second that her attacks might actually kill Crow, and gave the abbreviated name of every step, slash, parry, dodge, kick, and other move she made. If Crow wanted to take it easy on her it was going to cost him his life.

[kai the pkk]

Commander: ( walking through the halls of HQ he encounters all too familiar face)....ahh to what do I owe this pleasure crowley

Crowley: (he appears before the commander ) oh so you noticed I guess you aren't slipping over the years that's certainly good news

Commander: do you need something from me?

Crowley oh it's nothing special I've come to check up on our new guest I do have some interesting news

Commander: .....like what?

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Crow: ( he continues clashing as he takes jasmines strike head on) agghhh!!!....allright then Jasmine ( he gets knocked back) this is starting to get fun....blood magic I offer uP this contract to bear the wicked spirit beast that sleeps within the earth! ( his body accelerates so he gets behind jasmine as he starts clashing blade for blade stroke for strike what seemed to be a wicked battle actually looked like a noble dance as the two continued clash neither giving way as finally the spar came to a swift end) your finally starting to impress me now then let us go see our father


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Raven: ( holding his clawed arm in pain) aaghhhh! Argghh you'd think I'd get used to it by now ever since I put this stupid device on my arm it's been getting worse! ( the burning sensation increases) aaaagghh!!!! Dammit

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Natasha: hey Melanie!!! ( she runs over to Melanie on the streets) what are doing around here I rarely see you by yourself

[GamerKale]

"Your father, not mine." Jasmine corrected him as she fixed her hair while they walked.
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"Being proven wrong." Melanie stated unhappily, he thought back to the thermos he had left for Raven, sighed, and placed a smile on his face. "Raven insists that I take time for myself, but there is nothing that I desire to do, at the moment. A lady should not wander alone. If I may escort you?" He offered her his arm.

[kai the pkk]

Crow:...whatever you say my dear( he walks off towards te dinner area in class castle) father we have arrived..

Vlad: ahh good come meet our guest ( he points at the master)....I'm sure you rerember crow and jasmine I thought I'd invite them for dinner with us if that is okay to you after all you are the guest



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Natasha: ( wraps her arm around his) my what a gentleman and people say chivalry was dead lead the way kind sir ( she smiles playfully)

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Raven: stop! Dammit!.....arrgghhh aaaagghh! ( he starts to consume a packet of blood though the sensation contours) No.... It's still not satisfied...he's fighting against the machine... knock it off! I'm the master not you! ( the sensation begins to fade ) I don't take orders from you your going yo to listen to me!

[Helbaworshipper]

"Of course it would be an honor to have guests of such esteem at dinner." The master answered, feeling a part of him relax a little. By this time, any disturbances at the manner would probably have been stopped. He just hoped that there weren't many casualites taken out by the human he had taken in. "Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"

[Zorolo]

Mist escaped from Zachary's mouth. As he sat in the spring, the chunks of ice floated around him. SHort, white hair flowed backwards as icicles at the tips held it back. A facial tattoo formed in teal coloration as he looked at the full moon. Once a month, he had to remove his armor... its confining nature to his powers would be overwhelmed on a night like tonight. The moon was too much for someone of Undine blood.

His suit of armor sat complete and upright with a body of ice filling it. That trick had only been learned after some thieves had tried to steal pieces of Zachary's Undine armor. The misfortune those thieves had visited upon themselves that day was something that even sent a chill up Zachary's spine. His staff sat quietly at the edge of the spring as it began to freeze over more thoroughly. Still, the thick mist concealed the ice mage... even if someone were to stumble upon them, they wouldn't quite see his true form... only a visage

For now, he'd just enjoy the water around him.

[GamerKale]

"Of course, my lady." Melanie returned a pleasant smile, and turned straight ahead to start walking at what his mistress had called a shopper's pace. Fast enough to get places, but slow enough to look at everything in the windows. "An interesting statement, all things considered." The butler felt his fangs with his tongue, thinking on the implications of what Natasha had said.

Melanie didn't actually know where Natasha had been headed, but based on the direction, dress, and time he had a guess and he assumed she would stop him either when they got to wherever she was headed or they had walked in circles too many times. If that failed, he was quite certain that one thing never changed no matter the era. Women liked to be up on the latest fashion.

[kai the pkk]

Grimoire: ( he casts a telepathic link to Zachary) so then how many of you are there left since this war started? Also no need for concern your secret is safe within my pages


Natasha: well than Melanie answer me this how come your ravens butler? He's not exactly the most noble is he?

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Commander: (sends a messenger out to get raven ) we have to let him know before its too late...also I ant believe a second mission order came in

[GamerKale]

Melanie considered for a moment and then shrugged and decided on the truth. "Natasha, I am well over 2 centuries older than you and am sworn to keep the secrets of those long dead. I apologize, but that is all I can tell you. How is your sister?" He asked, changing topics suddenly.