New ~
Color Chart
Index - Archives
Good, we can quit separating our posts.
Tue, 07-30-2002
Winter lets the subject go for now. Either he'll know more or he won't. For sprites, friends in the present are most important.
\\hi hi.\\
"Hello, Win. Get what you want from teh bakery?"
\\Winter get. Kaligo show new way get there, and meet friend of Kaligo.\\
"Cool." The mage nods over in Kal's direction by way of a thank you. "Thanks for taking him, Kaligo."
Nahr meanwhile is giving the two latest arrivals a curious look.
~An Innocent and a demon? This is very odd. I should look into their threads as soon as I can. This could be very interesting...
And possibly dangerous if we're not careful.~
Winterm
Mo`re,
Gen, and
Nahr
It's too quiet (I can hear the voices in my head)
Mon, 07-29-2002
Kaligo's face acquires a thoughtful look for a few moments. "I think I met her. . . three hundred years ago? And she was already old, then. I've never asked." He chuckles. "They say it's not polite to ask a lady's age."
They are in front of the store now, and Kaligo holds the door open for Winter.
~~~
"Nuh. I haven't exactly kept up with my old friends. Well, we can persuade Kal to come along easy enough."
Kitsuki finds herself thinking of what to pack. She usually travels light; demons don't exactly need much besides the bare necessities. Some clothes, her hat, money, a weapon. . . that's right, which weapon should she bring? Not that she really needs any weapons, but there's something about a good, solid sword in your hand that makes you feel that much safer. Besides, you get less trouble when you're carrying something sharp and pointy. People generally stay away from you.
Not that sharp and pointy things that go choppy-choppy will protect you from, say, a hellfiend, because they don't really care one way or another if you have a sharpened piece of metal. But it usually evades trouble from, say, bandits and thieves.
"'ey, speak of the devil. There's Kal now, and Win."
La la la, I live n hell... la la la...
Mon, 07-29-2002
Well that can certainly mean anything. Lucky for Kaligo, Winter doesn't take it beyond what is said...
\\is old friend? old old? Alex no look old... but Mo`re no look old, and is old old. how old friend is Alex?\\
Winter 'chirps' away as they head to the bookstore, where inside the mood is far from light...
"Well you're going, so there's got to be someone you know who's that gone in teh head, Kit."
"Sorry, I can't help in this matter. Everyone I might have called a friend outside the current sircle is probably a bunch of bone dust by now..."
"...thanks for sharing that."
"No problem!" ^_^
"I'll leave that up to you, in any event. Just know that we leave tomorrow."
Gen balks... loudly.
"Tomorrow?! How the heck do you figure we can find someone and get ready by tomorrow, you jerk!"
"...because I have faith in your abilities?"
"..."
"...I should start running, shouldn't I?"
Without a sound, Gen pulls out Skillet-san's big sister...
Skillet-sama.
"In a word... yes."
"...so, Kit, any ideas?"
Winter,
Mo`re,
Gen, and
Nahr
o/` here's a health to the company o/`
Mon, 07-29-2002
"An old friend," Kaligo answers. "A very old friend."
~~~
"Whaaaaaaaaaaat?" But Kitsuki listens to the explanation carefully, frowning a little.
Then Gen poses her question.
One part of Kitsuki draws herself up confidently and says, hey, we can handle this ourselves! Another, much louder part says, there's safety in numbers. And personal security and survival is Kitsuki's number one concern.
"I guess it's better t' find a few friends to come along," she says gruffly. "Thing is, who'd be crazy enough to join us?"
I missed yesterday, but... I'm off the hook, right?
Mon, 07-29-2002
Winter waves back, offering a smile as Alexandra departs.
\\bye bye, Alex...\\ As soon as she's gone, Winter looks around and points down the street, the eclectic bookshop in view.
\\Gen say would go there when through, would wait for Kaligo and Winter.\\ The sprite takes Kaligo's hand before he starts, absently waving when the wind ruffles his hair. More nature spirits, apparently.
\\now Kaligo say... who is Alex?\\
=====
Everyone stops at this. Nahr glances at Mo`re, who shrugs and moves his finger in the circular motion for crazy near his head. Gen just smacks her face and mutters. Figuring he's the best to answer what they all assumed would be obvious, Nahr clears his throat..
Each of the 'soul books' as we'll call them, outside of having a list of all souls past, present, and future of a given dimension, also act as a kind of map to the nearst books around. So, if even one is found, with the right time, research, magic, and intellect, the owner could come beating a path to this dimension. I could, of course, exercise cosmic powers in a case like that and use what the Nine has given to me, but it's better to make sure the danger never gets that close to home.
"In short, chaas prevention."
"Pretty much."
"I can't believe I'm getting involved in this." Gen finds a chair and flops in it it a heavy sigh of frustration.
"The question now is, do we recruit anybody else, or are we insane enough to try it alone?"
Winter,
Mo`re,
Gen, and
Nahr
o/` I've seen a high cairn kissed by holy winds. . . o/`
Fri, 07-26-2002
Kaligo gurks as he's tackled from behind, dissolving into laughter at Winter's enthusiasm. "Yeah, I'm back. But I'm sure Alex needs to go home." He raises one arm to curl one hand loosely around Winter's wrist, near his chin, and looks to Alexandra. "Thanks for staying with Winter," he says earnestly.
The red-haired woman waves it off with a flippant gesture. "Oh, it was nothing."
"Would you like to come with us? I could introduce you to Gen and the rest of them--Kit's there, too."
"Ah? The foxy one too, eh? No, no, I'm afraid not. I've got to get these groceries back home where they belong."
An apologetic look crosses Kaligo's face. "Oh, I'm sorry, I--"
Alexandra laughs it off. "I said it was nothing, Kaligo. But now, I must be off." She hoists her sack of groceries into a more comfortable position and begins her walk home with a wink and a wave.
He's changed so much, Alexandra finds herself thinking. And yet, not at all.
Kaligo watches her go with something like an affectionate smile. "Well then, Winter," he says, "let's go find Gen."
~~~
Ooo. This doesn't sound good.
Kitsuki is not very well-educated, but any demon will possess some basic knowledge of other dimensions. Any demon will also have a general grasp of the mythology of other dimensions. And certainly, any demon will know what the river Styx is, where it is, and what it means for anyone going there.
"Don't got no insurance," she says, frowning at Mo`re. ". . . should prolly update my will, though."
Then she clears her throat, a little nervously, and poses a question. She's not usually this inquisitive, but if they're going to go traipsing around the dead's country, well, she wants to at least know why. "So. . . uh. . . why we gotta get this book, anyway?"
Kitsuki,
Kaligo, and
Alexandra
A post in the morning? I must be losing it...
Thu, 07-25-2002
A breeze from nowhere ruffles the leaves of the tree a few moments. The next, Winter is throwing his arms around Kaligo's shoulders from behind, having materialized frm his transi-windlike state.
Not exactly teleportation, but can be just as unnerving to the uninitiated.
\\Kaligo is back! is finished now? go meet Gen and tell about Alex?\\
He hadn't forogtten about Alex, just doesn't know her enough yet. He's sure Kaligo will fix that, if he wants Winter to be her friend as well...
"Yes, Kit, just accompany me, let me get the item, and we come back."
Gen isn't convinced, and rightly so.
"What is this thing, anyway, and where is it?"
"Well, the artifact in question is the Book of Ruis..."
~I will not scream...~ "The book... of Ruis..."
"Eyup."
"Isn't that one of the books that lists all the souls in a given or known dimension, and that if it falls into the wrong hands, could damn all the souls into whatever hell is currently available?" Mo`re asks cheerfully.
"Mo`re? I'm going to hurt you."
"Don't worry, that particular book doesn't apply to this dimension."
"And not like you have a soul, Imouto-chan!" ^_^
Ten minutes later, after Mo`re has been turned into a bad stain that Gen promises will come out with a little soap, she turns back to Nahr and levels a hard look at the scion.
"Where is it?"
"Beyond the Crest of the Ninth Wave?"
"You and I both know that just means it's not in a place accessible by humans, now where is it?"
"...Sumatera..."
"...the pocket dimension that rests under the river Styx?! ARE YOU CRAZY!
Mo`re watches Gen chase Nahr around his store with Skillet-san before he turns to Kit.
"So... is your insurance paid up?"
Winter,
Mo`re,
Gen, and
Nahr
So. . . full. . . **urk**
Wed, 07-24-2002
Alexandra isn't offended in the least (where would she be, if she was offended by every little thing?), but she is a little. . . perturbed. After all, Winter seemed quite friendly in the store, even calling the woman by name. Why won't he talk to her now?
Not really worth expending the energy to think about, Alexandra decides. She does, however, wonder why she's here. She could be home by now, putting away her groceries and making dinner. But instead she is standing here, under a tree, which is occupied by an unusual being that doesn't seem to want to talk to her. Why did she agree to this?
Oh, right, because Kaligo wanted her to. Not that she had to listen to him, but it was a small favor, and one from a friend, so she had acquiesced with nary a word. Why Winter can't wait for Kaligo on his own is another question entirely, and one that Alexandra can't answer on her own.
She looks thoughtfully up at the tree. Indeed, why did Kaligo ask her to accompany Winter to the park?
Speak of the devil. Kaligo abruptly fades in next to her, landing quietly on his feet in the grass like a cat.
Alexandra jumps. "Please don't do that," she says with the air of a slightly cross older sister. "It scares people."
"Sorry," Kaligo says sheepishly. Alexandra was the one who'd trained him out of the habit of teleporting everywhere because it unnerved people. "It was easier." I had to get away without them seeing me. Sooner or later, Khepa will figure out that that nice young man went into the back room and never came out again, and then she will find out that her part-time assistant is worse than dead. But by then Kaligo will be far away.
"Where's Winter?"
"Up the tree."
Kaligo looks up. He doesn't shade his eyes when looking into the sky, like other people do. In fact, he doesn't even squint. "Hey, Win!"
~~~
I'm. . . just a lil bit out of the loop, here. Kitsuki watches the exchange, bemused, then keeps one ear tuned into the conversation while pondering silently. What was it they said he was again. . .? S-something-or-other of Order. Shin? Scone? Scion? I think it was Scion. The heck is a Scion, anyway?
But if he's the whatsit of Order, then his 'brother' would be. . . the whatsit of Chaos, right? Yeh, he said something about opposites attracting. Hn. Interesting.
Do or die. She doesn't like the sound of that. Like so many demons, she's contrary by nature, and having once been a fox doesn't help that trait any. But also like so many demons, she has a very firm hold on life and the mention of "catastrophic horrors" does much to alleviate any urge to try and turn down the job. Besides which, she gets paid, right? And he said "handsomely," too. Paid handsomely. She likes the sound of that.
"Guess I'm comin' too, then," she says, scratching an ear. "So all we gotta do is go with you to get this artifact or whatever?"
Huh. That sounds easy enough. But with them, well, you never know. . .
Kitsuki,
Kaligo, and
Alexandra
My brain hurts...
Wed, 07-24-2002
\\Alex...\\
That's really all the sprite has to say. It's not that he's rude (perish the thought), but he doesn't know Alex very well, is all.
So, time to turn to other things.
Winter walks forward until he comes upon a sturdy looking tree. He could quite easily fly/float his way up into the branches, but this isn't a gift he was born with, and all sprites had to get up a tree the old fashion way.
Or, as he brother would have told him, trees are meant to be climbed.
It isn't long before Win's perched happily in the branches, hidden by the dense leaves.
Perfect place to wait for Kaligo...
"And who invited you again?"
"Now now, imouto-chan..."
"Call me that again and I'm going to bite your foot off at the ankle."
"Anyone ever tell you how violent you are?"
"Ahem..." Nahr waits until he has their attention again before continuing. "It's mainly an escort trip. I don't want to use my own powers if I can help it, since opposites attract, and frankly, I'm not in the mood to see my 'cousin'."
"Kohr... No thanks." The mage doesn't blink when Mo`re slips into a small 'moment' and starts muttering about Reaganomic harbingers of doom and evil bmw chariots.
"Yes. So, the object of the trip is to acquire a lost artifact. And being surrounded by chaos will help to mask my own presence. Therefore, all three of you should come."
Gen herself pauses before giving Nahr a hard stare. "I take it refusal would bring out catastrophic horrors, won't it?"
"...did I say that?"
"...Wonderful. Another do or die mission." Feeling surly, Gen glances over at Kit and mutters, "This is your fault. I don't know how, I just know it is."
"Don't you think youre being a bit extreme?"
You'd think Mo`re would learn when to shut up, as he becomes victim to Skillet-san once more...
Winter,
Mo`re,
Gen, and
Nahr
Drat my uncreative brain.
Tue, 07-23-2002
"I'll be quick, I promise."
"C'mon then, Winter," Alexandra says lightly, leading the way out of the bakery. The street is empty and quiet, and the park can easily be seen across the way. There are a few children on the playground, occupying the swings and the slide and the jungle gym, with parents sitting on benches nearby, keeping a watchful eye on their offspring. But most of the park is grass and trees.
"And you can call me Alex. Or just Al."
Kaligo waits until he's sure that Winter and Alex gone. Then he takes a deep breath--I have to be quick, now--and in the next instant Kaligo's image seems to ripple. Khepa, behind the counter, still sees Kaligo. But the young man working in the back room will see someone else (a tall, winter-white sprite, with snowy hair and blue eyes that seem to go on and on), and that is what is important.
"Excuse me," Kaligo says politely to Khepa. "May I have a word with the person working in the back?"
"Mmm? Kitche? Certainly, go right ahead."
Kaligo disappears behind the counter, into the room where Kitche is working.
(A demon can find out your worst fear. They can sense emotion, and fear is one of them. A particularly talented demon--or perhaps just industrious or tenacious--can find out just what it is you're afraid of. Spiders, maybe. Drowning. Heights. Rats. Even peanut butter.)
A few hours later they find Kitche huddled in the alleyway next to the bakery. He keeps clawing at his skin like there are insects on him. Sometimes he tries to hold his breath, and then gasps when he can't anymore. He won't stop screaming, and when he does it's only because he can't anymore. They can't get any sense out of him. His eyes don't seem to see them.
--he sees the blue eyes turn sharp and cold and terrible, pupils that slit closed like a cat's. he sees the curling grin, full of malice, full of teeth sharp and curved like a wolf's. he sees why the dragonkin in a faraway country still use his name to scare the children into being good--
But by then, Kaligo is already gone.
~~~
Kitsuki listens to Nahr's little lecture on chaos with an expression of faint disinterest. It's not that she has no appreciation for abstract concepts and the nature of chaos, it's just that she doesn't really see how these things apply to her. While she is, yes, a demon, and thus created out of chaotic energy, it doesn't exactly fit into her every day life. Knowing that angels and demons were created out of the same fabric does not increase her chances of a successful raiding party.
Okay, never mind, she has no appreciation for abstract concepts whatsoever.
"Hey hey hey," she butts in. "Can I get in on this? Do I get paid, too?"
Kitsuki,
Kaligo, and
Alexandra
The sun is down, the weirdo can play...
Tue, 07-23-2002
Of course, if Kaligo says for him to go, Winter will do it.
Doesn't mean he's exactly thrilled about going to a park with a stranger, no matter how nice the park.
\\if Kaligo want Winter go and wait, Winter go. but should hurry. Gen say would meet Kaligo and Winter...\\
And despite his naivety, Winter is pretty sure Gen won't be thrilled finding him in the care of a stranger. Demon, especially.
Still, he turns to Alexandra, hoping whatever Kaligo is planning to do will be quick.
\\Kaligo say is Al-ex-zaan-dra? Winter go to park with, then... \\
"You're very much mistaken, dear Kit. Chaos isn't always bad, it's just terribly random. The outcome of any given chaotic event can be good or bad. The chances are equal to flipping a coin. If there is one negative thing about chaos, it's that in it's random nature, it cannot be predicted in any form. Very much a free agent, one could say..."
Nahr picks up a bottle and looks it over carefully as he continues to speak.
"It is also this energy that is used in the creation of demons and other subversive spirits. The difference there is even a demon must abide to certain rules of order, to help maintain the balance. It was... a necessary contract. Angels, demons, they're all part of the same fabric, you know..."
"You're babbling again."
"Oh, let him. I love listening to cosmic entities talk about the secrets of the universe."
/¬.¬\
Nahr hides a faint smile as he turns back to the trio. "Gen's right, I am rambling. Anyway, there are more important things to discuss."
"Like?"
"More important that secrets? Darn."
"What about... business?"
"...do I get paid?"
"Handsomely."
Never let it be said Gen is not an opportunist. Unfortunately, the opportunities that presented themselves almost always involved something big and ugly that's better left alone. But then again, details like that tend to get glossed over...
"I'm listening..."
Winter,
Mo`re,
Gen, and
Nahr
My spidey senses are tingling! **slap**
Mon, 07-22-2002
Little alarm bells start going off in Kaligo's head.
Demons are not, by instinct, protective beings. It's every man for himself in demon country. Dog eat dog. Look out for number one. A demon would sell out his own mother without even batting an eyelash. Demons would sooner laugh at you than help you, and he might even stab you himself. They're like that. It's their nature. They don't even try to rationalize it or justify it in any way. Why bother? It's how they were made.
Kaligo, however, has spent a number of years living with wolves.
"Let's go, then," he says, keeping his voice light and easy.
He can't just walk away. He won't just walk away. Even if he comes back later to make the guy wish he'd never been born. But he can't, not with Winter here.
"But why don't you wait with Alex in the park across the street? I have something to take care of really quick."
"Eh?" Alex looks startled. But she acquiesces, though she has no idea what the heck Kaligo is talking about. She trusts him that much. And there is a park. "Oh. Right. The park."
~~~
"Oh."
Kitsuki's face makes new and interesting expressions at Mo`re's retort. But finally, she replies, "I have no idea what you're talking about. Can't help it if I have bad luck."
OOC: Lots of gray this time. Hrn.
Kitsuki,
Kaligo, and
Alexandra
Sorry... I'm late. Slow, lethargic day...
Mon, 07-22-2002
<OOC>Sorry for the auto, but I really needed it. I would have asked, but I got your away message, and I didn't want to wait...</OOC>
Winter practically bounces over to the counter to tell the young lady there his order. The two know each other as she smiles and chats easily with him. She gets his patries in no time, the sprites nature quite infectious as she beams back.
\\thank you, Khepa...\\
"It's no trouble for you, Win. Tell Gen I said 'ello..."
While she herself seems the friendly sort, the man working in the back sets off Kal's inner senses. Being a demon, negative emotions are easily picked up, and the ones coming from the other employee stand out like a beacon on a clear, starless night.
When he gives the sprite a raking, lustful look from head to toe, it's clear to see where his thoughts are going...
\\Winter is ready, Kaligo...\\
Unfortunately, the sprite is still quite the innocent to such things...
One look at Kit's ears, plus the blank expression, and Gen does the only thing she can.
She smacks her hand on her face.
"He's saying that the three of us together are a walking chaos magnet, and you're probably the main cause. Though I bet Mo`re gives you a run for your money in that department."
"I'm not a chaos magnet, I'm an indrani."
"Difference?"
"We don't attract chaos... we make love to it... without a comdom."
/¬.¬\
"Be that as it may, I find it fascinating that three people by themselves have no effect on the whole chaos/order fabric of things, yet together, they make a Picasso painting look like Whistler's Mother." Nahr goes to reaarange a shelf with some odd looking potions.
"And as far as I can see, the nexus of that would be with you, dear Kit. I just wondered if you kenw anything about that."
Winter,
Gen,
Mo`re, and
Nahr
**drowns in the WAFF**
Mon, 07-22-2002
Kaligo can't help but smile in return, something warm in him spilling over. It feels like liquid sunshine, buoyant and light. "Get whatever you want, Win."
Certainly, Winter can get whatever he wants. It's not Kaligo's money, after all. But even if it were, it wouldn't matter one whit.
Meanwhile, Alexandra is watching the exchanges between Winter and Kaligo very carefully. Hm. Interesting. A feline smile curls up the corners of her mouth. It's been a long time, and evidently Kaligo is a far cry from the shy boy she met at the beach one fine summer day.
~~~
Well, Kitsuki is never one to refuse something free.
"Yeehee! Thanks." She is apparently oblivious to Nahr's further remarks about getting out the door, harder than it sounds, yadda yadda yadda. However, she does make the mental note to try pilfering something from this place one day. After all, she does have some pride as a thief. Or maybe just a raging kleptomaniac. "And you can call me Kit. Everyone else does."
Nahr receives nothing but a blank face to his next question. Her ears choose this moment to wiggle out from under her hat, in no small part due to the fact that they are, right now, swivelling. Well, not really swivelling. They face forward, giving Nahr her full attention, then sweep back, and finally face out to the side. ". . . what link of chaos?"
Kitsuki,
Kaligo, and
Alexandra
WAFF ahoy!
Sun, 07-21-2002
<OOC>Having never been in a Chinese bakery, there may be a slight conflict of the wares. Assume it's just one of those "have it all" bakeries.</OOC>
Winter offers Alexandra a small smile now, though obviously he feels more comfortable talking to Kaligo, solely for familiarity's sake.
\\cookies,\\ is the simply reply. He wanders over to the display, tapping light at the glass in front of a set of lovely decorated sugar cookies. \\Winter would like these... and...\\ He takes a moment to think, brightening as he remembers what else he wants.
\\Eclair, please, Kaligo...\\
The smile given is one of simple joys, like bare feet on spring grass, a bike ride with friends, or lemonade on a warm summaer day. It's this smile that Winter offers to Kaligo now...
...one of simple pleasures... with friends.
"Ah, my apologies, Ms. De Kage."
Nahr quickly walks over and picks up the same blue candles, offering them to Kit. "First time is free. After that, if you can actually manage to get out the door without my noticing, I'll let you keep them. Be warned, that's harder than it sounds."
"Better thieves have tried... and failed." mutters Mo`re. He flips through a "PlayDemons" magazine, razing an eyebrow at a few centerfolds.
"Mo`re? Get out of the demon section."
"Aw..."
"You should have expected that, Mo`re." Another chuckle before Nahr turns back to Kit.
"Well, if you're not a kitsune, then what sre you, and why is it you seem to form a link of chaos with these two here?"
Gen,
Winter,
Mo`re, and
Nahr
Duckys!
Sun, 07-21-2002
OOC: Watch as I chicken out and have Alexandra hide her accent in public! I am such a wuss.
I'm learning. Really. I am. Google is my friend.
IC:
Alexandra laughs gaily, a friendly and open sound. She opens her mouth to speak again, then remembers where she is. The words that come next are a little more in keeping with the times. "Shy, isn't he?"
"No, just. . ." Kaligo looks over his shoulder at Winter, giving him a reassuring smile. "S'all right, Win. She's an old friend of mine."
"An old friend, indeed. Fancy that we should meet here." Alexandra collects her bags from the counter, threading her arm through the loops of the bag handles.
Suddenly, Kaligo remembers that they're supposed to be here to buy Winter something. "What did you want to get, Win?"
~~~
"Geh?" Kitsuki looks up from where she was inspecting the candles, picking them out of their boxes and sniffing them gingerly. She shoves two or three blue candles back into place hurriedly no I was not considering putting one in my pocket no not at all before answering.
"Ah. No. Notta kitsune," she mutters. "Not anymore. But m'name's Kitsuki. De Kage. Kitsuki de Kage."
Kitsuki,
Kaligo, and
Alexandra
27th Street Bakery... how I miss thee...
Sun, 07-21-2002
Winter immediately scoots/hides behind Kaligo. Though naturally friendly to a fault, he's also been burned enough times and warned by Gen about 'strangers'. He peeks around Kaligo (not an easy feat since he's taller, yet he manages), and blinks over at Alexandra.
\\is Winter...\\
And that's all he's going to say until Kaligo let's him know it's okay to say more.
"Hold on and I'll look." Gen peeks around the corner, seeing the usual assortment of 'oddities'. A city residing in a dimensional nexus tends to have a collection of rather colourful 'people'.
"Yeah, it's around the corner." Gen takes lead, walking around and into the eclectic shop. "Hey, Nahr!"
Mo`re comes in behind her and heads over to the nearest book shelf, where he starts reading off the titles. "'Demon Summonings and You.' 'How to get the most bang out your Incubus.' 'Souls... Cheap.' 'Know your Angel and Djinn Twins.' 'Quick and Easy Dark Magic to Take Over the World...' I think I'll buy that one, I need a good laugh."
"It's on sale, Mo`re." Nahr steps out from the back, offering a faint smile. "Least for you, anyway."
"Thanks."
"Here, Nahr. Now you can quit bugging me." Gen holds up what is obviously a huge, old, and thick book, complete with ornate and bejeweled cover. "And I'd better get it back."
Nahr chuckles as he gingerly takes it off Gen's hands. "When have I not returned a book, or anything else for that matter?" ~If I didn't know better, I'd say the three of them together were agents of Chaos, with all the energy they put out. Odd, it's only when they're a group, though. I don't feel this one on one...~
Nahr casts a glance in Kit's direction, his eyes holding a faintly amused light in them.
"And who's the kitsune?" ~Or are you?~
Gen,
Winter,
Mo`re, and
Nahr
Enter. . . Alexandra?
Sat, 07-20-2002
The sign on the bakery door says that it will be open for another twenty minutes. Kaligo holds it open for Winter and lets it whisper shut behind him once they are both inside.
It is comfortably warm in the bakery and smells strongly of freshly-baked bread. Loaves and packages of breads, biscuits, rolls, and buns are arranged on the shelves; the cakes and tarts are on display inside a refrigerated case while the cookies and pies are kept heated inside another one. There are few people in the bakery now, so close to closing time.
A woman stands at the counter, apparently recounting a list.
". . . one bundle of raisin buns, and. . . that would be it. Oh, and some of those iced cakes. I do so love the iced cakes."
Something about that waist-length fall of red hair, gathered into a practical braid, reminds Kaligo of something. The voice, too, sounds very familiar.
"Alexandra?" he says incredulously.
The woman turns around. She has very fair skin, in startling contrast to her unnaturally red hair, or perhaps it just looks more pale in contrast. Her eyes are red, too, and slit-pupilled. When her face splits into a grin at the sight of Kaligo, you can see that her teeth are pointed, like a snake or a lizard's. "Kaligo!" she explains in delighted surprise, and for a moment her tongue slips. "Whom art thy friend?"
Well, what choice does she have? Kitsuki sighs and clamps her hat firmly down on her head as she leaps through the hole as well.
She lands heavily on the other side in a dingy, faded alleyway behind a worn red-brick building. A cat scurries away at their sudden appearance. The alley is surprisingly clean; there is no stench of urine or reek of garbage. Kitsuki pulls the hat off for a moment to shake her ears out, then stuffs them back under her hat. "We there yet?"
OOC: Hope you don't mind all the pseudo-autos, Gen. ^^;;; I know there were some in the last post, too.
By the way, the only bakeries I've ever been in were all Chinese.
I positively suck at faking Old English, despite having read dozens of documents written in some variation thereof (I stab at thee, APUSH!). Any resources handed my way would be muchly appreciated.
Kitsuki,
Kaligo, and
Alexandra
_-_ zzzzzz
Sat, 07-20-2002
<OOC> Let's leave Kal and Win be for the moment, then. And you could always bring in someone else if you wanted to...
Et tu, Kit?"
"She's just calling it like she sees it." Mo`re gets up, brushing himself off after having healed from the latest meeting with Ms. Skillet. Being an indrani had it's perks... sorta.
"Anyhoo," he sang cheerfully, "I opt for just gating. Walks are nice, but we don't want to keep Nahr or Winter waiting. Allow me." Before Gen can protest, the nearby shadows slink towards Mo`re like living ink, forming a 2-dimensional circle of pure black in front of him. He ducks inside, his upper body disappearing for a moment before he pulls back.
"All clear. It leads to an alley just behind the bookstore. All aboard..." With that, Mo`re steps through without so much as a 'by your leave'.
The younger sibling sighs. "I guess we don't have a choice. Coming, Kit?" Gen doesn't wait for an answer as she too steps through the gate..."
<OOC> Feel free to describe the surroundings. I already took care of the bookstore, I think.
Gen,
Winter,
Mo`re, and
Nahr
Cajun. . . music. . . eating. . . brain. . .
Sat, 07-20-2002
"Yeah." Kaligo shakes himself out in a doglike fashion before returning his attention to Winter. "That's our next stop."
They wind their way languidly through the trees, in no real hurry to leave. And then before they know it, they're touching down on the sidewalk, a scant half a block away from the bakery.
Kitsuki watches Mo`re's second beating of the day indifferently. Clearly she's used to it. Then she snorts derisively, hunching her shoulders like a defiant bird of prey. "Hah. It's never that simple with us."
OOC: Sorry that was so short. The ball's really in your court, at this point.
We need to coral Win and Kal towards the others now...
Sat, 07-20-2002
Winter stays silent for awhile, watching spirits often naked to the human eyes enjoying their peaceful surroundings. A faint smile touches his lips as tiny windriders sent gentle breezes to ruffle his white hair. After a bit, he turns to Kaligo, the gratitude in his eyes needing no words, though he offers them anyway.
\\Winter want thank Kaligo for bringing here...\\ The sprite blinks when he suddenly rememebers they're supposed to be somewhere else...
\\Kaligo still take Winter to sweet place?\\
"Nahr is... um... well..."
"He's the Scion of Cosmic Order, posing as a human and running a bookstore, which is actually a front for his research into the effects of arcane magic and its relation to chaos." Mo`re supplies helpfully.
"...gee, Mo`re, I'd hate to think what would happen if we were suppose to keep that a secret. You ninny..."
"Whaaaaaat? Kit probably would have figured something was up the minute she met him. I mean, we're not human... well, I'm not sure what the hell you are... OW! HEY! Quit that! This is getting old!"
After making Mo`re into a suitable mess takes to handy cast-iron skillet from seemingly nowhere, Gen takes a deep breath. "For the record, I'm a mage, dolt. And thanks to certain pacts I had to take, I've got a lot of years to look forward to. Yeah me. /¬.¬\
"Anyway, Nahr's doing some research, and when he found out I had this book, he pretty much... convinced... me to let him use it for a bit."
"Do we want to know how exactly he convinced you?"
"No, you don't." ~I'm going to smack him again before we get there, I know it.~ Gen sticks her hands in the pockets of her pants as she starts walking with the others. "I hope Kaligo got Winter to the bakery. We can meet up with them after I drop off this book."
"Do you really think this is going to be a simple...mmph!" Blinking, Mo`re looked down at the hand covering his mouth, then further down at Gen.
"Just shut up. I swear, if this is anything but simply, I'm going to kick your ass..."
Across town, Nahr begins to sneeze...
Gen,
Winter,
Mo`re, and
Nahr
Warning: excessive sleepyness = crack
Sat, 07-20-2002
There is nothing that Kaligo can say, really. "Were you happy then?" or "Are you happy now?" or "I'm glad it makes you happy" isn't suited for this kind of situation. Kaligo has never been very good with words, anyway. Demons rarely are.
So he says nothing, hands in his pockets, enjoying the gentle sussuration of the wind through the leaves, feeling Winter's simple joy. It makes him feel happy too, buoyant. But he can't help but wonder, briefly, what it might have been like to have been happy with your father.
But it does no good to dwell on such things.
Kitsuki watches the exchange with a bemused expression on her face, wincing comically at Mo`re's expected beating. For some reason, she doesn't seem at all surprised that Gen just produced a skillet from nowhere. Stranger things have happened, after all.
"Who's this Nahr, anyway?" she asks as she holds open the door for her two companions. Not like she's being polite or anything, it's just that she has to be the last one out because she's the one who has to lock the door.
Yes, Mo`re, there is a fourth wall...
Thu, 07-18-2002
Winter falls silent. Not an awed kind or one of being merely overjoyed. This time it's contemplative, the sprite losing himself for a moment as he Remembers...
Stepping forward, Winter bows his head in acknowledgement of the spirits that mirror his own unique being. Creatures that only come out when properly addressed, summoned, or, like himself, curious beyond reason. The moment passes, and he lays his hand upon the bark of one of the trees. He looks up, through the branches that block most of the bright sky, though he doesn't see the present, but a hazy past with bright spots of a distant joy... or, as he turns back to smile at Kaligo, not so distant now.
\\Winter remember... father very big too... like trees... live in branches of father... long time ago now, Winter think. remember... make Winter happy. Winter want always remember.\\
"You have to go or there'll be no plot... OW!" Mo`re nurses a new bump on the head, glaring at the skillet responsible, clenched firmly in Gen's hand. "What was that for?"
"What have I told you about maintaining that fourth wall??"
"Oh c'mon! There's people just on the other side of the scr... Ow! Hey! Quit it! Cut it out! Masher! Police! Gabriel!"
the next five minutes tick by with the steady, rhythmic sounds of a cast iron skillet striking flesh. Despite his being able to recover from any death, no matter how grotesque, Gen doesn't kill Mo`re. He will be sporting some odd bruises for a little while, though.
"Alright, let's go." She runs her fingers through her dark hair, then sticks her hand in the pocket of her jeans.
"Nahr messes with me when I'm late, you know..."
The name of the bookstore reads "Nahimana Books & Magic." The outside is fairly nondescript, save the ornately carved wooden door, which is usually opened. The inside is a different story. A light scent of incense hangs almost comfortably in the air. Along with books spanning a multitude of magic and occult subjects are charms, wards, crystals, oils, herbs, potions... a regular sorceress emporium. Further back in the store, a man standing six feet even is fixing a row of books and dusting. Jet black hair is tied into a high tail in the back, which spills well down to his waist in a river of shadow. Dark eyes reflect the dim light, though they have an inner sparkle all their own. Dressed oddly in an old world tunic and sash over a very mondern, very ripped pair of jeans, Nahr is a study of contrasts and enigmas given form. Only those who know him well have an idea of how much he enjoys this, too.
"She should be coming pretty soon. I can't wait to see what kind of chaos they actually have on them. Something tells me this is going to be a big job..."
Gen,
Win,
Mo`re, and
Nahr
Onward ho
Thu, 07-18-2002
In truth, that's what Kaligo was expecting all along.
"That's the left fork."
And off they go.
Before long, they come to the forest. It is a cool place of green leaves and shadows, the earth soft and mossy underfoot. All is silence save for the giggle and whisper of the leaves. The dappled sunlight on the ground shifts and moves as the wind tugs at the branches. The trees themselves are colossal; this is a forest of giants.
"Coming, coming," a voice grumbles. Kitsuki emerges in nondescript travelling clothes, pulling a shapeless brown hat on over her oversized ears. She doesn't look terribly happy to be going anywhere. "Why do I have to come, anyway?"
Let us begin
Thu, 07-18-2002
After having deliberated, it was agreed I should go first. (I picked the shortest straw. /^^; kidding) So, let us begin...
Having come to a crossroad from Kal's 'secret place', Winter finds himself looking at a path to the ocean, and one to the forest. Sensing that he gets to choose which route they take, the sprite makes a quick decision.
In truth, with him being a forest sprite, it's a no-brainer.
\\Winter want see forest, please...\\
Back in the weird place known only to the resident's as "the house" (or sometimes as "Kit's place" and "gate to hell"), the others get ready for a short jaunt, led by Gen.
"Are we ready yet? I have to get this book to this guy so he can quit bugging me. Besides, I think he has some more arcane ritual books in that I want to browse."
"Calmness, she who makes big booms. I think we're waiting on Kit-sama..." The title isn't given out of respect, but rather some private in-joke, coupled with a teasing tone. More than likely, just to get a rise out of the target.
Meanwhile, in a odd little bookstore, almost hidden in a bustling city, a seemingly normal (Gen: Yeah, right.) shopkeeper is preparing for the day...
It starts...
Mon, 07-15-2002
All tales have a beginning, and this one is no exception. This particular journey begins here. Where it goes, only time will tell...