I know it's later than I'd normally post this (and the wrong day), but I thought I'd put this up anyway!
We can also continue a little through the week if anyone wants.

YeehAw
I think it's my turn?

I think so! I checked the last room and it looks like Xeno replied to you last--
My band are derping around searching for Pyre. XD

(Yes)

Althea/Den/Dianne
@Xeno

Down at the end of the Alley was a fairly good sized portal. It looked dark and ominous and most of all, it was the one making all those grotesque hissing noises.

Althea stood defensively inching cautiously towards it while Den nervously watched from behind.
Curiously Althea jabbed her staff at it. A large pull could be felt from the other end. The strength was so immense that she had to let go, loose her weapon.

She cursed and rubbed her chin thinking. "What kind of god damm ploy is this?" She wondered standing by. She couldn't just leave now, that staff was something of almost irreplaceable value besides the portal was going anywhere, they're was just probably some stupid wizard or crow dragon at the other end waiting for an unsuspected fool to stumble in so they could be mugged good.

(I'll write a quick thing while I'm here)

Loch and Stal wandered around East Caelum for some time, but found no sign of Pyre, nor did anyone they spoke to know where he was. 'It's worrying,' Loch muttered as they walked down a back street. 'I mean, Pyre stands out a LOT. The fact that nobody's seen him...'

'We'll find him,' said Stal gruffly.

After that, they just continued to walk. The backstreets were empty, and slick with rain puddles. They were exploring an alleyway behind The Serpent's Tomb when something happened.

'...Hey,' said Loch abruptly, putting a hand on Stal's shoulder. 'What was that noise?'

'What?'

'A hissing noise. Like television static.'

(Portal: *eats Althea's staff*)

Eu/Stella
@Xeno
"I mean what I say! There's not a sign of them... nor of the couch...." Euterpe said as she stepped in carefully to examine their surroundings.
"This is not like them. Well it's like Marco but he's a dumb dog who doesn't know when he's got it good."

(Althea: dO YOU KNOW HOW EXPENSIVE THAT PIECE OF WOOD IS GET OVER HERE PUNK)

{Dianne peeked into the alleyway from behind Althea. Her eyes widen when she sees the portal.}

Dianne: "Woah..."

@Alk

@Alk

{Stella looks around, completely puzzled at the disappearance of the boy, the dog, and the couch.}

Stella: "What the hell?! Where's the damn couch?"

{Groaning in frustration, she walks to the door.}

Dianne: "BUFO! Come up here!"

(*two actual people have disappeared without explanation*
Stella: I only care for the whereabouts of the couch)

@Xeno

Without saying much else Althea charges into the portal with a side thrust kick.
Den was almost going to do the same but the portal gave him a bad feeling. So he just continued to stand there.

@Xeno
"Is that the only thing you care about right now? The COUCH?" Said Euterpe.

As Loch and Stal rounded a corner, they froze. A strange, purple-black portal stood at the end of the alley, looking very out of place among the rubbish and wandering rats.

'Uhm,' said Loch. 'That's a portal. Who created that? ...Hey! You don't think Pyre went through this, do you?' Her tone was rapidly becoming panicked.

'You can't just assume that--'

'Come on, Stal! You know how curious he is! If he found this, he /would/ go in! I've got to follow him!'

Dead-set on her idea that Pyre had gone through the portal, Loch dived inside without hesitation. Now, Stal didn't /want/ to accompany her. But as he lunged forwards with the intention of grabbing her coat in his teeth, the strange gravitational pull of the vortex dragged him in, and he followed her with a howl of fright.

(Oops, I mislabeled Stella as Dianne. XD)

(I figured that was an error. XD)

@Alk

{Dianne watched with concern as Althea dived through the portal.}

Dianne: "Hey, that's probably not a good idea...."

@Alk

{Stella sighs, turning to Euterpe.}

Stella: "Euterpe, it takes a lot to move a couch. Maybe Bufo saw them leave?"

@Xeno

Den turns his head spotting Dianne. "It's too late she already went in there! I don't know what this thing is but it looks wrong.."

@Xeno

Euterpe bites her lip. "Oh that true... Hey maybe we should call Dianne too. Mayve she knows something."

(I think Loch and Stal will come out in Beyond close to where Shep and Marco are, since the portals were quite close together.)

(Oooo I should probably write about that, I'm imagining Shepherd waking up on the couch in a hell scape like 'tf'?)

(Was he asleep on the couch and then the portal appeared and sucked them both in? XD
I love that so much)

(Yep x'D )

(Just a heads up, I might disappear for a while. Busy day today.)

@Alk

{Dianne cautiously approaches the portal.}

Dianne: "Call to her. If the portal's still open, she might be able to walk right out."

(RIP couch, it didn't ask for this)

(I'll probably wait until you write something with Shep/Marco before I continue with Loch/Stal.)

( @Xeno - Okie!)

@Alk

{Stella looks to the bouncer Bufo as he enters.}

Stella: "Bufo, did you see anyone leave with the couch? Or the boy and his dog?"

Bufo: "No, m'am. No one's been in or out all day."

@Rad
Shepherd awoke with jolt. Marco was barking and it seemed as if he wasn't in the small break room anymore.

Spread out for miles was a desolate landscape. Dark empty and with a deep read sky.

Marco continued to back at something in the distance while Shepherd got up trying to figure out what on earth had happened since he slept. At least he had a comfort couch.

@Xeno

Euterpe snorted. "What!? How can that be, it's not like they could vanish in thin air.. or could they...?"

@Xeno

"Althea come back we'll find you a new stick!" Called Den but there was no response other than the sound of hissing.

@Alk

Loch fell forwards as the portal spat her out, and Stal came crashing down on top of her.

'Oww, get the hell off me...' she mumbled, shoving the disorientated Bone Dragon away. She stood up, eyes frantically scanning the bizarre landscape that surrounded them. Dark mountains and empty plains. Why weren't there any people?

Beside her, the blue glow from Stal's eyes and chest orb was the only light that wasn't tinted red.

'Where are we?' he growled, swinging his head from side to side. 'It smells like dead ashes.'

'I don't know.'

Before they could say any more, they were interrupted by the sound of a dog barking somewhere nearby. Stal's eyes widened as he recognised the bark. 'Hey, that's the stupid dog who belongs to that kid!' he exclaimed, not remembering either Marco or Shepherd's names. 'Maybe they've got something to do with this.'

This time, it was Loch helplessly following as Stal stormed off in the direction of Marco's barks.

(I'm probably gonna head off soon, but I'll continue to reply through the week if you guys decide to.)

(Alrighty!)

@Alk

{Dianne approached the portal cautiously.}

Dianne: "Who opened this thing? Portals don't just show up randomly!"

...

{Stella begins to look concerned.}

Stella: "You know what, I'm going to call Dianne..."

{She dials Diannes number. Dianne picks up seconds later.}

Dianne: "Hello, Stella?"

Stella: "Hey, Dianne?" We can't find the kid or his dog. Are they with you?"

{Dianne stops in shock. Could they have stumbled across one of these portals too?}

Dianne: "I-uh...No, they're not."

Stella: "So, where could they be? They're not upstairs..."

Dianne: "Stella, I'm going to have to call you back. I'm looking right at some kind of portal here....I'll be over as soon as I c-Aah!"

{All at once, the portal's suction got stronger and pulled Dianne in.}

Stella: "Dianne? What do you mean, a portal? Dianne!?"

(I'll reply a bit later when I have my pc open sorry for being soslow hdgg gn gd)

(Pyre's just sitting in a cave somewhere with a massive scorpion trying to get in. :') RIP)

(NO PYRE WE HAVE TO SAVE HIM)

(We will
someday)

(I imagine Stal's gonna get angry with Shep and Marco
And while he's yelling at them, Loch runs off and finds Pyre's cave. XD)

(That'll work x'D)
@Xeno

Euterpe unsure of what to say stood there frozen as she watched Stella's conversation. Her heart almost stopped, something told her that their conversation meant bad news. "So,, what now? Does Dianne have them?" She said slowly, choking one her words every now and then.

----

When the portal consumned it's final victim Den shriek. His eyes broaden, his breathing became heavy as his posture turned hostile. Out of fear and rage he shot some purple fire out at the hissing abyss that stood before him but the portal close as soon as he made a shot.
"NO." He shouted in vain as he scurried up to were the vortex lay."Where?!? I don't,,oh dear, oh dear I dear. " Snorted Den as he stomped around the area like a wild donkey in distress.

----
Althea had made a less than pleasant landing. There was ofcourse nothing if front of her causing her kick to be in vain. Not expecting such an abrupt arrival she tumble forward. She landed in the most unnatural position for most, though this was a quite normal for her.

Get up she brushed the dirt off her clothes and knees and proceeded to immediatly grab her staff. "There you are!" Said Althea who grabbed and hugged the staff tightly before realizing the hellsape that she had stepped into.

@Rad

Shepherd could really see what was ahead nor figure out what on earth Marco was barking at. The dog however took it upon himself to pursue the /thing/ out in the distance.
It turned out that the dog was barking at Stal and Loch and was barreling down as fast as a dog does when it sees something it wants.
Marco lunge at Stal's ankle which he proceeded to sink his teeth into. The dog's thoughts were as follows. 'Strange monSter made of Bones, I like bones, bones are tasty. I must investigate this.'
Not very bright, Marco was a dog afterall, a dog born with a brain the size as a peanut and as deflated as a balloon.
Shepherd raised his hands in disbelief at almost ALL of it. "Marco get back here!" He shouted as he warily minded his surroundings. This place felt wrong and brought to him bad thoughts.

(I love Marco. XD)

(Althea: *Hugs staff tightly* MY BABY)

( I wonder what a dog bite feels to a bone dragon? x'D )

@Alk

{When the portal closed, the phone signal was lost. Stella didn't answer, internally panicking. She slowly turns to Euterpe.}

Stella: "I-I don't know...I think...I think they're in trouble..."

Dolorus: //Oh dear, oh dear....A portal, she said...This may be problematic...//

...

{As soon as Althea made the realization, Dianne came tumbling down like she did, landing on Althea heavily, yelling and cussing the whole time.}

(Just a note, Dianne's human form, despite looking ordinary, is very heavy, so it might not be a comfortable impact for Althea.)

(Good things elves are basically noodles x'D
oh no RIP Althea x'D )

@Xeno

"Well that's not helpful, what do we do now? You know this city more than I do." Mumbled Euterpe trying to process it all.
----
Althea's reunion with her staff was cut short. When Dianne slammed into Althea the elf grunted loudly out of shock and pain. "OOF, WHAT THE HELL DONNY" She yelled her voice sounding as crushed as the weight on her. "AND HOW ARE YOU SO HEAVY? That's it no more sweet-" She stopped her sentence short, it was not her partner who was on her but a woman.

( Should probably write something for Den soon lemme think on that)

(I'm not gonna try and reply until I can get on the computer, but I'm having a lot of fun reading all of this. XD)

@Alk

{Stella sits down, quietly panicking. She offers no reply to Euterpe.}

Dolorus: //I told you I heard hissing. I heard it over the phone too. I think...That poor boy got sucked through as well...//

......

{Dianne quickly picked herself up off of Althea.}

Dianne: "I'm not Donny! And did you just call me fat?!"

(OHNO ALTHEA RUN X'DDDD
That's hilarious oml )

@Alk

Stal's only warning was a tirade of frantic barks before something small drove its teeth into his leg. It didn't hurt much, his pain tolerance being very high, but he /was/ aware of it.

He bristled like an angry cat and opened his jaws, grabbing Marco by the neck and throwing the dog aside. 'I'll burn you alive if you try that again, you rat!' he roared.

As he said this, he heard a voice shouting in the distance. That sounded vaguely familiar, too. Ignoring Marco, Stal strode purposefully across the plain until he found Shepherd, standing next to... a couch? Stal had no time to contemplate the oddness of this, nor did he want to.

With a growl, the Bone Dragon lunged at Shepherd, knocking him to the ground and setting a heavy paw on his chest so he couldn't get up. 'Where are we?! Why are you here?! Do you have something to do with this?!' he growled.

(RIP Shepherd x'D)

@Xeno
Euterpe sitts down and begins to think. "Is there anyone in this city who would know what's going on? Are kiddnapings common here? Are there gnomes as well?"

@Xeno
Althea lept back away from Dianne as soon as she got off. "I" She said almost choking but then a mischeiveous smile crept up her face. "Maybe, who are you? You're weight is obviously not normal for a person your size." She said clenching her ribs, while keeping a good distance between herself and the strange woman. //She could have set off this weird magic, this woman is obviously not human...//

@Rad
When the bone dragon approached Shepherd stumbled back before unexpectedly falling victim to getting pinned. "C a n 't b R E A T H" He weezed not knowing why this creature attacked him nor even knowing who he was.

Marco after getting chucked across the ashy plain, got up as if nothing happened and proceeded to ignore the fact that his master had just been assaulted. The dog then made his next move on Loch, latching on to her ankle as she was the closest thing in proximity and ofcourse to him, an immediate threat.

(Every dragon is just going to hate this damn dog aren't they? x'D )

(Also can confirm some dogs act as if the thing they just did didn't happen x'D
They'll look like they were naughty at first but obvlivious dumb dogs just go right back whatever it is they want lol.
Yukon likes to snatch food then yeet off in the other direction while we chase him x'D )

@Alk

'Stal! Get off that kid!' Loch's voice yelled out from further across the plain. Before she could say any more, she was interrupted by Marco grabbing her ankle. Though wincing slightly, she decided to try and make peace with the dog rather than tossing him away like Stal had done.

'Hey, boy, don't do that,' she said reprovingly, reaching down to tug Marco off of her.

----

Stal stared at Shepherd in confusion for a moment, then blinked. 'Oh. Right. Sorry.' He lifted his paw and stepped back, allowing the boy to move. 'Urgh. I just don't know why we're here.'

(They are like small annoying children)

@Rad
The dog growled playfully and resisted as he pulled back almost bounce like. His ears were back his eyes were wide, the dog hust looked all around crazy, and stupid.
Marco liked this person better, she didn't pick him up and toss him like the bone man. What fun! Though Stal was made out of bones and Marco did like those, but this person was INFINITELY more fun.

Shepherd got up a little wobbly. The wind had been knocked out of him so he stood there until the pain ceased. "I don't know, I woke up this morning like this." He said as he clench his stomach. "Do I know you?" He said squinting at the bone dragon.

(They need discipline, family likes to spoil dogs all the time so they get bad habbits. Like breathing over you while you eat food.)

@Rad

A large ruckus could be heard from the streets as Denarius ran through the marketplace. The dragon looked around corners behind stands anywhere where he heard of sudden disappearances by people around the city. He couldn't report his, no. That would endanger his friend, and besides how was he to know that the law could be trusted?

@Alk

Loch petted Marco's head and stroked his ears, before straightening up and beginning to walk over to where Stal was. But something else caught her attention; a flash of glossy blackness darting behind a mountainside on the edge of the plain. Without waiting for Stal, she turned and ran off to investigate. //What was that? Looked kinda like a giant bug.//

----

'...Maybe, I dunno,' said Stal unhelpfully. 'You work at the Serpent's Tomb, right? That place my band have performed at? So you might have seen me. My name's Stal.' He lifted his head and gazed around, forgetting about Loch and Marco. 'Where's your weird feathery dragon friend? Isn't she here too?'

@Alk

Mason was walking down a street when he heard someone yelling about a 'small, fluffy winged donkey'. Frowning, the man looked around until he spotted the source of their curiosity; it was the young dragon he'd spoken to earlier that morning.

'Is everything alright?' he called out to Den, trying to catch the youngster's attention. 'You look like you've lost something.' He couldn't help but notice the red-haired girl was nowhere to be seen. Had she abandoned him somewhere?

{Dianne frowned at the response.}

Dianne: "My name is Dianne. I'm the owner of The Serpent's Tomb back in Caelum. And never you mind, my weight! And exactly who are you? Did you open that portal?"

@Alk

@Alk

{Stella wasn't sure what to make of everything that was happening. Finally finding the will to speak, she turns to Euterpe.}

Stella: "Euterpe...I think Dianne and Shepherd...and the couch...got sucked through magic portals...