|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 6:30 pm
((Cree: Charm essentially wants to know what happened before she got there, she doesn't know OC!Hydro casted a shield/was absorbed by the pillar)) Upon entering the kitchen of Barton Manor, Charm had everything else but food on her mind. She felt as though everyone around her was stalling a bit, and her usual impatience was getting the better of her. As Prim looked at the offering of food Charm looked at her and asked. "Um, Prim, right? My name is Charm, by the way." She took a breath, determined to ask before the details floated anyway, and to be polite about it. "What happened in the square? I want to know about....please tell me what happened to her. When I got there, her staff was on the ground, and there was all these different things going on. Can you tell me about that, please? I'll try to help with anything I know, too, okay?" After the words left Charm's mouth, she recalled that Alyin had given everyone in the room a look after Prim had hugged the pixie. Still, Charm wasn't after too much information, and Alyin couldn't exactly erase what Prim for certain had seen. She'd have to apologize later, she guessed, but it wasn't going to stop her. She didn't try to help this girl (albeit Prim had helped Charm far more) and follow these people just to abandon Hydro. She did it because answers were needed, not just from the small question Charm had asked. Charm was getting the feeling she needed to cough up some information herself, and that was going to include her master, that was surely going to be angry at the turn of events.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:45 pm
To the left of her Seren heard the sound of twigs snapping she turned her head to see a shadowy figure step from the tree's with a gasping scream she ran further in to the wood's. Forcing her way through the thick underbrush and over twisting and knotted tree root's, in front of her she could make out the faint outline of a mansion of some sort with luckily for her lights in the windows.
As she cleared the twisting woods the darkness that had been so oppressing became even more heavy, when suddenly she tripped though it felt more as if her foot was yanked , as she fell into the muddy ground she was overcome with a sense of sleepiness. Twisting around to see as best she could, she was horrified to see an shadowy figure half in the ground had indeed yanked her!!!! and most shockingly it looked like her!
As she stared at the monster before her she could feel the shadows pressing even further in even as she herself began to feel ever lightheaded, desperate for some way to break free she blindly groped the ground for something to beat it off when her hand found her book bag,it was all he she had gathering her strength she swung the bag onto the shadow's head closing her eye's at impact not wanting to see it fail; when a piercing shriek filled the air, and the hand around her foot was gone.
Not bothering to look back to see the shadow still screeching and clutching the wispy missing half of it's head she scrambled to her feet, and made a desperate dash to mansion as she entered past the walls her adrenaline filled flight gave way, and she collapsed into the mud once again, her last sight as she blacked out were the shadows keeping a wary distance from the grounds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celestine Ravencroft Crew
|
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 9:22 pm
**I'm running on the assumption that Seren arrived first, then Terra and Chef. I'll try to leave it so that maybe Terra and Chef arrive just as Caelen's about to take Seren into the Manor.** As Caelen left his little group to fend for themselves in the Manor's generous kitchen, something once again pinged his aura radar. The closest of the new auras he had picked up had just entered through the gates of the Manor. Walking quickly over to the same window the angel imp had been peering out earlier, Caelen gazed out across the vast ground, searching for the presence that had just entered. By this time it was twilight. Shadows were deep due to the heavy cloud cover from the enchanted rainfall. It hampered Caelen's ability to see in the dark just a bit, but he finally spotted the prone figure half hidden in the muddy ground. Caelen didn't even need to think about it. As soon as he had the figure spotted, he dashed out the Manor door, sprinting across the law in the pouring rain. Caelen's demon eyes adjusted quickly and showed him the visitor was a girl, an older teen probably. Kneeling down next to the girl, Caelen gently turned her over onto her side. She had fallen face down in the mud. Caelen took a clean handkerchief from his pocket and carefully cleared the mud away from the girl's face. She looked exhausted. Other than that, he saw no sign of any physical damage. I wonder, are you yet another warrior being chased by these dreadful Aqua Shades? Either way, I can't leave you out here in the rain. Caelen mused silently. True to his word, the butler maneuvered the girl into a better position to carry. He lifted her up as gently as possible and turned to head back to the Manor. Then he stopped and looked back over his shoulder into the darkness beyond the Manor gates. Someone else was very close by, and that someone was Chef, as he was know by the BFAA. He had someone else with him, but Caelen could not identify the aura. Looks like it's Hotel Barton here tonight. the butler joked to himself as he waited for Chef and his visitor to enter the grounds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 1:30 pm
After listening to Aylin, Prim felt reassurance. She didn't feel as guilty about everything anymore, but knew that she wouldn't completely shake it off. She felt warm and inviting energies from everyone surrounding her, and it helped her not feel so sad. In the kitchen, she looked at the various hors d'oeuvres. Her stomach growled even more at the sight of the food. Everything looked so good. Prim spotted some finger sandwiches that she wanted; but alas they would have to wait until she answered Charm's question. She tried to recall everything that happened in the square before. "Hmm. Well..there was really dark pillar, and a girl with light blue hair that was trying to destroy it. She put a shield up to try to say the city, but her shield was breaking. I tried to save her, but my attack only made things worse; and she got absorbed into the pillar." Prim felt like crying a bit after she said that. She felt helpless and knew that it was too late to turn that girl back to how she was before.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hot Caffeinated Cree Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 3:44 pm
Charm tried to quickly clasp down her reaction. Absorbed! But....This girl shouldn't be feeling remorse. This girl who didn't even know Hydro, was looking downcast."Don't lower your head." Charm said. "Hey, hey, look here." Charm showed the sleeping Yin to Prim. "Isn't this baby dragon adorable?" Charm didn't really feel this way about Yin, but she thought he might cheer up this girl. "He's the most precious thing in the world to, her, Hydro, that's what's she's called. Let's take good care of him for her sake, I'm sure it would make her really, really happy." I'm acting just like her now...Yin had the brilliant timing to wake up at the sound of his name, and squeaked, wide eyes looking at Prim. "His name is Yin. Yin, this is Prim." Yin squeaked lot, Prim apparently meeting his approval, looking around, he started squeaking at the sight of more food he'd ever seen in his entire life. Charm looked at the dragon, thinking about his master and her own. It's because I know I'm the one with the most guilt here, that I want to try to cheer this girl up. I can't possibly allow the one person who actually tried to help her to be sad. I guess I need to own up to my mistake....mistakes....and *he* seemed to know something about what was happening in Barton, sending me after Hydro once I told him she was headed here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:37 pm
The storm only seemed to get worse as the day went on; heavy rain reduced visibility to almost nothing. Luckily, Chef knew exactly where he was going. He has been between the town and the Manor so many times that he knows the route by heart. Still, there was nothing at all typical about this storm, and even for Gaian standards this day was one of the more unusual ones Chef has experienced. "There's nothing natural about this weather," he observed. "This storm materialized out of nowhere. Hm... Just like the shower yesterday afternoon." Chef noticeably slowed his pace as his mind wandered, and his newly-found companion didn't take to kindly to that. "Hey! Pick up the pace, will ya?" Terra interrupted. "This isn't some morning jog! It's pouring rain and some liquidy look-alike is trying to kill me!" Chef promptly increased his speed once again as he led Terra onward. Normally, Terra would object to being dragged along by some stranger to parts unknown, but she didn't have much of a choice. She'd rather not have been stuck to deal with that doppelganger of hers all alone. Still, there were many questions that she needed answers to. "Who are you, anyway?" the girl shouted, trying to talk over the sound of rain. "Where are you taking me? And what was that thing? Wh--""Look, missy, I know about as much as you do," Chef said, cutting her off. "And this isn't exactly the time to be asking questions! Like you said, there's something out there trying to kill you. Just call me Chef. I'll explain things later.""Chef?" Terra repeated. It was certainly the most unusual name she's heard before, if it could even be called a name. "My name's Terra. Um... Yeah..." She kept relatively quiet after that, figuring it was best to focus her energy on getting to safety, wherever that was. Soon enough it became clear where this 'Chef' was leading her. A series of dim light glowed off in the distance, and the outline of a massive structure became visible. In the pouring rain, the place looked quite ominous, but Chef seemed to know where he was going. Terra had no choice but to trust this mysterious man. He did manage to get the doppelganger off her tail, after all. As the two approached the gates, the Manor doors suddenly swung open, and a lone figure sprinted out onto the lawn. The figure lifted a young woman off of the ground and headed back to the Manor before pausing briefly at the door. An uneasy Terra hid herself behind Chef, expecting the worst as has happened throughout most of her day. The young man turned around and gave Terra a reassuring look, and together they walked toward the wide open doors of Barton Manor. "Caelen!" called out Chef as he entered the Manor grounds with Terra in tow. After what may have been the longest day of her life, Terra was just glad to get out of the rain. But the day has taken its toll on her. Even though she was just steps away from safety, her body fell limp. Chef quickly caught the poor girl before she fell onto the muddy ground and held her up as they slowly entered the Manor. "Terra, don't you pass out on me yet!" Chef exclaimed. Terra barely managed to keep her feet under her, let alone keep her head up. As she looked up, she saw the warm and welcoming interior of the Manor, along with its curator. He would be the last thing the girl saw before passing out. "Don't you worry. You're safe," Chef thought before turning his attention back to the demon butler. "Who's your friend there?" he asked, referring to the young woman in Caelen's arms. "You didn't make her swoon with your devilish charm like you did to this girl I'm carrying, did ya? You gotta keep that charm of yours under control!" Chef chuckled. He figured after having the day that he's had, a bit of humor to lighten the mood was in order. Of course, there were still more pressing matters that needed to be addressed, and Chef went from humorous to serious with the flip of a switch. "We need to get these girls upstairs so they can rest. I'll tell you everything I know about what happened on the way. And I need to know how she is doing." Chef didn't elaborate any further on who 'she' was. He was sure Caelen knew he was referring to Alice, his spiritual twin. She has been asleep for several months now, and not a day went by that Chef didn't worry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 6:37 pm
Aylin sighed and rolled her eyes at Caelen's need to control how things were run in the manor. While she understood the demonic butler had a very specific job to carry out she didn't always agree with his need to do everything himself. The idea that they were to simply wait in the kitchen and not even have an actual meal was quite frustrating to say the least. As a junior officer in the social club that cared for the manor Aylin should have been in the front hall with Caelen welcoming any new arrivals she knew he was waiting for. But as it stood, she was responsible for Prim, the imp Charm, the tiny dragon, and like it or not even Kai. Aylin briefly wondered if her current state of dress had anything to do with Caelen's need to usher the small group into the kitchen so soon after their arrival and decided she would have to remedy that situation before anyone else from the BFAA decided to show up.
Placing Kai on the counter Aylin decided she would get the jump on Caelen and confiscate his precious kitchen for her own personal brand of therapeutic cooking. Caelen's way of doing things, as far as Aylin's opinion went, was too rigid, too formal, and too a**l. Everything had to be just so and look just right. It had to conform to the etiquette and rules of high society with far too many courses and far too little portions. In Aylin's opinion what was needed that night was a heavy dose of good old fashioned down home comfort food, the kind of comfort food that would feed an entire army. By her guess and by the way Caelen was acting there would be at least six, if not more, hungry mouths to feed that night and the making of a large batch of noodles with whatever sausages and vegetables Caelen happened to have in the well stocked kitchen was definitely in order.
Aylin smiled to herself as she rummaged through shelves in the cold pantry for what was needed. It had been five months since she last spent any extended time in the manor and things had changed considerably for her. While she was still the same carefree prank pulling type that cared for her favorite tree, Aylin had taken on a much different outward appearance since becoming the head of the Gaia Casimir Alliance and one of the Children of Gaia. Her manner of dress at times had become more like her mother's with a simple white linen dress trimmed with gold that wrapped around to attach at her left shoulder leaving her right one bare with a matching long one shouldered cape hanging from the left side and a golden chest plate of armor over it. She was adorned with such things as a golden arm band resembling a leafy vine and two gold bracers on her wrists while two thick golden hoops hung from each ear.
Away from the brothers and sisters of the Abbey Aylin had taken to adopting wearing her reading glasses on a more daily basis and started choosing a more polished business style of dress influenced by attire worn by the airship captains seen around Porta Denia over the short fur lined leather jacket and cropped tank with the short shorts and very high leather boots she wore while out adventuring. It was a change that had the diminutive pixie feeling more at peace with her position in life and far more accepting of the broach bestowed upon those chosen to follow the path of Gaia than the one whose power she was destined to wield. And when she had returned from the floating port town four and a half months later dressed as she was with an assistant named Jess and a gray house cat named Kai her sister-in-law and her family didn't recognize her at first.
While it felt good to be back in Barton Town, Aylin found herself prepping the Alliance and the town for what she thought was going to be an advance by the Kuro mafioso. However, that was not to be the case. Whatever it was that had the brothers and sisters of the Abbey concerned about the safety of the entire world had set in motion the dark forces living in, around, and under the town of Barton. The pillar of pure dark energy in the center of the town square had been proof that what had been happening to the gods themselves had now spread to the mortal world. Whether this new source of darkness was directly related to the source behind the deaths of several gods or was just a catalyst for an entirely separate set of problems to plague the world had yet to be determined. The research and intelligence gathering of the last few weeks, while still vital to the Kuro situation, was of no use in the new war Aylin had found herself in the midst of. The honorary Sister of Gaia and Barton Regular was now blindly navigating her way through a war between the forces of light and dark.
As she came out of the cold pantry with a basket full of produce, butter and a pouch of tuna, it was obvious Aylin had shed her magical warrior guise returning to the pink shirt with its oversized sleeves and tendency to slip down the shoulder, matching short skirt and flats, and gold rimmed reading glasses. Looking over at the still in uniform Prim and Charm as she began the rhythmic chop of garlic cloves, leafy herbs, and stalks of celery while waiting for the water in the stock pot to boil Aylin let a smile come across her lips knowing she was finally getting answers as to what happened before her arrival at the square. The combination of her excellent hearing and the size and location of the cold pantry allowed for Aylin to hear everything Prim had told Charm. Plus, it helped that Kai had been sitting on the island within earshot during their entire conversation. What Aylin did not hear Kai would be able to report on.
“We did what we could but that dark energy just had the stronger hold on her. If we put up the good fight we should be able to get her back. It'll take time but I'm sure we can get her back,” Aylin tried to reassure the others without looking up from her prep work as she realized Kai needed to be fed.
Aylin let out an exasperated sigh as she finally caught sight of what Caelen had left in the kitchen for them to eat. It was a good thing she wanted to put together something substantial for dinner because the tea sandwiches and tiny cheese plate would not be enough to last them until the demonic butler decided to return. Looking over at Prim Aylin saw the girl was trying hard not to cry over what happened in the square. It wasn't her fault the pillar of dark energy had claimed the girl Charm had called Hydro. And it wasn't her fault that she was now being asked to care for a tiny dragon named Yin. Letting out a second sigh of exasperation Aylin decided to deflect the mood of the situation and turn the focus in the kitchen towards something else.
"Ugh, I swear that demon would let us go hungry on tiny little hoity-toity cream cheese cucumber sandwiches that he probably made for afternoon tea than give us a real meal. You want something done right you have to do it yourself sometimes," Aylin complained slightly as she took a moment to plate the tuna for Kai, "And I know the four of you need to eat but I should be out there with him. You'd think he doesn't really believe I'm an actual member of the social club that cares for this place much less one of the junior officers with the way he left me in here. Hell, I have more of a reason to to be kept in the loop than anyone else what with my position as head of the Casimir Alliance. It's not like I haven't been dealing with dying gods, a dark elf mafioso, missing airships, and whatever else Gaia has needed us to do in her name for the last five months. Nope, I'm just treated like I shouldn't even be allowed in the rest of the manor. The nerve of that demon. I know who he's waiting for out there and I have half a mind to plate up a batch of what I'm making spiked with the edible glitter I saw among the cake decorating stuff because I shouldn't be in here like this."
By the time Aylin had finished her small rant the carrot she had started to peel during the rant was now half its diameter a sure sign Aylin was definitely upset about being escorted into the kitchen.
"Uh Aylin, I think you've killed that carrot enough," Kai commented with a small chuckle causing her to jump slightly with a blush.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 6:39 pm
I'm sorry..
No, it' fine. I just didn't think you'd want to switch soon.
I didn't, but I have no choice. You also need to have this, so I'll put it on you the moment you open your eyes.
I understand. Tell me the details while I take over.
Thank you. Please, this needs to stop.. and you're most likely to get their attention.
I will try my best. I'll handle things from here. Where did you leave off?
It's ... ... ...ield...
You're getting weaker. Take this time to rest. You'll need it.
Thank you...
.
.
A soft glow appears and disappears in a millisecond. Rustling and then silence. A window opens, unheard by the people talking downstairs. She knew it would make the others worry, but it doesn't take much time to get to the walls from where she was. A swift jump, graceful landing, and a moment to consider the exits. Windows were empty at the side of the building she stood by, which made the jump over the wall effortless and undetected-- just like the spell she temporarily possessed. She had to get out of there, quickly, away from the one hundred mile radius. The rain poured down on her features, a small hindrance, but perfect for her escape. A flash of brown and green glided with extreme speed and stealth across the forest floor. Soon enough, she got to the gates and followed the directions laid in her mind. And there she was, encased in light. The smile promised protection. And with a small murmur, the levitating girl vanished in sight, leaving the other standing drenched in natural water. Turning around, the figure started the long trek back to where she was supposed to be; a thought in mind, of how the others would react to her bed empty and herself not in it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celestine Ravencroft Crew
|
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:12 pm
Just as Caelen had sensed, it was indeed Chef who came through the Manor gates. Caelen inclined his head in acknowledgement of Chef as he called out the butler’s name in simple greeting. Chef had yet another teenage girl in hand. She looked to be on the brink of passing out. Just before Chef and the girl reached the steps of the Manor, the girl pitched forward in exhaustion. Chef just barely caught her in time to keep her out of the mud puddles surrounding the Manor. Chef begged the girl to stay awake, calling her name, but this young one had been pushed beyond her strength, much like the girl now out cold in Caelen’s arms. Caelen’s brow furrowed with worry. What on Gaia’s green earth is happening ? the butler wondered silently to himself, growing ever more concerned and alarmed at the rapidly changing events. Chef gathered the girl, Terra, in his arms and looked back at Caelen, observing that he too had a charge to tend to. Never able to resist an opportunity to make a joke, Chef ribbed Cae about his typical effect on young women. If Caelen’s arms hadn't been full, he would have facepalmed. As it was, he simply looked up at the dark sky, shaking his head in exasperation and said Oh, heaven help me.Chef chuckled at Caelen’s reaction, but quickly turned off the jibes and got down to serious mode. Chef’s words were succinct. He never had been one for a lot of elaboration. It was one reason why Caelen and Chef got along so well. They could both be perfectly blunt and straight forward with each other. There was something in Chefs voice when he mentioned town that told Caelen he wasn’t going to like what Chef had to say. Never the less, he agreed completely with the man’s sentiments on getting the girls out of the cold rain. Nodding to show he understood Chef’s meaning, Caelen said nothing as he opened the Manor door, allowing Chef to carry his charge in first. Caelen followed behind Chef and used a small bit of his power to shut the Manor door and lock it. He felt better about talking once they were both safely inside the walls of the building. I’m glad to see you made it back in one piece. This has been one hectic day, and I doubt we've seen the end of it. Let’s get these two up to guest rooms. They’re both soaked through and need a change of clothes. I’ll see if I can get Celestine to handle that…A subtle hesitation colored his voice upon mentioning his beloved. Caelen shook it off and continued talking, more quietly now, as he and Chef walked side by side up the wide stairs that led to the second floor. I’m afraid I can’t give you any different news about her. She still sleeps as if dead, though her heart still beats. I wish I had better news for you, truly. Caelen glanced at Chef as they both reached the second floor and arrived at one of the spacious guest rooms. Chef generally hid his emotions well, but Caelen detected a slight frown on the man’s face as he carried his charge over to the bed and gently laid her down on top of the comforter. Caelen both sympathized and empathized with the man. He knew what it was to worry for the life of someone he held dear. Poor man, I hope things turn out well for his sake. Things are just spiraling out of control so fast… Caelen thought morbidly to himself as he waited for Chef to say something, anything.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 6:09 pm
Starring skyward slowly as the rain never seemed to let up Leif had a questioning look in his eyes slightly broken and torn up and shredded like thousands of questioning little notes each unanswered, swirling ,storming and generating so many thoughts. placing what little dry spare cloths he could Leif kept his small friend dry as a soft sneeze escaped the hedgehog before the young man set him back in the cage to keep dry. Slowly drawing his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them Leif murmured some of his thoughts and feelings. What were those, things. . . . they seemed to be strangely human-like despite there aqueous bodies.
Sighing softly as the rain washed away the few tears in his eyes and most of the pain from the days trials Leif asked again a few minutes later, And who were those people, i wonder if we will meet again. He said resting back under the tree trying desperately to sleep and wonder what to do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hot Caffeinated Cree Vice Captain
|
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:44 pm
Prim realized what Charm was doing and looked at the tiny dragon. She gave a small smile and a quick nod. "Yes, he is very cute. I promise to take good care of him, for her sake." Prim held out her hand for the baby dragon to sniff. She hoped she'd be trusted enough to look after Hydro's 'baby'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 11:10 pm
Chef simply nodded at Caelen's words and started up the wide staircase. It certainly was a long day. As he carried Terra up the stairs to the guest room, he couldn't help but feel jealous. Between dealing with the town council, the torrential rain, and whatever was chasing Terra, Chef could have used a good nap. Sleep would have to wait, however. He needed some answers to exactly what happened today, and he was sure he wasn't the only one. As Chef reached the guest room, he would receive at least one answer to his questions. And although it was an answer he expected to hear, it still wasn't the one he wanted to hear. "I see..." The young man sighed upon hearing Caelen's answer. Chef didn't really expect anything different with regards to Alice, but he still felt the need to ask. After laying Terra down in a bed, Chef made his way to the door. Just as he was about to leave the room, he turned around to address Caelen. "I know it's probably pointless, but... I'm gonna check up on her. I'll meet you downstairs in a bit and brief you on today's events."Every night since Alice fell into what seemed like a coma, over four months ago, Chef made a habit of visiting her in her room. Once there, he would just sit down and talk to her as if she wasn't in a coma. She wasn't able to respond, of course, and Chef was well aware of that. But as insane as it sounded, doing so actually helped keep him keep his sanity. Chef chuckled to himself as he walked down the hall towards Alice's room. "Of course if you were here, twin, if you were watching, you'd think I was insane anyway," he thought. "Hell, you think I'm crazy just for existing! Eh... It can't be helped. Maybe I am crazy. May--" Chef's thoughts were interrupted as he reached the door to Alice's room. On the other side of the door, he could hear the storm raging outside as if... Upon opening the door, the cold air from outside hit Chef, confirming his thoughts. The window was open, and Alice was gone. Chef quickly ran to the window and looked outside, but it was too dark and too stormy for him to see anything past the Manor wall. For a split second, he contemplated running outside to look for her, but a crackle of lightning off in the distance quickly changed his mind. Neither he nor anyone else could search for someone in this weather. The distraught young man shut the window and turned around to face the now empty bed. He walked over to the bed, took a seat on the chair he placed next to it over four months ago, and began to talk to Alice as if she was still there. "Hey, Alice. It's Shawn. You won't believe the day I've had..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celestine Ravencroft Crew
|
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 7:23 pm
It was nothing new to Caelen. He had figured Chef would want to have his alone time with his spirit twin. Nodding, Caelen exited the room behind Chef and headed off in the opposite direction for another empty guest room. There were plenty of available rooms, but Caelen figured the two unconscious girls should not be too far apart sort they'd be easier to check on from time to time. Using his powers once again, Caelen magically opened the door to the room just down from Terra's room and carried his own charge over to the bed, gently depositing her on the comforter. Poor thing, she's really a mess. I sincerely hope I can get someone else to help take care of getting these two girls changed into dry clothes. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to handle that, butler or not. Caelen observed mentally. Not able to really do anything else, Caelen left the room and headed for Alice's room, needing to see once more for himself if the young woman had woken at all, but very much doubting it. Caelen made the long walk down the hall and then paused when he reached the open door to Alice's private room. Chef usually closed the door when he went in to be alone with his twin. Something was off. Almost afraid of what he might see in the room, Caelen slowly entered the doorway and peered into the dark room, lit only by the sparse light of one of Celestine's many crystal lights that had been placed in every room. The window was closed. Chef was sitting in his usual place in the chair by Alice's bed, talking as he normally did. But he was talking to thin air. It became horrifyingly clear to the butler just what was off in the room. Its occupant was missing. Caelen drew in a sharp breath upon seeing Alice missing and dashed over to the window much like Chef had done. He opened the curtains and scanned the grounds as best he could, but it was in vain. Alice was nowhere in sight. Caelen shut the window and turned to Chef. What happened? Where is she? Chef?! Please, speak to me!Caelen was in a partial panic, unlike Chef who was in obvious shock. Cae even considered shaking Chef to snap him out of it, but that would have been too harsh. He just waited anxiously for Chef to give some sigh he had heard the butler.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 11:39 pm
The whole situation was unbelievable. While Alice has technically been gone for over four months, she was always sort of still there to Chef. He always felt that someway, somehow, she could hear what he said to her every night, even if she couldn't respond. Now she was gone altogether, and Chef was in a state of shock. He was there, in that chair beside Alice's bed, but at the same time he wasn't. He was almost subconsciously talking to her, though he couldn't really hear what he was saying. He couldn't hear anything, for that matter. Certainly he didn't hear Caelen suddenly burst into the room and make the same discovery. Eventually Chef snapped to, just as Caelen turned to him and inquired about Alice. "She's just... gone." That was about the best Chef could manage to say. His mind was just a flurry of emotions at the moment. He felt shock and confusion about what happened to Alice. He even felt a bit of relief. Perhaps, he thought, Alice finally woke up from her coma. How else would she just up and disappear? That small glimmer of hope was enough to get Chef out of his shocked and semiconscious state and give Caelen a more elaborate response. "I came in here like I usually do... I found the window wide open and, well, I didn't find Alice. As for what happened, I have no idea." Chef placed his hand on his forehead, as if suffering from a headache. "This whole day has just been one mess after another... Alice is gone, two girls are passed out, this terrible storm isn't letting up... And then there's the council... Should've mentioned it sooner to you, but I haven't really had the time. The council won't let you do anything about these attacks. Those idiots think you're a potential danger to the town since you just happen to have abilities that involve dark energy. All these strange things are happening around us and there isn't a damn thing we can do about it..." At last Chef finally showed his frustration. Slowly it has been building up throughout the day, and he hasn't had a real opportunity to let it out until now. Before leaving the room, Chef let Caelen know that he had to get out of his soaked clothing and that he'd be downstairs later. As the young man walked to his room, he remained optimistic about his twin. Where before his mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts, now there was only one thing going through his head. "She'll be back. I just know she will."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celestine Ravencroft Crew
|
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:37 pm
Caelen would not have blamed Chef one bit if he had remained like a statue in his chair next to Alice's vacant bed. In fact, he half expected it. So it came as a mild surprise when Chef finally did raise his head and speak. Chef clearly didn't know any more about what had transpired than Caelen did. He was in such shock and grief over the sudden disappearance of his proverbial twin. Chef was right about one thing though, the day was just going from bad to worse. The news about the town council's refusal came as no surprise, but it still burned Caelen like fire. A sudden gust of wind rattled the window outside, a physical manifestation of Caelen's anger and frustration. But his own personal issues would have to be set aside. There were hungry guests downstairs that needed to be fed and two unconscious girls that needed to have warm, dry clothes. Chef rose from his chair, indicating that he was going to go change and he'd see Caelen later. Cae nodded and headed back down to the main floor. As he walked slowly down the marbled grand staircase, Caelen's thoughts drifted over the day. In some ways, this is all like one surreal nightmare from which one can't awaken. Even worse, we're all stuck in the same dream. There has to be some small ray of hope in all of this. If we don't do something relatively soon, more lives may be lost. We're running out of time.The sudden realization that he was at the kitchen door already and the smell of something cooking roused Caelen from his morbid mental wandering. Shrugging his gloomy mood aside, Cae entered the kitchen to see Prim, the angel imp, and the tiny dragon all sitting together at the simple table against the far wall of the spacious kitchen. Aylin was over by the stove, furiously stirring at something in a pot. The interesting smell of the food piqued Caelen's curiosity. The butler approached Aylin and the stove from the side rather than from behind, trying to avoid spooking the pixie. Peering into the pot he asked with interest What's cooking?He would have been better off to say nothing at all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
