CLOSED.

[String x Theory]

Saria watched as Akako vanished in the same manner in which she appeared. As the black mist dispersed she pressed her lips together in thought. She wasn't sure how she felt right now. But then, she hasn't been sure about her feelings on anything over the past few weeks. So this really wasn't a surprise to her.

She made her way to the ballroom exit, where Stykes had yet to actually leave. Considering the offer, she thought about calling a manor-wide meeting or if she should just ponder over the deal herself. Insight was always wise to listen to, but she also had trust issues. She looked at Stykes questioningly, since she wasn't expecting him to be of any use as long as there was a female entertaining him somewhere.

[BrokenDollEyes]

Ania entered the ballroom in the mist of her cleaning spree. "You ok Saria?" she questioned the elf with a raised brow. It seemed like the guest had vanished for the time being, placing the rag on her shoulder hand resting on her hip. Head tilted to the side much like a kid instead of a grown a** woman that she was. Glancing at the dumbfounded Stykes a roll of the eyes was all that was given.

After all when a female was around he lost all train of thought, much like a dog in heat it would seem. Turning attention back to the owner of the manor to listen.

[String x Theory]

Saria glanced at Ania when the question was asked. She thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I'm alright. That was Akako. She manages a bar not to far away from here. They want to be allies with us." She said simply.

[Lack_EXE]

Stykes was taken aback for a moment, it wasn't often someone intruded into his mind such as the woman just had. Though he had been asking for it, he should expect things like that to happen given the people whom he associated himself with.
"What did they want?"
He stated simply after a few moments. He had tallied up the events in his head and judging by what had taken place he assumed they had come there to ask something of Saria

[BrokenDollEyes]

Nodding her head Ania didn't push the owner for more information after all she didn't work here just stayed and helped when needed. "Sounds interesting, no?" she pipped up a little bit before glancing at Stykes and his little imput into the whole situation

[String x Theory]

Saria remained quiet as she tried to read into Ania's response. She may not be staff, but Saria considered her guests as temporary family members. Many of them ended up staying long enough to really become family anyway. But then, they did always leave...

She too glanced at Stykes to see his reaction to the suggestion of an alliance.

[BrokenDollEyes]

Feeling eyes on her person she glanced at Saria and gave her a bright smile. "Well if it betters the manor then nothing can be lost. But if it doesn't then is it worth it? People have a lot to do with that; I don't know about you but feel the people out" she offered while straitening up her posture. This was becoming home to the fae and she would love to keep it that way as long as she could.

The heartless had welcomed her when the road had twisted into another and gotten her lost on the travel. Separated from the only family that accepted her for her, then she found them and losing them sadden her greatly. Why one might ask, simple they accepted her with out caring whom her blood line was.

[Lack_EXE]

Stykes contemplated for a moment. The one called Akako had demonstrated some rather dark powers, something that honestly enticed, and frightened him simultaneously, but if they were offering to help them it could be very good indeed. The heartless hadn't had much of an issue with bad happenings as of late, but it was never long before that changed. He sank into his scarf a bit before finally responding to Sara
"I'm curious"
He admitted openly. They hadn't even bared what could be considered fangs, to judge them this quickly would be foolish. Besides in his mind anyone was capable of love, and peace, both things that he sought after.

[The Dashing Gentleman]

Lurker tightened up his katana's low slung strap to hang closer to hand, it's slick new sheath catching lingerings of moonlight and street flow along it's freshly polished shaft as he rode swiftly through the city streets. A light drizzle took to the air. It pattered his coal black motorcycle helmet like tears of a low Goddess, the rev of the killer engine under his a** pumping his blood to speed even faster, feel the sharp wind cut into his every fiber. The road took on a flickering sheen like the scales of a dripping viper, his body dipping low into a sharp right turn like the slumping of a pendulum. Even with the light rain It had been a warmer night then usual, and that was good. It meant he didn't need his armored riding jacket for tonight, his padded knee skidding the ground narrowly as the turn was completed, the bike righting itself, slowing...

He stopped before the stone path, faceless gaze looking on towards the shadowed manor ahead. His weighted gloves stayed on for now, but his helmet was removed quietly, legs kicking up and over to one side of the bike as he worked a cigarette out of his front pocket.

From head to toe, Lurker was obviously a solid individual. His head was shaved, face like that of an apex predator or worse. It was a sharp visage, his nose like the point of a spear, lips thin yet full enough to speak boldly if need be. An enormous scar parted down from a solid crag on the top left of his skull to the nape of his throat. The scar split his lips leaving him with a permanent half scowl, his yellowed canines showing out like the ever waiting claws of a wild cat. His jacket floated off to reveal a segmented left arm, his flesh parted in half inch jagged rivets like scale mail all the way from the tip of his fingers to the curve of his inner tricep. Other then this oddity Lurker's body was for all purposes human enough, a visible heat trail heaving from one of the odd slits in the biker's mechanical arm.

His purple eyes found the way to the path and beyond, to a star soaked sky that promised eternity and yet was nothing, blackness swallowing blackness.

---

The oak wood doors parted easily...

Lurker readied his katana, the sheath in his right hand, segmented left calmly tightening about it's handle.

[String x Theory]

Saria nodded at Styke's simple comment. She wanted to speak with Ralic about what was going on... but big surprise. He wasn't there when she needed him. She furrowed her brow again.

"We will just have to visit and see what its like." She said, both to Ania and Stykes. She kept her personal feelings to herself as she left the ballroom and made a left, heading up the stairs. "I'll sleep on it. See you in the morning."

She made her way into her room and closed the door behind her.

((night yalll))

[Lack_EXE]

Stykes gave a small nod to Saria as she made her way off to bed. Had she take just another few moments she would have seen the rather odd individual that entered almost immediately as she reached the top of the stairs. Stykes took a few moments to examine him from the ball room a distance away where he still stood. Stykes' wore a long black scarf, covering the lower portion of his face and stretching down to the back of his knees. his hair was a short length, light purple in hue almost white, it was worn up and strewn about messily. He had chosen to wore a simple white long sleeve shirt that day, which covered most of his olive skin, hands barely showing. He had on a long pair of brown pants, which stretched down almost to the floor and hid the heavy boots he always wore, capable of handling almost any weather. Jade eyes examined the figure whom seemed combat ready judging by his stance, ready to draw a sword at his hip. After much deliberation he finally spoke, moving towards the front door from the ball room which was to the left of the man.
"Howdy, stranger"
His voice echoing through the large room, sounding much louder to himself than it would have to the stranger.

[The Dashing Gentleman]

Lurker didn't startle easily, if at all. It would take something as venomously dangerous as a Strip tail demon to even gain a rise from the long standing hunter of black souls, his murky eyes taking in the oddly dressed man.

"...."

Lurker eyed him down, then simply passed him..

He began up the stairs, hand still ever ready.

What was this man's purpose?

[Lack_EXE]

Stykes stood paused and stood still for a moment as the man acknowledged him, awaiting a response. Though instead of getting what he expected, the man simply walked right past him, heading up the stairs.
"I can get you a room if you'd like?"
He questioned more than stated, he was actually quite curious to see what he was doing. It didn't seem he wanted to harm him at all, despite the stranger being ready to draw iron at any second, so what possible harm could there be in following him. At least that was Stykes' reasoning. He pursued the man, making sure to stay a few steps back from him. Part of him felt like he was in some mystery novel.

[The Dashing Gentleman]

"Ghosts." Lurker was whispering though he was loud enough to hear, his voice a breaking strain of autumn leaves crumbling and heavy steel pounding, something powerful in the way he vocalized himself to the darkened stairs. As the shadows grew upon the manor walls his arm automatically began to brighten, dim LED lights spurting to life between every fixated segment of his mechanized bicep. It lit the way dully, casting everything in a sterile, almost disturbing aura.

Reaching the top Lurker stopped moving, hand grip crackling over his blade's handle.

"Something wicked this way comes." He turned around, eyes wide.

"Shhh." His finger to his scarred lips.

He turned back..

Waiting...

Watching...

Holding his breath.

[Lack_EXE]

Stykes still following, had at this point decided the man was completely bonkers, but played along accordingly. He armed himself with a nearby broomstick, which he wielded with an oddly professional stance. He was an adept swordsman though you wouldn't guess it by his personality. The mans arm cast an odd and eerie light around them, which caused Stykes to finally take notice of it, a detail he had completely overlooked before. Was it bionic? Cybernetic maybe? It was difficult to tell. Judging by this man's scars one thing was for sure though, he had seen quite a bit of combat. Stykes had been lucky enough to avoid any facial scarring himself. Though wary of the situation he was treating it a bit comically, standing there with his broomstick in hand, ready to thwart evil with it as it may be. When the man turned, eyes widened this was when Stykes started to take the situation seriously, though he still highly doubted anything was around with how Saria treated the place. It wasn't that he didn't believe in dark spirits and the likes. The mans behavior was just odd.