Demon's souls

[Kaori]

"dont worry the entire kingdom has been overrun by demons, none of that matters to them."

[KiteXX]

"and here i was hoping we could all bask in the same cell when they catch us... i do have an incredibly high bounty on my head but the information is useless until we exchange names." I'm starting to enjoy this, it's almost like her personality is that of a swords.

[GamerKale]

At long last my paranoia is rewarded! Kale shadowed Matthew after he stole from Chuck. I really wish she'd stop saying that. I've never actually admitted to it. On the other hand, I can't let him walk into this thinking he can do something and I won't notice it. Honor amongst thieves only goes so far until you have to remind people of it. He stepped out from behind Matthew. "Well, I can't let your joining of the group pass without a drink." Kale withdrew a flask, downed a mouthful, and offered it to him. In his other hand Kale held a few belts that looked very familiar to Matthew.

[KiteXX]

"I was wondering how long you were going to follow me without showing yourself Kale, now i remember...you were spoken highly of at the last meeting," he wasn't even cautious of taking a drink, he had been trained to notice poison or anything along the lines of poison. that is when he spied the belts, his eyes fixed upon them and didn't waver for some time

[GamerKale]

Kale's eyes never leave Matthew, trying to feel his 'brother' out. "Well, that's no good." Kale frowned, "Who was it? I need to go remind them that I am but a humble herbalist. Speaking of." He slips his hand inside an interior pocket and retrieves a leaf which he sets in his mouth. "You seem distracted, Matthew. Also, you may wish to see to your trousers. There are ladies present. Even if they are dead."

[KiteXX]

"It wouldn't matter without my belt would it? besides this is pretty comfortable." he cracked a smile and continued talking, while reapplying his belt and trousers in the place they once were, "His name was...Reville i believe...and i he was right, no ordinary 'Herbalist' can use techniques as you did."

[GamerKale]

"Reville...I see. He always was a bit of a rumor mill, and a spiteful little worm. I'm afraid your source is wrong. I'm just a simple herbalist." As soon as this job is over that actually will be true. "Word of advice, find a new crowd to run with and don't ever talk to me again, if you survive this place."

Kale moved closer to Namine, he didn't know much about her and was curious. "So, how did you die?"

[nekoryuuha]

Having watched the exchange, Namine facepalmed. These guys... they're all idiots. But they're strong idiots, I'll give them that, she thought to herself as they'd carried on. The sense of a strong Magician pulled on her and for the the barest moment, a red/black aura washed of her shoulders and down her back. It was so quick that it was impossible to tell if it had really happened. A frown darkened her face as she unconsciously placed a hand over her stomach, the place that Freke's attack had torn through her, ultimately leading to her death against the False King. "So... the Sage is here of all places... "

"So... how did you die...?"

Kale's question intruded on her thoughts. She wanted to backhand him, but chose instead to reply and be civil. It made no sense to be hostile to a group that might be of use. Namine met his gaze. "After an ambush that saw Sage Freke captured and myself gravely injuried, I was slain by the False King, Allant when I tried to destroy him to save the Sage," she replied. In truth, the only lie of the entire statement was her reason for trying to take down Allant. She didn't care about the Sage. In fact, she'd probably be Boletaria's Empress if not for the strength-sapping, mortal wound Freke had given her.

[GamerKale]

Something about what she had said was off and not just her tone. He worked with a lot of cheats and liars, by necessity, and had been stabbed in the back enough to learn when people were lying. Not that it mattered so much, he wasn't confident he'd live to see if he was right or not if he accused her. This Namine was very very good. Given that she didn't have his skill set, she must have been in a high place or had high ambitions when she was alive. Probably already in a high place if she knew the sage personally. His greatest apprentice perhaps, but Alexis was his pupil and she didn't seem to know Namine. So who was she?

"They must have been quite powerful and have come in great numbers if they managed to kidnap the sage with you protecting him." Kale folded his hands together and kept them low. He glanced down briefly before he met Namine's gaze. "With what Alexis is aiming us towards we might run into similar opposition. I want to be prepared. I know it might be painful, but recount the ambush for me."

[nekoryuuha]

Namine shook her head as she looked up to Latria. She could sense the many Demons and other dark beings inside thanks to her corruption. The same Corruption that make IFF impossible for both 'friend' and 'foe' alike, concerning herself. It also made most Demons ignore her or even consider her an Ally until she showed otherwise. "I doubt it will be the same. Unless you believe the Red and Blue dragons of Boletaria will be there as before. Do not concern yourself on it. Where we are going, your stray thoughts could be our ends," she relied as she pointed to a moving light high on the wall. "Mindflayers guard the prison and key in on the thoughts of those around them as well as the Soul like other Demons do." Not that she was worried about that either, but hey, why not share anyway?

[KiteXX]

"That wasn't very nice of him" nonetheless of Kale's comment, he followed along, a tower guarded means there is something worth guarding.

[GamerKale]

Avoiding the topic is she? Did I hit a cord or is that part of what's untrue? Kale shrugged, "Who can tell what a dragon might do? And while I am good at avoiding the gazes of others, I can't exactly turn my brain or soul off, so I guess we'll just have to move quickly and hope the flayers are otherwise distracted. Besides, you don't seem that concerned. Is it just because you're a phantom now and a lot of things have difficulty even touching your kind? Or is it just that confidence that got you in your current state talking?" He regretted the words as soon as they were said. He had enough demons, mindflayers, and phantoms aiming for his life as it was he didn't need to anger Namine too.

[nekoryuuha]

She rounded on him, completely and obviously unamused with Kale. She opened her mouth to snap at him, but stopped herself just before she could actually say anything. At the same time, she also stopped herself from backhanding him and dropped her hand. She waited a few moments, her eyes clearly stating she thought little of his death and had likely considered it just then. "You should watch your words, Kale, lest you mysteriously find yourself wielding another Curse-enhanced weapon and myself nowhere around to help you recover. Know your place..." she replied quietly, leaving that subject where it was. "We have better things to do that this. The Sage is here, as I'm sure Alexis is also well aware of. Let's go."

[GamerKale]

Kale hadn't flinched when she drew back to slap him, better to take a slap than to have her try something a little more dangerous to satisfy her honor. He fell two steps behind Namine. Way to go Kale. At least you know you can always hit just the right buttons. Best to let her cool down and kill something not me before I go prodding her again.

Kale pulled his hands up and rested his steepled fingers on his lips as he tried to discern what he could about Namine. She loathes the 'common' folk, perhaps she was one herself before she started clawing her way up the social ladder. Definitely high aspirations, but people have never given her everything that she feels she deserves. One of her guardians probably hit her whenever she made the slightest mistake, hence the specific urge to slap. Probably killed her guardians with magic before becoming apprenticed. To get what she wants she's learned to control that temper and reflex, but she almost had what she was after before she died. Making that spot all the more tender. But what was she after? She was a powerful mage, if it was mere respect she would have had it by now. Control then? A way to ensure that no one could hurt her again and she could get revenge on those that wronged her. A tall order. She did try to slay Allant, supposedly. She claims it was to save Freke and which corroborates with her claim of an ambush on she and Freke. But something she said wasn't true. So let's look at this piece by piece.

Kale pulled down his scarf and began sucking on a mint leaf. There was an ambush, she was injured and Freke was captured. She then tried to kill the false king to save the sage. But how would this give her control? So she saves Freke, the sage is grateful and gives her what? He's the most powerful mage around so his book of spells? That's not like to happen. Ok, let's look at the first part. An ambush was staged, by dragons on two of the most powerful mages the kingdom has ever known. How did they sneak up on them? I mean I'm good, but to sneak up on two extremely powerful people? I'd have to have some powerful magic backing me. Wait she didn't say she helped Freke fight off the dragons. She didn't go into details at all. It's just implied by the fact that she said she tried to save him from Allant. We take that away and we have an ambush where she was injured and Freke captured. And her trying to kill Allant. She might have been able to help the dragons, if there were dragons at all, ambush Freke. But a mage that powerful wasn't going down without a fight. With her helping to capture Freke she was able to get close to Allant, even if she was injured she would never get a better shot at his crown. Is that it? Or is my paranoia just getting the best of me? She has no reason to lie about how she got killed or when she got injured. So it boils down to why she tried to destroy Allant. Impressive goal.

He sped up to catch up with Namine. If his theory was true, he had new found respect for her. "My deepest apologies, my lady. You are right. I have often been told I need to take something to tame my tongue. We don't need infighting and I certainly don't this weighing on my mind and getting anyone killed. So once again, I apologize." He offered with his head tilted down respectfully.

[Kaori]

Alexis however is keeping an eye on namine because she sensed her aura, furthermore she knows a miracle known as banish, with it she could send namine back to the other side but for now things were going smoothly, as they entered the tower of latria they kept ascending until they heard something that sounded like a little bell.....

[nekoryuuha]

Though her entire body went alert from the sound of the bells, she did pause to look at him. "Very well. If you can recognize your flaws without being told, then you can learn from those mistakes. I accept your apology," she replied even as she noticed Alexis' watchful gaze. Have I become discernible..?! ....no, she heard my threat, more likely. I'm still too 'neutral' to successfully IFF yet, she thoughts as she chuckled. "Alexis seems protective suddenly. You should see what's wrong before we get to the Mindflayers. We're close," she finished as she turned back and proceeded slowly now, carefully checking around corners and moving silently despite her clothing. She seemed to have good making to be a thief. Or maybe even better then just makings.

[Kaori]

"LOOK OUT!" yelled alexis but it was too late, the mindflayer stunned chuck, as he stood paralyzed the mindflayer then used a tentacle to stab his his skull instantly killing the magician, alexis took the opportunity to stab the mindflayer killing it for good, but after killing it she went to check chucks body, she couldnt feel anything in it, "well lets not stay here for long more will be here soon." she said, the remaining five then moved on leaving chucks corpse in a small pool of blood, roy just smiled there and quietly said to chuck's remains "thumbs down you son of a ****", alexis heard it and secretly agreed.

[GamerKale]

Kale gave Chuck one last look. he pulled his scarf up and the hood down, leaving the now tasteless mint leaf next to the corpse. He might need the extra peripheral vision more than the visual camouflage after what happened to the boy. He tugged his hair out from under his jacket letting the braid rest against his chest. Kale put his left hand on his right, feeling the ring still beneath his glove and thanking Alexis for it silently. He pulled out a dagger and spread a black paste over the blade.

[KiteXX]

"Poor lad, well better him than us haha," He continued on but was constantly frustrated, his plans for the treasure were now ruined

[Kaori]

Alexis then thought that since they were here to find sage freke she might as well start memorizing his lessons rather than disposing of chucks remains, "old spice helps in calming the soul while full moon grass heals the body." she could still remember that, "I cant wait to show him what I'm capable of now" she then held her head up high as they ascended the tower.