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Post by DanteMGalileo on Feb 24, 2019 16:09:35 GMT -5
"Sheesh. This fuckin' invasion is sending our profits down the human shitter."
"People are dying and that's what you're concerned about?"
"N-No! That was just an observation! I can't blame 'em, really. Where Paradiso goes, the smart ones flee, I saw-"
Lobo and Loba were interrupted by a knock on their door. After exchanging looks, Lobo muttered something and went to let in their guests, while Loba went to prepare a selection of refreshments.
"Hey, Lobo. Sorry to crash you like this." Will looked around. Wow, this place was empty. It struck him as the place that would be frequented often. Val, having regained some of her composure on the way back, looked around. She couldn't help but imagine Seeker ensnared in here...
"Hi." Short, to the point. Try to keep to how she usually acted. Act like Flint hadn't just died on her for the sake of a stranger. That she hadn't been...
That thought had been interrupted by Loba's timely arrival, carrying multiple trays of drinks and snacks, setting them on a table. "Hello. For drinks, we have tea, coffee, various juices, hot chocolate, bloodwine, and soda. For food, help yourself to cookies, crackers, pretzels, chips, intestine chunks, and various cold cuts. Careful, the tea, chocolate, and coffee are very hot."
"... You know. I could use some real food." With slightly shaky hands, Val poured herself a cup of hot chocolate and took a few cookies, sitting down at a table. Will followed suit, pouring a cup of tea and taking some pretzels. Val brought the cup to her lips, the hot liquid apparently not an issue for her.
"So, what brings you lot here? I know you wouldn't just knock on our door for no reason."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Feb 24, 2019 16:34:46 GMT -5
Paul sighed and took a seat at the bar, numbly accepting some chips and soda without much thought. He seemed weary, but the expression on his face was one of frustration, one that had been with him ever since they departed from Flint's resting place. "Well, we... kinda need a favor."
"Hm. Kinda figured they would've been here by now. Or at least she would've," Scott observed, nodding his gratitude to Loba as he poured himself some coffee. "Not sure where else Kelsey would've expected us to meet her."
Shrugging that off for now, Paul looked up at Lobo. "Not sure if you heard... anything about the dragon that attacked here a few hours ago. Granted, that kind of commotion would be hard to miss. But to cut a long story short, he smacked us around for a while, Kelsey showed up and fought him, he took off. I would consider that a sort of wake up call that I... well, we need to build our strength if we're gonna survive another encounter with both the dragon and the angels. Kelsey can't pull that entire weight alone."
He drummed his claws on the countertop, his chagrin fading into anxiousness. "We were hoping that maybe you guys could point us in the right direction. Maybe you would know something or someone who could help Ranuen improve his fire magic, provide Scott with better weapons, help me tap into whatever magic my dragon heritage provides me with, the works..."
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Post by ColArana on Feb 24, 2019 23:25:41 GMT -5
Ranuen's expression mirrored Paul's as he entered the bar, and found himself a seat. He was trying to pay attention to what people were saying, but despite his efforts, a lot of it blurred in his mind. Now that Flint's funeral was behind them, he was starting to try to deal with the immense frustration he felt from the battle with Vutezoth. He continuously stared at the sword at his hip. Neither sword nor sorcery had availed him, despite Ranuen dedicating his life to the study of both. Indeed, his mind continuously replayed that moment where his blade had struck Vutezoth's talon and failed to penetrate it even slightly. In a way, Ranuen considered that must have been where his mind broke a little. And he expected it would be a long time before it crawled out of that ditch.
Ranuen shot Val and Will a glance, observing as Val tried to maintain her stoicism, with a sad expression on his face. I'll grab some tea, thanks." He replied to Loba's offer, and approached her to grab some along with some pretzels and chips. Similarly to Val, he didn't seem to notice the heat of the tea too much as he sipped from his cup and stared into it, steam billowing around his face.
He was thankful when Paul spoke up, and brought up their issue to the angels. "If you don't know anyone that could help improve my swordsmanship or my spells, have you heard anything about that girl? Leanne?" He added, as he continued to avoid making eye contact with anyone.
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Feb 25, 2019 17:43:42 GMT -5
"Oh, so that's what that sound was?" Lobo seemed alarmed about the dragon, as if the armies of Paradiso weren't enough. He sighed in... resignation? "Dammit. I shoulda just sent the kid to investigate that weird readin' I've been picking up."
"What kinda weird reading?" Will inquired. He hadn't picked up anything. Of course, he wasn't that keenly attuned to the world of unnatural phenomenon, and even if he was, he was more concerned with Val. Speaking of which, the sandy-haired woman hand her hand on the table, chin in her palm, dunking a cookie into her drink. Even when her fingers touched the hot liquid, she didn't react, or make any indication that she was burning...
"I'll explain later. So..." Lobo scanned Paul, Scott, and Raunen with eagle eyes. "Okay, Scott, I'm gonna be honest with ya. I can't detect even a smidgen of magical potential in you. Raunen? I'm not sure where Leanne is... Hey, Will, you seen her?"
The bespectacled blonde gulped, realizing that he had no idea where his sister actually was. "I, uh... shit. I don't know where Leanne is. Fuck, fuck, fuck..." Will yanked at his hair in frustration, muttering curses in what sounded like a mess of German and Yiddish.
"... I know a guy who knows about most magic. I can give him a call to see if he's interested in givin' you lessons in fire." And now, Paul. "You said you breathed lightning on the green prick, yeah? Well..." The ghost of a grin appeared on Lobo's face. "That's a type of wind magic, and I happen to know a thing or two 'bout wind magic." Snapping his fingers, a soft breeze blew through the bar.
"Hmmm." Loba seemed interested in Scott. "Do you have your weapon on you? I could make some... modifications to it to allow it to be more effective against angels..."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 5, 2019 19:52:05 GMT -5
"Can't say I'm surprised," Scott intoned with a shrug, having already anticipated his own lack of magical compatibility. Didn't have it in him to be disappointed. "Guess I'll just have to stick with what I know."
He turned and raised an eyebrow at Will at the mention of the young man's sister. "Okay, I'm willing to plead just as guilty as the thought never crossed my mind either, but really, no one saw her run off while we were leaving to lay Flint to rest? Does anyone else think it would probably be pivotal to find the recovering coma patient before she gets hurt again?"
"Yeah, probably..." Paul nervously agreed, quickly finding himself about as worried as Will clearly was. Given the horrors plaguing the island that they had encountered up to that point, could anyone blame him?
Paul's attention returned to Lobo when he was directly addressed again. He perked up a little as he listened to the vociferous angel, taken aback somewhat to hear that there was a connection between lightning and wind magic. Not a conclusion he likely would've reached himself, admittedly, but he conceded that there was some logic to it. Lobo's affinity for wind might've been something Paul was already aware of, but what he was insinuating was a surprise in its own right.
"Wait, you'd... really teach me wind magic?" Paul's dumbfounded expression awkwardly morphed into an excited, dopey grin. "Aw, Lobo, that'd... that'd be great, actually!"
"Hey, like you said. Take what you can get," Scott offered, lightly slapping Paul on the arm before walking over to Loba. He seemed confused and uncertain about her offer, but at this rate, he figured he may as well follow the same advice. As such, he pulled his gun off his belt, did a quick check to ensure the safety was on, and warily slid it to the soft-spoken one. "What exactly did you have in mind?"
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Post by ColArana on Mar 5, 2019 20:03:16 GMT -5
Ranuen sighed. "Yeah. It was a dragon." He replied. "And it completely kicked our collective asses." He added, bitterly, before drinking more of the tea, with a heavy sigh. "Second time meeting the bastard, and he's a lot less chill than he was last time. For.... reasons." He grumbled out. "Either way, I gotta find a way to pierce that things' scales and fast, before he comes back for a round two. And I doubt that'll be particularly long, you know?" He added in a frustrated tone.
The news about Leanne was disappointing. "That's a shame. I'd have liked to compare notes with her. I don't suppose you guys have heard tell of any legendary heroes or shit that disappeared and conveniently left some powerful weapon or something lying around? Or some trainers from hell that live somewhere on the island that could kick me up a level or two?" He suggested. "I use fire magic and physical power in conjunction, I'd gladly seek out anyone that could help me improve either of them." He noted to the Angels, hoping to broaden his search even a little.
As Scott pointed out the dangers of finding Leanne, Ranuen looked at them. "Yeah... I'm sorry. I was distracted back then... But you're right. Someone should have been looking for her. And well... if there's nobody around that can help me out, I may as well play the role of scout. Who knows. Maybe even if I fail, I can draw away attention from the rest of you. I'm good at being loud despite my size, at least." He suggested, though a small smile did cross his face at the knowledge that apparently Paul and Scott could be helped out.
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Mar 5, 2019 22:36:15 GMT -5
"... Hmm." Examining Scott's gun, Loba hummed to herself. "Metal bullets. Effective against humans. Not so much against angels." Reaching in, she removed the bullets. "We... we have a protection effect against most forms of damage on most of our bodies. While these weapons can hurt us, the only thing that can permanently damage an angel... is another angel." Reaching back, Loba removed a feather from her own wing, before plucking a feather off Lobo's wing with her watery hands. The soft-spoken angel continued, rolling the feathers into a bullet-like shape. "Talon, weapon, beak, or magic. However, there are ways around this..." Once she was satisfied with the feathers, Loba loaded them into the gun, handing the weapon back to Scott. "Your weapon is now fueled by our magic. At the moment, you'll only be able to use water, wind, and non-elemental magic, but if you fight an angel, get some of their feathers if you can..."
"... Hey, Val?" The sandy-haired woman in question looked up at Will. "... I'm... gonna see if I can't find Leanne. Sorry, but-"
"No. I understand." Let it be far from Val to force Will to share the pain of having to bury a sibling, with the added fun of having the dead relative be younger. "Look. I'll find you later. I need... I need to hear this." Indeed, Val's hot chocolate no longer seemed so hot anymore.
"Sorry, guys. I just... I need to find Leanne. Sorry..." Sighing, Will stood up, slowly exiting the club. Before he left, he waved good-bye. A faint ember flickered on his palm, quickly extinguishing itself.
"... Okay. Anybody else need or want to leave?" Lobo waited. Nothing. "Okay, good. Now, listen closely, Paul. I'm not gonna repeat myself. We're pressed for time. Now, watch..."
Lobo closed his eyes. At once, the winds blew around the angel, sending his hair flying in random directions. And then, with a shout, he opened his eyes, the winds focusing on one direction, blowing a clock off the wall.
"That's wind. Wind can be summed up as the homing missile of the elements. If you can guide the breeze, it'll do the rest for ya."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 6, 2019 11:33:26 GMT -5
Paul sharply turned to Ranuen, blinking in surprise. "Wait, you've... you've met Vutezoth before?? W-When did this happen?!"
"Hm..." Scott tilted his head, listening intently, watching with intrigue as Loba tinkered with his pistol. "That's pretty interesting, actually. I picked up that these guys were tough, but..." Once the angel had finished her work, Scott picked up the gun and scrutinized it. It looked no different from before, but the ramifications of her tampering were curious to say the least. "So that's it? No other adjustments required? Do I only have one shot with each feather or are they just like... magical conductors?"
He turned to Will as the young man prepared to depart to find his sister. In agreement, Scott slipped his gun back in its holster and nodded to the elder Lowe brother. "If you think you'd need an extra pair of eyes, I'd be willing to offer. If I can't join in on the magic classes, I may as well make myself useful elsewhere."
"Good call," Paul sighed with a warm, albeit lopsided grin, waving Will and Scott off. "I'll catch up with you later, alright?"
"Sounds good," Scott replied, waving back to his brother before disappearing out the door alongside Will.
Once they were gone, Lobo quickly jumped into his lesson, prompting Paul to lean in and give the angel his undivided attention. Almost immediately, he detected the tiniest shift in the atmosphere, even before the winds started to cycle around Lobo. Paul was instantly enraptured. Fascinated by the breeze that wrapped itself around the angel. Then he nearly jumped out of his seat when the Lobo released the wind in a great gale, one so precise that little was stirred up in its wake besides its target.
"WHOA-HO-HO...!" Paul was certainly taking the matter seriously, and he could somehow tell that Lobo's maneuver was a relatively simple one, but that didn't stop him from geeking out a little. "Awesome! Okay, yeah, I can totally-!"
SLAM
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
Paul once again jumped in place, whipping around to see Kelsey in the doorway, wings erect, claws tipped with shadow, eyes glowing with cold fury.
"WHOA, HEY, KELSEY...!" Paul quickly, defensively raised a hand. "Calm down! Lobo was just giving a demonstration! He's gonna..."
He trailed off as he started to really study Kelsey. Most of her demonic traits were exposed, but none of that really caught his attention. What did was the redness under her eyes that had yet to fully fade away, and second to that was the fact that she was clearly alone.
"Kelsey... what happened?"
For a moment, Kelsey didn't reply. She simply gave herself time to relax now that she knew there was no threat present. All the while, she stared forlornly at Paul, struggling to find the right words.
She slumped where she stood, retracting her wings, claws, fangs and horns. Once she had assumed her human form, Kelsey shuffled inside and took a seat at the bar next to Paul, eyes on the table, remaining ever silent.
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Post by ColArana on Mar 6, 2019 19:03:14 GMT -5
It seemed the Angels knew nothing more. That was.... frustrating. And now it seemed he couldn't even scout for Leanne, as Scott and Will jumped on that. Paul's question, however... "...Yeah. I did. Deep in a temple in the jungle, awhile back. Made my way down there with a new friend, and the guy came snarling out. He wrecked my shit. I thought I'd seen the extent of his power, but...." He frowned. "We escaped by the skin of our teeth. I learned only one thing that might be useful against him, back then. He's got a huge scar on his back, where he's vulnerable. Everywhere else my hits barely phased him... and based on today, even that was probably due to him holding back at the time. But that one spot... Maybe even my attacks could do some damage if I hit there." He informed Paul.
He was encouraged that Paul was enthusiastic to learn. He finished his tea, and set his cup down, before standing up. "Well.... This was worth a shot, but maybe I should start going too. Find... something. I'm just deadweight, sticking around here." He commented, as he began to head to the door, before the door slammed open, revealing Kelsey. "Wh-what...?" Ranuen paused as he stepped out of the way, and looked at her. "You look like you've been through hell..."
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Mar 6, 2019 21:57:07 GMT -5
"Oh, finally. It's you. The hell've you been?" Walking over to Kelsey, Lobo noted the redness to her eyes. "Yes, I'm alive. I didn't really count on bein' here for the long haul, but here I am anyway." The loud angel shrugged, nodding at Raunen and filing away the information for later. "As Paul was sayin', I'm gonna be teachin' him some magic. I'd say he has a natural aptitude for wind magic..."
There was a distinct lack of two red-clad figures. "... You haven't seen Leanne, have you? Apparently, she's woken up and vanished. And what happened to Percy?" Loba closed her eyes and muttered a prayer in a strange language. "My apologies. For us angels, prayer and turning to the heavens are usually last resorts..."
Val said nothing in response to Kelsey entering, although a spark returned to her eyes. She warily eyed the demonic girl, the same thing that had done... something to her brother as he lay dying...
---
Once he deemed himself far enough, Will sighed and reached into his pocket. "... Okay, we're not gonna find her if we're freaking out. You mind if I clear my head a bit?" From his pocket, the blonde pulled out what seemed to be a carton of cigarettes, although the label was in a strange language.
With a shaky hand, Will ignited the end of a cigarette with a weak ember, inhaling. "You wanna bum one? By the gods... look at me. I'm always yelling at Jordan to quit, but I can't help but reach for one now..."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 7, 2019 19:22:35 GMT -5
"Oh..." Kelsey craned her neck enough to look up at Lobo, glancing between him and Paul. "Wind... magic...? That's... a good idea, actually..."
She quickly dropped her head into her hand. She wanted to be enthusiastic about this. Paul learning magic offered only benefits to himself and the team. But she was just too emotionally drained to really get excited. "Is it too early for a vodka cranny?"
"Kelsey..." Paul tenderly placed his hand on her arm, his eyes glowing with warmth and concern. He didn't say anything else. He didn't want to pry anything out of her. He only wanted to give her security. A moment of peace so she could gather her thoughts.
Eventually, with a deep breath, Kelsey managed to speak up again. "I haven't seen Leanne since the dragon attack. And Percy... he..."
She bit her lip. She tensed up for a moment. Then she dropped her arm on the table and practically buried her face in it. "He's gone. Something... attacked him. Took his soul. Left Imago's. He has full control over their body now. And before you ask, no. It wasn't me."
Paul straightened up in alarm, his jaw dropping as Kelsey elaborated. He had no idea how to react to this news other than with hushed mortification. He didn't ask who was responsible for this atrocity. If Kelsey's tone and wording were any indication, she was just as clueless on that front. By the time the startled pounding in his chest had settled just a little, all Paul could spit out was, "W-Where is Imago now?"
"He said he had other business to deal with," Kelsey sighed. "Don't ask me what it is, because I don't know. And don't ask me what I intend to do to find Percy. I will freely admit that I have no idea what the hell I'm doing anymore."
Again, Paul was struck silent, unable to comprehend the jumble of emotions inside him. Above all else, this revelation had left him scared. For his friends, for the island, for Percy... and Kelsey... it was plain to see that the whole ordeal had left her all but completely devastated. Almost without thinking, Paul reached up and started stroking her hair, seeking comfort for both of them.
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"No thanks, I... I don't smoke," Scott muttered, his hands in his pockets as he walked alongside William. He offered the young man a shrug, looking completely indifferent to this perceived act of hypocrisy. "There's a difference between a means of relief and an addiction. Given your situation, who am I to judge?"
He looked ahead, taking in the city skyline with the slightest air of concern. "I won't rush you if you need to settle your nerves, but once you do, given my limited knowledge of this city, this island, and your sister's persona, I don't suppose you could rattle off a few places Leanne could've feasibly felt compelled to visit?"
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Post by ColArana on Mar 8, 2019 20:31:49 GMT -5
There was an audible "thunk" in the room, as Ranuen dropped the cup he was holding. By nothing more than chance, he'd been near the bar, and had only dropped the cup a short distance, though it did fall on its side, spilling its contents across the table. "....What...?" He stared at Kelsey. "You're telling me.... Percy's....?" His face was going ashen at this news. ".....Excuse me for a minute. I'll.... be back." He said. He stood up and walked toward the door. He opened it and went around the side of the establishment, before returning to his shrunken size. For the purposes of quieting his voice. Even so.....
"F***!"
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Mar 8, 2019 21:36:50 GMT -5
"... Yeesh. And I thought I was loud." Lobo glanced at where Raunen had gone to, before looking at Loba, both of their eyes wide. "S-So," he actually stumbled on his words. "Wh... Where did this occur? I'm gonna guess you saw nothing, but did you hear anything?"
Loba was silent, and opted to merely look at Val, whose eyes had gone wide at this news. "... So. You're not the only one." The sandy-haired woman arose to her full height, towering over Kelsey. "When this is done, we need to talk in private."
"Do you think it was that thing from the plaza?" Loba spoke up. "It seems unlikely, but... if it wasn't, this confirms my theory..."
---
A puff of smoke escaped Will's mouth as he looked up at the cityline, frowning. "... I'm gonna be honest with you. Leanne's always been a free spirit." The cigarette now held between his middle and ring fingers, the blonde shut his eyes in thought. "Our mom couldn't tell her what to do, and our dads- shit, I mean dad..." Will's face flashed pink for a moment as that embarrassing tidbit came to light. "Our dad couldn't tell her what to do, either."
To try and get over that, Will took another inhale of his cigarette. "For some reason, she actually listens to Lark. I dunno what he does, but she listens to him..."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 8, 2019 22:09:20 GMT -5
Paul could only flinch slightly at the echoes of Ranuen's outburst. He certainly couldn't blame him. Paul was just as angry and terrified. Part of him wanted to rage at the world as well. But he had to keep his head on his shoulders. Be the foundation for the team to remain stable on. All he could think to do was continue stroking Kelsey's hair, soothing himself with the silky softness of her curls.
The gesture seemed to help Kelsey as well. Either that or she had already run her emotional well dry and she had entered the zoned-out stage of grief. Whatever the case was, her empty cerulean eyes remained fixed on the table she lay her head upon as she responded to Lobo's inquiry with a toneless mumble. "I didn't see him get attacked. I only slightly registered his pain because Tri had marked him prior. I found him... in this... world on the other side of a cave in the cemetery. A world that looked just like the island, but... dead. Everything dead. The plants, the animals, the people in the city, you and Loba, an alternate version of Percy..."
"I'm sorry, what?" Paul choked up, his expression of anxiety turning to one of abject horror at this latest development. How else was he supposed to react? He might as well have been informed that the world was coming to an end. Apparently it already had.
Unfazed by the weight of her own words, Kelsey turned her head to look up at Val. The young woman who had just lost her brother to a vengeful dragon. She could still muster nary a reaction, outward or emotional, but at the very least, Kelsey's empathy was triggered by Val's appearance and her words, enough to earn a shrug and a nod. "That's... That's fair."
She sat up slightly, Paul retracting his hand in turn and setting it on the countertop. Kelsey responded by placing her hand atop his, her focus shifting to Loba. "If the thing from the Plaza that you're referring to is the beast that I fought, it wasn't. Percy is the beast. Or was, I don't know... He's gone now. Before I even had a chance to tell him what I did know."
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"Hm..." The tiniest of smirks crossed Scott's face as he nodded, though it quickly dipped back into a serious frown. "I know that feeling. Kinda reminds me of my other brother."
He briefly looked over his shoulder. He could've sworn he heard a faint shout somewhere nearby. Eventually chalking it up to urban background noise, Scott continued his casual stroll turned back to Will. "Alright then. Who's Lark? Any idea where we could find him?"
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Post by ColArana on Mar 8, 2019 22:35:44 GMT -5
The door didn't even open as Ranuen returned to the group, the swordsman, not even bothering to return to his normal size, opting instead to climb underneath a small crack at the base of the door. First they got their asses handed to them. Then Flint died. Then Leanne disappeared. And now Percy was gone? ...He just... didn't have it in him right now. His head was hung down if anyone cared to notice his return or look close enough. It had been a damn good scream, but that only released his pent up anger. It didn't really help to improve his mood or the situation. "Thing from the plaza?" He asked dully, overhearing Loba as he entered. "The giant creature that Kelsey beat up?" He inquired, as he slowly walked toward the group again.
His head snapped toward Kelsey though, when he heard her describe the new world. And that--
"PROTO WAS PERCY!?"
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