On the barren wasteland, a huge force of steam-powered machines traversed the land. In the main land rover, a lady steps toward the operators...observing their destination. "We are approximately three days away from the court, ma'am! We're fully stocked on steam reserves, so no need to worry about these babies shutting down!" shouted one operator. "Just make sure we get their safely in time! Whatever they are planning, we will stop them, understand?" shouted the lady. "Yes, ma'am!" each operator sounding. "Captain A'Sia!" a young pirate yelled. "One of the other rovers has gone out of formation. We can't seem to track its location!" A'Sia sighed and turned toward the drivers, "Whistle the other units to stop." the drivers nodded and did just that. Pressing a button on the overhead that ignited signals to the other rovers. "They want us to stop." Unit B said. All of the rovers came to a screeching hault, dust filtered the area. All of the units stepped out of the rovers. Hayuga, one of A'Sia's top fighter yawned..."Hey! whats the big deal, huh!? Why we stopped?" shouted the man. "One of our units got lost." said Wolly, one of the younger pirates.

A'Sia roamed toward recon specialist, Solji Kaichi. "Solji! Could you pinpoint their location?" asked A'Sia. "Negative, ma'am. I detect no signals. If we lost them...it is possible they have been lost for quite a long time now. "Erm..." A'Sia sighed. "So...what do we do, captain?" one of the other pirates asked. A'Sia turned around, facing the last land rover. "Unit C, go back and search for them. If nothing turns up in the next twenty four hours, we regroup on my location. Understood?" The pirates nodded their heads. "Understood! Let's go guys!" Unit C boarded their rover, turned around and made way back the way they came. "Alright, let's get going!" shouted A'Sia. As they began to make their back to their vehicles, someone...or someone unusual showed up. A single man walking toward them in the distance, toating what seemed to be a long silver staff. He wore a black and white robe, fit for a mage. He looked patiently at the group...but no one was familiar with his presence...However, A'Sia knew exactly who it was. A mage from the Descendents! A'Sia drew her broadsword and katana, stepping infront of her group. "Everyone get back!" shouted A'Sia. "No way! We're friends right, Captain? I'll fight alongside you anywhere!" yelled Hayuga.

The rest also stood beside their captain, drawing their weapons on the mage. The mage laughed. "You must be joking, right!? Your pathetic knives has no effect on us mages. We bring salvation to this land, you bring its destruction. Explain your motives to destroy us so badly?" asked the mage. "You should already know our motives, mage! We knew what the Magus were up to and we know why you wish to continue their legacy. You wish to govern this land and its planets, but we won't allow you to do that!" said S'Sia. The mage raised an eyebrow. "How admirable of you. To judge so quickly. Yes...it is true. However, no one will believe you. We are gods among the people of this world. They see us as their protectors. They see you...as imbeciles who needs to be punished!" shouted the mage. Chanting and unleashing a wind spell, invisible to the naked eye. The force of wind pushed toward the group. Hayuga was the only one able to repel it, due to his massive size and strength. The rest hit the dirt. The mage began walking slowly toward them. When he got close enough, the rest of A'Sia's squad rose to their feet at charged at the mage, only to be knocked away by an invisible barrier.

A massive crowd of mages appeared before them, all channeling their mana to the barrier. The mage who appeared before stood in the middle, smirking at A'Sia and her group. "How pathetic an attempt." Suddenly, the barrier dispersed, and the mages stood...ready for combat. "C-Captain...what are we...going to do...?" said Wolly. "We have no choice...but to fight..." A'Sia struggled to her feet, already a little bruised from the spell. She held her weapons proud and waited till the rest of her squad stood beside her. Both the mages and the pirates stood in silence as they eyed each other. A'Sia slowly took out a picture of her former friends. Aggie, Dixie, Nobu, Captain Williard, Damien, Jimba, Allistor, Oliver, Akriloth, Grace and the others. She sighed. "For you...." she silently whispered before putting the photo up. She turned toward the mages, "To arms!" she shouted. Her group all raising their swords and axes yelling with great pride. The mages stood silent. She rose her swords and pointed them at the mages..."CHAAAAAARGE!" The battle ensued. Before they knew it, her squad battled with steel, while the mages battled with spells. So far, A'Sia's men was capable of dodging the mage's failed spell attempts, while countering and attacking.

Each blow dealt by A'Sia's men held a certain emotion. Out of the majority of her men, Wolly had the most trouble dealing with his opponent. The mage had already dealt severe burns to Wolly's right arm. This rendered him useless. Wolly fought with his sword being held in his right hand. He stood beaten. His body...bruised and tired. His face...scarred and bloody. His eyes...drifting in and out of life and death. "A persistent little one aren't you?" said the mage. "I must admit, I underestimated your agility. Sadly, however, you will evade me no longer!" The mage began to chant what was thought to be a forbidden spell. Before Wolly could make his final blow, he was struck with a sudden burst of spiritual pressure, that knocked him to the ground. "Heed the savage power that has forever been forbidden!" the mage shouted. Before his staff could connect, A'Sia was there, scooping Wolly in her arms, leading him away from the fatal spell. The poor boy couldn't even make out his final words in time...His death came sooner than expected...Wolly... A'Sia thought.

Erupting in pure rage, A'Sia shot to her feet, blindly attacking the mage. Her blades sliced clean through his lower torso...but she didn't stop there...Her rage detached limbs left and right. Her face...literally drenched with blood. Do you smell it...? the stinch of war in the winds? Do you see the sparks that bounces off of sword and staff?

Six hours later...

The battlefield grew silent, littered with fresh souls leaving their shells behind. Only two remained...A'Sia dropped to her knees, bruised and beaten. The mage she first encountered stood over her like a god. His white robe was neither scratched or torn. She slowly took out the picture of her friends, who were trapped in that tall tower...Hopefully...they escaped. She tried to whisper but her voice was overpowered by heavy breathing and fatigue..."...I...I'am so...so sorry...I've failed you..." The mage snatched the photo away from her and recognized a familiar face...Oliver. The duke of Welstarm? his son? the mage thought. "Ah...interesting indeed. So these are the ones you have been fighting for all this time, hm? I'm sure master Edgoth would be proud to see the faces who murdered Lord Xavier" the mage laughed. "No! D-Don't you go near them...! I will kill you...I swear!" A'Sia screamed. "Odd...How can you kill me if you're already dead?" he smirked. Taking down his hoody, his face was revealed...Vergo...the Second Tactician, in charge of the military mages working under Edgoth and the Magus clan. "It is so sad you had to end this way. You fought bravely" said Vergo as he turned around and walked away. "This isn't...over! M-My friends...will end your regime!" The mage stopped and looked back at A'Sia, "You talk too much." Suddenly, he took a short enchanted dagger, riddled with a re-animation spell, and launched it at the beaten A'Sia. The dagger easily pierced through her skull, causing instant death. With a smirk, the mage look a final look at the photo before disappearing into the distance. Perhapes not all hope was lost...Hayuga's hand just moved...

(OOC: So, we'll be starting in this clinic, right?)

Oliver instantly hopped off his bed, hands clenching his head. "MAJOR. FREAKING. HEADACHE!" He stood on place for a second and started looking around. He seemed to be in some sort of room. The light from a nearby window blinded him. He closed his eyes and and covered his face with his hands."Urghh..." His memories all slowly started returning to him, the events of the past few years. As he spun his body around, his mythril wing bumped into a drawer next to the bed, knocking it off. "Ahh...Damn...Still not used to carrying this thing around tight places." He grunted as he slowly got up. His body still felt awfully stiff, he tripped his way out of the bed and fell on the next bed next to him. He fell on something hard, tough, but it was still very warm. Despite not being exactly very comfortable he felt sleep taking over him again. "Get the hell out of me." Said Akriloth upon noticing Oliver on top of him.

Oliver shrieked and jumped away from the Diagan, again falling out of the bed and onto the ground. Akriloth grunted and looked over to Grace, who wasn't far off. "Can't you do something about this guy?" Grace, who had been awoke for a while longer and was working with a few ingredients she found suddenly turned around carrying a small pot with a blue mixture in it, it was also exhuming smoke. She slowly started approaching it to Oliver. "I made this just a few seconds ago! It should bring you back to top notch in a second!" Oliver started crawling away for her. "No, please! No evil mixtures!"

Grace frowned. "My mixtures aren't evil...You're the mean one here!" As she said that she threw the pot towards Oliver. The pot was resistant and didn't break, but still flipped over and threw the blue substance all over Oliver, next thing he knew he accidentally had drank a bit of it.

"AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Within seconds, Oliver dashed past the corridors of the clinic jumping out through the door and diving his head in a horse's through with water. The horse stared at Oliver for a few moments before neighing angrily at him. Oliver got his head out of the water and shook around, feeling refreshed. The horse neighed once again before turning around and kicking Oliver away from his through. Oliver got knocked all the way back to the clinic's door, falling unconscious by it. Grace slowly opened the door and looked at Oliver. She looked back inside the clinic. "Can someone help me carry him back to his bed...?"

The moon blended well with the red sky. Nobu, who had waken up a little after Grace, was layed out on the roof of the clinic staring at the sky. He was silent the entire time...until he heard a little noise down below. Hmm...ol' duke boy must have waken up. Standing, he dropped down from the roof, staggering as he landed. Err! must have been sleep for a while. When he landed he motioned toward Oliver and Grace. "Well, well...looks like the duke finally came back to us. Not sure how you tolerate someone as clumsy, Grace." Nobu yawned...then coughed soon after that.

He noticed that Akriloth also was up. Moving past Oliver and Grace, he narrowed his eyes at Akriloth. "I was hoping I would have been the only Diagan here. In other words, I wished that you wouldn't have returned to us. I haven't tasted Diagan meat, yet, y'know?"

Drake leaned up from his bed, he felt as though he'd slept for years.
After being trapped in that spire for so long, he'd grown accustomed to most of the people in the village.
Which he quickly got bored of living in.
After that, they walked for months.

"Randelius give me strength... where the hell am I?" he said looking around the room.
Others of his party were scattered around, some asleep, others awake.
Noticeably, Oliver, who had just go crazy.

He put his feet on the ground and slowly stood up, almost losing balance.
It felt weird to stand up after being in such a deep sleep.

He slowly remembered dreaming of drifting on a stream of energy, heading anywhere.
All troubles had rightly vanished, Wlestarm was back, Morento had been freed from Silishala.
Nothing was bad.

Although, one thing kept troubling him.
Before passing out so long ago.
Where the hell was he and the others walking?
they were in the Diaga region, so why was everything so ... waste looking?
The grass was dead, the trees were missing their leaves.

Drake pulled himself to his feet and walked outside the small building.
"What the hell is going on, where are we?" he asked the others while pulling Oliver up from the floor and dragging him back to his bed.

"We have another. The people here calls this place Polkuru. But from what they have told us so far is even more of a question. Heh, I find the situation tasty." Nobu chuckled. He walked back to his bed and layed down, placing his hands behind his head. "Want a preview? Hehe...picture a Ruined One killing a cute innocent kitten."

I'm... alive?
Aggie's eyes fluttered open. Her vision was blurry and it was hard to get her bearings. Her head swam. One moment she had been walking along, leaning on her broom and trudging behind the others, and then... nothing. She figured she must have fainted; being the smallest of the company, she would have been among the first to fall. The others must have carried her here, to this...
Bed?
Aggie was slightly surprised to feel a soft mattress against her back. She hadn't even seen a bed in over a year, or slept in one since Morento. Aggie tried to rise up, but a hand restrained her, "Easy there, miss," it was a male voice, gruff, but kind, "You're in no condition to be out of bed. When you came here, you and your friends were suffering from starvation, dehydration, exposure and fatigue. By rights you should all be dead, but I guess someone up there likes you folks." A note of grim humor seeped into the voice's tone, "...Or hates you. As things are now, life may not exactly be a blessing."
"Wh...where..." Aggie's voice was raspy and weak. She suddenly felt moisture against her lips as a bowl of water was offered to her. Aggie graciously accepted the bowl and drank until it was pulled away.
"Easy," the voice said, "Little by little. If you drink too much in your condition, you'll vomit it out. This is Polkuru village."
"I've never heard of..." Aggie shook her head and her vision cleared a bit. The voice she heard belonged to a middle aged man with a scraggly goatee and a wrinkled face dominated by a huge, red nose. She was in a well lit room with white walls lined with beds. She sat up and tried to look out the window. It was overcast, of course. It had been overcast every day since... Aggie shuddered. As bad as being trapped in that spire for three years had been for everyone else, they hadn't been claustrophobic. Aggie had been basically catatonic for days after their escape and had to be carried.
"We try not to call attention to ourselves," the man said, putting a hand Aggie's shoulder and pushing her down, "And you shouldn't be talking. You were the worst case of the bunch."
The doctor, as Aggie presumed the man to be, offered her the bowl again. Aggie took a few mouthfuls before pushing it away. "Thank you," Aggie said, sitting up again.
"What did I say about talking?" The doctor said with a mock sternness, "That's the problem with young people today. Think they're invincible. 'Oh, I just almost died of exposure, but that's okay, I feel good enough to run fifty laps!' Honestly." throwing his hands up in the air, he continued, "Pace yourself with water, no solid foods till I say so, and stay in bed." With that, the doctor went on his way, continuing on his rounds.
"Like I needed him to tell me that..." Aggie mumbled under her breath as she glanced around the room looking for familiar faces. She overheard Nobu's comments and rising her voice as loud as she could said, "Well, it just so happens I like kittens, and I've taken on worse than Ruined Ones. Though, in this condition..." Aggie chuckled, "I think that kitten would stand a better chance then me. I can barely even move. Everything hurts, but it's not all bad. We're alive, we're all together, and..." She fell back onto her pillow with a happy little sigh, "We have beds! Oh, how I've missed beds!"

Nobu yawned. "A kitten wouldn't stand a chance against our new enemy. Y'know, the Magus clan aren't the only ones we must worry about now." he said as he closed his eyes. "Nonetheless, we are here...but what are we going to do?" said Nobu as a cough soon followed after.

(Btw, how does this logo look for a possible WoA website? http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae121/godofmurder/woa.jpg -smirks-)

Dixie woke up to her own massive sleep twitch. "What the hell......." She looked at her own legs weirdly. "Yall didn't see me like spazz out just now did you?...." Dixie rubbed her eyes still laying in bed. She yawned and sat up. "Where are we now?" she said turning towards the back of the room, which where most people seemed to be laying. Her arm was severely bruised and darkened for wounds. "Owwwwww....." she let out a small whimper from the soreness."Anyone remember what i did to my arm?I think i fell...And then bruised it...But that must of been one hell of a fall...." She glanced at Aggie and then at Nobu. I wonder what's going on between them....... Dixie thought. "Anyone seen Oliv-" Just as she spoke she saw Drake drag knocked out Oliver back into the room. ". . . .Really?He already knocked himself out?" Dixie crawled over the people still asleep over to Oliver and stared at him. She poked his cheek multiple times trying to wake him up "Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey!!!!..."

She stopped poking Oliver and turned to Nobu and Aggie. "So does anyone know where we are?..." she asked quietly-trying nto to wake any others whom might be sleeping- and brushing her -now short-hair out of her face.

Nobu sighed. He grew tired of telling the others where they were. "Allow me to point out the obvious..." he pointed toward a sign that read [Polkuru Clinic] and coughed. "Perhapes I can
explain it more better" one of the doctors said coming in holding a clipboard. The man was a bit scruffy in the face, his hair was bed messy, and wore glasses. "We welcome you all to Polkuru...
I still see that some of the patients are sleep. There were a group of travellers who rescued you
and brought you here. However, I would advise that you stay in bed...There has been...many
who claimed to hae sighted something or someone outside our village..." said the doctor.

Nobu yawned. "Is it a mage?" asked one of the other doctors. "I hope not...If they are here lurking
then they must know...that we know their secret." Nobu rose his eyebrow, "Oh, really? What
secret might that be, eh? Taking over the whole world by neutralizing every city they come
across? C'mon! get to the fun part, already!" The doctor shrugged. "It will be best if I told them
the story." one man said who had just entered the clinic. "The Bishop!" one of the doctors
shouted, bowing his head infront of the man. People in Polkuru hasn't seen the Bishop in
over twenty years...he shows his face now? The bishop was a huge buff old man, with
a black beard that stretched all the way to his chest. The Bishop turned to the doctors.
"Please, release them into my care. It would be safer for them if they resided at my mansion."

The doctors nodded their heads..."But...they're not ready..." The Bishop shook his head.
"Don't worry. If the stories I heard were true, then nothing can stop the ones who
defeated Xavier." said the Bishop. Nobu quickly hopped out of his bed and stood in the
Bishop's face, cupping his hands behind his back. "Hmm...and just what do you know
about Xavier? Maybe you were working for him, eh? Hehe, in that case...I will enjoy
killing you!" The Bishop sighed. "It is true...I did work for him once...I remember your
faces three years ago. You must trust me."

[The font seems a bit too much, maybe try something a little less fancy]

"What are you talking about?"
Drake asked, sitting down on an empty bed.
"So you worked with him? He's dead, I'd have assumed the whole clan would be defunct seeing as
he was the one with the plan."

Drake looked around the room inbetween his questions.
Wandering where the storage room was for his equipment.
"Wheres my stuff?"

An encompassing, yet warm, darkness hugged into Damien. The static, paralytic feeling of stiff comfort was a welcoming sensation that he planned to hold onto for as long as his circumstances would allow.
Feel like getting up?
Another time, Franklyn, I need to regain my strength.
Have you not heard what they're talking about?
I hear. I just don't choose to act.
Damien~
Gervaros. Call me Gervaros
I'll do no such thing. Now get up, Damien.

Damien lurched upwards, his face screwed in disappointment at Franklyn's refusal, but ultimately expectant of his peers. His eyes snapped closed as he experienced the most vicious head-rush of his life.
"Ahhhh-Boom! I'm back." He yelled, his voice feint; his eyes immediately planting, seeding, and scrutinizing the old man before them. He studied the contours of the man's face, the presence, the aura.
"Do I know you?" Damien asked, perplexed by the man's familiar appearance.

[OoC I figure Damien, with his previous ties to the Magus clan, may have met the Bishop before]

The Bishop turned towards Drake. "The clan that was once known as the Magus
has since doubled the last time you've heard of them...Their numbers are
multiplying...with the help of their successors. We will talk more
on that later, after we are safe...I fear for the safety of our village, since we
know a little too much..." One of the doctors gave the location of everyone's
equipment, in a storage room just behind the room they were in.
He noticed that Damien had woken up..."Damien..." whispered the Bishop.
"You may not remember, but I was among the ones who trained you
in your ability...There is also something we must discuss in private, Damien."
Nobu risen his eyebrow at the chemistry between Bishop and Damien.
"I meet you at this residence" Bishop said, handing Nobu the address to his
mansion that sits behind the tall hill outside the village. "There, we will
talk a great deal. However, you must hurry...I think they know we are here."
With that, the Bishop took his leave.
Nobu peaked an eye at Damien, "I guess the fued between us isn't for nothing, hm?
You worked with the Magus and you've failed to mention it to us. What are you?
some sort of spy?" Equipping his claws, he brushed past the rest
and stood infront of Damien, pointing the sharp end of his claw at the boy's
chest. "Y'know, we never settled our bout, have we? Hehehe...I wonder
what the blood of a Magus spy tastes like."

Damien nodded to the Bishop where appropriate. If life had taught Damien one thing, it was that rash decisions did no good. As the vague memory of the man returned it brought no affection, but the man seemed to be there best chance at progressing, unless it was a trap.
Nobu, on the other hand, had already drawn these allegations against Damien.
He stared at the brutal beast, barely a drop less carnal that the day they had first met.
"I was under the impression that everyone knew of my previous affiliation." He said smugly, "As a promising young mage from a noble family, the Magus naturally took a large interest in me, and I took interest in them. I never finished their initiation, though I was trained for a short time. I have a rather complicated mixture of teachings in different arts of magic, I like to think it makes up my diverse abilities."
Damien peered down at the claw and shrugged, "Please, Nobu, I'd never give you the satisfaction. The very second I actually think I might die, I'd turn my own blood to dust. I've never tried it, but I reckon it would be fun to try, and I can only really do it once."
He walked around the claw slowly, "Anyway." he continued, "If you want a taste, you just have to ask; there's no need to be so offensive about the whole thing. I'm on your side, you really think the Magus clan planted me in Welstram on the off chance that I crash on my way to Morento and get dragged into killing Xavier?"
He laughed and continued walking with the group. As soon as he was passed, his smile tightened into a grimace.
Oh he'll fucking die by the time this is over.
Need a hand
I wouldn't mind one, you offering to help, Daniel?
If you don't mind sharing the blood.
The blood is his thing, not mine, I'm more of a 'the last look in their eyes' kinda guy.
Damien?
Yes?
You were doing it again.
Doing what?

I really shouldn't be doing this, but there are things I need to know, Aggie thought, gingerly rising to her feet and hoping to all the gods the medical gown she wore wasn't backless. She breathed a sigh of profound relief when she felt her backside and found that it wasn't.
Aggie plodded along behind the crowd, thinking bleak thoughts. The Magus clan still existed. This didn't surprise Aggie in the least. They had hurt the Magus in Morento, maybe even hurt them badly, but she was never under the illusion that Xavier and his fawning sycophants were the entirety of the threat. She had her doubts that Xavier was even truly dead. Perhaps if the glove's power lasted long enough, or the blaze caught him off guard, maybe there was a slim chance he had burned to death along with his twisted works. But even so, by all accounts Calain Xavier had been dead before, and it hadn't bothered him too much. What really nagged at her, however, was the "master" he mentioned. There had been five of them against Xavier, and they won by the skin of their teeth. Anything Xavier called "Master" had to be exponentially more powerful.
Did she know this man who called himself the Bishop? It was possible she might have seen him during her botched infiltration of the Magus Clan three years ago, and something about him was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place him. But then, there were so many faces, and the only ones she really remembered were Xavier, La La, Kaydius, and the old mage and the gorilla of a man who beat her. She idly wondered if anybody ever let that big ape out of that drawer in the morgue.
Aggie brushed the thought aside, and quietly listened to Damien and Nobu's argument. She learned long ago that trying to break them up when they were like this was an exercise in futility. At least they usually ended up working together when they needed to. Usually. Suddenly her stomach grumbled loudly, "Aw man... I hope this 'Bishop' guy has lunch ready for us. I'm already breaking the doctor's orders, and I could use some real food." She whined, hoping to change the subject.

Nobu smirked. "Very well. Maybe you're not in league with them anymore...
but what about that wench of a dancing instructor you had? Liza, was it?
Was she bent on helping the Magus?" Nobu chuckled..."Y'know, I held her
life in my hand. We Diagan can decide whether or not the scent of human
flesh smells good or is rotten. I couldn't nearly control myself, y'know?"
He motioned toward Aggie, "Take Dixe for example, you notice how she is
shy the whole time? It is very intriguing!" Nobu chuckled some more.
"Forgive me...my stomach is empty at the moment. Don't worry...I don-"
once again he coughed. He shook his head. "Grr! Yes, yes, anyway. Where
does this guy live?" Nobu asked, taking a look at the directions to the
mansion. Walking to the door, he flicked the written directions on the floor.
"Go ahead and keep that. Try to keep up will ya? The food will most likely be gone by the time
you get there." he chuckled and made his exit. Sticking his hands in his pockets,
he was on his way.

Damien tightened his hand into a fist, a quick pulse of blood shot him red and left a hollow, bleak look in his eyes. He stopped walking momentarily, seizing as if struck by lightning, then eased himself and continued walking.
He's not worth it.
I know. But he'll pay for saying that about Liza.
He couldn't help it. He imagined her, still made of stone, still floating, abandoned, on the stoney floor of Welstram. Eclipsed in the stone shadows of others, and their stone hollow cries, and their cold stone eyes covered in sand.
"Welstram." Damien whispered cautiously, "How does it tie in with the spires?"
His mind idly drifted to calculations and possible deep magics, far away from the skepticism and insults of his company, well, the company of one of his company.

While on his way to the mansion, Nobu stopped at the sound
of a very sad flute. The tune was coming from a young villager, sitting
on a log beside the huge fire. He noticed that many other villagers
stop to witness the girl's sad composition. She was stiff and calm, as if
nothing could bother her. "Interesting" muttered Nobu. He took a few
steps closer to the girl. "She has been playing that same tune for weeks
now..." one villager whispered to another. The girl stopped playing
and stood, holding the flute with both hands. She bowed...
"Thank you...for listening everyone." she then turned and walked away...
toward the direction he was walking. Was she headed to the mansion?
"Hmm..." Nobu followed the girl.
After looking over her shoulder, peering at Nobu, she gasped and started
sprinting.
"Pitiful humans! They never cease to surprise me."

Damien strolled past Nobu and nudged him, "Still as appealing as ever, wolf man." he laughed before carrying on. It was a small revenge, but a satisfactory one for now. The mansion ahead was coming into clearer view now. The large silhouette bore against the sky as if fighting for space. The style was older and slightly less colorful than Damien was used to, but it was a mansion, he liked it, and he felt comfortable walking towards it.
To entertain himself as he walked he took out one of his knives. Its silver shine felt too blunt for any real purpose, but he liked making it dance from side to side. He jolted his arm and caught it as it fell and rose through the air, daftly cutting the wind. He closed his hand quickly and winced. Opening it back up he saw a small cut slowly pooling with blood. He withdrew the knife his his left hand a re-pocketed it. Playfully, he motioned over to Nobu, "You still want my blood? It's hot off the press." he spoke rhythmically, as if selling some new perfume.
"Anyone?" He asked, looking over at the rest of the group, "Come on, where's your sense of conversation?"

"Cutting yourself huh? I know how that feels...Kind of."
Drake poorly joked as he patted his stomach almost cautiously.
"Well, lets not keep this 'Bishop' waiting, I want to know what happened after our disappearing magic trick."
Drake walked up to the mansion's gate entrance, he slowly pushed it open, the crooked gate dug into the floor causing a violent screech.
Crows scattered from the mansion's roof as soon as the screeching had started.
"I wonder if that is his doorbell." Drake joked once again.

Nobu smacked Damien's arm away and yawned.
"I don't think you could handle the withdrawal, if I were
to cleanse your veins. Besides, your skin smells a bit
too bitter for my tastes, anyway. I'm more interested in that
girl..." Nobu hinted at the girl who ran up to the mansion.
Indeed the mansion itself was a bit bitter. Fit for some lone
dark lord or something. This would be quite the adventure.
Banging on the door, the girl hollered for the Bishop.
Within moments, the Bishop answered the door. The young
girl dove into his arms. "Grandpa! There are people...following
me!" shouted the girl. "Now now, Yuni. These are our guests.
I invited them here." the Bishop looked up at the group.
"Ah...it seems you have made it."
Nobu groaned. "I didn't come because I was interested in your
little 'talk' Actually, I'm more interested in the food you have here.
The village has poor dining, it seems. It's either I eat regular food,
or feast on this kid here infront of your very own eyes." Nobu hinted
at Damien.
"That won't be necessary. You have to forgive my granddaughter...
she's afraid of what is to come. Please...come in. Yuni, take them
to the den. It is quite cold out here. Perhapes the fire place would be
best for them to rest for now." Yuni looked up at her grandfather...
unsure of his command. "B-But..." - "No buts, Yuni. There isn't much time...
you know this." Yuni sighed and nodded her head. "Alright, follow me."
The girl motioned toward the next room over, housing comfortable
sitting areas, and a warm fireplace. Nobu turned to Damien. "You're lucky,
y'know." with that, he turned and followed the girl.
Entering the den, he noticed the dark but luxurious surroundings.
Stepping one of his dirty boots on the cushon of one fancy
chair, he slumped down. One leg over the arm of the chair and one arm
over the top. "My, my, I must say that this is quite lovely. Now its a matter of
food, yes? Hehehe!" he chuckled. "Um...ok..." Yuni left to retrieve some snacks.
After returning, she handed Nobu a bin of different snacks, all of which Nobu hated.
He flipped the bin over, some of its contents spilling on the floor. "Bah! distasteful!
You guys must like killing us, eh? The food here is horrible. Leave for the rats and
worms...unless our friends would like to bite into such poison."
Yuni got upset. Her body drew up, balding her fist...but she didn't react. Instead, she
sighed, bent down, and cleaned up Nobu's mess. "Heh, good human girl."
The Bishop turned to Damien..."Damien...its...been a while...and you...Captain Williard.
I remember your name being mentioned within the clan."

Drake frowned upon Nobu's manners, almost wanting to hit him.
Even the Undead have more manners that this bloody rascal.

His attention quickly turned to the Bishop upon hearing his name mentioned.
"And for what reason would that be? I wouldn't consider myself to be a sore thumb and stick out."
At this point, Drake wasn't sure if he'd even met the Magus Clan, since Welstarm, the closest thing he'd had to a confrontation with a mage was getting tortured by Silishalan Mages.

"Sorry...I still feel a bit dizzy." Said Oliver as he walked behind the others carrying a sack with ice over his head. He looked around at everyone, and then realized something. "Wait a moment...Guys, where's Theo?" Grace looked around worriedly, she also hadn't noticed that Theo was gone until now. "True...I haven't seen him, he wasn't at the clinic like the rest of us." Akriloth kept walking, on those three years that he spent locked inside that damn spire, Pyrodom had stopped talking to him, he could still use magic like he always did but whenever he tried to search the Aether for his master he found nothing but darkness. Hearing the remarks about the lost prince Akriloth couldn't help but to chuckle and give his own hypothesis. "Maybe the team that found us didn't see him and he was left to die and rot on the road."

Grace and Oliver gave Akriloth a cold stare. Grace muttered to Oliver. "Remember me to poison his drinks with laxatives." Oliver rose an eyebrow at her, looked over at Akriloth and then back at Grace. "Will do." Oliver shook his head and looked ahead. "Aaaanywaays...I'm sure Theo can handle himself, we're bound to bump into him sooner or later." Just then Oliver saw Nobu scare away the flute girl, he chuckled. "Well, good to see you cause good first impressions, beast boy." Akriloth sneered. "Beast boy? Please tell me that's not how you refer to all Diagans..." Oliver chuckled again. "Nope, to you by example, i refer to as "The grumpy one"." Akriloth shook his head and kept walking.

Oliver looked ahead and noticed Dixie not far from him. "Speaking of girls..." Oliver sped up his pace and, with a short leap, landed right beside Dixie with a huge smile on his face. "Gooood morning, don't think we talked today yet, did we? Did you know that i had to carry you for about two miles after you fainted on our travels? It was really hard carrying you all that way, you know." Oliver's eyes widened up realizing how that could be interpretated. "Not that i'm saying you're fat, i'm just saying that you're heavy...I mean, heavier than you look. I mean...It's probably muscles, you have quite a few for a girl. I mean..." Oliver slowly rose his palm to his face. "I just wanted to say. Now that things settled down a bit, i could use magic to help that wound on your arm recover, you know."

Grace, watching the scene, spoke to herself. "He isn't very good at talking to girls, is he...?" She looked around, realizing she might've said that a bit louder than she should.

(Ow, sniped.)

Oliver examined around the room, it reminded him much of his home, except it was a bit darker. But the overall style of the furnishing were all pretty similar. Akriloth walked over to a bookshelf on the room and started flipping through the books, they were in the house of a member of the Magus so there was bound to have something interesting about magic around here. Grace simply took a seat and waited around she approached the girl, who's name seemed to be Yuni. She approached the girl while she was cleaning up the mess made by Nobu and started to help her with the cleaning and then smiled at Yuni. "Sorry about that, our little team here went through a lot. Anyways, my name's Grace Willowisp, your name is Yuni, right?"

Raleigh stretched his hand upward while yawning. He cracked his back and grabbed a new pair of clothing: a green cloth shirt, white jacket and a white linen pants. After taking a shower he put on his cutlass's sheathe on his right hip and his 2 gun holster on his left.
You're going to shoot yourself one day.
Good morning to you to!
Yeah what ever. So what are your plans today? You been basically wasting money gambling and buying useless stuff.
Well...I don't know? I was going to mindlessly and aimlessly walk around town.
When he walked outside he saw a group of people walking towards the outskirt of town. He shrugged it off and walked towards the center of town.

Aggie rolled her eyes at Nobu's behavior. Acting like an animal again... Does he even realize how unattractive that is? I know he's sick, but that's no excuse.
Aggie cleared her throat, took a deep breath, placed her hands on her hips, and in her best 'I've had it with you!' voice, she began to scold, "Nobu Ishimak, I don't know why I bother being disappointed in you! These people saved our lives! You've scared that poor girl half to death and you've ruined all the food! I'm hungry, you big jerk! Could you stop being pointlessly antagonistic for five minutes? Please?" Turning to the Bishop and bowing, she said, "Sir, I'm very sorry about this."
Crossing over to where Yuni and Grace were standing, Aggie said in a light-hearted tone, "Nobu gets like that sometimes. He likes scaring people, but he's not really a bad guy. I'll tell you what, if he acts up again, I'll turn him into a toad for you, okay?" Aggie's stomach growled again, "Say, I'm still hungry. Why don't well all cook up another batch of snacks while they're talking. Can you cook, Grace?"
Aggie grinned from ear to ear, eager to get her hands on a proper kitchen for the first time in years. She could get a recap what the Bishop had to say later.

Yuni noticed a girl who came to help her. She smiled. "Yes...pleased to meet
you...umm...I didn't catch your name?" her voice ever so sweet. Nobu shook
his head. He yawned at Aggie, "A toad? Heh, whatever. Sure these
people saved us...and I'am grateful, I suppose." Yuni shook her head, then jumped
at the thought of cooking dinner with her new friends. "YAY! I know a few recipes...
Grace is it? Aggie? We can cook together!" Yuni jumped at the thought of
making a huge feast and motioned toward the kitchen, along with the bin and the
mess Nobu made. "I'll meet you in the kitchen!" she grinned widely.
Bishop welcomed all to come and sit by the fireplace. Sitting down in a
rocking chair, he noticed that the group was very diverse. Such a weird group...
The reports have been very false... He cleared his throat. "I'am happy
everyone made it. All of your questions will be answered here...but we must hurry.
Two years ago...there have been reports of sudden towers that sprawled out
of the ground. These towers played a role in Welstarm's destruction. Little did
others know, these towers began draining the source out of each city it was built
under. This made the land around the city cold. It made it easier for the Magus
to manipulate them and turn the cities to stone. To answer your question, Captain
Williard, not only did the Magus knew about your companionship with the king...but
they also held the blueprints to the entire city. They knew every corner and corridor.
They knew every home and business. Welstarm's destruction was all planned...I
was there when the meeting took place. Leshil was put in charge of Silishala's
gold mines. Once he reported that King Baschuan wanted to recover his family's
mines, the Magus devised a way to keep Baschuan away from them. Lucif...thought to
be Baschuan's trusted mage, was ordered to activate the tower under Welstarm,
to begin their plan. She sped up the pace, by lending her own power to the tower.
After Lucif confirmed that the resources have been gathered, the tower bursted,
sending its energy to Morento. Leshil was then ordered to assassinate Baschuan
and turn his land into stone, in hopes that Welstarm will never gain control of the
gold mines. Both Leshil and Lucif are now posted somewhere in Silishala. Because
Lucif activated the first tower, she no longer had to watch the other towers. Once the
process is in motion, it will carry on until their plan is sabotaged...in which you did
in Morento with Xavier. I knew all of this would happen. When Xavier was ordered to travel
and persuade the people of Morento, I abandoned them. They have been looking for
me for three years. I've evaded them for now...but I fear they now know where I reside.
Even though Morento's tower gathered enough energy, without Xavier there to
cast the forbbiden spell, Morento couldn't turn into stone. Morento also was in league
with Welstarm. Some of Baschuan's royal bloodline resided there. After finding out
about Xavier's death, Rudolph Frederic Edgoth, a mage from the north, decided to
travel to Morento and cast the spell himself. His work was recognized by the Magus,
and he was recruited into their ranks. Edgoth formed the Descendents, a group
created to stop anyone who attempts to ruin their plans. Once your tower bursted,
the village you were in was in stone, correct?" asked the Bishop.

Oliver's ears twitched when he heard Aggie ask Grace if she could cook. Oliver started commenting. "That's not really a good idea, if her cooking is anything like the 'special' drinks she makes, we're likely to-" Grace interrupted. "We're likely to what, Oliver?" Grace's black eyes seemed to glint with sharpness for a moment, Oliver felt a shiver go up his spine as he felt those piercing his back like a thousand of arrows. He decided to let his self-preservation speak louder. "Uhm...Nothing." Grace nodded in agreement. "Good...And yes, i can cook, ignore Oliver. He's just a crybaby because my potions are far too strong for his snob tastes." Oliver grunted. "I'm not a snob..." "Quiet." "Okay..." Grace smiled cheerfully at the two other girls. "Well then, we'll need kitchen first and some ingredients. Where do we go?"

"Well, we follow Yuni to the kitchen, obviously," Aggie replied, "Look at this place. It's like a palace. The larder's probably all stocked up with ingredients a couple of commoners like us never even heard of. C'mon!" Half-skipping behind the little girl, Aggie bounded down the hallway beaming. Cooking was a simple joy for Aggie, one that she had not been able to indulge in since before her visit to Welstram over three years ago. She often boiled the dehydrated rations for the group while they were on the road, but Aggie didn't consider that proper cooking. Not without an oven.
When Aggie reached the kitchen, her eyes went wide, "Oh, rapture..." She mouthed, taking it all in. It wasn't a particularly large kitchen, but for Aggie who was used to the tiny kitchens of rural homes, it was mammoth. It was clean, with a big spice rack, shiny counter tops, gleaming pots and pans, and a big window over the sink looking out into a garden. It was the kind of kitchen Aggie wanted to have one day when she finally settled down. Clapping her hands together, she announced, "This is wonderful!". Eager to get started, she found an apron hanging on a nearby rack and tied it on over her gown.
"Well, then, Yuni, Grace," Aggie said picking up a ladle and holding it over her head with a goofy, lob-sided smile plastered on her face, "Allez cuisine!"

[OOC: Darker and grittier Alsta. Now with 200% more cooking scenes!]

Drake sighed and nodded in response to the village being turned to stone.
Its true, how did the Magus Clan know so much, I wasn't the best of friends with the King and his family, but enough to be somewhat formal to them, in off-duty times at least.
Drake paced back a forth a few steps.
"So Welstarm has been a target for quite a while I'm guessing. It comes as no surprise.
We were one of, if not the top power of the lands, we had the first real commercial air transport after all."
Drake thought for a moment, Leshil and Lucif, two false friends to the king.
"I can't believe he was betrayed like that, Lucif especially. I wonder, General Arvis.. Commander Godorn... I wonder if everyone in the Kings group of friends were betrayers... in fact... what happened to every other ship? It seems plausable that one or two would be destoryed, there could have been numerous sky pirates-DAMN!"
Drake clenched his fists tightly, what could have been a single unique attack was now just a detailed plan of mass murder.
"Welstarm is stone, Leshil could still be alive if it was indeed his spell. I can't imagine a person turning themself to stone along with a castle.
As for Lucif, who knows, unless there was a set time for the spell activation, she could have had some form of enchantment to make herself immune. As much as I hate to say it, Baschuan must be dead. And Theodore is lost."
Drake almost laughed at the tragedy before him.
"Simply fantastic. Silishala, the Magus Clan and who ever bloody else have won!"

[Spirit Master did some awesome research to bring up those names, Baschuan, Leshil and Lucif.

Cookery is a dark art, I wouldnt like to taste anything gritty though ]

Grace hopped behind Aggie. As soon as she arrived at the kitchen, the whole structure didn't amaze her, what DID amaze her, however was the infinity of ingredients that she found as she started to open the drawers. She started collecting some leaves and fruits and alredy started to cut them as she said. "I'll handle the salads and the drinks! I can help with sauces too if you intend to make any." Grace was overjoyed, most of the times she tried to make her drinks or even potions she ended up having to use alternative ingredients, wich she promptly blamed for the bad tastes. This time, however, she was being able to find the exact same ingredients she was searching for.

"That is not all I'm afraid. I'm sure you are familiar with the Ruined
Ones? Technically, the stoned residents of both Welstarm and
Morento hasn't died yet...They now wander in the form of those
Ruined beasts. Once a city is turned to stone, its people slowly
transform into those beasts. They wish to create an entire army of
those things...to battle half the population who threatens to expose
the truth. The transport ships from Welstarm has been seized. The Magus
hope to use these ships to traverse hordes of Ruined beasts to
different places quickly. In a few short days, the Descendents will
attempt to persuade the population of this world with a mind control
spell...that is far beyond reason. If the plan doesn't work, people will soon
become aware of their attempt...If that happens, they will unleash
those beasts upon them. Thousands...if not millions will be slaughtered!
Not all hope is lost. I have a plan. There are six lieutenants within the
descendents, and they will attempt to govern the spell from Welstarm,
that is now floating in the sky. From that height, they can spread the entire
spell...as far as they wish...If the lieutenants are distracted, or even
defeated...their plan will be stopped. However, that still leaves the Ruined Ones.
If there is anyone in your party who is well with magic, like Damien,
they will be able to pull the beasts away from the gathering. Take my airship.
It is hidden within a bunker west of here inside a forest. With the ship
you will be able to go to Welstarm. When you have the beasts under
control, this will leave the Descendents vulnerable. A seperate group will
go to the gathering and kill Edgoth. I recommend a mage to go with the group."

Yuni smiled after returning from a backroom, holding many threaded sacks.
"Here we go! We can make a lot of stuff with these ingredients! But my
grandfather doesn't like me going near the stove..." Yuni frowned.

Nobu lifted himself up, smirking at the whole situation.

Damien listened, fascinated, intrigued, and moreover worried. Finally, he stood up.
"What I'd really like to know, is whether or not it is reversible." He said decisively, "And whether we can really hand that number of ruined ones." he looked around the room slowly.

"I can handle the stove for you," Aggie said, glancing over the ingredients, "Let's see... With all this, I can make..." Aggie reached down towards her purse, only to find it wasn't there. Frowning, Aggie concentrated for a moment, spoke a few words and held out her right hand. She snapped her fingers, and a careworn and weather beaten leather purse appeared in her extended hand, "Ta-da!" She exclaimed.
Aggie opened the flap of the apparently empty purse, and reached her arm in up to her elbow, and dug around. The bag did not change shape or deform in any way, even though Aggie's forearm could not have possibly fit into it, "I've been traveling for a while, a little over five years now, and I kept losing my luggage," Aggie explained, "Do you have any idea how horrible it is to travel without even a change of panties? I got sick of it, so I decided to make some adjustments to my purse. Now it's a complex space-time anomaly, and I never have to worry about losing my stuff again. Necessity is the mother of invention, as they say. Ah, there it is!"
She pulled out a small, old notebook and began flipping through it. Finding a page she jabbed her finger on it, "Ms. Melinda's recipe for apple pie! It's from an inn I worked for for a little bit. Melinda was the head waitress, and she was just the sweetest lady..." Aggie trailed off as tears began to gather in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away, and said, "Anyway, I've been dying to try this out for myself. I guess that leaves the main course to you, Yuni," Aggie knelt down in front of the girl with a mock serious expression, "It's a very important job, and I'm counting on you. Can you handle it?"

"As I remember...the Magus distinguised the meaning of forbidden
spells...and forsaken spells. They believe that forbidden spells are more
powerful and effective. They strain away from the forsaken spells, for they
are spells that can reverse what a forbidden has done. However...
I've known no one within the clan who have actually used a forsaken spell...
It is considered treason. I hold no record over any forsaken spell. Perhapes
you will be able to find something in Welstarm."

Yuni watched the tears in Aggie's eyes and pondered what was wrong.
After given the task to spice up the main course meal, Yuni nodded.
"Mhm! It will be the best main course meal ever!" with that, she began.

((OOC: Yeeeahhh...not too familiar with cooking...sooo...I'll do my best to rp it out lol))

Grace grinned mischievously as she finally finished the juice she was working on, she turned around, carrying a glass flask filled with a purple coloured liquid, wich also appeared to have gas in it, as indicated by the bubbles. Grace eyed her two cooking colleagues. "Don't judge it just because of it's color!" She turned around to the door. "Anyways, i'm taking this to the guys so they at least have something to drink. Be back in a few." She came back into the room where most where gathered, carrying a plate with the flask filled with the weird juice and several glasses. She filled one glass for each person in the room and then decided to give the first one to Oliver. "Here, Duke, you get to taste the first one, consider it an apology for earlier..." Oliver eyed the weird drink in front of him, knowing he'd end up drinking it sooner or later he took a deep breath and simply gulped it down. His eyes suddenly shot open, he stared at the glass. "Hey...It ain't so bad at all." Grace crossed her arms. "What do you mean it ain't so bad?"

Oliver stuttered. "I meant it's good!" Grace nodded her head in agreement. "That's better." Akriloth, who although was reading a book, had listened in to what they said, called out. "Get me one." Grace grinned, as all went according to the plan. She took out a small vial from her apron wich she had taken from the clinic's stock. She slowly poured it into Akriloth's drink and then headed over to him to give him his glass. (Go read post #22 if you don't understand it yet.)

As Grace was about to hand it over to Akriloth, Oliver passed by wanting another glass, he grabbed the first one he saw muttering a short thanks. Grace stared at Oliver as he drank down the whole glass, he then turned to her with a smile. "You know, i'm really sorry i ever doubted your juices and potions i guess i-" Just then, Oliver felt a stinging sensation in his stomach, followed by a short growl from it as well. Grace was paralyzed and then she spoke. "That was Akriloth's..." Oliver then remembered what Grace had planned earlier, followed by another growl of his stomach. "...If...Anyone needs me...I'll be by the bushes outside...Try to give me at least 30 minutes, though..." With that said, Oliver rushed out of through the door. Grace facepalmed.

(OOC: I don't think i'll be posting anymore for today, it's alredy 1:24 AM here. So if anyone needs to use any of my characters for something urgent you have my permission to bunny her until tommorow morning. Except Oliver, of course, he's a bit busy now.)

Dixie followed everyone in to the mansion and into the den. She sat down on the floor next to the 'coffee table' and listened to what the 'Bishop' had to say. Dixie looked at Grace as she gave the juice to Oliver. "Man you got him whipped Gracie" Dixie said with a massive smirk. "And so do i...." she mumbled right after that. She looked at Oliver gulp down the first glass and him accidentally taking the tainted one. Dixie smile d a big smile as she saw Oliver run out the mansion. "Ohhh...That's funny" she said leaning back. She was now lying on the floor with her knees bent and looking at the ceiling. "So Nobu...How's it goin'? Dixie asked desperate to make conversation. She leaned forward a little bit pulling her hood over her face.

Nobu, who was leaning against the back wall, fell silent. It seems
everyone was tending to themselves at the moment, and the Bishop's
story held his attention. He yawned. "Hows it goin'?" he heard Dixie
say. He responded in a bold tone. "Hows it going? I suppose I'am the
same as usual. How about you? had any urges lately? I must admit,
I've had quite a few urges myself lately...It seems I crave for blood more and more.
I've always have...but suddenly it has become uncontrollable."

“ I don't think i've heard of that ever occurring, either .' Kaydius replied, still laying down. 'Although i do remember some mages that knew some.' Kaydius got out of his bed and pinched his nose. ' What's that smell ?' Kaydius looked back at Bishop.' Hey, i remember you. Weren't you an elder?' [OOC: I just typed this from my playstation

Dixie stared at Nobu blankly from his response. "Right then..." She said nervously. She mumbled " How would you know my thirst in blood...." Dixie looked around and tried to pay attention to the Bishop again but she just couldn't seem to focus on it.All that she seemed to do was stare almost directly at Nobu. Do i really have a thirst in blood?...

Damien stared down, "That still doesn't answer whether we can possibly handle that number of ruined ones. It's a suicide mission."
He rolled his head around and glared into the face of the bishop, "Or it could be. I still don't know if I can trust you. How do we know this isn't a trap?"
The ex-magus has doubts with the ex-magus
I'm not sending anyone to fight the most unimaginable beasts ever created
"Bishop," Damien continued, "As an ex-magus, you must be adept in magic. If I, and anyone else, are to distract the ruined ones, you would have to come with us. If I'm boarding a sinking ship, the salesman is coming with me."

Nobu smirked. "I don't. Not too familiar of what goes on within
the body of a human. Honestly, I have no clue of what urges you. However,
I have noticed something. Your deal with Aggie in there. I find it
interesting seeing two human girls fight each other. Tell me the
reason, eh? I promise I won't tell" he smirked.

He turned to Kaydius. "Why I wouldn't call myself an elder, but
I was among you as well." he then turned back to Damien. "I believe
the lieutenants will not do this alone. They were gifted with such tools
that could control the ruined ones. Using those tools...I have no idea how.
I'm afraid I cannot come with you. I'm sure they will find me soon. If were
to travel with you, that'll only put you and your friends in danger. I must stay
here and protect the village. Yuni will accompany you.
But you must take my word for it...There is no way I can prove to you
that what I'am telling you is the truth...If you cannot bring yourself to believe
me, then everyone in Alsta, including yourself, will die when they depart from
this planet. The Bishop rose to his feet. "I will return when dinner is ready."
The bishop, strolling toward his bedroom while balancing himself on
his cane, he shut the door behind him. He sat down at a nearby desk and
wrote a letter to Yuni, explaining why he couldn't come along with them.

Yuni was already half-way done placing the food on the dishes. She smiled
at Aggie. "I knew I could do it!" She then remembered seeing tears
in Aggie's eyes..."Miss Aggie...whats wrong?"

Damien stood up from his chair and headed outside, "I need space to think, tell me when dinner's ready."
He shut the door roughly behind him and took a deep breath of fresh air.
Stop acting so juvenile
A pretense, Franklyn, Nobu has shown time and again that I can be a subject of dubious activity, if I were to act like the magus I would surely but thought of as the magus. People are far more confident in an unorganized source of power than an organized one. Organization screams of planning, forethought, composure, and deception. I am Damien Howler, master of deception, but to complete my ends I must become Gervaros. Or rather, I must make Damien Gervaros and then make an entirely relaxed personality for the purposes of deception.
Seems pointless. You're acting similar to how you've always acted.
i know what he's doing. It's clever. And he'll need my help to do it.
That's right Daniel. That's right.

Raleigh got tired of his pointless wandering and sat down on a stone bench. He stretched his back and stared at a duck and her chicks. They were walking pass him and avoiding all the humans on the dirt walkway. Eventually they reached the nearby pond.
Can we go back to the mansion please? It's boring out here and i rather be talking some one intelligent.
I like it out here. Quite peaceful and serene. The suns out and- Hey! I count myself intelligent.
Right just go back to the mansion.
Fine.
After stalling for a few moment he decided to head towards Bishop's Mansion. When he walks towards the entrance he sees a person outside the mansion. He just nods at the man and walks into the the mansion.

"Oh, Yuni," Aggie said slightly surprised as she placed the top lair of the crust onto the pie, "You're pretty sharp. It's just..." Aggie hesitated for a moment, trying to find a way to phrase her concerns to a young child.
"It's just... The way I've lived the last few years, you know. I've learned a lot of things, and I've met some wonderful people, but it's not always good. I've lost a lot of dear friends. But maybe, that's an important lesson, too," Aggie nodded as she finished placing the crust. She knelt down to look the little girl in the eye, "When your heart gets broken, there's two things you can do. You can wallow in self-pity and let yourself become bitter and isolated, or you can keep on living. Do what you can to help other people, find joy in the little things in life, seize fun wherever you can find it, and greet each new day with a smile. I miss my old friends sometimes, but you know what? If you stay positive and keep smiling, you keep meeting new friends, like I met you just now. That's how I've decided to live my life."
She held out the pie for inspection, "What do you think? Does this look about ready to go in the oven?"

Dixie looked at Nobu quickly. "What are you talking about?" Dixie didn't know what he was referring to..he tried hard to forget all of Welstram,her parents and what had happened with the group. She was hoping it would be a fresh start. Seems like all the same old tensions were there. She started feeling hot and nervous. The way Nobu normally made her feel. She glanced around. "Maybe we should continue this conversation else where?...." She gulped down

A couple tears started building in Yuni's eyes...Aggie was strong...
If Aggie could be strong...then so could she...She looked down at the pie,
smiling and nodding her head..."It's looks perfect!" Yuni shouted.

Nobu yawned as he noticed Damien slamming the front door behind him.
Heh, whats with that fool, eh? he then turned back to Dixie. "Oh I see...
So there is something going on, yes? Hehehe! And you're ashamed to
speak of this infront of everyone else? I see now. Very well, come out into
the hallway, eh?" with that, Nobu lifted himself up and motioned toward the large
corridor. It was empty. He leaned against the wall, sticking his hands in
his pockets, waiting for Dixie.

Akriloth temporarily dropped his book when the Bishop said something of his interest. "Tools the control the ruined ones..." Muttered Akriloth, he rose his hand to his chin and started to think. Surely something with so much power would be rather useful in his mission, so he finally actually heard something wich had picked his interest in this mission. He closed the book and set it back at the bookshelf. He just then noticed another human walking into the mansion. He grunted. "Great, more filth." And with that, he went back to his sitting, he moved his couch around so his back was facing everyone else and stared into the wall, thinking.

Just then, Grace finished working on the salad and more juice. She called out for Aggie and Yuni. "I'll go ahead and put this in the table. Is there anything else you need my help with?"

Oliver slowly walked back into the mansion, entering right after Raleigh and with one on his stomach. He slowly went over and got back to the seat he was on before he had to rush outside. He scouted around the room wearily and noticed that something...Or rather, someone was amiss. "Hey...Where did Dixie go...? He just then noticed that Nobu also wasn't there. Oliver grunted heavily and angrily. "Great..." He leaned back on the chair with a sigh. "I'm gonna try to get some more sleep, call me if you need something." After saying that, Oliver's crystal wing shifted into a sort of umbrella, wich he put above of himself to be able to sleep properly and in the dark.

Aggie playfully tousled Yuni's hair and called back to Grace, "Nope! We've got everything under control. Thanks Grace!"
Aggie stood and placed the pie in the oven and set it according to the recipe. She sat cross-legged across from the oven and said, "And now we wait. This is the only part of cooking I don't like, but since I'm a sorceress, I can cheat a little..." Aggie leaned over and knocked on the oven door while incanting under her breath. She felt a release of energy and the exertion made her a little dizzy, but she shrugged it off. She peeked into the oven and saw the crust already rising. With a nod of satisfaction she announced, "It should only take about fifteen minutes now, but we'll have to watch it carefully."

Raleigh followed the person who came in after him to the living room. When he entered the room he saw that there were a lot of strangers in the room. There were 3 people inside the room and were all sitting down."Uhh..Who are you guys?"



((i know it's short.))

((OOC: If you guys want, we can skip to the dinner.))

Yuni watched as Aggie performed a small magic trick to help
bake the pie quicker. She sighed. "I wish I can learn magic...
but grandpa doesn't want me to....He says I'm too little and that
learning magic would hurt me because of my small stature...Whatever
that means..." Yuni shook her head and smiled. "I'm going to put the
dishes on the table, ok?" she smiled, toating a pan that held all of the food.
She went into the dining room and placed the pan on the table, organizing
each pot straight down the middle on the table.
She noticed Grace putting the salad and juice on the table.
"Grace..." she asked softly..."Do you know magic too?"

Meanwhile, the Bishop was just finishing up the letter to his granddaughter.
He leaned back into his chair and rubbed his eyes.
Suddenly...he sensed something...It was powerful...They are here...
he thought...Using his cane to help himself up, he motioned toward his
huge bedroom window and looked down to the village below...but everything
seemed normal. They must be close to the village...Dinner is about to start...
However I cannot see Yuni panic...Perhapes there is still time to eat before
it begins...

Grace blinked a few times and then shook her head. "Nah. Although i've considered it, with all the stuff this group's been bringing me through it wouldn't be really a bad idea." She finished setting up her stuff at the table. "I've been managing, however. I may not be able to fight or anything but i know a good array of alchemical compositions, both for healing and for poisoning." Grace was quiet for a moment but then said. "Oh but you don't need to worry about eating anything that came from my hands, okay? I don't use my poisons on anyone unless i have to." Grace's fixated on the door as she thought. "With the exception of a few scaly, rude and annoying individuals. Those individuals, i'd poison all day and then make them suffer and writhe in pain. So i could watch them as life slowly crawls out of their eyes."

Suddenly Akriloth sneezed, he shook his head and then looked around. "Hmm...Someone must be thinking of me..."

Grace sighed and then turned back to Yuni. "Sorry. Now that you mention it, it's kind of a miracle that i'm still tough and up even though all this group has been through, i guess you could say i'm just lucky. Uhm?" Grace smiled innoncently.