Hey, @Radiant, don't worry about it, I'll be using browser comments too.

Hi Aggron!

I've completely forgotten what was going on last time, I need to read the last session.

Also, what's up?

Not much. Same old stuff. How about you?

Eh, same. XD

HI I WAS DEAD BECAUSE I HAD TO MAKE FOOD AND YEAH
I'll get onto my DS in a moment, but I'll be checking comments using my phone too-

Do you want to go ahead and start now? I don't know when King and Draco will get here. I can't start, I'm just waiting for replies. XD

(King) AAAAH IT'S SATAN

Vinegar

(Draco) OK

Yeah, let's start. I'll kick us off if you'd like.

(Aggron) Go ahead if you want to!

hello kiddies satan is here :)

oh yeah replies
uhm
yes
on it

{Pythia cautiously approaches the door while speaking to Ana.}"Yeah, no, I'm not opening that door, so......"

(Aggron)

Ana snorted. 'Then I'll just do this the fun way.' She swung her tail around and smashed it against the door hard enough to knock it down. Snarling, she thrust her head through the gap and tried to snap at Pythia, but she couldn't quite reach and her dragon form was too large to crawl inside the building.

{Vitis walks over to Crowley, shaking his head disapprovingly.}"Man, you really can't hold your liquor, can you? Ugh, look, people like us don't get respected by people."

{Pythia jumps back in surprise when the doors come down.}"Hey, stop! I thought you were just here to talk?!"
{From behind Ana, a different voice rises over the din.}
Dianne:"So, this is how Sargon treats the peaceful members of our race? Speaks volumes about the kind of person he is."

@Radiant
"One last thing - am I allowed to leave and wander this place, or am I still confined to my cell?"
Mortikai asks quickly, guessing that the Count would want to leave as soon as possible.

@Draco
Toby tears across the room, following the flying fish and grabbing it, looking fairly proud of himself.
Keenan watches them for a moment longer, then turns to look at Thorn. He gets up and jumps from his armchair to the couch where she was.
"So, how'd you get to be pals with Mortikai?"

{Jerry gives Armin a disappointed look before speaking.}"What is taking him so long? Well, guess all we can do is wait. Let's go back." {Jerry starts to walk back.}

(Aggron)

Crowley also shook his head, though not for the same reason - he was just trying to clear it. 'Hey, people CAN respect us! And they can definitely respect me! Don't YOU respect me at all?'

---

'I am here to talk! But I want to talk face-to-face,' said Ana. Her bad mood calming, she withdrew her head from the doorway and curled her neck around to see who was behind her. 'Did I just hear my master's name? Who are you?'

(King)

Sargon paused in the doorway and answered without looking back. 'You may explore this building, but please do not try to leave,' he said. 'My guards are ordered to stop any prisoners who attempt to escape, with force if necessary.'

He then whipped out of the room, not waiting for any response.

Jed barked excitedly and ran after Toby, watching the fish.

"I met him when I was hunting somewhere," Thorn replied. "Along with that Crowley guy. And we went and fought some random strangers, and then we went to the hospital."

(Aggron)

Ivy hurried after Jerry, keeping close to his heels. She glanced back in the direction of her parents' ruined house once more before it was out of sight behind a corner.

Armin fell into step beside Jerry, still carrying his long sword in his left hand. 'So, you didn't see anyone on the way here either?' he asked.

{Dianne just stood against the wall, a less than pleased look on her face:}"Consider me a concerned citizen." {Pythia once again begins to approach the door.}"W-well....we can see each other now, so what did you want to say?"

(Aggron)

Ana drew herself up to her full height and looked down at Pythia. 'I came to deliver a message from my master, Count Sargon... that's all.' Her voice dropped to a threatening purr. 'He knows that you destroyed those corpses in the streets, and this is his warning to you: STOP DOING IT! He needed those bodies, and if you destroy anything else that belongs to him, then our next meeting won't be so... friendly.'

Dianne:"Hold on, Sargon //does// realize that what she did was a traditional funerary practice regularly performed by all followers of this religion, right?
{Pythia quickly responds to this.}"Y-yeah! I wasn't trying to impede your master, I-I had to do that. It was the will of the goddess."

{Jerry looked to Armin.}"No. I guess we should consider ourselves lucky. I am curious where they all went though, but I'm not going to stick around to find out"

(Aggron)

Ana scoffed. 'The will of the goddess? What goddess? I don't know anything about your religion, but if I were you, I'd consider listening to my rightful leader more important than obeying the will of some stupid goddess!' She let out a cackling laugh.

{Vitis frowns}"That's not an easy question. Do I respect your lifestyle? Yes, 'cause it's cool, like mine. Do I respect the fact that you have the alcohol tolerance of an underage school girl, and that you just made a mess of that corner of the bar? No, I do not."

(Aggron)

'I think they're just busy guarding some other part of the city,' replied Armin. 'Shacklestone isn't a small place, and Sargon's army has its limits. Still...' He hesitated and looked around, but there was no sign of anything lying in wait to attack them. 'We should assume there might still be a few enemies in this area. Just to be safe.'

Ivy said nothing, but trailed along behind them, lost in though.

*thought

(Aggron)

Crowley's mouth gaped open in outraged shock for a moment, then snapped shut. 'Underage schoolgirl?! Who d'you think you're talking to, buddy?' He tried to stagger towards Vitis again, but lost his balance and fell at the shifter's feet instead. '...Hey, this floor is hard.'

{At this, Pythia turned white with vehement rage.}"Rightful leader!? That heartless bas.t.ard is unfit to lead anyone! And of course you people wouldn't have heard of Symponia! You would first need a heart to understand her at all!"

{Now, Dianne's spirit, Magnus joins in. However, only Dianne and Ana are able to hear him.}"Yeah, girl! Stick it to that scum-sucking crypt-crawler that wench calls a master!"

@Radiant
"...Right. Better get on the hunt..."
He slowly stands, licking the dried blood from his hand, then looks towards the bed.
"...Though some sleep wouldn't hurt."
He shifts into his feline form, leaping onto the bed and curling up, sighing softly.
"Can't even remember the last time I slept..."

@Draco
He trots back a little before throwing it to Jed again.
"Oh yeah...There were some undead things, I think. It happened kinda near here...probably why he wanted me to protect this place or something. He seems to know them two over there."

(Aggron)

Instead of getting angry, Ana just smiled patronisingly down at Pythia. 'Look, I really don't care about your religion or what you think of Sargon. You're unworthy to be part of his army anyway, you weak little water magic weaver. All I'm saying is: if you interfere with Count Sargon's plans, you will end up paying the price.'

Throughout her speech, she heard Magnus insulting her in the background, but chose to ignore him. Her orders were to talk to Pythia, and that was her top priority.

{Jerry nods.}"Of course. However, if we run into trouble, I'm afraid you'll have to deal with them yourself, as I am still bound by Brink's contract."

After leaving Morty's cell, Sargon went up to his own room on the top floor of the building. He intended to wait for Anastasia to finish her task and return to him, and then they could start searching among his army for Brink's targets.

{Vitis looks down at Crowley with disgust.}"That's another thing; You're so dam.n needy for respect and attention, that you're threatening everyone over every little jab at your pride. Why do you even care what I, or anyone else thinks of you?"

(Aggron)

Armin nodded. 'I think I can manage that.' Behind them, Ivy looked up eagerly.

'I can help, too!' she said, and pulled a knife out of her pocket for emphasis.

'No way,' said Armin, looking down at her with a surprised expression. 'You'd die.'

'I wouldn't die! What kind of helpless damsel-in-distress do you take me for?!'

'I don't. But you'd still die, because you're a human and you can't fight.'

'I can't fight?' Ivy repeated. She raised her blade threateningly. 'Want to test that theory, little vampire?'

(I plan to throw some random bad guys at them in a minute.)

(Aggron)

Crowley rolled onto his back so he could look up at Vitis, too disorientated to stand up. 'I'm not needy. I've known people who are WAY more needy than I am. Sounds like you're having second thoughts about hanging out with me, snake boy.'

{Dianne chuckles a bit at Ana's speech.}"I knew it. Sargon doesn't want to lead nonhumans into a new age of peace and prosperity, free from the oppression of humanity..."
Magnus:"Hey, now that's just hurtful..."
Dianne:"He just wants to use us for his own selfish desires. Same sh!t it's always been...."
{Pythia was too offended by Ana to utter even a coherent sentence in opposition.}

( @King I wanna do the Illusionist summoning DB soon. Would that be ok?)

(Aggron)

Looking pleased by the reaction she'd caused, Anastasia turned her back on Pythia and peered down at Dianne instead. 'So, I take it YOU don't like my master, either? You should give him a chance. He's a truly great person and whatever you say, I KNOW he wants to make our race powerful again!'

{Jerry gets in between Armin and Ivy.}"Hey! Cool it, both of you! Ivy, all Armin's saying is that you're not trained to deal with non human assailants. You'd just be at a severe disadvantage in a fight, that's all. But that's no reason to pull a knife on people!"

{Vitis scrunches up his face.}"Well, I really was having fun until you threw that bottle at my head. I think we can still be friends. Despite your rude personality, you're still the coolest person I've met in a while."

( @Aggron yeah that's okay!!)

(Aggron)

Ivy's temper subsided, and she slowly lowered her knife while scowling at Armin around Jeremiah. 'Don't tell me what to do,' she hissed. 'I'm not stupid. I know I'd be at a disadvantage, but I'll fight anyway. I'm sick of doing nothing here.'

Almost before she'd finished speaking, there came an ear-splitting howl from about two streets away. The howl of a fully transformed werewolf.

"Yeah." Thorn agreed thoughtfully. "Was he, like... married to Emilia or something?"

Jed leapt up to catch the fish, but missed, the fish landed on a high cupboard.

(Aggron)

'Ooh, really?' Crowley heaved himself to his feet, staggering dangerously. 'You're right about THAT! I'm like the coolest person in this entire city and you're the only person I've ever met who's even CLOSE to my level of coolness.'

{Dianne looks up at Ana without fear.}"What can I say, anyone who claims to have our best interests in mind shouldn't be so alienating and dismissive of the more peaceful members of our race."
Magnus:"Yeah, especially when your race has a reputation for acting like wild animals instead of people. He should be a bit more sympathetic towards the more civilized individuals instead of openly threatening."
Dianne:"To make a long story short, I'm not a fan of bloodthirsty demagogues. I will give him but one chance to prove that he is not one. So far, things aren't looking to be in his favor."

(Aggron)

Ana lowered her head so she could look Dianne straight in the eyes. 'Oh, so you believe Count Sargon isn't kind to all of his people? That he behaves disrespectfully towards what you call 'peaceful' individuals? Well let me tell you, he values everyone's opinions, more than you could ever know! If Sargon was nothing but a bloodthirsty tyrant, he'd have ordered me to kill this little weed here, not just warn her.'

{Jerry goes completely still upon hearing the werewolf. Looking directly at Ivy, he softly whispers to her.}"Act natural. Don't give them a reason to suspect us of anything." {With that, he turns to face the new arrival.}

{Vitis nods.}"True enough. So, we cool?"

{Somewhere, hidden in the city, there is the figure of a man kneeling over a summoning circle. The man takes a knife, cuts his thumb, and draws the symbol of Dark Brink in the center.}"Here, kitty kitty. I have a deal to propose."

(Aggron)

Ivy scowled at him, but obeyed. As the sound of the werewolf's pawsteps grew louder and louder, she tightened her grip on her knife and tried her best to look normal. //What does he expect? How is anyone supposed to look 'natural' while a hideous huge monster is running towards them?!//

Beside them, Armin looked less tense, mostly because he knew that, as a vampire, he was less likely to be attacked.

Suddenly, the werewolf burst out from between two buildings and drew to a halt a few feet from them, a suspicious snarl twisting its muzzle. It eyed Ivy and Jeremiah, who smelled like werewolves but didn't look like them.

(Aggron)

Crowley grinned crookedly. 'Suuuure, we're cool.' With that, he swayed and collapsed, the alcohol finally rendering him unconscious.

{Dianne just stares right back into Ana's eyes.}"Normally, I'd agree. However, it is not appropriate to threaten someone who has taken a Vow of No Harm with death, when you know that they could never harm another living being. Furthermore, if he really valued her opinion, he'd be here in person to reassure her and everyone who isn't apart of his army that what he's done really is in our best interests, instead of hiding in his tower and sending his //lapdog// to do it for him."

{Jerry looks right at the werewolf. He changes his speech pattern to avoid being recognized.}"Oi, what are ya lookin' at eh? Don't ya have a patrol route ta follow?"

(Aggron)

Ana blinked in surprise. 'You think Count Sargon has the time to speak to people like her personally? He's VERY busy and can't leave his tower often! That's why he has me to help him.' Her jaws split into a wide smile. 'And I am NOT his lapdog. I am his assistant, his Right Hand, and nobody is more valued by him then me.'

{Vitis just smiles and sits on the floor next to Crowley. Picking up a bottle, he sings a line from a song softly.}"Yes, I can tell that we are gonna be friends.......Heheheh."

(Aggron)

The werewolf stood on its hind legs, assuming a bipedal stance, and stepped closer to them. 'Mind ya own business! This is my area!' he snapped back. Then he cocked his head to one side, sniffing the air suspiciously. 'You don't look right. Are you some sort of hybrid? Were your parents a werewolf and a human?'

He laughed at this, because in the werewolves' society, those with mixed species parents are often seen as weaker than pure werewolves.

{Dianne smiles at Ana.}"Really? So, he doesn't think it's important to personally quell the fears of those uninvolved? Fears that may develop into rebellion? Doesn't sound like a good plan to me, sweetheart. He should know as well as anyone, even one nonhuman working against him can be a major inconvenience. And don't think you're so important to him. He's using you for your power, nothing more. I wouldn't be surprised if he throws you under the bus to save his own skin later on."

(Aggron)

Ana let out a small shriek of anger. 'How dare you? My master DOES value me! I've been by his side for over a decade, and I stayed with him even after that bastard Armin betrayed him! Don't you dare suggest that my bond with him is meaningless.'

{Jerry, gives an offended look to the werewolf.}"Ay, 'ose not mindin' their own business now? Never you mind my lineage! Sargon said I was perfect the way I is, and that I'm more than worthy to fight fo' this cause!"

(Aggron)

The werewolf just snorted with mirth and turned to eye up Ivy instead. 'An' what about this girl? She a hybrid too? We don't much like hybrids around here, miss. Never good luck when there's one around.'

Ivy glared at him. 'I'm not a hybrid!'

'Ya must be,' the werewolf said, shrugging. 'Ain't ever seen a real werewolf with hair or eyes your colour.' And it was true, because nearly all pure werewolves have dark hair and yellow or orange eyes. 'Or... maybe you two ain't werewolves at all?' he wondered.

@Draco
"'t's what I gathered. Didn't seem to know her though, and he's never mentioned her to us."
Keenan shrugs.
"Guess it wasn't too important."
Whining softly, Toby walks to Keenan and Thorn, looking up at them then to the high cupboard.

@Aggron
The dark spirit soon appears, assuming it's spectral form and floating ominously around the man.
//Well well, I've been called many names, my friend, but certainly nothing as...tame as that. Though if you wish for a deal, I'll overlook that...slip up.//

{Dianne grins at this.}"Bond? Who said anything about a bond? Oh, my dear, you two aren't //together// are you?"

(Aggron)

Ana opened and closed her mouth a few times before managing to answer. 'Of course we're not!' she spat, looking embarrassed. 'When did I say anything like that? He's my boss and I respect him greatly, that's all.'

{Jerry was internally cursing when Ivy said she wasn't a hybrid. Grabbing her by the arm, he begins to yank her away.}"C'mon baby, we don't need this jive from a...an upstuck, purebreed! Keep yer crummy area!" {Jerry starts pulling Ivy away and swatting in the werewolf's direction, praying that Ivy will play along.}

{The man just stared at DB joylessly.}"Sorry. I've just been on hard times, that's all. Trying to cheer myself up with some mirth. As for my deal, I want this. I'm willing to pay any price." {The man gives Brink an old sketch of The End, torn out of an ancient bestiary.}"Give me full command of this for a day, and I will do anything you wish."

(Aggron)

Maybe realising that she'd messed up, Ivy contented herself with glaring at the werewolf while Jerry dragged her away, hoping he'd think she was so offended by the hybrid remark that she couldn't say anything more.

Armin went with them. Unfortunately, so did the werewolf. 'I'm interested in you guys,' he growled. 'I reckon you've made yerselves smell like werewolves somehow... but you're really not. We've found a couple o' other humans who tried to do that.'

{Magnus starts howling howling with laughter.}"OH MY GOD DIANNE!! She LOVES that old fart!? Ahahahahah! He's like a million years old! What's the saying, it only gets better with age? Ahahahahaha!"
{Of course, Magnus assumes no one can hear him, so he doesn't hold back. Dianne, however, just gets annoyed, but does her best not to show it.}
Dianne:"Yeah, your face doesn't lie. Even if you're not together, you clearly have feelings for him."

(Aggron)

Ana gasped at what Magnus was saying, so shocked by the insults that she didn't even hear Dianne. She curled her lip back in a vicious snarl. 'You dare talk that way about him? He is NOT a million years old! And I happen to think he looks fine, no matter his age!' She was so intent on defending Sargon that she didn't notice she'd just unintentionally complimented his appearance.

(Hey, I'm going back on my DS now, so I'll be slower. I think I'll probably have to go completely in less than an hour, just a heads-up.)

{Jerry didn't stop, though he knew that the werewolf was spot on. He decided to try one last time to bluff his way out before a fight could break out.}"Oh, shut up, ya jerk! It's bad enough we gotta live in this society with everyone givin' us shet, for what we are. Just let us do our jobs and you do yers!"

( @Radiant ok, let us know.)

(Aggron)

At first, the werewolf almost looked convinced, but then something happened that ruined everything. He looked at Armin for the first time, and recognition flashed over his face.

'...Hey! HEY! You're that guy who used to be Sargon's assistant or somethin'! You betrayed him!' The werewolf glanced back at Jerry and Ivy, his muzzle creasing in a snarl of new hostility. 'You guys are in league with him!'

Without another word, he gathered his strength and leapt towards Ivy, who was standing a little closer than Jeremiah. She shrieked and lifted her knife, trying to back away.

{Dianne's smile drops and Magnus stops laughing abruptly.}
Magnus:"She can hear me........oops...."
{Dianne didn't address Magnus, but tried to act like she couldn't hear him either.}
Dianne:"I'm sorry, what? When did I comment on his age?""

(Aggron)

'Don't play stupid,' Ana growled. 'I know you and that spirit are working together. I knew from the moment I first heard him. I have the power to summon and control spirits, you see... and I can sense the magic connecting him to you as clear as day.' She suddenly grinned; it wasn't a nice grin.

{Acting quickly, Jerry shoves Ivy out of the way and takes the werewolf head on. The pounce knocks him onto the ground, but Jerry puts his forearms against the werewolf's neck, keeping its jaws away from his face.}

@Aggron
//Now, that is quite an offer...What are you willing to do for me, Illusionist? I'm sure you know that a large price is tagged onto the End.//
Dark Brink muses as it curls it's tail around his chin, it's curved grin twirling inwards.

(Aggron)

Ivy yelped and stumbled sideways, nearly falling, while the werewolf snarled furiously as he tried to get his teeth into his victim's throat.

Armin then stepped into the fight, grabbing the werewolf by the fur on the back of his neck and dragging him off Jerry. The monster ripped himself free from his grip and pounced at him instead, but Armin knocked him back with a sweep of his sword. The blade barely cut through the werewolf's coarse pelt.

'You two should get out of here,' he said tensely, as he stepped in between them and the monster.

Thorn looked down at Toby, then up at the cupboard. "Poor doggy," she said in an amused way, then stood up and went to get the fish back. Jed backed off so he wouldn't be in the way.

{Dianne's expression turns dark and threatening.}"Is that so? And your point?"

{The man just replies simply.}"I will do anything. Tell me whatever you want done, and I will do it, no matter how great or terrible. I must avenge what has been taken from me."

{Jerry quickly gets Ivy to her feet and runs with her.}"Are you any good with a firearm?"

(Aggron)

'Point? I don't have any point,' said Ana in a singsong voice. 'I was just making a statement... It's quite nice to meet someone else with a power similar to mine.' She grinned again, then hesitated and looked over her shoulder, in the direction of Sargon's base. 'Oh dear, I think I should be heading back by now.'

(Aggron)

'I've never used one! Where do you think I grew up, in the army?!' Ivy yelled back as she ran. 'But I can try - it can't be that hard!'

The werewolf growled and tried to give chase, but Armin beat him back with his sword. At that point, the creature began to get frustrated and turned his full attention to the vampire, leaping towards him while snarling horrible curses. Armin managed to wound him in the foreleg, but in return he took a vicious claw slash to his left arm, which started to bleed heavily.

{Magnus wasn't quite done.}"Yeah, go home to that old man, remind him that he needs to take his psycho pills."
Dianne:"That's enough, Magnus. Woman, you know what I am, yes?"

{Jerry then reaches into his coat and pulls out a knife.}"It was just a question. Here, take this knife. It's silver. I can't hurt anyone until Brink brings me that list. If that werewolf catches up, you'll have to kill it."

(Aggron)

Ana was already spreading her wings in preparation to take flight, but at Dianne's voice she paused and looked back at her with an annoyed expression. 'Yes, I do. You're a necromancer - or maybe a dark witch. It's hard to tell, but I do know you wield dark magic.'

@Aggron
//Ah, another revenge story. I must say, I see great potential in you. Though I believe that I'm running out of people for you to kill...What a predicament. And a shame too, my little End hasn't stretched it's legs in such a long time, it's beginning to get a little restless...//
It ponders for a moment.
//Hm...Quite the predicament indeed.//

(Aggron)

Ivy looked at the blade uncertainly for a moment, then her eyes hardened and she nodded. 'I won't let it get near us,' she promised.

Back in the street they'd left, Armin was doing everything he could do stop the werewolf from chasing after them. //They won't stand a chance if he does,// he thought grimly.

Armin pressed his attack, forcing the creature backwards until he was cornered against the wall of a building. But try as he might, he couldn't get close enough to slash the werewolf's throat and end the battle.

@Draco
Toby follows Thorn, jumping up and tail wagging in excitement.
Laughing lightly at his behaviour, the lion shifter curls up in a more comfortable position.

{Dianne's expression doesn't change.}"Then you know what I can do. I'm more than happy to stay out of Sargon's business, but don't provoke me. Keep my secret, and you can keep your little cabal, and Sargon doesn't have to know how you really feel about him. Agreed?"

(Aggron)

Ana considered the preposition, then smiled and nodded. 'It's a deal. I'll leave you alone and I won't tell anyone that you're secretly practising the most evil kinds of magic.' With that, she turned around, gave Pythia one last threatening grin, then leapt up into the sky with a powerful wingbeat.

(Heyyo, I'm gonna head off now,)

( @King) {The man doesn't react much}"Then let me prove my worth. Surely there is some task you have that is far beyond the capabilities or moral judgement of those others under your command."

(Bye, @Draco!)

(Draco - Byeeeee)

(Agh, my DS just died, and my mum's pestering me to go to sleep since it's late XD
See you next time guys! ;w;)

{Jerry keeps running with Ivy, trying to get out of the city as fast as possible.}"Not much further now!"

(Hey, I think I'm gonna get going now, since as my wifi will probably be off soon. I might be able to sneak in one last reply, but otherwise, I'm heading off.)

{After Ana left, Pythia finally finds her words.}"So, were the bodies for you or her?"
Dianne:"Her. I will have no part in this madness."
Pythia:"I must say, I am disappointed to learn that you too have no respect for the dead, after you stood up for me against that madman. "
Dianne:"I'm not proud of what I can do. It was all just a mistake I made when I was young. Young and stupid...."

( @Radiant Ok. I'll keep an eye out for it and head off myself. @King Bye!)

(King - See you next time!)

(Aggron)

'I hope so...' Ivy muttered, but didn't say anything else, saving her breath for running. She spotted the city gates up ahead, clearly visible but still some distance away.

The werewolf growled and struck out with a clawed paw, forcing his opponent to duck back and block the slash with his sword. But as he did so, the werewolf lashed out with his other paw, too fast to dodge, leaving a deep wound in the vampire's leg.

Armin grunted in pain and staggered back. Taking advantage of his loss of balance, the werewolf nonchalently kicked him aside and then took off running in the direction Jerry and Ivy had gone, his long strides quickly closing the gap between them.

(Aggron - Alright, that was my last reply and I'll be heading off now. This was fun! See you!)

( @Radiant Bye!)

re;
nahhh
they're just otters

Re: Lol! I thought so too! XD