the kingdom of the night

[Helbaworshipper]

Mary spooned a bit of the cereal and fruit, eating a bite before she answered. For some reason it was hard to hold her voice back around Xander. Especially since he had helped her in a way no one had before. "I hope he won't get annoyed." She spoke after she finished. "I'm sorry, but I can't... I really can't tell you about what is making me like this. I will be able to talk, just I can't... I can't talk about that."

[GamerKale]

Xander's brow furrowed as he looked down and spooned some cereal himself. "I understand. You don't have to apologize. Nor tell me. Nor deflect any questions about it." He munched contemplatively. I wish I weren't me sometimes. "Anyways, I'm sure we'll manage, even if he does get annoyed. Besides, we're going to be his instructors so if we're not at least a little annoying. I don't think we're doing our jobs. A man is coming, please don't say anything."

There was a light rap on the door, Xander undid the locks with a look, and a middle aged man entered, he was pushing a cart and was restocking Xander's room. "Master Rickel, I'm happy to see you're awake. It looks like you're subconscious was quite active last night. I'm a little surprised given what you did yesterday." He started to move the chair Mary was sitting in. "Leave the furniture as is, I moved them myself." He nodded, "Of course. Shall I leave your orders on the desk?" "Yes, that will be fine." "You and Ms. Donnely will be assigned to Mr. Raven today." "I am aware. Don't have anybody sent, I'll go get her myself shortly." "Very good, sir. Will there be anything else?" "No, that will be all. Have a good week." "Thank you sir." The man nodded to Xander one last time and left. Xander turned back to Mary. "Sorry about that, Donnely, but I am disallowed from having a social life."

[Helbaworshipper]

"I can understand with the nature of your powers." Mary spoke after the man had left. She had cut off any contact with her parents after her brother had died. It was strange to see that the life she chose was forced onto someone else. She ate another bite of her cereal and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "I guess we'll have to be careful in the future."

[GamerKale]

Xander shrugged, "I can understand it too, better than they do even. But yes, being discreet will mean less work for me. Although I could modify their memory if it came down to it. " He set down his half eaten cereal, "Take your time, finish mine too if you want, but when you're done we'll go to your place so that I can get you." He stood and got fresh clothes before ducking into another hidden door to shower and change.

[Helbaworshipper]

Mary nodded, finishing after she ate in a cautious pace. When the two of them arrived at her place, she knew he'd be surprised how small and bland it was. She rarely did much at her place but eat and sleep. She made her way to the shower to change into a fresh set of similar clothes. There wasn't much else for her to wear but some casual outfits she rarely used. Her small apartment consisted of a small kitchen, bedroom, bathroom with a shower and toilet, and an extra room that was filled with a few items that she seemed to be used to ignoring. One of them was a copy of Jack and the Beanstalk That was nearly impossible to read or see the pictures of. The cover could almost be considered a goner. A similar copy of The Snow Queen: In Seven Stories was near it. The rest of the items were not distinguishable, such as the television that seemed broken.

[GamerKale]

Xander sat quietly on her bed while he waited for Mary to finish changing. Hang a few crystals, maybe dust, and it'll be just like home. He looked up when she came out. "Well, it's very, homey. Raven's still asleep, do you need to pick anything up on the way?"

[Helbaworshipper]

Mary shook her head from side to side, making sure her hair was drying a little. "I'll do whatever I need to do later." She put her usual cloak around her shoulders. Her weapons were already in place again. They'd be off to get Raven soon, but she didn't know if she would be able to speak this easily to him.

[GamerKale]

Xander nodded and led them to Raven's place, "I suppose I'll be doing most of the talking?" He gently rapped on the door, it was mostly just tradition, the actual call was a bit more direct"Raven. Your drill instructors are here, and we do not enjoy waiting."

[Zorolo]

Zorlo had returned a little while ago. He'd been somewhat keen on the idea of staying out... but he couldn't resist. He had to check in on Yukari. He phased back in as he entered into the room where her maintenance chamber was kept and looked around. "So... this is where you're kept, huh? I wonder what it's like being a disposable tool. Someone who, when you are no longer necessary, is either killed or discarded... if not blamed for what happened. The fate of those created by the hands of another is truly a sad one," the green haired man said as he lowered his hat and sighed. "Still, I hope you can be saved... if not capable by the hands of an onlooker like me, then perhaps by your master," he said as he rested his hand on the bed. "I wonder if you dream, Yukari?" he asked, running his hand back and forth on the bed for a second before turning around and taking a few steps. "I should probably let you rest, huh?"

[kai the pkk]

( stupid hurricane wiped out my power for the past week so I've become quite enlightened and have seen the truth about nature)

Raven: { he doesnt even open his eyes} go away! { the knocking continues} Dammit...I'm coming....{ the knocking persists and doesnt stop as Raven opens the door} WHAT?!?!?!? { his hair is even messier then usual as he yawns and notices their not leaving}....fine one second come in....{ he walks back into his room as its essentually like a small condomenium as he throws on a shirt as he changes his shirt he reveals a cross shapes scar on his back} now where did I put those shoes... { he puts on his shoes as he messes his hair so it's the normal spikey} allright great....lets get this over with

[nekoryuuha]

"Of course you should! Though it's not like you'd wake her anyway unless so decided to," said a voice as the hologram of a Nine-Tails Fox girl in a white dress appeared in the air as if sitting on the Maintenance bed. She and her tails were a sandy blonde and her long hair ended passed her shoulders. "Oh... You're not Shion. I'll have to make a note of that," she commented as a notebook appeared in her hands and she scribbled something before it vanished. "So then... Are you this..." She looked at a note. "...Zorlo, I've heard about? The one with the runaway Nox Nyctores?" she asked.

[Zorolo]

Zorlo adjusted his hat and laughed. "Yes, I am he. I'd prefer you not try to kill me though, i've got a policy about killing non-human non-vampires. Not that i could... since I'm pretty sure you're a synthetic recreation or program created by one of the people who built Yukari in order to track her progress or whatever. Anyway, baby, what's your name?" Zorlo asked as he adjusted his hat and smiled. "After all, it isn't every day I get to meet a pretty fox-girl, ya know? But we'd better be quick about this... not that I like that idea much, otherwise some others might see you," he said, laughing after his statement as he smiled at her.

[Helbaworshipper]

Mary entered as soon as Raven allowed them entry. His place had a warm feel to it. Far too warm to be her place in a way. She noted that many of the guild would have scars on them. Some were physical, while the others were mental. She had many more mental than physical. It seemed that Xander also had quite a few mental scars from the past.

[GamerKale]

"Took you long enough. Come on, we're using my underground facility to minimize onlookers." Xander led them down into a chamber a little bigger than a basketball court, complete with stands although no hoops. Oil lamps hung from the ceiling, Xander lit them as they entered. "We are here to help you get a better handle on your vampiric abilities. So, we need to see what your current limits are." Xander withdrew a wine bottle and two water bottles from his coat and set them on the stands and sat down next to them. "Donnely, please join me over here. We're just going to observe for now. Raven is about to go through a gauntlet." A shimmering transparent and translucent blue barrier arose surrounding the stands when May sat down, followed by a couple more layers. Before a horde of vampires straight out of Xander had either seen or had seen another's memory of descended on Raven. He'd unleash the projection of Crow when Raven finished with the horde, assuming he didn't get "killed" by it. "Water?" He offered without taking his eyes off Raven.

[Helbaworshipper]

Mary watched the vampires attacking, remembering her first encounter with vampires. She had been so scared and yet she had fought. Raven being given that fear seemed different. She shook her head lightly as she waited for the first move Raven would use. If he could fight off all those vampires, then he'd have a chance at fighting with stronger powers.

[kai the pkk]

Raven: rgghh....{ he readies his blade} * dammit...this could get hard* RAH! { he slashes through the first vampire as he grabs the second vampire and he slams his knee into the vampires head knocking it back though he continues to fight his way through without using his powers he ignores xanders order for Raven to practice controlling his powers} * training brings back memories*

{ flash back}

{ in a empty castle hall 2 vampires clash their blades}

Vampire 1: heh not bad your getting better little brother

Vampire 2: well we do have father for a master! { he readies his sword as it is enveloped in magical energy} heres my final attack

Vlad: { watching the 2}

Vampire 1: heh well I guess your asking for it! { ominous dark energy surrounds him} this is my Power....

Vlad: The black beast....

{ end of flash back}

Raven: Dammit!... { he begins to get overrun by vampires as they starts slicing him and one kicks him flying as the other punches him towards the ground while a 3rd one grabs raven and throws him into a wall} GAH! ..{ he falls down to his knees}.....*dammit..is this really my full power is this all I can do!?!...* { he slowly stands up}...is this all you got! { he grins towards xander}

[GamerKale]

A black blade about a dozen feet in length slashes through the back of Xander's barriers and Crow steps through. "What?" Shouted Xander as he turns around to face Crow, the stands are rended in a dozen different directions; Crow slices the psychic wave in twine sending a black energy wave to cut Xander in half. The vampire projections and "injuries' Raven had suffered immediately disappear. He appears behind Mary and punches his fist through her chest, ripping her heart out. Xander's eyes start to glow blue and Crow stabs his skull. "Perstitant for a meatbag((insert more offensive term for humans that he might use, if you have one))." He looks up at Crow. "Hello brother."

Hidden from Crow's perception, Xander and Mary are actually sitting on the opposite side of the room, the barriers are still intact too. "I knew he was going to be difficult. I hope this works. I'd hate to take further steps." Xander opened the wine bottle, downed a mouthful, and offered it to Mary, "Chocolate milk?"

[nekoryuuha]

The barefoot Nine-Tails laughed as she 'jumped' down to the floor. She wasn't all that tall. "No, I'm afraid you couldn't hope to 'kill' me. Out of off necessity, I'm many times more durable and better defended then Yukari, seeing as she's 'helpless' when inside," she said as she smiled. "And thanks for the complement. My name is Ran. I'm the Maintenance Bed's Main Integrated A.I. and I guess you could also call me Yukari's current caretaker as well," she finished as she walked back through the pod. Her tails were nearly as big as her and obscured her from behind. "So, you've been following us for some time now, why the appearance so suddenly, Zorlo?"

[Helbaworshipper]

Mary nodded up and down, her eyes keeping track of the way Raven fought. The way he fought was far too awkward for even a regular vampire fight. How long had Raven been fighting to get this still as a result? She took a sip of what Xander offered, knowing that he would have to be careful. He'd die very easily if he remained the way he was.

[Zorolo]

"Necessity dictates quick responses and actions," Zorlo stated as he looked at her. "Yukari doesn't have a mind that can be linked to that blowhard Xander. As such, I'm functionally her go-between for orders, much to my chagrin. Still, despite that, I'll keep up with what I'm doing for now," the man said with a smile. "After all, part of me wanted to be known to her... well... it... but I couldn't bring myself to reveal myself. I may not be a vampire, but I'm distinctly no human," he stated. "That's the key difference between me and her... I'm concerned with my own survival as part of my formerly human nature... she's void of such base things and desires a higher grade of action and quality of action," Zorlo stated with a smile. "It's why I enjoy watching her actions."