Thrown Into The Snow

Aethr sighed, taking a swig from a second bottle of booze. Why did it always have to be bards?

Aethr looked at him, then said, "Look. I feel like I went through the back end of a dragon, I have woken up in a strange place without a women, and I am fairly certain I did not fall asleep in a field. Now, if you can't tell me why the fuck I'm here, then shut up and find me something to eat."

There was once a time when the elven race used etiquette,” commented Vrokos to the alcoholic elf, “Have we forgotten that since my departure?”

He then turned back to the rest of the group.

“Vrokos of Bellini,” he said with a sigh. The people who had actually paid attention to any of his former talk looked at him quizzically for a moment, “The Last of the Great Vampires.”

If tears could form in his eyes they would have at this moment. The last of his title brought him great pain… To be the last of something, to have lost everything of your own. It was horrendous.

“Subtle.”

“It also came to my attention through the ever information lass,” he glanced at the wolf-tailed girl, “That you are a pyromancer. How are your kin? I once was great friends with a pyromancer in my younger vampiric years… His name was Antobious.. He defended an entire town from an invading militia with a campfire and an iron blade. He also died twelve days after attempting the same, not knowing there was to be rain.”

“Again… Subtle.”

“It isn’t like I know anyone alive, love.”

The words the man that had disarmed him rung in Sorrow's mind. After a while he realised he was right and that he had acted hastily though it appeared the elf with the gun was doing much the same. Walking over and picking up with knife he then sheathed in before returning calmly to the group standing just behind what turned out to be the last of the vampires.

This was a pleasant surprise. Sorrow had travelled with a vampire for many years who had been like this one but that had been so long ago it barely remembered it. More recently they had always been violent and psycotic and had just had to be killed.

As he drew near the group had all braced themselves just in case he attacked them but they had no need to worry...for now.

"I should apologise for that" He said "After spending 250 years with nothing but wild animals for company I guess I became more of one than I thought"

Since they all seemed to be doing introductions he decided he might as well.

"My real name is of no importance" he thought back for a moment thinking of what others had called him "But most people seem to give me the name Sorrow due to this"

He tapped gently on the tear drop below his eye. He then reached down and pull out a metal container. Unscrewing the lid he went to take a drink only to discover it was empty. He sighed before returning it to his bag.

"So could someone tell me why I have to put up with the company of people again?"

The dwarf clambered out from his hiding spot, still sore from being punched across the clearing, and approached the group "Sorry about big fella but it seemed like a good idea to turn your attentiom away from killing the only people who know where i am, and thank you vampire for saving me from one hell of a beating." he said setting his affairs straight before continuing.

"Im Sparky by name and sparky by nature" clicking the flint n tinder in his gloves for emphasis "and i'd also quite like to know what the hecks going on"

Cassuner nearly shat himself when the elf started shooting, but luckily the situation quickly resolved itself. Turning, he saw that Bianca's tail was thoroughly frazzled. He had to laugh.

"Well," Cassuner said, facing the vampire,"I'm sure you know that the Gift of Fire only passes to the eldest son, and that the mother always dies in childbirth. I never knew my grandfather, and like all pyromancers born of an Orthodox father, I have no siblings." He paused for a second. "Father was all I had, and he died when I was very young."

"What about me?!" Bianca demanded.

"Hush," Cassuner said, glancing at his daughter, who was still sitting by that damn bard, "we can all see that you're fine." Bianca made a 'hmph' sound, and crossed her arms.

He paused again, stretching out the kinks in his spine as he looked back to the vampire. "Antobious is an old name. I won't ask your age, Vrokos, but it must be incredibly advanced. I'd love to hear your story sometime."

"Oooooold," called the she-wolf, rocking back and forth.

One after the other, the quarrelsome giant and the dwarf came forward with their own introductions. Bianca leapt up and hugged them both in turn, though her size was grossly unproportionate to both tasks. "Look how little he is!" she blurted after 'greeting' the dwarf, "I had to have him!"

"Well, there's one mystery solved."

Glancing around, Cassuner saw that only the neko was still asleep. Nekos... fat chance he'd be waking up anytime soon. Bianca'd probably thought he was her cousin or something.

"Alright," Cassuner sighed, "I know I've got some explaining to do."

"Oh! Oh! Let me!" Bianca fairly shouted, bouncing over to his side. "Sure," Cassuner said. The strangers seemed to had taken far more of a shine to her than to him.

"See, it's like this," she growled, smiling in an intense manner as her tail violently slapped back and forth, hitting Cassuner rather painfully in the arm.

"We've come for your souls!"

The pyromancer facepalmed.

"What she MEANS to say," Cassuner grumbled, pulling her behind him, "is that we require individuals bearing a certain strength of spirit. For our needs, one man of high quality is preferable to a million average men."

"Tell 'em why, pops!" Bianca chimed in, smiling over her father's shoulders.

"Because," Cassuner said, his tone turning grave, "The world is coming to an end."

Folding his hands, he closed his eyes and waited for the skeptical laughter to come raining down. Bianca just leaned on his shoulder, giggling like an idiot with a pony.

"Well always nice to know these things before they happen eh? Though i must ask, why would you mark me out as "High quality"? or is it just because im Little even by dwarf standards?" He chuckled.

Until he saw the dead seriousness set in Cassuner's features.

His laughter ceased abruptly "What, your serious!?"

Talethal fingers missed a beat for a fraction of a second then returned to playing, nobody not trained as a musician would have noticed, but for him, it was a sign of deep shock.

"While I am flattered to hear you consider me one of the 'highest quality' the part about the world coming to an end, yeah, more detail than 'its gonna happen', would be appreciated, you don't appear insane, and you went through all this trouble to gather us, so I would like to hear you out"

He looked around the small clearing and then at the fading sun.

"I think the explaining should be done soon too, we have little light left as it is, and with such a sudden invitation to this, gathering, I forgot to pack my a bedroll or blanket, as did a few of the others as it looks"

V scoffed, but thought for a moment.

'I am suddenly in the company of a fire mage, and from what it seems a wind mage as well.', V said to herself. 'The forest is mine to control, but why did it not protect me from being placed here against my will? Does it want to do help?'

"The world is coming to an end, how do you even know this?", she asked, tilting her head slightly. "There are many doomsayers in this world, how can I know you have not simply gone mad?"

Sorrow sighed heavily. He thought back over the years and then began to speak.

"I've lived a life longer than most people could ever hope to have and seen things that most never will" He spoke softly "And throughout all of it i've had to put up with a near continuous stream of fighting and killing just to keep my place in the world...or to keep myself entertained."

Looking up at the sky he continued "And i've heard many stories of doomsdays. While obviously considering we're all here still that none of these turned out to be true none of the people who spoke of them were always obviously mad. You on the otherhand as the bard said don't appear to be insane."

"Since the others seem to want to hear it I guess i'll hear your explanation before I decide whether to join you...or kill you for kidnapping me and wasting my time before I return to the forests."

Cassuner had to admit that he was surprised. Not even a chuckle.

"Wow, good crowd..." he said, scratching his chin. "Alright, I'll continue."

He sucked in a deep breath, and pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket. As he did so, Bianca slid out from behind him, snatched the paper out of his hand, and stepped in front of the group. Unfolding it, she grinned and held it out with both hands for all to see. It was a map of L'Juno.

"Weeeee are here!" she announced, holding the map to her chest where she could look over it. Placing a finger over the small southernmost peninsula, she sighed, "Waaaay down here." Then, sliding her finger north, over the landmass, she said, "And we need to b-"

"Stop," Cassuner interrupted, stepping in front of her while snatching the map back, "We'll get to that in a minute."

Flipping the map over, he revealed an octogram, beautifully depicted in red ink. It was ringed in connecting text that only he could decipher. "Those of you with magical blood might recognize this," he said, "It's a pyrogram."

Meanwhile, Bianca hopped back over to the bard and sat down. She hugged her tail, absentmindedly gnawing on the tip as she listened.

"If I touch it..." Cassuner started, his voice trailing off. He held a finger close to the paper. "It creates fire. Young pyromancers keep one on hand, as it takes years of training to summon a proper flame. The more able ones can get by with just a flint and a spark, but I digress."

He touched a finger to the symbol.

Nothing happened.

"Not quite two decades ago, the blade of the Great Northern Lance was destroyed," he said, his tone heavy and hanging.

"On the day I was born!" Bianca called out, grinning. She was now combing her tail with her fingers.

Cassuner nodded, "As you know, the other two Lances were destroyed thousands of years ago in the First and Fourth Wars.

He folded the paper, and placed it back inside his pocket.

"Back when there were three," he said, closing his eyes, "There was not a man alive who couldn't bend the Mysticus to his will in some shape or form. There were magical arts we couldn't even hope to comprehend. I could speak for days on the Ancient Forms; Morphomancy, Ingrimancy, Neuromancy..."

He clicked his teeth, thinking carefully on the wording of his next point.

"L'Juno," he said, "Still sailed across the clouds, a floating bastion, the land closest to the Gods."

Cassuner's eyes opened, flashing crimson.

"After the first Lance fell," he continued, eyes returning to normal, "Only those with the strongest blood could still work magic. The most advanced magical arts were lost to time, since people were no longer powerful enough to master them. The subtlest arts were lost as well, since they manifested in those with weaker blood to begin with. Around ten percent of humanity could still breach the Mysticus."

He paused for a second to let the implications sink in.

"When the second Lance fell, so did L'Juno. The poisoned land tainted the oceans, turning it black and smoky. The Divers came soon after, and subsequently trimmed the population with their teeth."

Cassuner snorted and spat off to the side. "Not to mention the waves. They were so devastating that the whole event was colloquially referred to as the Earth-Ending. As you know, we number our years by how long ago that was. AEE stands for After-Earth-Ending of course. It was so bad that intelligent life was almost entirely drowned out. The Divers were just a kick to our already broken teeth."

He stopped for a moment to catch his breath.

"This was not immediate. When both Lances fell, it took years for the Mysticus to deplete."

He began slowly pacing back and forth. Bianca was being uncharacteristically silent. It sapped his courage some.

"We tried... Our ancestors, I mean. They tried to repair both Lances, but they'd been too thoroughly destroyed in the fall. The blade could be repaired, but the shaft, however, could not. We just don't know how it works."

He looked to each of the strangers in turn. "The Great Northern Lance is an enigma. I can still feel its presence on the horizon, and I'm sure you can as well."

Shifting, Cassuner withdrew the map again, wondering why he'd put it up to begin with. To drive his point home he touched the pyrogram, once more to no effect. Gritting his teeth, his eyes flashed crimson and his hair began to blow about his aura as he focused his magical energy. For a split second, the ink began to emit a faint pinkish glow. Then at once, his eyes, hair, and the ink all went back to normal. Again, he folded the map and returned it to his pocket.

"Pyrograms are much more subtle than, say, summoning a dragon. As such, their weak bonds to the Mysticus are mostly severed now. In time, magic will likely disappear altogether. I myself can no longer summon a simple flame without considerable difficulty, though my more substantial abilities are still mostly intact."

"Get to the point, dammit!" Bianca yelled, showing her fangs. She was pawing at the bard's hair in frustration, messing it all up. Cassuner scowled at her for several reasons.

"Yes..." the pyromancer said, clearing his throat, "All that's not even important."

He pointed up.

To a rather large solitary star.

"It's daytime," he said, lowering his hand once he was sure everyone had seen. "And that's no star."

He slumped to the ground as if exhausted, pulled out a long wooden pipe, and began packing it with cannibre.

"If we don't get to Terminus and fix that blade," he said, licking his lips, "we're all dead."

His eyes darted around the clearing for a brief moment. He saw Bianca yawn, stretch, and lean her head on the bard's shoulder. She was playing with her tail again.

"Anyone got a light?"

Aethr reached into his pocket and tossed Cassuner his flint and tinder. Then, he took a short drink of his whiskey before offering it to someone else.

"Well, isn't this just great? If you need a rifle on your side, I'll accompany you. We'll need to stop by a town so I can pick up some supplies, though. Of course, if this all turns out to be some sort of trick, you'll have a hard time outrunning a bullet."

"Maybe you're just losing your powers.", Venetica said, plucking a dandelion off the ground. In her hand it grew into a beautiful blossomed flower. "It's rare, but it happens. Elves lose it if they indulge in...well, I'll not say. That's between the elves."

V placed the flower back on the ground, where it sprouted roots and planted itself firmly in the ground. "Being pregnant can affect it, which I would suggest is the case."

"Mhmm, I'd like to save the world before I start showing,", Cassuner grumbled, lighting his pipe and taking a long drag. Bianca giggled as the pyromancer tossed the flint back to the sharpshooter.

"Oh wait, you're a male. My apologies, you humans are all so genetically confusing.", V said casually. "Then I would suggest that you are either in love, on drugs, or just a terrible mancer. I would suggest the latter, as the two formers don't seem like they will happen to you. You look far too poor to afford drugs, and who would ever love a fire mage?"

"I woooould!" Bianca shouted, hopping over to her father and giving him a big hug.

Cassuner nodded, as the haze began to overtake him. "I mostly agree with you on that last part," he said, smiling as he brushed the she-wolf aside. "We pyromancers have always been a treacherous and perilous breed. But that treachery has seen our coffers filled just shy of bursting. I'm a rather wealthy man of humble tastes, and can assure you that this journey will cost you nothing."

He paused for a moment, "Except your lives."

he puffed out a ring of blue smoke, "It could very well cost you that."

Bianca tried to snuggle him, but he thumped her on the nose. She pouted.

"Sexy bitch."

"Oh, not you again..."

Adrian stretched out, yawning as he went. Opening one eye, he saw several people of different races speaking with each other.

His full attention to the group now, he said "What the hell's this, some sort of gathering? Watching me sleep, were you?" Adrian stated, half-angry and somewhat curious as to why so many strong-looking folk were nearby.

"I don't suppose you folks were here for the latter, looking as serious as you are. So what brings you.... Here... Where are we, anyway...?" Adrian queried, with an additional "And while I'm at it, who are you lot?"

The gears of time are turning, the future is in motion, and what some may call fate lies thick upon L'Juno's back. As the party of mancers discuss their plan of action deep within the forest, another mancer argues with a merchant about the same topic not 10 miles away in the town of Zuss. The town is small, but busy. There are traders who pawn off items from far away lands that they picked up in port wessenridge. There are those who run farms on the lush plains trying to bring their sweat and crops to market. There are the hunters of mankiller forest who sell meat to the butchers and fisherman who bring the flavor of the sea to inlanders. The town also houses the only bar and Inn for miles. Despite these facts, the town remains small because the people who dwell this far from the empire's capital normally like to be in solitude, and only journey to town when need arises. The houses here are lavish and belong mostly to the merchants.

"Why must you ask so many questions?" The mancer says to the merchant. The mancer's tone is cold and his question was meant to be rhetorical. The merchant is quick to answer anyway though.

"Because it is my business we are talking about here! My money Lumen!"

"The empire is not stupid you know." Lumen looks around the merchant's house. His feet sit firmly- and most comfortably on the merchants large desk while the rest of his body leans back on a large leather chair. The merchant had walked in just moments before to witness Lumen in the exact same position. Before Lumen, sat the merchant in a smaller wooden chair- the chair his clients and business partners would usually sit in. The room is brightly lit by lanterns in each corner of the room. "Fat bastard is probably afraid of the dark" The merchants tastes are awful, and would seem so even to a peasants eye. The curtains that line the two windows facing west overlooking the street are a deep purple with puke green patterns sown into them. The carpet is very full and as red as fresh crushed roses. In front of the merchants large oak desk lay a bright orange rug that probably cost a fortune.

"I would never infer that the empire is stupid!"

"Mhmm. We know about all the illegal activities that go on down here Grendel. You may be far from us, but that doesnt mean we don't know about your last shipment..." Lumen stops examining the room to stare the merchant directly in his eyes. "Of Netrotonin" Grendel begins to play with the gold chain on his purse nervously. "Do you know how explosive Netrotonin is Grendel? Its illegal to ship and sell." Lumen smiles slightly before forcing the expression off his face.

"I'm glad i have your attention now. All the empire is asking for is a loan. You don't need to know why, lets just say the empire has gained some knowledge about something it must take actions against. If you agree peacefully, you may continue business as you have been, and all your crimes will be forgiven."

The merchant looks down, knowing he cant win. "How much are we talking about here?"

Lumen takes his feet off the desk and sits up properly as if to signal the start of official business. He straightens his fine clothing and tosses his hair around making himself more 'presentable'. "Your fastest ship, your finest crew, 50 gold bars, and last but not least a couple bolce to buy me a drink tonight. You of course do not need to disclose this transaction to the public, or you business partners. and please understand that you are not the only one we are contacting."

"Do i even have a choice in this matter?"

"Not really, no. Have the ship ready to depart in four days at pier 5."

"Please Lumen. Tell me what has the empire so worked up." Grendel begins to act like he and Lumen are old friends in his desperation for knowledge. he hands Lumen a cigar, which Lumen refuses.

"You really want to know?" Lumen asks. He sees no problem in telling Grendel now that he has thoroughly convinced the man of his lies. "The world has grown out of balance. We aren't sure why, but with the empire's vast resources it has noticed the signs. Something bad is going to happen and we must be prepared."

With that, Lumen gets up and leaves towards the Inn.

"Haha" Sorrow bellowed out a laugh that echoed through the clearing "There's a chance they may die but I haven't found a thing yet that could do the job of ending my life"

Rising to his feet he continued "Just for the chance of proving you wrong or discovering you're correct and finally meeting my time i'll come along though like the guy with the rifle i'll need to visit town. Since you dragged me out of being alone I might as well purchase a new bow for hunting with."

Pausing for a moment he looked down at his sword. "Maybe a second sword as well so i don't have to rely on this one. Though i doubt i'll find a blacksmith who'll make a good enough blade for my liking."

Grave words but were there truth in them? Vrokos had heard many accusations along the years of the world ending. Each man seeming as truthful as the last, all experienced death at a plump old age. Personally, Vrokos had grown immune over the years to such beliefs… Yet this man presented more than just words. He presented proof.

More words traveled to open ears. Some of the group openly stated disbelieve while others turned grave. Vrokos’ face however had remained neutral, but just barely. Deep down he wanted to point out to the group he would have no intentions of “saving” a world that had so eagerly set out to vanquish his brethren. How he would rather live in gluttony on the blood of the innocent, growing fat and happy until the days the world did end finally came. The idea of living such a life made him smile without thinking about it. It sounded like a plan he could stick too. After all, someone obviously knew where he had been hiding all these years and finally went to fetch him. What good was hiding anymore?

“I don’t believe I’ll-“ he was stopped in mid sentence.

“Don't. Help them, you need them."

“Why would I need them? They are pointless to my cause.”

“Do you not want to see vampires flourish in a world without hatred? If what this pyromancer says is true you could become a hero. You could erase the ill name the vampires had gained themselves and start anew. Vampires would roam the streets accepted like modern day elves are. Don’t you want that?”

“At the risk of my own life? No.”


“Do it for me?” A giggle

“Why would you ask me to do this?”

“Because,” said the voice in a happier tone then before, “If you do this, you get what you want. If you die, you get me again.”

Her. That concept that had riddled Vrokos’ mind for centuries. Her. A solitary tear formed in Vrokos’ eye; wiped away before it could be noticed.

“Fine.” He said softly to himself, a rage building up inside him near the point of spilling.

“FIIIIIINNNNE!” He shouted, his voice echoing throughout the forest. His eyes cast back wickedly and his fangs bore. The true face of the vampire; one only seen by those unlucky enough to be picked for dinner. He shut his eyes and pushed back against the tree curling up to catch his breath and regaining his composure.

A sigh. “I’ll,” he looked deep into the eyes of the she wolf that had captured him, the one who had mystified him this entire time, “help you. Both of you.” He turned his eyes to the pyromancer. “Yet I have one condition.”

He raised a finger slowly in the air and pointed at the giant who had just spoken.

“If that man boasts about his ability to slaughter again,” he lowered his finger, “I’m the one that gets to kill him.”

Looking over Sorrow studied the vampire that had stated he would kill him given the chance before accepting that he was one of the few beings who had even the slightest hope in hell of pulling off the task.

Walking over he spoke to the vampire "Many have tried over the years and as you can see none have suceeded and all have fallen to me instead"

"However..." He offered a handshake "Maybe you'll prove to be the one who finally manages so best of luck to you if it comes to that"

"That looks like a fine sword, but I reckon I can improve..." Adrian scoffed, noticing the man musing over his shoddy sword.

"Well, since you seem so distraught over it, I'd be willing to make you a blade. You lot seem to be preparing for some sort of epic quest, and I don't think I could live with myself were I not to assist however I can. If you'll have me along, I'll offer my smithing services for no coin at all - But I would require materials." he offered to the group.

"My name is Adrian Harris, sirs, and I am a first-rate Blacksmith. I am also..." Adrian dug through the pack on his bag, and produced two thick Tonfa. "An expert in various forms of close combat, as well as Other... Techniques." Adrian stated, unsure of whether these people would accept him and his awkward Geomancer abilities.

"What say you?" Adrian asked the man who looked to be the group's leader.

City life had got to Adrian in the end - It had been a while since he was so adamant about doing something. Not surprising, though; The hustle-and-bustle of the city had become boring to him. (This...) he thought to himself. (This could be the outlet I've been looking for.)

"Well then" said the dwarf with an air of mock self importance "The fate of the world depends on my help? How could i possibly say no? Finance me a few supplys so i can finally test some designs of mine and ill happily come along. You have my rifle, my skills as an inventor and engineer, my skills in the art of craftsmanship and repair and my down right honest to god general disregard for my own saftey. On one condition."

The dwarf smiled cheekly, this was the time for revenge.

"Now as im sure your aware we dwarfs aren't known for our long legs or athletic skills, so if you want me to come along for the ride" he grinned pointing at the giant "Then i want to ride him!"

Tal was deep in thought as he continued to strum away at a short ballad absent mindedly. As a bard, he had heard many stories of doomsayers in the past, and even told a few, Clorath the crazy, Balock the crazy, John the Crazy, they all had a certain theme about them.

But he could feel the truth in Cassuner's words, the proof right above his head, but with that sense of truth came a nagging thought. What could a group of people do, even a group of highly skilled individuals do, to stop the world coming to an end, from something most peopled believed to have been sent by the gods, he might as well take this information, and have on last giant party to send the world off with a bang.

Looking around the assembled group, he flattened his hair that had been messed up by Bianca. Who was he kidding, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, saving the world. He could probably write a dozen songs based of the ensuing adventures, or just one great epic, he smiled at the thought. There where other reasons too, his sense of duty and honor instilled in him from his time in the monastery, a urge to prove himself and grow stronger, and last but not least, he did not want to be separated from the wolf tailed girl for even a second.

"Dwarf, we just got a semblance of peace around here, fangs and the tin man seem to not want to kill each other any more, so unless you want your primary mode of travel to be 'tossing" you not to antagonize the nice nine feet tall monster man" He said rising from his seat against the tree.

Looking at Cassuner, he nodded.

"I will join you on this, quest, though you must tell me more of what is going on, how is it I have not heard of this before"

"Strange, isn't it?" Grom spoke quietly, for the first time. He sat in the grass, cross-legged. One hand covering the other and resting under his chin. Though he spoke rather quietly his voice compelled attention, it came off as if it belonged to someone later on in the years than the 30-something Grom.

He removed his hands and ran one through his short-cropped black hair before continuing.

"All these mancers, supposedly near extinct, turning up in the same place..."

He paused and carefully considered his next words.

"I'm too strong a believer in the fates to not join you in this quest. May the techniques I have homed over many years and my abilities as a Vitalmancer aid you."

"I never liked the Northern Lance. I felt that it hindered me more than helped.", Venetica replied, getting to her feet. "But, I do know a few fairies. They are far older than I, and I am sure the abomination against nature too."

She glanced at Vrokos as she said 'abomination', but continued. "I could take you to them, if you wanted to ask them questions. They might know how it was built."

- - O - -

O was happy; his tail hadn't stopped wagging since he'd gotten off the boat. He'd lost the scent at sea, but immediately picked back up on it after docking in port. He grinned broadly, showing off his fangs to nobody in particular. He was a young man, tall and lithe, though not so muscular. His skin was extremely tan, and he wore his dark-brown hair down to the small of his back, while unkempt bangs drooped lazily over two piercing hazel eyes. He dressed plainly enough, but the hilt of the sword he wore was rather elaborate, trimmed in gold and umber.

All around, people gave him strange looks. It was like this wherever he went. It didn't matter whose mind he read; they all conveyed the same general message, though it differed between the sexes. However, he'd found that some men sounded more like women. They were the ones that stared the longest. Then there were the ones that thought he was a woman. they were common too. He couldn't help but smile at them. He smiled at everyone.

Catcalls caught O's attention as he passed by a whorehouse. Looking up, he saw a dozen scantily-clad women hanging bare legs over windowsills, the shadows between their thighs dark with promise. He waved up at them, smiled, and continued down the avenue, strutting his shit with renewed vigor. He was undoubtedly more beautiful than handsome, but his ego took whatever compliments it could. He was an exceedingly easy individual to please, all things considered.

The scent steadily grew stronger, the farther he strolled north. Before long, he was already nearing the gate. He could barely remember anything about the town he'd just navigated, such was his captivation. He wasn't entirely sure what he followed, but he knew that he had never smelled anything like it before.

Suddenly, his head turned on its own. Across the street, he saw a blind man. He sat by the sidewalk in tattered clothing, holding a bowl filled with a few coins. O could tell that the man was blind by the smell in the air. He didn't know how humans couldn't smell disorder... it was such a pungent aroma.

Silently, O stalked across the street, over to where the emaciated beggar slumped, cloudy eyes seeing nothing but black. Crouching low, O brought a hand up to the man's face. Leaping back in shock at the touch, the man cried out, dropping his bowl, which shattered on the ground.

Before the spilled coins could stop rolling, the beggar's eyes had unclouded and turned a healthy chestnut-brown color. The man's horrified expression turned to one of slack-jawed wonder. His face followed O as he smiled, stood up, and went on his way. The man called out, rose to his feet, and made to follow, but O merely disappeared into nothing.

Staring down from atop a nearby building, O smiled at the man, who had immediately broken down into rapturous sobbing. People began to stop and stare, whispering amongst themselves. Tasting the air and finding it favorable, O turned and ran, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, some gaps as long as fifteen feet. Despite it being daylight, he was not seen again, merely because he no longer wanted to be.

It felt so good to stretch out his legs and run like this. To dash. To sprint.

To hunt.

- - Cassuner - -

In truth, Cassuner heard very little of what anyone said. Their cooperation had been assured before any of them had even woken up. He was also pretty damn high, but was adept at not letting it show. He merely stared at the sky as he smoked, pretending to be in deep reflection. He thought he heard the bard ask him a question, but decided that such a thing must have been impossible for some reason. He wasn't quite thinking straight.

"Why do your actions so rarely fit the situation?"

"Because shut up."

"The sun descends. The Divers will be here soon."

"Thanks mom."

"If you die, I am going to make the afterlife very unpleasant for you."

"Blah blah blah." Cassuner puffed out another blue ring, then slowly began rising to his feet. Just then, Bianca stiffened, her tail instantly frazzling. And then, in the next instant, she disappeared into thin air.

Two seconds passed. "Aw shit," Cassuner growled.

"Company?"

Turning, Cassuner heard rustling in the bushes to his left, behind the rest of the group. Then he heard shouting, and suddenly a young man with dark orange hair burst into the clearing, falling on his nose. Bianca landed on top of him, sitting. He struggled and complained, but the she-wolf would not move. On her face, she wore the most satisfied expression Cassuner had ever seen.

"What gives?!" yelled the man, "I was just walking by, minding my own business, then this crazy dame comes out of nowhere an-"

He looked up from the dirt, beholding the dangerous group before him. He shut up for half an instant. Then, "M-m-my name's E'Nide Braelat! I mean, I'm nobody! Please don't kill me..."

"I've found another friend!" Bianca announced, touching the back Of E'Nide's neck. A black band etched itself around the circumference of his throat. The tattoo looked an awful lot like a collar. Everyone in the clearing save Cassuner and Bianca had the same marking, though none had noticed it yet.

"So you have," Cassuner chuckled. "Now let the poor man up."