Olivia was somehow less interesting to talk to than say the trees that they walked past or the road they travelled down, she clearly didn't grasp the concept of sarcasm. After a long journey where Alastar didn't say too much because his jokes and sarcasm would be lost on the poor girl, only making him miss Treasa's presence more and more. As they travelled over the mountains and through the woods towards the Kaer the witcher enjoyed the surroundings as much as he could and cursed beneath his breath because of his broken arm. When the Kaer came into view though, Alastar stopped for a moment, nailed to the ground in horror. The Kaer was gone for the most part, the outer walls were still relatively recognisable but the main keep was just gone. Treasa... was all he could think of... he had lost her in the portal when he and Olivia got scattered into the city of Oxenfurt. She had gone through to it's intended target... the Kaer... she was gone.... he had failed her... if he could cry the mighty Yaruga would have paled in comparrison. As the shock left him, which took quite a while, he charged down the path. Rage coursing through him, anger at himself, anger because it was easier to feel anger than the hurt he felt inside. She was gone and it had been his fault, he hadn't even been there by her side when she passed away as he had always imagined he would. He had failed her not just once but twice, he hadn't even had the chance to say goodbye...He just ran and ran down the path, his throat feeling as if it were squeezed shut. His heart beating like the thundering hooves of a cavalry charge. He charged through what remained of the gates into what once was the courtyard. The once mighty fortress was nothing but rubble now. He started to run around wildly trying to find any trace of his neice, finding none but the broken body of the Crow. There was no sign of her maybe she had been buried beneath the rubble and was still alive against all odds, but looking at the devastation wrought upon the once mighty castle he doubted that very much, still he called out her name with all the sound his voice could muster, trying to call out to his neice in vain.
Baldomar laughed as Kellan displayed his marvelous ability with words again, then again it wasn't like he could do an aweful lot better, he laughed more when Kellan shook his head when Baldy played his old I don't know what you are on about card, one of his personal favourites. As his father had taught him, deny everything. He followed the group towards the stone door, dear little Anthea was wondering out loud if the book had the right answers or not. "Well obviously, dear little Anthea they didn't look at the right page or rushed their task. Wanting to get to the bling as quickly as possible so they didn't exactly read what had been written. Or were just plain stupid, either way if Kellan thinks it might be of use, I trust him to be right, otherwise he knows there'll be hell to pay when we get out of the mess." Baldomar explained as he picked up the book and started to look for clues about this Janus Wintermist
Hendrick had made a good speed towards the Institute, when he approached he found himself in situation he didn't exactly expect to find after the chat with Clarity. The situation outside of the Institute was outright madness, he saw Rhett, Clarity and an unfamiliar wolf engage a fairy. He didn't know what exactly was going on, but a friend of his, an acquaintance and well a complete stranger were in danger and he doubted they were up for a nice little chat to explain what was going on there. Seeing the fae hadn't noticed him yet seeing he was already working on three different opponents simultaneously which in itself was rather impressive. He carved runes for speed, stamina and invisibility on his arms, his personal trinity of runes, after he was done he put his stele away again and grabbed his bow and a steel tipped arrow, moving a few paces from his original spot in case the fairy had in fact spotted him, though he doubted that even a fairy could keep an eye on three different opponents and still manage to be fully aware of his surroundings including his back. The Nephilim nocked, drew, aimed and released in one smooth motion aiming for the side that held the now flaming greatsword.
"Alright, give me a moment." Aethelrick said as he used a Stele to draw a rune of speed on his upper left arm. He would need it for the perfect timing. "Seeing timing is everything and bullets are faster than arrows, I'll need you to fire first. Stand like I do we need to hit them simultaneously or I doubt it'll work. If we do hit each other I think the icy feeling will numb the pain but still try and just hit the leaf." Aethelrick said as he stood sideways looking at Sien, the leaf visible on the left side of his chest. He held the gun steadily aimed at the leaf on Sien's chest, he nodded giving Sien the signal he could fire and as Sien did he waited for the exact moment for him to discharge the gun so the leaves would be hit simultaneously, now he just prayed to the Angel that the movement of the chest from breathing wouldn't interfere too much. The Ifrit Shadi Sands had stalked off and rejoined his Queen's side following the etiquettes to the letter. It seemed rather unusual that she put these people through trials, he knew he himself hadn't followed one when he pledged his service to her, it was a long time ago but he still rmemebered the day in it's entirety, times were very different. "My Lady, please forgive me for asking this, but what are your intentions here? I have faithfully served you for hundreds of years and I never had to take a trial, the people coming to you for help never received a trial. Why them, my Lady?" Shadi spoke keeping his tone respectful.
The man merely stood "Terribly sorry, I couldn't help you out on this, I do wish you good luck on your quest to fight this abomination, truly hope you succeed too." Tobias told the vampire "We can both agree such things should not be, can't we?" Tobias had caught the weakness in them, but why exploit it. "Please do come again, it gets so terribly lonely around here." He called over as they disappeared into the fog, he was alone once more, the preparations were still being made, his personal guard came back to him as the graveirs flocked back to him, he petted on on the head as he sat down, it putting it's head on his lap. "I know, Jeremy, I know, they won't come back here, they never do." Tobias said "Say want to hear a tune? Yes of course you do." He took out his fiddle as the Graveirs sat in a semi-circle around him as he played on his fiddle the shrill sound of it moving through the mist and throughout a good portion of the city.
The Lieutenant Commander stood at ease as the Commander told him. He had already suited up in his full combat armour and had an assault rifle on him and hell did he know how to use it, he picked up a pistol as well for a sidearm. He had enough years of field experience prior to and after switching branches that it felt like just another day at the office for him, he looked at the young lad grabbing the LMG saying that the Commander was overestimating him, clearly the captain wasn't the only person doing that... The lad did ask what they were gonna pick up but he had done enough retrieval missions to have killed his curiosity of such things, somethings as they said were better left unknown. "What sort of resistance can we expect, Ma'am? Anything serious? Properly organised?" Dietrich asked, that was all he needed to be worried about, what he was shooting and how well they'd shoot back.
They followed the werewolf into the forest, she made a comment about the bow and a little riddle about timing being everything. Then the leaves rattled overhead and two fell down, one on him and one on Sien, it stuck to his chest as if it were glued on. The skin beneath tingled at first and then it felt like there had been icewater thrown on there, but it wouldn't just flow off the cold only seeping into his flesh, he gritted his teeth. "Sien, since this thing is all about bonds, this might be one of them trust tests...." Aethelrick said, the cold growing worse and it was bugging him as the ice spread. "The riddle timing is everything... I think... it means you and I will have to simultaneously shoot those leaves.... Unless I'm thinking of it wrongly... If we stand with the smallest possible target we can simultaneously shoot and prevent from murdering each other outright because of the vector... if we do this I must prepare one thing..." Aethelrick taking hold of the P90 in one hand and his Stele in the other.
The Vampire seemed to understand him as he answered. "I can't say I have seen him, he had probably left before I arrived. As for liking him, if he raises an army of the dead he and I cannot be friends. The dead should not be brought back to life, their flesh should feed the land." Tobias stated calmly, he didn't take the passive aggresive bait and get riled up, it was rather pointless to anyways. "I cannot help you, I am afraid I know nothing of this... Solomon, you speak of. Now please, tell your friends not to be so tense, there's nothing to fear here. Anything else I could be of assistance with?" He knew full well that his necrophages were moving about in the mists, but they hadn't threatened them in the slightest so what was there to be afraid of. "No, looking at the world and seeing the shitpile it is, is definitely going to be very great for your mental state..." Alastar said sarcasticly, by the Gods what was this woman's problem. He now understood why Derrick was so glad that he had ran into Alastar when they met in Oxenfurt, what a depressing little individual this one. And it would also explain Derrick's reaction when this little crazy bint came walking up to their campsite. He pitied the man for having to put up with that ****. Thinking of Derrick he wondered where the hell he had ended up after that portal and with who, did he make it to the Kaer in one piece and what about Treasa? Was she somewhere safe? He knew there'd be hell to pay for himself if, no, when he found her again. He would find her again, unless death found him first but he had some nice advice for death, to go **** itself and leave him in peace...
Conrad turned on Alice as she just had to point out the fact Rayyad had kidnapped them. "Rayyad, Tessa and I discussed this, it was a mistake, though if I'm not mistaken I said that already. So let it go, it's not like you were affected anyways so just stop bitching about it." Conrad said, starting to lose his cool. He wasn't the only one to lose it, Rayyad lost it too as he rambled on about someone inside his head. Well Rayyad aside from the kidnapping incident had shown nothing but friendliness and that first thing he had forgiven the man already. Whatever this was he spoke off he didn't understand it, something Tessa felt the need to point out to them all, saying something about stupid humans, she probably didn't realise she herself was a human being too. He sighed in frustration, as the both of them ran off, seeing they needed the totem he too needed to join them, duty, he reminded himself as he wanted to pick up the totem Kara asked him if he wanted help with it. "Yeah, thanks it's much appreciated. Dragging the damn thing from the depths on my own wasn't pleasant enough for me to want to repeat it." Conrad said, he took hold of one end and gave Kara a nod as he lifted his share of it. His face looked tense, a hint to what was going on inside his head. Tessa had seen something, but what and why couldn't she try explain what she saw instead of being all you don't understand about it. He trudged along carrying the totem with Kara as they went after Rayyad and Tessa towards the palace. Stupid humans or not, there was no way they'd get it done without them.
Sien hadn't reacted to him yet but finally their guide who'd lead them astray had arrived. Seeing Aethel could see behind Sien's back, he could see the werewolf approach them, however he said nothing to warn Sien of the werewolf behind him, a small smile on his face, he was fairly confident she wasn't a threat anyways. After attracting Sien's attention and telling him they finally figured it out, she winked at him, Aethel returned the wink and found it rather odd she called him homeboy, he didn't know her did he? He probably would remember a close brunette werewolf friend, hmm maybe it was Sarah then again it hardly mattered as he went after her, checking only once if Sien followed him.
Dietrich Winters had boarded the ship as early as possible, wanting to get a good idea of it's layout and capabilities and to see what was in stock. He had been sifting through the armoury. He had already been in a light version of armour after an unfortunate incident resulting on him not being able to sit down for 6 months. As the Commander gave the battle stations, he looked around the armoury as security personnel came walking in, some not as certain what to do, well we wouldn't have that now, not on his watch. "You heard the lady, move like you got a purpose!" The Security officer barked at the obvious green recruits. "For all you greenhorns around here that wanted to see some action. This might be your lucky day. Suit up and move to your rally points." Dietrich barked, he himself was changing out of the lighter armour, exchanging it for the full combat load, grabbing a rifle, he waited in the armoury barking at those that didn't seem to have a clue as to what they were doing throwing the odd insult left and right at them as he waited for further instructions from the Commander. Who had just arrived in the armoury, which resulted in Dietrich after clearing his throat to shout "Commander on deck!" Saluting the Commander, his security personnel followed suit, halting what they were doing, giving the Commander a unified salute.
Baldomar didn't care too much for the scenery of the route they followed, when they caught up with Kellan and saw he was surrounded by three bodies. "Damn it, Sithwyr, hogging all the damn fun for yourself." Baldomar remarked. Then listened to the explanation as to what the deal was with the Keep, golems? He looked, damn he'd go hug the giant thing were it not that Kellan mentioned something about it potentially being detrimental to one's health, which honestly hadn't stopped him before, but hey living rock what more could a man want from life aside from a nice cabin in the woods and ample idiots to introduce to the hammer. "I'd love to introduce these chaps to the noble art of Hammer Time. But it would seem everyone else is intent on spoiling my fun. Eh I mean picking the cityfolk route.." Baldomar said "Jailor? What Jailor? Can you give me a description of what he looked like? I mean there was that guy that kept on demanding some bloody jewelry I had never heard of but can't say I've heard of a Jailor..." He figured that if they couldn't figure out the password then he could always try and break down the gate or alternatively they'd go back the other way and he would get his fun.
Aethel chuckled at Sien's remark "I'd be up for a good fight, would welcome it actually, if only to clear the mind and pass the time." Aethelrick commented, if this was a test he was uncertain what the angle was. Sure Gaia mentioned that their bonds would be tested. That would mean they had been paired off for a reason. He and Sien had only just met meaning there was hardly a bond between the two of them if anything at all. Aethelrick stood up and looked at Sien "Hours.... Days... Years, I honestly could not tell you...." He scanned around the place seemed bloody deserted, then again it was a jungle "You know, we should honestly get going too, if our bond is to be tested I doubt Gaia is going to see how much we can take of each other while sitting around. I'm not one for sitting around while others do the work anyways... so if you are ready maybe we should get going too, unless you got a better idea? I mean I see no guide here trying to draw us out but still, there's nothing in this clearing but us...." He waited, impatiently tapping his fingers against his thigh as he did, when the phone was answered it wasn't exactly who he expected to pick up said phone. "Clarity? It's Hendrick... where's Brianne at, I thought I called her, wasn't mistaken was I? Hmm yeah that would explain it. Planned on coming, Bri had told me she'd let me know the Institute was in the clear again, no matter. I'll be on my way now... and Clarity... good to hear you got out..." He ended the call, gathered his things and went downstairs, he was the only one left in the safehouse even the bodies were gone now. No matter, from the short description Clarity had given it seemed rather hectic at the Institute and Roxanne going nuts? Why did that burden fall on his shoulders all the time? Was it the universe having a little fun with him feeling quite uncomfortable? He wrapped his black coat around him and left for the Institute as quickly as his feet would carry him.
Name: Dietrich Winters Sex: Male Age: 74 Species: Peras Appearance: Brown eyes, bald, well kept black goatee, physicly well trained. Rank: Lieutenant Commander Division: Security Bio: Dietrich was born into a military family, his father serving in the Coalition before him as a Captain and his mother in the medical corps. Therefore he had been moulded from a young age to follow in their footsteps and while it could be argued that it's a bad thing to do such a thing, but Dietrich didn't see himself as a person to have a dull job planetside so as soon as he could, after graduating he enlisted with the coalition security divisions and remains where he is until this day eventually getting assigned to the new flagship. Other:
The Ancient God nodded as Corenna said he'd meet with the other officers "Good." He intoned. He was maintaining his distance for this wasn't his own unit, then again even when commanding his own unit he still maintained his distance, he wasn't one of them and no matter how many times his officers assured him he would be accepted, he wouldn't be and that was perfectly fine by him. Furthermore it was only following the tradition of the Custodial Legions where the commanders stood more distant from their brethren, both litterally and figuratively. "I am confident in your ability to lead this company and will relay orders through you, unless I immediatly need something done and the people will be close by." Zahariel explained, he might need some fire support given his reliance on melee combat, but there was no way he was going to give up the glory of melee combat. As it was the way of the Custodians, there were the Arguons mainly tasked with support and defense using the bow and arrow, but Zahariel wasn't an Arguon. It was then that David returned saying he had planted bombs around the perimeter of the camp, the man better hope there wouldn't be Shard casualties because of his actions or Zahariel himself would make sure he got eternal latrine duty.
Alastar breathed in deeply and started to mentally count to ten before he gave in to the desire to give Captain obvious a piece of his mind. After having counted to ten he sighed deeply and rubbed his temples Crow... what the hell man, I thought you taught people better than this. "It doesn't seem to have pierced your armour, won't be an aweful lot to see there, Lass, maybe a bruise but you won't see all the organs that are internally bleeding all over you, the world is fun that way." Alastar said "As for it being better that doesn't have to be, I'd take a pair of Basilisks over say a Fiend or a Griffin." He knew it wasn't a great idea to tempt fate when curses could take hold from mere uttered words, but really he had to point it out, he would supplement the Crow's training of this witcher with some additional practical knowledge something this girl didn't seem to have in ample supply. "I know it's broken, already taken care of, nothing more to do now but wait and be annoyed and girl, really I got a pair of eyes and a brain of my own, hard to believe but it's da truth ya don't need to point out every single obvious thing to me. Whatever scared them away I don't know, don't want to stick around to see for myself and it turns out to be some vengeful defender of cows that wanted to punish the Basilisks for their horrendous crimes on the bovine species." The last part was purely made up ****, such a monster didn't exist, he hadn't actually met one and therefor he doubted they existed then again he also never saw a Godling, but apparantly they existed. The annoyance he experienced wasn't just from the girl's actions but also the pain and the inconvenience from his broken arm. He wasn't gonna stand around and look pretty any longer, Treasa had pointed out he was terrible at it several dozen times, so he started down the path they had previously been going down before they had been interrupted..
Aethelrick sat their his words not being acknowledged, it hardly mattered in the end, he pushed his fingers through the grass, it even felt a little bit different. It almost seemed greener here than it did anywhere else but hey he hadn't lived here so he took that with a pinch of salt. As he sat there resting it didn't go past him that pairs were being lead away... All for various reasons, the last one being told the others were in danger, he stood up wanting to bring up the fact that if there was trouble wouldn't it be a brighter idea to move in force, but they were already gone. This left him with just Sien. He let himself fall back into the grass. "Damn it, what the hell is going on here?" He wondered out loud as he punched the earth, which in hindsight probably didn't seem like a right idea, but hey impulses what can you do. He looked at Sien who had wondered what Gaia would want from them. "Well it appears it's just you and me again... as for your question I wouldn't have the slightest idea, entertainment maybe? You know like they did in Ancient Rome with the Gladiator fights or some strange parody to what must be one of the worst mundane inventions ever reality television..." Aethel offered, putting a lot of negative emphasis on his last two words. In the now deserted 'safe house' a certain Shadowhunter that hadn't been seen for like 5 pages woke up again, feeling quite a bit better. He checked his phone there was one text message, it was from Aethelrick saying Clarity was alright, well wasn't that a relief. Brianne had said that once they had returned they'd send word, but there wasn't any it had been a good while since he had gone to sleep, had something happened? Aethel had sent him an assurance that Clarity was alright, had they ran into her outside the Institute? He was left in the dark and well sure it was his own fault for sleeping, but what was he to do? He wouldn't have been useful in a fight anyways. Well if that text from Aethelrick was legit and Clarity was safe, maybe she could tell him what had happened while he was out. After all he didn't think she'd be in the best shape after being left with the Inquisitor even for a little while so she might be kept away from danger, then again Clarity was her own person. Time to make a decision, the contacts were right next to each other. **** it, keep the lines of communication short he selected Brianne and rang taking the gamble he might be distracting her during combat, if it failed he atleast had a back-up plan.
"Very well, Lieutenant." The Ancient God, when he saluted though, he called him back "Corenna! From now on, combat protocol, meaning no saluting anymore. Let it be known." Zahariel went about the camp inspecting equipment and meeting the men he fought with, not like a pleasant commander but rather seeing what they were made off after all soldiers were like clay in the hands of the potter, it was the Commander's duty to inspect and mould them into the clay pot that would harden in the fire. Soon the Lieutenant came back to him with a report. "Good, very good. We shall maintain watch for as long as it is required. Have teams sleep if it becomes necessary, but on their posts, one watch per three teams. Teams of four, working together to achieve as much continuous fire as possible." The Ancient God explained. "Say that anti-aircraft gun, how fast can it be redeployed?" The God inquired, he had a little devious idea with it then explaining his intent with it. "As for what to do with you, I will undoubtably be engaged personally this means I will not be able to effectively command, therefor you will have command when I am unavailable." He didn't need to add the part about not disappointing him, the already crushing demands of command wouldn't have to be made worse by his looming judgement, not that he wouldn't judge the performance but that would happen after this operation.
The hands of one of the people moved, presumably to a weapon, suspicious mind too, and suspicious minds always had things to hide. It also meant he'll believe more than he doubts. Of course the man demanded to see his face. Tobias merely threw back the black hood he wore revealing quite the normal face, a lightly toned skin, black hair, looking like the average peasant, even dressing the part, except for the fact that his eyes were completely black. He slowly turned up his left hand, palm upwards towards Vyle "Your turn. What brings you here?" He lowered the hand again to his side, truly the man wasn't very observant a sickle could be used as a weapon, but it would also pass for a simple tool, but wasn't that what weapons were, mere tools. He observed the girl who was warily looking behind them, tugging the third person closer to her, nothing too odd about it, focusing back to the one they had designated to speak to him.
Shadi walked with the other warlock as he explained his issue "I am very sorry to hear that. Odd that the glamours would not work, maybe Lady Gaia could help you with it, if you so desire." The Ifrit said, Masque then even apologised for rambling "It is alright, my friend. From what you share, you have been through much." He offered with a smile and gave the warlock a pat on the shoulder. He lead the group through the woods and towards the clearing where Lady Gaia dismissed him. He simply bowed and took his leave disappearing into the Jungle. Aethelrick, near the rear of the group was amazed by the fact something so alive could be in such a place. He too could feel the raw magical power at work here. "Sweet mother of mercy..." He mumbled softly, simply amazed at all this. When they came before the queen, he was left without breath, he had seen plenty of fair specimens of the fairer gender, but this one took the crown, quite litteraly. Her pale skin like fresh unblemished snow under the light of the silver moon. The contrasting black hair like the coat of a raven. Her entire semblance reminding him of the clear skies in Idris at night. The deep blue with the pale light from moon and stars. As the Queen spoke, Athel was listening attentively to all she said and not just what she said, but how she said it. After all a fae was a fae. Their bonds weren't strong, well for him personally that was simply because he practicly just met everyone here, well except the Lightwood lad, not that it mattered. Strongest bonds were forged through shared hardship.... The fae then mentioned something not seeming right. "I gotta agree there." Aethel told Morrigan as he sat down in the grass, folding his legs below him, keeping his hands on his knees. "There's gonna be a demand for her gift and I don't like the implications about said demands..." Then again if each and everyone would be granted a request or a question, imagine what they could learn. He looked around once again taking in what mundies would perceive as an outright miracle and he had to give it to them, it wasn't far off. Despite the long journey not even looking at the one he made to New York he was ready for whatever he would have to face.
